A woman has alleged that the devastating reason she didn’t land her dream job as a flight attendant at Emirates was because of her acne.
TikTok user Lilla, who posts under the username @whatisgoingonlilla, says she was offered a job as a flight attendant at the Dubai-based airline, but claims she received an email writing up the offer two days later.
“I received the golden call from Emirates congratulating me on the job, and today I received an email from them saying that they can no longer continue my employment,” said the devastated woman.
“Apparently I didn’t pass the medical check,” he continued.
Lilla didn’t seem to know exactly why it didn’t happen, but says she thinks it may be her acne, which she described as “mild.”
“On the medical form I filled out there were about 40 questions, and they asked me questions about my health and my mental health, and one of these questions included whether I had any skin (conditions) like eczema or acne,” she shared.
“I checked no on every question except one, where I checked yes and wrote that I occasionally have mild acne,” she shared.
Lilla added that that was the “only reason” she can think of why she was rejected.
A woman has shared the devastating reason she didn’t land her dream job as a flight attendant at Emirates – because of her acne (file image)
“It was really painful,” the aspiring stewardess admitted.
“I wouldn’t care if I didn’t get the job, that would be fine, but telling someone you got the job and congratulating them and then telling them they don’t have the job anymore is so… I just feel disrespected,” she concluded in the video.
In a follow-up video, Lilla responded to a comment saying that Emirates has a strict hiring policy, adding that he shouldn’t have revealed anything.
“I guess I was a little naïve in the sense that I noted on the medical form that I was dealing with mild acne,” she admitted.
However, Lilla said the form and the company made it very clear that if applicants lied about something on their application, if it was discovered once they arrived in Dubai for training, they would be sent home at their own expense.
“I was very afraid of that happening,” he explained. “So I thought I’d write mild acne, I didn’t think it would be that big of a deal.”
‘From what I’ve been seeing online, you just shouldn’t write anything, but I find it like a trap because on the one hand they tell you to be honest, but then being honest doesn’t get you anywhere. ‘ she complained.
“So, once again I’m confused.”
DailyMail.com has contacted Emirates for comment.
Viewers of Lilla’s clip soon expressed their opinions about Emirates’ hiring standards.
TikTok user Lilla, who posts under the username @whatisgoingonlilla, was offered a job as a flight attendant at the Dubai-based airline, only to receive an email two days later writing up the offer.
Commentators expressed their opinions on Emirates’ hiring standards.
‘Emirates is strict. Anyone applying knows not to reveal anything. “You could have gotten away with it since you wear makeup all the time at work,” one user wrote.
‘Emirates and Qatar Airways are very strict about cleanliness and your condition will surely get much worse when flying. I never had problems with my skin until I started flying, any big breakout will ground you,’ one person responded.
‘I was rejected from Emirates 10 years ago and now I work at Google. “I know this is very difficult and disappointing, but I just want to encourage you not to know the surprising twists that await you,” encouraged another.
Emirates’ recruitment process is “selective, arduous and challenging” – applicants must meet a series of strict requirements and go through multiple interviews.
Potential staff must also have at least one year of hospitality or customer service experience, a minimum secondary education, have no visible tattoos, and be able to meet UAE work visa requirements.
Each recruiting event has a dress code that requires women to have carefully tied hair, “full makeup,” business attire, and heels.
Men should be well-presented and clean-shaven in a suit or smart business attire and formal work shoes.
During the open day, the Emirates team provides an overview of the role and applicants who impress recruiters are invited to return for the Cabin Crew Assessment Day.
In 2023, Emirates hired a staggering 8,000 cabin crew and held recruitment events in 353 cities as the airline ramped up its services post-pandemic. In August 2023, the airline’s cabin crew numbers surpassed the 20,000 milestone and are now 21,500, according to the Emirates website.