Do you have dyed hair and tend to roll your eyes when criticized?
Then you can forget about becoming a flight attendant, according to Elena Carmen Lopez, 43, from Barcelona, a former cabin crew recruiter who has revealed to MailOnline Travel what airlines look for when interviewing flight attendant candidates.
While getting a job isn’t just about looks, there are some aspects of appearance that could get you the job…or get it docked from your paycheck.
Elena explains: ‘If we talk about image, having yellow or cracked teeth, unnaturally dyed hair, tattoos, piercings and large scars will definitely be a “no” to name a few.
“Airlines aren’t looking for beautiful people as such, but rather people with a good, professional image.”
Elena Carmen López (pictured) is a former cabin crew recruiter who has revealed to MailOnline Travel what airlines look for when interviewing flight attendant candidates.
Elena (left), who worked as a cabin crew member for Monarch and Emirates, says that on recruitment day ‘you should dress in formal attire and for ladies it is recommended to wear a knee-length skirt, tied hair, stockings and manicured nails’.
Your height could also help you during the recruiting phase.
Elena says: ‘They are very focused on height.
“They need tall people who can access all the emergency equipment in the overhead bins…and hiring managers are also looking for fit individuals who can handle this fast-paced lifestyle.”
So, you need to be fit, professional, and avoid unnatural hair colors… but what about your outfit on recruiting day?
Arriving late, not smiling enough, or being too stiff could also be factors that could instantly lead to rejection.
Elena Carmen Lopez – Recruiter
Elena, who worked as cabin crew for Monarch and Emirates, says: ‘You must wear formal clothing and ladies are advised to wear a knee-length skirt, tied back hair, stockings and manicured nails. Male candidates should wear a suit and tie.
‘It is advisable to follow the required formal dress code so that recruiters can imagine you on board the plane.’
Elena warns that this is not always possible, as sometimes flight attendants are recruited at open days without an appointment. If this is the case, she points out that wearing formal attire “is not mandatory, as some candidates may not know this or may have decided to come unprepared.”
Elena, pictured, says: ‘They are looking for genuine personalities and people who tend to smile.’
‘Arriving late, not smiling enough or being too rigid could also be factors that could instantly lead to rejection,’ says the former recruiter.
But it’s not all about looks. Elena shares her thoughts on how personality influences the hiring process.
She says: ‘They are looking for genuine personalities and people with a tendency to smile.
‘They are not looking for leaders, nor a bad attitude or rudeness. Arriving late, not smiling enough or being too rigid could also be factors that could lead to immediate rejection.
‘Not paying attention to what other candidates are saying or rolling your eyes are also common mistakes.’
Do you have examples of top candidates you’ve met or coached?
Elena, seen here in Dubai, comments: ‘What I liked most about the job of a flight attendant was travelling to different destinations and living a lifestyle that you can’t really have with any other job.’
Elena comments: ‘As a recruiter, you can see immediately, from the start, if they are what we call a “star candidate.”
“Their appearance is impeccable, they are polite to others, they smile often, they are gentle, decisive and their overall performance is simply phenomenal.”
And the worst?
She says, ‘Those who don’t reflect on their past rejections and do nothing about them become defensive and blame others for their failure.’
The recruitment coach, who now helps people secure contracts with airlines, says there are also post-interview dos and don’ts that airline applicants should keep in mind.
She says: ‘Some candidates tend to change their email addresses after their application is rejected online. This is a big ‘no’ that could land you on a ‘blacklist.’
Elena adds that prospective crew members should “stay away from Facebook groups” and “consider getting training” before their interview.
Elena comments that they are the “most difficult” airlines to find staff for.
Elena has written two books about her experience in airlines: Life After Dubai and The Golden Call
Above is The Golden Call (£14), Elena’s book about the cabin crew recruitment processes at Middle Eastern airlines Emirates and Etihad.
She explains: ‘In my opinion yes, as they are the most difficult airlines to get into, and because they are in high demand, they raise the bar when it comes to cabin crew requirements.
‘Middle Eastern airlines want the full package – they look for natural abilities, personality and of course a good image. Middle Eastern airlines are very conservative, so a conservative look and appearance is valued.’
For those interested in working for a Middle Eastern airline, Elena has more advice.
She told MailOnline: ‘I think a lot of candidates have, influenced by social media, a slightly different idea of what it’s like to live and work for a Middle Eastern airline.
‘They tend to have very high expectations of their job and their country and some of them might not be very happy afterwards.’
What did Elena enjoy most about her time working in the skies?
She comments: ‘What I liked most about the job of a flight attendant was the fact that every day I flew with different people, experienced new cultures, shared different points of view, travelled to different destinations and lived a lifestyle that you can’t really have with any other job.
‘What I hated about work was the lack of sleep and the jet lag (which I don’t think you ever get used to) and the loneliness.’
The recruiter notes: “After five years flying for Emirates, I thought it was time to hang up my wings. I was ready to leave cabin crew.”
Those who want to know more about Elena can find her on Instagram under the username @carmenlarecruiteron their website larecruiter.esor you can buy their books Life after Dubai and The golden call.
