Screening Day at EK

On November 26, 2008 I had my assessment day with Emirates Airline for the cabin crew position.

Here is how the assessment day looked like in Osaka (pretty standard and very much like those in other countries).

10am - all those who passed the initial screening were invited to come on that day. Two groups were formed and sat in a circle. The task was "Ask the person to your right what he/she would do if he/she had 1000000 dollars and why." As you are discussing the questions (and getting to know others), they call you one by one to once again pass the 212cm reach test.

After that, each person stood up and presented the person to his/her right and what he/she would do with the money. In this case, be sure to greet everyone again, mention the person's name you are going to talk about and BRIEFLY (in under 45 seconds) tell what you have learnt. Smile, stand firmly and comfortably and enunciate properly. In this test, they measure you overall level of English. So, be sure to use simple and yet clear phrases as well as try to interchange long sentences with short ones. What I said looks like this:

"Good morning everyone! Today I have a pleasure of introducing XXX to you. If XXX had 1000000 dollars, she would spend it on the prevention of hunger and starvation in Africa. XXX thinks that African continent is facing severe problems with undernourishment and the international community does not pay enough attention to address this burning issue. To XXX opinion, making other's lives happier is what makes yours happier. too. Thank you!" [and keep on looking at everyone in the group as you are speaking. Maintaining eye contact helps. And smile, smile, smile]

After that, about 20% of people were eliminated, mostly those whose English did not meet minimal standards.

The second test was another group activity. The task was "Choose 5 cities which might host next Olympics and give the reasons for your choice." In this group discussion, I would outline the following:

1) If you are by nature a leader, that is perfectly acceptable. You may (and maybe even) should initiate the discussion. Offer one city... and then keep silent (occasionally, dropping "yes, it is a good idea; oh wow, [mention person's name], this is a very good point."

2) If you are a follower, then let someone start the conversation (this does not diminish or increase your chance of getting through, as it seemed to me). But then speak up. Mention one city and give your reason.

If you choose to be either 1) or 2) (i.e., if you have a chance to mention one of five cities or you are the one who opens the discussion), make it no more than 45 seconds.

3) If it happened that five cities were mentioned and you did not get a chance to contribute your own point, then now it is the time for you to act. The safest way is to say this "OK, guys, we seem to have reached the consensus. So, to summarize, our five cities are...".

ALWAYS smile and maintain eye contact with EVERYONE in your group. Ignore the recruiters. I actually forgot that they were walking around us.

Then they asked 5 people from the group to stand up and present the 5 cities. In this case if you did not get a chance to talk or do the summary, volunteer to present. They need to somehow remember you. When presenting, try to use "We as a group decided that the city XXX should be on the list because..." "I's and me's" expressions should be used as infrequently as possible.

After that, about 10% of people were eliminated. It seemed to me that they were looking for:
1) how you work in team;
2) whether you can accept and appreciate other's opinions;
3) how good your English is;
4) your general posture (how you sit, eye contact, gestures); and
5) how you present.

Then we had a short break. After a while, they invited us to take the English language test. The test is nothing like GRE or GMAT but it does require a relatively high proficiency in English. There were about 40 questions and one essay to write. You do get more bonus points if your essay is both well written (structure, logics, coherent) and well argued. They do not care whether the statements are actually correct (I ended up saying that hockey, figure staking and triathlon should be dropped off from the 2012 winter Olympics games list while 2012 are SUMMER games). As long as you:
1) follow the Western standard of writing (INTRO-Three Main Points-Conclusions);
2) use very good to excellent grammar and vocabulary; then you will make it. After all, cabin crew is not a job for dummies. Ability to communicate and be understood is important.

Do not take your level of English for granted. There was one girl who seemed to be pretty confident with her language skills, and yet she failed.

After the test, about 25 % were thanked and asked to leave.

Then came the HARDEST group discussion. In a small group of 10 at most, you are given a topic, 4 questions to address and 10 minutes to come up with the solution. In terms of role distribution, you may follow the same pattern as described above. But remember who said what, since the recruiters may ask some questions further. If they ask the group "Whom did you {as a group meaning} choose to be the actor?" and you know the answer, say "We have decided that for this sitcom the best actor is XXX". Do not say more than they ask (i.e., no "why"s and so on).

30% people were left... and we made it to the finals. Then, there was a personality test and final interview scheduling.

Overall, it is a very very exciting process. You get the chance to meet amazing people, interact and feel so professional. And once you step out from the hotel, you feel so proud.

A few tips:
1) be nice and smile;
2) do make sure that you look neat (shoes, hair, smell);
3) do not disagree. Say "Yes, this is a very interesting point of you".. and swallow the rest. After all, who cares. It is not like your decision whether Riga is to become the next EK destination will actually matter for EK itself;
4) talk to people when you have free time. Share concerns and make friends;
5) always thank everyone, even if he/she did not do anything.

My final interview is this upcoming Sunday.... And then... I think I know what I want for Xmas this year :-)