how to answer these interview question.. please help

[FAfantasy]

I will be going to my first ever interview with an airline.... need help with the following kinds of interview question and please comment on the way I planned to answer.

- Why do you want to be a FA?
I was planning to say that it gives me a chance to use the customer service skills that I've developed in my past work experience and it gives me a chance to meet new people. I am sure i need to say more than this!

- I have a university degree in engineering, what if they ask me why i wanted to be a F/A..

- Weakness
I planned to say that my weakness is look too much into details...

- Example of customer service...
What are the best examples I can give?

- Why should we hire you..?

- Any questions?

I am a very frequent flyer myself and I plan to eloborate on this point that as a frequent traveller, i felt that i understand what is expected from a traveller and confident that I can provide that level of service... is this a good idea or will it give them an impression that i just love the job for the sake of travelling?

THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR THE RESPONSE!!

[flyboydc]

Here's the deal, unless you're a trained actor, if you try to use "canned" answers, answers that you think they want to hear, they're probably going to pick up on it, and know you're trying to play them.

So, think about it. Why is it you really want to be a flight attendant. What's the honest answer? I don't think there's really a correct answer. (Well, maybe saying that you're using it as an escape from the hell that is your home would not be such a good idea.)

Don't feel like your own personal reasons are invalid or bad, they're probably the best answers. One of my first interviews at a different carrier, I gave a made up answer that I thought they wanted to hear about why I wanted to be a flight attendant, then the interviewer told my why she wanted to be one, and it turns out her reason was really my reason, so I would have been better off with the real answer. And I didn't get that job!

My degree was unrelated to travel, it is for most of us with college degrees. We studied something in college, we enjoyed it, and decided for now to try this. There's nothing wrong with that!

The best customer service answers are ones that you experienced. If you're a frequent traveler, you must have good examples. Again, don't look for the can in the market when you've got a garden at home. LOL http://www.crewstart.com/ubb/images/icons/grin.gif

I'll tell you what, let us know what your real honest answers would be, and maybe we can give you pointers on how to best phrase them, if they even need improvement! http://www.crewstart.com/ubb/images/icons/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by flyboydc (edited November 27, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by flyboydc (edited November 27, 2000).]

[suthernbelle]

I had an odd question at my interview with my airline. It was "Is the customer always right?"

My answer was yes and no. The customer is always correct in knowing what they want. I answered no because we, as flight attendants, will undergo specialized training for a number of weeks which focuses primarily on safety issues. Once we successfully pass training, our customers look upon us as safety leaders. Therefore, the customer is always right on his or her needs and the fas are right about whether or not his or her needs will be within the realms of our safety.

I remember the interviewer looked at me with a funny look on her face. I guess that I was supposed to say yes, the customer is ALWAYS right. Oh well, I got the job.

I too have a college degree and worked in my field for 10 years prior to being a fa. When asked the question about why did I want to become a fa, I said that I was at a point in my life where I could make this lifestyle change (remember, being a fa is not only a job, but a change in lifestyle) and that I wanted to take advantage of that opportunity and not let it slip away again. I also said something about applying my past experiences to the airline industry.

Great answer on the weakness! Oh, and another thing. If they ask you about stealing, be brutal. You have to give them the impression that you would turn in your own mother if you caught her stealing a liquor mini. And there is nothing that you would not do for a passenger. If a passenger wanted a warmed tomato juice and Bailey's (mixed together) after you have closed the galley, you will cheerfully prepare a warmed tomato juice and Bailey's and then promptly throw up in the galley.

Best of luck. Let us know what happens.

[flyboydc]

I disagree on that stealing answer. I had a similar question, but answered it differently, and here I am in the friendly skies.

I think that in interviewing, it's not always about a "correct" answer, but whether or not you can give a sensible answer, to show that you're not a total idiot.