Hello again!

[Katharina]

Hi there,

too bad about Sabena.... But welcome to LH! I have no doubt they'll want you. The selection process really is relatively hassle-free, and as an experienced crew member I'm sure you'll know what to do to impress. Anyway, I'll try and think of some advice once I'm more awake (currently my brain is inop, have been up since 4:50...), then I'll get back to you.

Katharina

[Airbus_320]

Hi everybody,

Now after that I have introduced myself a little bit, I would like to now if you maybe have any tips for me if I have to go to Frankfurt for the rest of the sellections.
I now it is early, because I'm still waiting for answer of the first round.But I am just so exited,and I can hardly wait!!
Anyway,Already thanks in advance and I keep you posted when I have received some mail.

Happy landings to you all!!!!

[Airbus_320]

Hi Katherine,

Thanks for your reply, really appreciate it!
I already feel more at ease with this hole selection thing.
I keep you posted.

[Airbus_320]

Sorry Katherina, I got your name wrong the first time, I wrote Katherine(oeps!)
Anyway I hope this correct my litlle faillure
By the way, hole=whole(another typing mistake)
take care

[Katharina]

Hi again,

okay, here comes my belated reply. I'll try and give as much info/advice as possible (probably more than you want...).

First: For the interview day, you'll need to bring your "Bewerbungsunterlagen". In Germany, this means a cover letter, your cv, school/college certificates and references from ALL previous employers (maybe this is the same in Belgium; just thought I'd point it out, as for example in Britain it's different). As you've already had your phone interview, you don't need a proper cover letter, but to make it look neat you might want to add some sort of cover sheet (maybe this could read something like: "Bewerbungsunterlagen für Deutsche Lufthansa AG", your name, the date, plus an index of all enclosures). You should also file them in some sort of folder/cover, not just an envelope (think of neat, professional looks!).

Talking about looks: Although Germans tend to go for fairly casual dress at interviews, I'd recommend you to wear a full suit (with a tie). Don't worry if many of your fellow applicants just wear smartish everyday clothes - most people aren't aware just how conservative airlines are in this respect. If anything, you'll stand out in a positive way!

Also: Try to arrive early. The route from the airport to the LH base and from the visitor's gate to the interview building is much longer than it looks on the map, and you might have to queue at reception (speaking from experience - I almost got late for my interview!)! Allow AT LEAST 1/2 hour for your way from the airport.

As I said before, the interview process itself is relatively simple and hassle-free. Four years ago, it consisted of the following elements (and I don't think that's changed much):

1. Self-introduction in a group and group excercise (solving some sort of paper puzzle).

2. One-to-one interview, involving an English conversation and a role-play excercise of some typical on-board conflict.

3. While you wait for your interview, you fill in a multiple-choice English test and a 'psychometric' test.

Basically, the usual advice for airline interview applies (which I suppose you've already used successfully for your Sabena interview) - be sweet but confident; have answers for the usual questions ready but don't make them sound too rehearsed; emphasise your interest in the actual work (service, responsibility and all), not just in travelling, etc. In addition, here are some things I thought of regarding the individual assessments:

For the self-introduction: This is the usual name, age, previous job and why-do-I-want-to-be-a-flight-attendant. Try not to show off with your previous flight experience. I once applied with another airline after I'd already worked with LH, and I noticed how difficult it is not to sound arrogant/superior about that! Just mention it, and say that you enjoyed the job so much that you'd like to work in it again.

The group excercise is about team work, of course. Naturally, it's not important whether your group actually solves the puzzle (ours didn't...)- the main thing is how you go about it. Try to be active without dominating. They really like to hear things like: "How about I hold it for you while you cut it" or "I think Anke had an idea; let's listen to her". And keep that humour up!

The interviewers are occupational psychologists, which might sound a bit daunting. But really, that just means they are trained in using the right questions to detect the right personalities. You're not going to get psychoanalysed or electro-shocked, and they don't have any magic way of "seeing through you"! Just be your natural charming self and treat them like you would any other interviewer.

My interview was really harmless and friendly. No trick-questions, basically it was just a more detailed repeat of the phone interview. Why do I want to be a flight attendant, can I think of any disadvantages, am I prepared to deal with the irregular lifestyle, what will I say if friends call my job "just a waitress in the air", etc. Then again, I've heard that others had more aggressive interviewers, so you should be prepared for all possible questions. In the English chat, they really just want to hear your English. My interviewer even let me choose what I want to talk about!

I don't know whether you intend to move to Frankfurt or to commute from Belgium. May I suggest that, at the interview, you say that you're planning to relocate to Frankfurt? Of course it's perfectly acceptable to commute (and countless people do it) , but there's a tendencially negative feeling in management about commuters, and I think that at the interview it'll just sound more commited if you say that you're ready and willing to move to Frankfurt for the job.

The roleplay is usually some sort of tricky on-board situation - luring an overweighed person out of an exit row, convincing someone to stowe their cabin luggage elsewhere, etc. I'm sure as an ex FA you're well experienced in all of these! Again, it doesn't matter whether you succeed in convincing the "pax" - they just want to see if you're flexible, diplomatic, innovative and able to harmonise our twofold role of polite 'service' and firm 'safety'.

The English test is just multiple-choice, and I'm sure you won't find it a problem. The psychometric test is also multiple-choice, and it's best to be as truthful and spontaneous as possible. They say that they can detect if you're not - well, I'm not sure if that is true, but at any rate, if you've got the right personality for the job, your truthful answers will be good anyway.

Generally, at Lufthansa they are pretty keen on the safety aspect of your job. So whenever there's talk of our role or of service, you should show that you understand our job to comprise service AND safety.

Um, that's about all I can think of. Oh, one last thing: Germans like firm handshakes!

The free ticket they send you is an open-date standby ticket, so if you want you can stay on after the interview to visit friends or family in Germany.

If you pass this interview, you'll get invited another time for a medical examination. That's the last hurdle, then you've made it!

Well, I have no doubts you'll find the interview a piece of cake and will do glamorously well!

Good luck anyway!

Katharina

[Airbus_320]

Hi Katharina,

First of all I would like to thank you for your fantastic reply!!!
Your reply was absoluttely fantastic and very detailed and it will hopefully help me a lot , but I'm confident it will.
As for second I would like you to now thet I signed in under a new name(Airbus 320), this is because I signed up the first time using my real name (Hompes Guy), as I think it is much more fun having a nickname I changed into Airbus 320.Just to let you now that Hompes Guy and Airbus320 Are the same person.
Thanks Again so much!!
Are you still working for Lufthansa?

Enjoy your flights
Airbus 320