“Long time, no see”. In this case, no writing… So much has happened. I wish I could have had more discipline and kept on writing here more often. This is now a commitment I am making to myself: I will try to blog in this space at least once a week, who doesn’t have time to do something you love at least once a week? It’s all a matter of organization and also of respect with you, in some extent.
I recently went through a recruitment process by an airline in order to work in the airport of my city as one of the airline’s ground’s representative, better explained (I’m having trouble finding the appropriate words in English…): I will work in the check-in counter, also helping to assist passengers before they even reach the check-in itself, assisting boarding and arrival procedures, be that person you go talk to when your luggage is lost and pretty much everything related to ground operations (inside the terminal) in an airport. This will be a great opportunity for me to enter the aviation world and to be around pilots, F.A.s, personnel from this airline (my favorite at the moment) and others too etc. I am very happy!
So, this was my first recruitment process in an airline (besides an OD and AD with Emirates back in 2009, but they’re pretty much peculiar) so I will give you some hints and tips I might find that will help others. I will also share some opinions regarding my very personal feelings and experience about this recruitment process. I won’t name the airline for privacy and also because of professional reasons, of course.
So here are some of my tips:
MEN’S GROOMING TIPS!!
I’m a guy so I will tell what I think a men should be aware of (there are many websites on the internet telling about how a women should be dressed and groomed, it’s difficult to find about the men’s point of view, so I will share my experience here):
a) Cut your hair 3-4 days prior to your interview. Use wax, gel or hairspray (whatever best works for your) to make your hair looks gorgeous and to prevent it from “moving” and destroying your look.
b) I don’t even need to say: shave! And shave it WELL. At this point you have to come up with a solution as of how to shave without irritating your skin**. If you do come up with a bit of a redness in some regions, try to mask it with a discreet foundation (ignore in this case the rule of not wearing any make-up whatsoever, but be very very discreet)
**tip from my dermatologist: shave after the shower (the pores are opened and the hair will come off easier) and after you shave wash your face with cold water (put 1 or 2 ice cubes in a glass of water), this will help closing your pores minimizing any irritation; ice (and cold water in this case) is also a good astringent and they make tiny vessels contract (ice is a vasoconstrictor), this minimizing inflammation and small bleedings.
c) It’s always better to overdress: wear business attire and prefer being classic then risking innovating and coming up with a strange look. Marine (dark blue) is the classic color in aviation for suits, pick it, black comes second. Prefer a white shirt, it’s the classic one, light blue is the second choice, always pick the classic if you are not sure as it will match virtually any tie you might choose. And as for the tie, be careful, be discreet but also be creative, it’s THE thing that will make the difference in your attire: a red tie is a classic, if you want to be classic, pick a (nice) red tie, you will be perfect and choose the classic Windsor knot, there are many YouTube tutorials teaching how to tie a perfect knot. Your shoes are black, no other option and do I need to say: choose classic, don’t risk by choosing what you think is more fashionable! Your belt is also black, no discussion, it HAS to match your shoes. And as for the socks either they’re marine (dark blue) matching the suit (preferable), try to chose one in the exact same color of your suit, or they can also be black matching the shoes (or the suit if black as well).
d) Check if your hands are okay. It’s very important that your nails are cut and that your hands are looking neat and clean. Using a hand cream is also a good idea.
e) Brush your teeth, floss them, use Listerine, do it all, but be sure to not to have a bad breath!!
f) Be careful as far as perfume (and aftershave) is (are) concerned. Use only very little of it. You don’t want to smell very much (even if your perfume is wonderful), as in the aviation industry, as far as I know, F.A.s are forbidden to use perfume because clients can be allergic to it and also because tastes may differ a lot, what smells good for you may stink for someone else! Be careful!!
g) Don’t wear make-up! At last not if someone will notice by any means you’re wearing it. It’s a big NO-NO for men. I’m not being sexist, I’m just sharing information I gathered, heard and the things I’ve seen in real life. BUT, if you do know how to use it properly without even being noticed at all, go for it.
h) Try to find out about the airline’s policy about glasses. If you’re not sure, try to get contact lenses and wear them in your recruitment process first then afterwards ask if you can wear glasses and what kind of models are allowed.
i) Carry a business BRIEFCASE (leather is a plus).They are your choice to organize: any paper you might have with notes to read before while waiting (about the company, the job etc.); documents (ID, social security card, work permission etc., just in case); to carry your wallet, cell phone (turn it off, you don’t want it neither to ring nor to vibrate during your interview), a notebook for taking notes, a set of pen, pencil, eraser (I would recommend having two of each in case one decides to “fail” or you could also be helpful to a colleague), a bottle of water, a small snack (cookies, chocolate), a copy of your resume in a sealed envelope, spare professional passport-size photos, your agenda, a pain-killer if you suddenly have a headache (nothing worse then being a whole day with a headache)… Well, BE PREPARED and don’t fill your pockets so that it will look “bloated”, put it all in the briefcase.
j) Wear a WATCH it shows you’re a punctual person. Preferably in a silvery color-material-style, not too big or “thick”, opt always for discrete accessories. A watch with black-leather straps also matches well your dark-blue (marine) or black suit; try always to match harmoniously: shoes, belt, watch (if using leather bracelet-style, it has to match your shoes and belt) and briefcase (color of your shoes, belt and watch’s bracelet).
k) Carry your briefcase in your left hand, that way when you meet other people you’re prompt to shake hands with them with your right hand.
I think that’s about it as far as “grooming” is concerned. You have to think about etiquette as well, but you can do your own research!
Other (important) tips:
1. STUDY about the company, read the entire website, do the best you can to know the more data you can. Write everything you can and take these notes with you to the interview in your briefcase, you might want to check them while waiting alone for something.
2. The be-yourself thing is only partially true. Be informed and don’t be naïve. Don’t expose yourself too much, tell them only what you are asked to say, not less, not more. They don’t need to know about your personal life, focus on your professional strengths and experiences and when told to talk about your personal life, only talk about general things or facts that might play a role in your favor. Don’t say anything that might be dubious or have multiple interpretations. Be straightforward and assertive.
3. You’re being observed ALL THE TIME, so have this so-called situational awareness very exercised.
4. Be polite, greet everyone both when you arrive at and depart from the premises: “Good Morning”, “Thank-you (for your time)” when you leave, “Have a nice afternoon”; Interact with your colleagues, be nice to them!
5. I heard something I find very inspiring: you are your biggest competitor, know that and you might feel more aware of what you have to expect from you and lower your “fighter” attitude towards the other members of the team, be a team-player.
6. Seat in a professional way, lean a bit forward with your hips touching the end of the chair; it helps to “hold”/”tense” your abdomen!
7. Shake hands when you greet someone if you have the opportunity both when you arrive and leave. And do it with mildly firm handshake!!
8. Look the recruiters and your colleagues in the eye when you speak.
9. Listen more, speak less. Listen carefully to what everyone has to say, tell what your opinion is in a way to help, not to order or to lead. Be collaborative, it’s important to develop group-working skills (read about it if you don’t have much experience with it, it helps a lot!).
10. Don’t cross your arms nor put your hands in your pockets! When seated put both hands over your lap, one on the top of the other or if you want to partially cross your arms put one hand on the top of the other arm which will be on your lap.
11. Crossing your feet or legs is also not a good sign as far as I know. Seat straight, both feet on the ground, crossing legs is okay only if one is on the top of another (for men: don’t cross your legs putting your foot on the knee of the other leg).
12. ASK QUESTIONS, but don’t ask anything because you can ruin everything. Prepare your questions while studying for the company. Ask things related to your job (such as about training, work schedule, career development opportunities etc.). Show you’re interested in the job and in the company with your questions.
Well, I think that’s all for now. It’s important to say that these tips are from a western and latin country point of view, many things may vary depending on the culture of different countries… Diversity! Always something to learn! 🙂