3 answers
Rebekah
Student
Box Elder, South Dakota
4
Questions
Asked
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What type of schooling or skills would you need to be a flight attendant ?
I love to travel and am looking into being a flight attendant but I am unsure what I would need to purse or what skills I would need.
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3 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1593
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Rebekah flight attendants typically need a high school diploma or the equivalent and work experience in customer service. Applicants must meet minimum age requirements, typically 18 or 21; be eligible to work in the United States; have a valid passport; and pass a background check and drug test.
STEP 1: EARN A COLLEGE DEGREE
(Not Required, But Beneficial)
Even though a college degree isn’t required to become a flight attendant, earning one can certainly help bolster a candidate’s resume. Although a college degree isn’t required, applicants are required to have their GED or High School Diploma in order to become flight attendants. What airlines find more valuable in flight attendant candidates than anything else is proven customer service or hospitality experience.
STEP 2: ATTAIN CUSTOMER SERVICE SKILLS
There’s no replacement on a resume for high level customer satisfaction or service positions. One of the best ways for prospective flight attendants to stand out in the mind of airlines hiring flight attendants is to come to the table with a wide range of customer service skills that have been put to the test with real customers. The more customer service experience a candidate has amassed over time, the more likely that candidate is to be equipped to have the skills prospective employers are looking for.
STEP 3:
RESEARCH PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS
Finding a job as a flight attendant can be just as hard as finding a job in any other industry. A few good places for prospective flight attendants to search for jobs include LinkedIn, job boards and directly on the websites of leading airlines. After finding airlines searching for new flight attendants, it’s time to go through the application process. Factors like working conditions and salary are likely to vary depending on the airline.
STEP 4: APPLY TO DESIGNATED JOBS
Applying to become a flight attendant can be overwhelming at times. Some applications contain confusing questions that can take hours to complete. Additionally, applications are usually accompanied with a resume and cover letter. Ultimately there are hundreds of thousands of candidates applying for the opportunity to become flight attendants, so the goal should be to present an application that stands apart from the crowd.
STEP 5) TRAIN FOR CERTIFICATION
After completing the application and interview process, the next step to becoming a flight attendant is to train for the necessary certifications. One option for applicants without hospitality experience who are hoping to stand out to airlines hiring new attendants is to complete a flight attendant training program before applying for positions. Otherwise, flight attendants typically receive new hire training at the flight training center of the airline they’ve been hired by. Most training programs take about six weeks to complete.
STEP 6: TAKE FAA CERTIFICATION EXAM
After completing airline-required training, the next step to boarding a flight as a flight attendant is to secure FAA certification. The director of operations of an airline can apply for Certificate of Demonstrated Proficiency from the FAA for new flight attendants that have shown proficiency in key areas of their new hire training like applying first-aid and evacuation techniques. After receiving their Certificate of Demonstrated Proficiency, flight attendants are responsible for maintaining their certification with routine testing.
Hope this is helpful Rebekah
STEP 1: EARN A COLLEGE DEGREE
(Not Required, But Beneficial)
Even though a college degree isn’t required to become a flight attendant, earning one can certainly help bolster a candidate’s resume. Although a college degree isn’t required, applicants are required to have their GED or High School Diploma in order to become flight attendants. What airlines find more valuable in flight attendant candidates than anything else is proven customer service or hospitality experience.
STEP 2: ATTAIN CUSTOMER SERVICE SKILLS
There’s no replacement on a resume for high level customer satisfaction or service positions. One of the best ways for prospective flight attendants to stand out in the mind of airlines hiring flight attendants is to come to the table with a wide range of customer service skills that have been put to the test with real customers. The more customer service experience a candidate has amassed over time, the more likely that candidate is to be equipped to have the skills prospective employers are looking for.
STEP 3:
RESEARCH PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS
Finding a job as a flight attendant can be just as hard as finding a job in any other industry. A few good places for prospective flight attendants to search for jobs include LinkedIn, job boards and directly on the websites of leading airlines. After finding airlines searching for new flight attendants, it’s time to go through the application process. Factors like working conditions and salary are likely to vary depending on the airline.
STEP 4: APPLY TO DESIGNATED JOBS
Applying to become a flight attendant can be overwhelming at times. Some applications contain confusing questions that can take hours to complete. Additionally, applications are usually accompanied with a resume and cover letter. Ultimately there are hundreds of thousands of candidates applying for the opportunity to become flight attendants, so the goal should be to present an application that stands apart from the crowd.
STEP 5) TRAIN FOR CERTIFICATION
After completing the application and interview process, the next step to becoming a flight attendant is to train for the necessary certifications. One option for applicants without hospitality experience who are hoping to stand out to airlines hiring new attendants is to complete a flight attendant training program before applying for positions. Otherwise, flight attendants typically receive new hire training at the flight training center of the airline they’ve been hired by. Most training programs take about six weeks to complete.
STEP 6: TAKE FAA CERTIFICATION EXAM
After completing airline-required training, the next step to boarding a flight as a flight attendant is to secure FAA certification. The director of operations of an airline can apply for Certificate of Demonstrated Proficiency from the FAA for new flight attendants that have shown proficiency in key areas of their new hire training like applying first-aid and evacuation techniques. After receiving their Certificate of Demonstrated Proficiency, flight attendants are responsible for maintaining their certification with routine testing.
Hope this is helpful Rebekah
Your advice was so helpful!
Rebekah
Ross Christensen
Culinary Director
17
Answers
Eagan, Minnesota
Updated
Ross’s Answer
My ex-wife is a stewardess (Yes, I still call them that). She had a high school diploma and was a hair stylist but wanted to change careers. She was gorgeous and I won't lie and say that isn't a factor but the advise her friend (who was a stewardess) told her was to smile constantly at all points of the interview process. The recruiters are looking for that. I would add that language skills are important because you will deal with people from all over the world. Patience is important because my ex would get so frustrated with other cultures habits that are strange to us.
Your advice was so helpful!
Rebekah
Ravi KUMAR
AI and Cloud Modernization consultant
10
Answers
Coppell, Texas
Updated
Ravi’s Answer
To secure a job as a flight attendant, it's essential to have a high school diploma or a GED. However, this alone won't assure you a spot in the industry. To gain an edge over other applicants, consider part-time employment in hospitality sectors such as hotels, resorts, or restaurants where guest interaction is a key part of the job. Some airlines even mandate a minimum of two years' experience in customer service, sales, or hospitality roles for their flight attendants.
Proficiency in a foreign language is another valuable asset, particularly for those aspiring to work on international flights. Enrolling in foreign language courses during high school and continuing into further education can help you develop this skill. This will enable you to effectively communicate with passengers who may not be fluent in English.
Proficiency in a foreign language is another valuable asset, particularly for those aspiring to work on international flights. Enrolling in foreign language courses during high school and continuing into further education can help you develop this skill. This will enable you to effectively communicate with passengers who may not be fluent in English.
Thank you for the advice.
Rebekah