How to Answer: How Did You Prepare for this Interview?

If you’ve made it to the interview stage of the flight attendant application process, congratulations! With so much competition for these highly coveted jobs, it’s essential to prepare well to stand out from the crowd. One cabin crew interview question that is likely to come up in your interview is, “How did you prepare for this interview?”

There are many flight attendant hopefuls who have done many things even just to get a chance to be interviewed. That’s why it’s good to know how to answer this question so that you can put your best foot forward and show them why you’re the right candidate for the job.

Also Read: How to Answer: What Do You Expect From Your Supervisor?

Don’t just say “I woke up early for this interview.” because this is not about what you did during the day, but the steps you’ve done that led you to want to become a flight attendant for that specific airline. It’s good that you show that you are proactive enough to do your research and learn about the airline and the job role.

Flight attendant recruiters are looking for motivated candidates who have gone above and beyond in their preparation, so it’s important that you give a thoughtful and impressive response.

Why the Recruiter is Asking This Question

The interviewer is looking to find out how committed and motivated you are. They want to know if you’ve taken the time to research the airline, the role of a flight attendant, and what qualities and skills are essential for success in the position.

They are also assessing your professionalism, planning abilities, and time management skills. How you answer this question gives them an indication of how serious and prepared you are about the interview and the job.

Other Variations to This Question

You may not be asked this question directly, but the interviewer may ask in a different way that requires a comparable response. Here are some variations of this question you may hear:

• How did you get ready for this day?
• What did you do to prepare for this job interview?
• What have you done to get ready for the interview?
• Tell me about your pre-interview preparations.
• What steps did you take to understand our company culture?
• How did you gain knowledge about the role and responsibilities of a flight attendant?
• What research have you done about our airline?

Also Read: How to Answer: Tell Me About a Time You Misjudged Someone

How to Answer This Question

When answering this question, it’s important to be confident and concise. Here’s a step-by-step procedure:

1. Start with a short introduction: Talk about how you’ve prepared for the interview in general terms and why it made you an ideal candidate.
2. Elaborate on your preparation: Give examples of specific steps you took to prepare, such as researching the employer, reviewing the job description, or shadowing flight attendants.
3. Explain how your preparation has made you a better candidate: Demonstrate how the knowledge and experience you gained from your preparation strengthens your candidacy for the job.
4. Conclude with why you’re excited about the job: Show enthusiasm for the role of flight attendant and express why this is an ideal job for you.

Don’t answer this question literally. Don’t just talk about the time you spent researching for the interview. Talk about what you learned and how it will help you in the role. This shows that you have a deeper understanding of the job, which makes a great impression on recruiters.

Sample Answers to What Preparations Have You Made for this Interview?

Here are sample answers to help you craft your own response:

• “I have done extensive research on the company and the role of a flight attendant so that I can demonstrate my commitment to the position. I read articles about the job, reviewed sample interview questions, and spoke with several experienced flight attendant friends in order to gain a better understanding of what is expected from candidates. This gave me a clear idea of what the role entails and helped me prepare for any questions that may arise.”
• “I enrolled in online courses to increase my knowledge of aviation and customer service regulations. I also read articles about the company and watched several videos to learn more about the daily life of a flight attendant.
• “I’ve put in many hours of preparation for this interview and for the job role. I’ve read a lot of books and articles about the role of a flight attendant, watched many YouTube videos from experienced people in the field, and shadowed some experienced flight attendants to gain insight into their daily routines. All this research has helped me form a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to be successful in this job.”
• “I’ve spent a lot of time researching the airline and the role of a flight attendant in order to prepare for this interview. I read up on the company’s history and values, as well as the duties and responsibilities of a flight attendant. I also reached out to some current flight attendants who gave me valuable insight and advice on how to be successful in this role. Through my preparation, I have gained a better understanding of what it takes to be a great flight attendant, and am confident that I can make an excellent contribution to your team.”
• “I am a highly organized and motivated individual, so I approached this interview with a great deal of preparation. I read through the job description in great detail and put together some possible questions that could be asked during the interview. I also looked up the company reviews from current and former employees to get a better understanding of the company culture. This preparation has given me the knowledge and confidence necessary to be a successful flight attendant with your team.”
• “I took time to visualize what a day in the life of a flight attendant looks like by watching YouTube videos, reading blogs, and looking at the policies on the company website to ensure I was taking on board the necessary skills to serve passengers and keep the aircraft safe.”

Note: Please be honest and use the above samples as references only. The reason is that in the event that the interviewer may follow up with a question based on your response, and you lied, it can only be detrimental to you. Therefore, please use your own words and experience, and answer honestly.

Tips on How to Answer This

• Be authentic and specific. Give examples, as they will demonstrate your knowledge about the company and adherence to the flight attendant’s identity.
• Avoid making generic statements, like “I did research online” – elaborate, like watching airline YouTube videos, asking pilots and flight attendants about their experiences, attending career fairs or attending to live lectures, etc.
• Remember to “show” and not “tell.” Your tone and body language are important, as it shows you are truly engaged and motivated.
• Do not underestimate the importance of communication skills. As a vital quality of a flight attendant, being organized and timely through your answers will improve the interviewer’s opinion about your willingness to listen, actively respond and comply with the policies.

Questions to Ask Yourself to Help You Answer

When preparing to answer this question, it can be helpful to think about the following questions:

• What do I know about the airline?
• What research have I done to learn more?
• How has my knowledge made me a suitable candidate for position?
• What steps did I take to gain insight and understanding into the company culture and values?
• What qualities make someone stand out as a high-performing flight attendant?
• What is unique to this company, and how does their identity influence what type of person would thrive in the role?
• What makes you a good fit for this position?
• What did you do to gain a better understanding of the company, the role and the industry?
• What challenges have you prepared for in being a successful flight attendant?
• By thinking through these questions and preparing answers in advance, you can feel confident that you will be able to answer this question effectively. Good luck!

Examples of Bad Answers

Here are some examples of how not to answer: “How did you prepare for this interview?”

• I didn’t prepare. I’m just winging it. (This response will show a lack of preparation and motivation.)
• I only looked at the job description. (This answer undermines the importance of in-depth research on the airline and its role.)
• I didn’t really do anything; I’m just hoping my skills and experience will speak for themselves (This response suggests a lack of initiative and commitment).
• I just read some blogs online. (This answer shows a lack of effort to gain a holistic view of being a flight attendant).

Video: How did you get ready for this job interview?

Check out this clip by Delescen Insights on YouTube which explains how to prepare for your job interview

He shares tips on how to answer this type of question in the best and most detailed way.

Summary

Preparing for a flight attendant interview takes time and effort. The question is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your professionalism, commitment, and motivation.

After all, being a flight attendant requires great qualities like dedication, communication skills, and an understanding of the company’s identity. Through researching the company, attending career fairs or lectures, talking to pilots and other flight attendants, and watching airline YouTube videos – you can gain a holistic view of what it takes to be successful in this role.

By doing your homework and preparing answers in advance, you can confidently answer this question with ease.