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What will you be doing this time next year otherwise?
Want to work as Cabin Crew for Emirates? Here’s our guide to their recruitment process.
Things have changed since we last wrote a recruitment guide for Emirates and there’s a lot of conflicting information online about what you need to do.
They have a tough selection process with high standards expected of their crew. Are you up to the challenge?
Here’s the new, up to date info and your options to apply to fly with Emirates in 2024.
Before you start
When working for Emirates you’ll have to relocate to their base in Dubai. This means that you’ll have to be able to meet strict UAE employment visa requirements.
But, there are advantages – you’ll be able to enjoy a tax-free salary, and have the once-in-a-lifetime experience of living in this exciting, multicultural city.
The airline will provide accommodation. However, please be aware there are regulations in place you must adhere to, especially regarding staying out late or having guests visit you.
You’ll have to be sure that this would be an environment you’d be happy living in.
Please note that applicants for Emirates must be 21 or over at the time of application.There are a few things you’ll need to do before you apply. First is making sure your CV is up to date. You’ll also need head and full-body photographs – professional ones if possible. These do come at a cost, but think of it as an investment into your cabin crew career – a high quality photo can really make your application stand out!
There are two ways to apply to become Emirates Cabin Crew:
- Through the online application portal.
- At an Emirates Open day. These are ‘walk in’, and are held worldwide.
Let’s look at these in more detail.
The Emirates Cabin Crew Online Application Process
Step 1 – Application Form
To apply, you can either check our jobs board, or go online to the Emirates Career Pages.
You’ll need to register on their site which will log you in. From there you will need to answer some basic questions such as ‘are you willing to work shift work’ and ‘are you prepared to serve alcohol’. If you agree to these questions you’ll be directed to a page where you can submit your CV and photos.
Your CV will need to cover these categories:
- Personal information – make sure you meet the requirements, and stick to relevant details.
- Work experience – they’ll be scanning for experience in customer service and hospitality so if you do have work or life experience in these areas, make this stand out. Really show what makes you good in these roles!
- Education – again, stick to the point, and don’t go into unnecessary detail. Steer clear of acronyms and jargon!
- Certifications – if you have any other qualifications or certifications that are relevant to the role, list them here! These could include a first aid qualification, or a certificate from a cabin crew training course.
Need help with your CV? We’ll help you get it in great shape. Our Cabin Crew CV Review will help you find out where your last CV went wrong, helping you stop making the same mistakes over and over. You might not realise how much your current CV is costing you your chance at a Cabin Crew career!
If possible, it’s a good idea to register with the website and apply with your CV even if you are intending to attend an open day. That way, you’ll know for sure if your application is being considered for the next stage or not, as you’ll receive an email or call inviting you to a recruitment event if you have been successful.
Step 2 – Video Interview
Emirates used to hold famously difficult assessment days but in the wake of the pandemic, they’ve now chosen to conduct video interviews instead to screen potential Cabin Crew candidates, before sending out invitations to the recruitment day.
PLEASE NOTE – Emirates (frustratingly) only includes video interviews in the process for some job openings and locations. However, it’s best to be prepared either way, and to research the video interview process!
The video interview usually consists of some questions that you’ll need to record yourself answering. You will have a chance to practise using the video interview software, but the questions themselves you’ll have to answer spontaneously. Your answers will be saved automatically.
For a full guide to the Cabin Crew video interview, check out our detailed guide here.
Step 3 – The Emirates Recruitment Day
If Emirates are happy with your video interview, you’ll be invited to attend one of their recruitment days.
If you’ve made it through to this stage then very well done – this is a big accomplishment!
This is perhaps your best chance to show the recruiters that YOU are the right kind of person to be part of Emirates cabin crew. It’s never too early to prepare – see our guide here.
Remember to dress for success – Emirates places high importance on the personal appearance of their crew – smart business attire is best for both men and women.
So what should you expect? In short the day will consist of:
- Introduction – The Emirates recruitment team will provide an overview of the role helping you understand what to expect while working as Cabin Crew for Emirates. They’ll also share exactly what life is like in Dubai. Usually they’ll share a short video.
- Group assessment – You’ll be asked to complete group activities, which will test your communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills.
- Online test – You’ll also have to take an online psychometric test at the venue. Don’t worry – this isn’t as complicated or scary as it sounds, as we explain here.
- Individual questions – This is something that may not happen at every event, but if time and numbers permit, the recruitment team may go around asking individual candidates a question about Emirates – this is where doing your research on the airline will really pay off!
- Final Interview – This is your golden opportunity to convince the recruitment team you’re the candidate for them! It gives the airline a chance to learn more about you and your motivation to work at Emirates as cabin crew. Read about our interview best practices here to help you avoid interview red flags!
If you’re successful, there will also be a tattoo check, a height and reach test, and a document check. There will also be an English language test for those who have specified that English is not their native language.
The best plan is to have digital copies of your documentation available on a phone, tablet or laptop to share with the recruitment team on the day. Remember to bring the physical copy along too though!
The order can often vary though. In between each session, you’ll all be asked to leave the room while the recruiters decide which applicants they are sending home – effectively unsuccessful applicants are ‘cut’ from each stage.
After the interview, recruitment will send your entire file to HQ in Dubai to be carefully considered. Should you be successful you’ll receive a telephone call advising you of the next steps in the process.
Hold tight, you’re nearly there!
Is the Emirates Open Day different from the Recruitment Day?
The process is almost identical – assuming you make it through the initial selection. The team will assess your CV and photographs, and let you know if you make it through to the recruitment event itself, as outlined above.
These are walk-in events, but you must remember to bring all the relevant documentation with you, in case you are asked to stay for the full day. The initial selection can take a while however, as these events can get incredibly busy – so arrive early and come prepared!
What happens next?
If you’ve made it through the whole process, firstly, take a breath and congratulate yourself – this is an incredible feat!
It can be really nerve-wracking waiting to hear if you’ve been selected or not, but the airline will let you know, either way.
If you don’t get selected, try not to lose heart. Use the experience as a learning curve to reflect on what you could do better, and remember you can apply again in six months.
Final steps
There are some background and medical checks that the airline will need to make before your offer of employment can be finalised.
The standard is stricter than with some other airlines, as it has to meet the UAE working visa requirements too, so if there is anything at all you are worried about it’s best to check this with recruitment at the interview stage.
If you’ve been selected, you’ll be asked to complete a self-declaration medical form, and may have to visit your doctor if additional information is required. You’ll also need to visit your dentist to complete the airline’s dental form.
Next it will be time for Emirates to put you through their own medical assessment, and the necessary background and criminal records checks will be completed. You’ll have to provide a police report confirming that you have no previous convictions due to updated visa policies.
If the checks are successful you will be given details enabling you to log in to a restricted section of the Emirates career portal. This will be updated with all the details you’ll need regarding your training and the start of your employment!
Finally, it will be time for you to fly to Dubai to complete Emirates 7-step Cabin Crew Training Process, which takes place at the amazing purpose-built cabin crew training centre at the Emirates Aviation College. Before you know it, you’ll be waking up to your first day in the sky as cabin crew!
Want to find out more about life as Emirates cabin crew? Browse our selection of Emirates articles here!
To stay ahead, make sure you have the latest information and understand all the steps involved. For those interested in exploring similar cabin crew opportunities, you can find positions in various locations on Jooble.
