Assesment Day - London 23/11/09
Hi guys,
Just felt I ought to give feedback on my experience of the Emirates Assessment day held yesterday, in London.
I’m not sure if you’ll find any of this useful but here is my take on the day.
There were approximately 70 people and only two examiners which I think put everybody on edge in the realization that it would be a challenge to stand-out in this type of environment.
The examiners were ladies in their early thirties - both smartly dressed, well spoken, attractive, slim and blonde.
The initial two hours was an introductory session where they showed videos of the training/accommodation and Dubai lifestyle. They gave insight into the not so glamorous element of Dubai and talked to us at length about what to expect from pay (which ranges between £1,200 and £1,400 per month take home), training (which is now 7 weeks) and crew accommodation which I gathered is of a high standard but as they explained, there are many crew apartment blocks based in Dubai, some central, some miles out of the centre of town.
After that there was a question and answer session. Here I noticed lots of people put their hands up and asked questions for the sake of standing out. Be careful doing this because if the nature of your question is irrelevant or not for the overall benefit of the group they will see through you.
Then there was a reach test followed by the first activity where you had a few minutes to think about what celebrity you would be if you had 24 hours to live as them. You had to speak to the person to your right and present on their behalf. I really don’t think it mattered if you’d have said Paris Hilton or Mother Teresa, they weren’t concerned with the reasons why you may have picked these celebrities and whether you were picking a certain celebrity for their noble characteristics. From what I could demise, they were interested in how you communicated to the people next to you, but most importantly, how you presented the information back to the group. Be careful at this point not to put hands in your pockets, I would advise clasping them in front or behind you, to stand up straight and to look everyone in the eye and be distinct and clear.
The next activity was to devise a plot line, theme and characters for a movie. We were still in our original groups of 17, so as you can imagine everyone was struggling to get their voice heard, it was messy, hard to hear everybody and hard to keep up with the general consensus of the group. I got through this stage but I really don’t know why, I did try not to be too overbearing and show enthusiasm at good ideas, perhaps that was what got me through perhaps it was luck of the draw, who knows.
From approx 70 people to start with and they only invited 26 of us back in the afternoon. A lot of people left angry and thought that the conditions of this interview (in particular the large numbers of groups) didn’t give people the opportunity to shine and I’d be inclined to agree.
Out of the 26 or so that were left there were perhaps only 5 lads. Then it was time for the people who were not native to this country to sit an English test. I would say that there were about 10 people who sat the test and only one person got sent home as she didn’t pass.
I would say of those left, ages were a mixture of early, mid and late twenties. There was one girl of 32 – I would put her as the eldest. One thing I will say was that most of the girls were blonde and all of the girls were very attractive. There was literately no-body with an extra couple of pounds, I would say all were between a size 6 and 10 – perhaps not even a 10. As for hair styles and make-up, this didn’t matter - up or down, bright red lipstick or an unobtrusive pink lip gloss, it didn’t matter - there was a fair balance of different looks. Some people looked more striking and glamorous in a fashiony sort of way and others in a more demure, classic style.
Then came the afternoon, this was where I fell down. It was another group discussion, we were split into two groups, so they were still large groups in a sense. We had to decide as a team, who out of a list of 10 passengers to downgrade. They all had different circumstances and again you had to negotiate and decide as a group on who to choose and why. Ok what I will definitely say is that I really was surprised at being let go after this round but I know what it was that I did wrong.
Most people will tell you from their experiences not to be too over bearing but what I will say to you is that you do need to voice your opinion. Of course you do need to do it in the right way but they don’t want an airhead who can’t think for themselves and they don’t want a pushover.
I was so concerned with being diplomatic and making comments like ‘interesting point’ etc that I forgot to voice what I really felt. The fact is that I did disagree with a group on one of the points they made but in an attempt to be agreeable I was trying so hard not to argue. I was trying to come across as a team player not someone who goes against the group.
The only other point I would make would be to listen hard to the suggestions and opinions that others make because the exercise didn’t stop there. Once you thought you were through they fired questions at you about what the group had decided on this particular person and you had to answer this on your own.
I must say I was very shocked to be sent home. I don’t mean to come across big headed but I have been offered jobs with Qantas, BA and BMI. I have only actually worked for BA and turned the others down. My point is that I have made it through every airline interview I have ever gone for and I am stunned that the personality traits that got me through those interviews didn’t get me through this. As far as I know I ticked all the right boxes, tried to look smart, elegant, attractive, spoke nicely was nice, supportive and friendly to the group but it wasn’t enough.
I may be wrong but I think Emirates look for leadership qualities in their crew, apparently there are a couple of questions in the final interview that focus on this.
So, don’t be overbearing but do have an opinion and absolutely do get your voice heard.
I’m gutted at the result and have no idea what to do now. I thought the conditions unfair and the standards very, very high - almost unobtainable. I know it sounds daft but I was pretty much packed and ready to go to Dubai! J I had even worked out in my head how to tell my parents and friends, where to have my leaving do etc. I know it sounds silly but it never even occurred to me that I wouldn’t make it to the final stage and I really had prepared so hard for this interview.
I left the venue as white as a sheet and sobbed on the train all the way home and I have been up all night feeling awful - hence writing this email at 5am! I have no idea what to do next. I wanted this job more than anything, I have had Emirates in mind for years and like most of you guys, have been waiting all year for the opportunity of an interview. I have had such an emotional year and really needed a fresh start. Such is life – eh?
So, my advice to anyone would be to go with a realistic view that you may not make it, that way, if you, like me, are unsuccessful it makes the disappointment easier to bear.
Hopefully a lot of this is fierce competition as a result of the recruitment freeze. Perhaps in a year or two thy will hold recruitment days in sensible numbers or at least employ more recruiters so that everyone is given a fair chance.
Sorry for the essay & good luck everyone. I hope this helps you x x