Hey all
No I am not saying that you will be rejected based on your age. I thought I would be because when I turned up to the Sydney interview - the advert released in the paper that morning said you had to be 21 and over. Of course I nearly had a heart attack. I flew all the way from Perth to Sydney to be rejected.
However i asked the recruiters and they told me the age limit was not that important, so long as you are mature. In other words - if you act like you are 15 then you won't get in, but if you can show yourself to have a good head on your shoulders and know why you want the job, you will get through.
I arrived about 8 am - an hour early as I knew they were expecting a lot of people. 500 in fact!! Being one of the first in the queue we sat and waited patiently while the recruiters took in resumes and photos and gave out individual numbers. In the meantime we watched a promotional emirates video. 4 hours passed and the line still had no end. 5 hours and we had progress!! Christ that was an agonising wait.
Finally the queue came to a halt. Many of us that arrived at 9 am as planned were angry as hell thogh, because people were joining the queue at 2pm. Long passed the 9 am request.
Anyhow, they informed us that due to an overwhelming response, they would conduct the open days over the next week! I couldn't believe it - I had only planned to be there one day.
When my time arrived, the group session started with us all filling out some details on a form and answering in writing
"what is great customer service". Some people then got eliminated.
Next round was a group exercise. We had to work together to decide what we would do with so much money - where we would go and why?. Then a second group exercise. There was a list of so many objects. We had to choose 20 and put them in priority order to use if we had an emergency landing in the middle of an ocean. In other words - what would you see as useful and why. These exercise where timed.
Then another round of eliminations before they handed out final interviews. Now I got chopped at this point. I think I know why too. During the second interview, the group gave me the pen and paper and I attempted to initiate conversation. I think I may have come across as too dominating in the group. They don't want people to be too intimidating, too loud, too quite etc. they want everyone to be involved. You must also remember to sit up in your chair and smile all the time. Naturally though. Join in conversation but never interupt. be polite. be smart. be mature.
Well that is all I can say. I just think if there is anyone that is intending to try out for Emirates - JUST DO IT! What do you have to lose? I didn't mind not getting in - but I can say one thing - the experience was invaluable. Don't stress too much about age. It is worth a shot at least.
I hope everyone is lucky this time round, including me
and that what i have rambled on about has been of some use.
Good luck
craic1510
Oh yeah... for prep, I simply read up on the airline, what their goals and achievements are, what is good customer service, why I wanted the job, thought of some possible questions and answers and taught myself to sit up right!
I also made sure I had a wonderfully presented resume. This must include the passport size photo, and until the final interviews - your resume shouldn't need to include written references. If they want a reference they will let you know.
Ok see ya
craic1510