Virgin Blue Recruitment (Merged)

[Iulia]

Good luck fly_away!!

Good onya for trying as you have to get even further as a F/A, so good to see people trying. The job as a F/A doesn't just land on anyone's lap for being good-looking (presentable) or tall, as I noticed yesterday. There were many girls there who had the most gorgeous faces, like a model for a magazine would, and then there were others who just tried too hard... I didn't hang around to see exactly who was who that remained... damn, wish I had now...

[fly_away]

Iulia

Originally Posted by Iulia

Good onya for trying as you have to get even further as a F/A, so good to see people trying. The job as a F/A doesn't just land on anyone's lap for being good-looking (presentable) or tall, as I noticed yesterday. There were many girls there who had the most gorgeous faces, like a model for a magazine would, and then there were others who just tried too hard... I didn't hang around to see exactly who was who that remained... damn, wish I had now...

Thanks miss!
Well your right on the ball aboout being good looking coz being pretty aint going to help you in an emergency situation!
I believe virgin really goes on presonality, yeah looks are important but really everyone has the potential to be pretty they jsut have to find what works for them!
Well i'd like to officially welcome you to "the waiting game"

HOW FRUSTRATING!!!!! hang tight these things are jsut out of your hands now.

I remember when i got my phone call from virgin, i was so nervous i said to the lady who rang me " are you serious???? is this one of my friends playing a trick on me?" coz i seriouslly thought it was !!! how funny!!
but it was the best feeling!!

oh and when and if you get to the medical stage, dont stress coz thats out of your hands too.

hey i jsut thought about htis then, have you thought about applying for jetstar,qantas ( but i knwo thats hard to get) virgin atlantic are recruiting people for SYD-HKG-SYD based in sydney???? that would be pretty exciting.
Dont jsut put all eggs in one basket, keep you options open too.

[Iulia]

Hmmm....

Originally Posted by fly_away

hey i jsut thought about htis then, have you thought about applying for jetstar,qantas ( but i knwo thats hard to get) virgin atlantic are recruiting people for SYD-HKG-SYD based in sydney???? that would be pretty exciting.
Dont jsut put all eggs in one basket, keep you options open too.

Interesting... BUT I am only 156cm and Virgin Blue seemed to be the only airline that didn't mind... so dunno about applying to the others... Jetstar is a branch of Qantas so they're just as fussy about height... who else was it, Virgin Atlantic? Bugger, don't wanna relocate to Sydney... there aren't many other options are here, are there? Anyone got any suggestions? And what about Ground Crew at Virgin... worth a try? Is it alright pay? I'd love to work for Virgin...!
Hate, hate, HATE waiting... its all we did yesterday at the VBRD!! So pretty much when it a 'yes' to go further to the medical stage, they like to call yeh? Is it a private number, or a number that comes up on the screen? Just wanna know, for if/when it were to happen... and I gather if you're rejected, its an email? Blahhh! Hate, hate, HATE waiting!!

[seektofly]

VRD Friday!

Hi Everyone,

I am new at this, but today was my VRD - and I made it right through to the end... in other words I also had my role play and my interview. My final interview went for 1 hour and 10 minutes! I hope that isn't a bad sign. I felt ok - and I did my best. I thought thought that everyone who made it through was great - looks and personality.

I hope everyone that made it through gets a call soon.

S.T.F

[Iulia]

Heya STF :)

Seems like you and I went through the same thing Can you please tell me about how many people were there, and about how many people got through to the second round (major interview and role play)? Just curious, because at my VBRD there were about 28peeps

[adam_ant]

MY FIRST POST!

I've been with VB 4 years. It took me 2 tries to get in. Melbourne has always had high turnover - I think its all the day trips??? Up here in Brisneyland they don't seem to leave as quickly. There have ALWAYS been rumours of high numbers leaving, but I don't think it is above average. MEL is a few years behind BNE and still sorting out who is committed to flying and who is just trying it on for size.

Good luck to all you newbies - things keep changing so rapidly - our service keeps getting more and more mature, and the crew meals seem to have improved lol.

[Iulia]

Waiting 12mnths...

Well, if I fail this time round for CC with VB, I'll have to wait another 12mnths til I can reapply! Bugger... did it always used to be this way, the 12mnth period?
.. Good to see that the crew meals have improved 'adam_ant' coz I'm a big fan of food... lol

[seektofly]

This will be my 3rd airline. I am committed to flying! I love it - and I am sure that if I get into V.B, I will not be a statistic of their high turnover. Yesterday there were about 30 of us at the VRD - and about 15 people were left for the interviews in the afternoon. The crew were really nice, and made everyone feel relaxed and, I felt that the interviews weren't really that formal, so I was pretty relaxed and felt it was more like an informal chat than anything else. My role play was really easy and the passenger with the doggy wasn't too difficult when I told her that she couldn't bring the doggy on board. It almost seemed too easy... maybe they thought that I was not going to make it through anyway, so they just did it as a matter of course - because they had to.. not because they needed to... who knows??

I just hope that I make it through to the medicals.. it would be fantastic.
By the way, there are crew meals??? We don't have to purchase food on board as well? And, while we are on the subject, do you guys get a commission or incentive for selling stuff on board ?

[Iulia]

hehehe

yeh... life as a flight attendant for VB sounds great, don't it STF? lol fingers crossed... for the both of us now! My theory is that we'll probably receive a response sometime after Tuesday as there are VBRD running until this Tuesday in Melb... I'd imagine they'd look at everyone that went through the whole day, and then start doing reference checks for those who seem alright, then if all goes well with the reference checks they'd call the peep and ask them to do the medical... (eg... US???? lol)
Would be so much fun training! Weeee! Down the inflatable slide... SPLASH! into the water with life vests... hehehe

[adam_ant]

Good to see you guys are so positive!

I think its always been 12 months between interviews. Much could happen at VB in the next 12 months so that could always change.

Yes we get crew food. In the past its been pretty average, but the company now has a group of CC who select the meals to ensure they are nutrious so they seem to be getting better (at one stage they tried to serve us kangaroo!). Some crew hate them, but for the most part there is something in there everyone will eat (like the chocolates!). The onboard food you can buy, but after you've eaten it a few times it gets a bit boring.

And yes we get commission on our onboard sales. Its not heaps (we lose commission when crew don't mark off stock sold properly) but its enough for a movie and dinner out once a month!

I hope you guys get good news soon - you'll have a blast online.

[FA101]

THANKS SO MUCH

Hey guys,
I feel so much better after finding this forum and reading your thread...Iulia your first post sounds exactly like how I am feeling...You guessed it...I'm attending a recruitment day on Tuesday the 20th and like you Iulia I am so nervous (+excited)...I can't sleep as it this is my ultimate dream. I know I'd be perfect for the job but as I'm not as loud as the "loud girls" or in your face I don't know if the interview will really get to know me. Especially if I am as nervous as I am right now...because thats when I don't use perfect vocab and don't sound as confident as I am from day to day...I suppose if I just show them how passionate I am about the position and demonstrate I have the customer service skills, personality and looks for the job I'll be fine..

What can I do? I have no idea what to expect - Obviously I've read over this post thoroughly but I still don't understand the entire process. So first comes registration...Followed by a 5 minute 1 on one interview? When do you hand over your resumes? What kind of questions do you get on the comprehension worksheet? I'm very confident with group interviews and highly sociable however on 1 on 1 interviews I sometimes get lost for words...Were there any questions you couldn't answer? etc etc...I guess like you said if it's meant to be it's meant to be. Things happen for a reason right...

Hey btw good luck to you both sounds like you've done amazingly!!!!!! After reading through what you've dealt with at home and at your age I think you definitely deserve it girl...It sounds so similar to what I've been through with my parents...

Sorry my thoughts are very muddled as I'm in a huge hurry to go to work and I am freaking out wholeheartedly about a couple of days time...

Thanks!!!!

FA101

[australian boy]

Good luck to to every one who has a vrd. I have been a Mel based DJ FA for two years and still enjoy it, it is what u make of it. I left Australian Airlines (ao) cns to join Virgin and dont really regret it. I have just put in to go to Virgin Atlantic SYD base which is only open to dj Cabin Crew. U can also go on exchange to London if If u want so theres a lot of room to move if u get in. The loss of crew recently was from the emirates recruitment in Melb.

Australian boy

[Iulia]

Heya FA101!!

Hehehe! You're probably feeling exactly how I felt for my VBRD! Well its okai... I'll mother you until then Definately keep an eye on this thread as its jam-packed with info from other generous VB CC and peeps who also have experience in the FA industry... it really helped me out at my VBRD! However... I never let on to anyone there at the day that I was on PPRUNE as I didn't want to rub into people's faces the knowledge I had... on the other hand, some people who were there and previously FA for other companies seemed to continuouly rub THAT in! lol anyway... on the day, definately be on your best behaviour! Be cheerful, smile lots, and giggle and ask questions of other people. DO NOT be quite or go off into your own little world! Interact with others, don't sit quietly studying others... I mean, study others, but don't make it obvious! As I looked around the room throughout the day, I could see a few of the other girls in their own little world's with blank and worried expressions... these are the girls that didn't make it through to the second half of the day. Pretend as if someone's watching you the entire time, and DO NOT bitch about anyone there! IF someone says something to you eg 'ewww whats she wearing?' just hmmmm.... and leave it at that! As much as I'd have liked to comment on a few strange girls there, I saved it for when I got home to my bf and told him the story of my day
Well, you should have, or will be recieving an email with a run down of the day. I'd advise you be there at exactly 7.30am, coz everyone else is! I wrote on this thread that it was like 7.35am and practically everyone was already there! The room is overpowering with perfume and girl's giggles...
When you get there, you'll stand around while people 'register' eg show their documents/certificates to the two peeps that are basically in charge of the day... Leisha and Tom (most probably). Then you wait around some more till all the other recruiters (ladies from Brisbane and Melbourne VB base) come in and call anyone whose already registered to go through for the 5min interview. This is where you're asked for your resume, and basically this 5min interview is like you declaring yes to being flexible, working weekends/public holidays, that you're over 18yrs, why you want this position. I found that the 5min interview was basically a declaration that you understand the duties of a FA, nothing hard really. The person does the questioning, you do the answering, its brief, its 5mins! No need to worry, when I stood up to get out, I was kinda buggered it didn't last longer... lol and also, its in a room with round tables, and at each table the same process is happening with some other FA hopeful... it actually sounds a lot like the chatter in a market when you enter the interviewing room!
After that everyone is asked back into that room with the round tables, and you are to sit at a table where you don't know anyone (which was hard for me, as I'd spoken to almost everyone there!) and then you had that comprehension sheet which was easy... basically was several paragraphs about Virgin Blue, how its name was announced on the radio (I think Triple J) and then the second paper was asking 'on what radio was the name of Virgin Blue announced?' and there are four options, say 1-101.9 FOX or 2- NOVA or 3- Triple J or 4- MIX 101.1 and obviously you gotta circle the correct one. This is called comprehension, where you're given information (on paper) you read it, then respond to the questions on the next page. Best of al, you can keep referring to the info sheet! Its not taken away from you so its not like you have to remember it! Only thing is that you have like 5mins (I think it was that much) to read it and write.
Then there's group activities which are easy, you have to create a pet store blah blah blah what are its features? products? etc just brain storming ideas etc.
Seriously, after my VBRD I wanted to kick myself up the behind for being soooo worried all this time! But I guess thats how it is in life, when you enter 'the unknown....' lol
I really enjoyed my day.... you'll find that the recruiters are sooo nice! They seem genuinely interested in what you have to say.
After the group activity, we had a 45min break as they decided who went to the next round. After this we all came back from lunch (its was 1.15pm) and we were handed letters that said whether we progressed to the next stage, or not. The next stage consists of an interview that goes for about an hour with just the one recruiter, and then a 2min roleplay where you're meant to demonstrate your 'customer service' skills as you 'calm down' and angry passenger on board a cruise. Really simple, you just have to keep referring to 'our policy' and remain calm yourself and smile, preferably not slouching, stand up straight so that your posture shows you're in control.
Whenever I get an angry customer, I let them vent it all out on me, and then I gently lay out the options for them to fix the problem, and thats what I did in the roleplay too.
...Just reading over your last post FA101... I didn't actually have any problems with any of the questions, and they actually advise you to take your time in answering them (in the interviews). For example, they ask you to retell a time when you had an angry customer, and how did you resolve the issue. And you just gotta think from past experience in Customer Service of a time when you had an angry customer in your face... shouldn't be too hard, as I personally often come across loud and angry customers, even at the library! lol
Heyyyy... don't worry about the VBRD anymore! I mean, lay out your clothes from the night before, eat well before you go (I didn't, and an empty stomach contributes to nervousness!) be happy on the day, smile as if someone's watching you the whole day. Don't drift into your own little thoughts, go to the toilets if you have to, but don't make it obvious that you're thinking... participate in the group activity, LAUGH and ask questions of the others, even if you couldn't care less about their hobby (I know, it sounds mean...) act to everyone as if they're a customer
You'll have a GREAT time, guaranteed keep us posted about your experience because I have a feeling that this thread will be very helpful for many other people who plan to apply for VB CC in the future too I'm so glad I did my research beforehand... good luck for Tuesday FA101!!

[seektofly]

Recruitment days

Hi everyone

I just wanted to comment on Iulia's last post - I thought it was great - very very insightful and very accurate. It was exactly how my VBRD went and I am sure that each VBRD will be the same. Having been to many many many of these interviews before (for other airlines), I would also like to add the following comments:

* When you are at the group interview (ie making up the pet store etc..) include everyone in the conversation - and if someone has an idea and says it then say "oh yeah, thats a really good idea" - and when you have an idea, tell everyone your idea, and then say "what do you guys think?" and if there is someone in the group that is not talking much, address them by name and ask them what they think - or ask them if they have a pet etc... In other words, show that you are aware of the people around you and most importantly show that you are interested in them

I particularly liked Iulia's comment about smiling It is important, and it (believe it or not) will make you feel less nervous. So when you can smile, smile, and smile some more.

* Try to get around to saying hi to everyone at the VRD (even the ones who don't appear to have put much thought into what they are wearing etc..) - There was a lady at our VBRD who must have been at least 60 - no joke. Her suit was like 2 sizes too small and her hair was like nothing I had ever seen before.. it looked like a birds nest/bee hive. To make things worse, she was wearing a jacket with this ridiculous emu feathers collar and her eye make up looked like she had smeared it on with her fingers in the car on the way to the interview! I am not joking.

I sound mean and horrible, but I was being kind in the way I have just described her. Some of us (some other girls at the interview) made time to chat to her, because I am sure she would have arrived, seen the way everyone else looked and felt a bit out of place - and probably not feeling great - so we told her to sit down with us and have a chat while we were waiting during the 45 minute break before we got our envelopes. She was softly spoken - but unfortunately she didn't get through the rest of the day. I noticed the people that did make time to talk with her did get through. I don't know if that is saying something, but just remember to be kind to everyone regardless of what they are wearing and how they look or sound, or their age. Everyone is in the same boat!

* When you have your spot interviews (the 5 minute 1 on 1) and then the hour long interview (if you get through to the rest of the day), treat the interviewer like a good friend or colleague that you are discussing situations at work - try to have some examples of angry customers and how you handled them, maybe think of examples of the most stressful day you have had at work and how you managed it, and maybe even think of a time where a work colleague has been down in the dumps or in a mood, and how you coped with it... If you have some idea of what to say in the interview, then thats 80% of the battle already won. At least you won't be looking into space trying to think of something to say. If you just speak naturally - your personality will shine right through. It will make you feel comfortable and at ease when you chat with the interviewer.

I hope I haven't gone on too long. I wish you all the best of luck with your VBRD on Tuesday. I am sure you will knock their socks off!

Let us know how you think you went.

Seektofly.

[Iulia]

wow... great post STF!

You definately summed up some really good points there, and I especially liked the part where you said "treat the interviewer like a good friend or colleague that you are discussing situations at work" <- that was my thought exactly during the hour-long interview, and that mentality helped me remain calm and to deliver my examples with ease Had a few good laughs with Tom... he asked me what one thing I dislike about my current job (at the library), and immediately what popped into mind was how sometimes when I scane books in (after someone has dropped them off from their house) they're really ewwww and sticky... and to this I added "We ladies at the library like to think its coffee or tea..." and we both laughed a lot... LOL

[Hostee]

I want to cry

I applied to DJ on 9 June, applications closed 11th for MEL based CC.
I went away for the long weekend... get back Monday night to an email from DJ saying "howz about you drop in to a Virgin Recruitment Day on the 20th?"
I replied saying yes.... then ran around buying new suit, getting nails done, organising time off work, sorting flights to MEL.... then get an email back saying "sorry... the VRD is now full, but you are a priority for our next round of recruitment"
DARN IT!!! DJ had emailed me the invite on the Saturday..... but i didn't get the email til Monday....
Good luck to all those attending a VRD on the 20th or any other day.. wish i was there with you!
Fingers crossed i get an invite again soon!!!!!
And at least now i've got pretty nails and fab new suit! I have to look at the bright side here!

[Iulia]

Awww... hostee... don't cry! :)

Cheer up! You know what, seems to me like they're doing a whole bunch of recruiting til they're satisfied with numbers... they did some recruitment days just over two weeks ago for Melb too! So who knows, maybe in two weeks time (after they're meant to have gotten back to us who have gone through the VBRD) they'll start another round of recruitment for Melb! They're very unpredictable these VB peeps.... but think about is, us that have been interviewed in this round will need a response within the next two weeks whether we go for a medical or not, and then those who go for a medical still ahve a chance of not making it... so in each stage people are being dropped, thus allowing for more recruitment days!!!
It is a bummer... but cheer up! Wear that suit! Flash your nails! lol I'm sure you'll get another invite to a VBRD soon!!!

[milbud]

Huge Well Done

A big hearty Well Done to you Iulia. I know you are thinking "but I've not made it through yet!" But just think, you are where so many thousands have applied time and again to get to. There'll only be a handfull of you in contention now...It's great to see that you taken on so much of what was put forward to you on this thread. Both by current DJ FA's and FA's from other airlines. And believe me Iulia, those sticky stains you got on the library books are nothing compared with the unknowns of aircraft toilets!!!!!!!!!!!! Coffee? I think not.
Just be upbeat when they phone you, even if it is a less than wanted response, and i'm confident it wont be, then your reaction is important. Remember Self Control is important, very very important. And your reaction will go well to support future applications if needed.
Again big pats on the back! I have a feeling I'll be meeting you in the back galley soon enough.

Cheers.
Milbud.

[Iulia]

Back galley... ohh! lol

Awww thanks milbud.... are you a part of the recruitment team and dropping me hints or something? hehe jks
LOL yeh I can only imagine what it'd be like cleaning the airplane toilets... ewww oh well! I've been cleaning the toilet in my house all this time... but I'm guessing it'd be much worse...

Wow milbud... you're such a positive person! I do hope the phone call is just as positive an answer...

toodles! and fingers crossed still!!!!!

[Ozzy747]

Iulia-

cleaning toilets??? had a flight from Los angeles the other day-we had a bunch of 100 18year old kids from arizona coming to NZ and aussie for a tour.

i cleaned vomit 3 times on the 11.5 hour flight.

vomit 1- all over the toilet door and the floor

vomit 2- the girl came into da galley while i was reading a mag with vomit dripping from her mouth oll over next to my crew members jumpseat.

vomit 3- one of the kids spewed up on the seats that he was sitting on.

i dnt really have a prob with pax dat feel sick- were all human- but 3 in one flight dats abit tooo much. ive had feral toilets as well. but this flight really topped it off.