EK recruitment
 

Good morning
I just have a question about recruitment at ek
I work for a flagcarrier being klm and state immediatelly that i do not wish to join ek however several of my colleagues have tried and were all rejected
Now if it was 1 or 2 o.k but not 1 single guy passed through their selection process(7 guys i know of)
Do they want to protect us against making a big mistake or are you considered spoiled and to much of a whinger when coming from a flagcarrier
Or did all the guys from flagcarriers in the past rejected their tentative joboffer
Thank you

It might have something to do with attitude...

I do not want to suggest anything here but for example a lot of ex-sabena guys went on the interviews for Qatar Airways....

All the french speaking people where not accepted beceuse apparently their french accent was something almost not understandable for the Qatari pilots.

Or maybe they where not really prepared.....comming from a flag carrier does not mean thatr you do not have to study hard for your interview. The questions are rather demanding....

Or maybe there is an agreement between KLM and EK not to accept each others pilots...

Or....

Or...

Leaving KLM which is a good job in your home country is a bad move to go and fly for EK. Great if you know you'll just spend a few years there enjoying the sun but most will eventually wan't to return home to Europe.

As far as I can tell looking at the last 3 years of recruitment here at EK, there is no and I mean no preconceptions, if you get an interview then you have an equal chance to anyone else. They do not look at numbers, or quota's. If you come from a major flag carrier and a large percentage do, then it is definately do negativity towards that.
However if you have the Attitude that because you are from a major flag carrier, you deserve a job, then that would count against you.
Attitude, aptitude and ability are what count, along with good spoken english.
We now have 60 nationnalities of pilots, if you are not from a nationality that exists already here you might have a little advantage, because we love collecting nationalities........
Our recruitment process works extremely well, the quality of the people we get coming on line is top notch.

You would be surprised but there are people who take time to fill in the application form on line etc and then don't do enough prep for the interview. I was speaking to one person that I know who has recently been out to DXB for the 3 day selection process. He did put a lot of effort into the prep and did his homework on EK.... he deserves to do well. However he ended up talking to one fellow British applicant who did not do that much prep on the companies stats, figures, routes etc etc. Holes in your EK knowledge are bound to be found out and I am sure it will be very clear for HR to determine who has and who has not put in the required prep for the interview.

I think Cerberus's comments are valid:

Some folks expect to just walk into a job because of their experience. The 'I'm a great pilot they must want me' syndrome. If they are not committed to Emirates, why should Emirates commit to them.


A lack of effort strikes me as being a real wasted opportunity. EK IMHO is the best outfit to work for. Its popularity is shown in the sheer number of completed on line application forms it has received to date!

MG

Or just maybe it was the only airline recruiting on the whole damn planet and there were suddenly thousands out of work because of the terrible events of last year!!:(

Indeed, the EK recruitment drive has been spurred on by one major factor. There are no fecking jobs elsewhere! At least none where you can fly the type of equipment they operate. Facts remain, the package has slipped greatly down the years as the cost of living in DXB has escalated. Was a good place ten years ago but now it's just treading water. If you have a good job in Europe or elsewhere stay put. This place will get worse before it gets better. Bad time to come here as well with Gulf War II on the way. Not the worst place in the world though...

There's not many companies, other than EK, planning 148 commands next year. Now, as you say, the Gulf War II might alter that a little.

4HP

Count,

Were you there 10 years ago? Show me a company where the package hasn't slipped. Cathay, BA, Virgin, Lufty?!?

Most of the companies with the great packages are in the US and they are furloughing like mad and in danger of going under. Yep a lot of it is down to 9/11 but a lot more is down to the fact that they pay their employees too much and have mis-managed the US downturn.

Obviously as a pilot I want as much as they can give me. However, I also want a job and EK is providing a reasonably fair compromise at the moment based upon current market conditions. Unlike Gulf in the 80s, not many guys that have come out here have left. The main reason isn't to do with pay or seniority lists, it is to do with the fact that it is no longer a hardship to live in Dubai. If you want the quick cash nowadays you have to go to somewhere else considerably more inhospitable.

But life isn't just about money; I'm off to take my kids ice-skating and then I'm gonna pop down to the Barasti. Nothing like a Mai Tai as the sun disappears

Ghost;)

I have knowledge of a KLM pilot who went for interview some time ago. A strong candidate with experience. When asked by the one of the interviewers 'Who are you?' he replied 'Who are you?'! (not the way to start!). However he was likeable and recovered without realising his briskness. On the other hand his wife pesistently mentioned how lovely their house was back home and that the villas only had small gardens. This may have been a contributing factor to his downfall. Why would a company employ someone whose wife would hate it in Dubai and leave thus leaving a very unhappy pilot without his family? (just a scenario, you understand)
To be honest not many people got in from the groups going through selection at that time.
Don't come to Dubai for the money. Come for the lifestyle, the ability to work for a top notch company with excellent equipment, the security, the great schooling, the excellent training department, cheap petrol, fantastic beaches and the opportunity to do things that you could only dream about in many other enviroments.
As for the interviews....be yourself. Try not to pre-judge things. Swot up on your technical knowledge. Fly the sim like you fly your own a/c and don't do anything smart! and don't do anything dumb!
Good Luck and look forward to seeing you at the Oasis/Barasti/Scarlett's on Tuesdays....oh no! That was my single life! I meant Friday brunch at Carter's!!:D

GENT'S:

PLEASE STOP KIDING YOUR SELF ABOUT EK INTERVIEW HIGH STANDARD!!, THE SECRET OF PASSING EK INTERVIEW IS THREE WORDS :

YOU HAVE TO BE A. BRITISH
OR B. AUSTRALIAN
OR C. NEWZELANDER




:mad: :mad: :mad:

You forgot Canadian. I don't work there yet but know a number of Canucks that do.:D :D :D

I also know many Canadians who fly with the sand.

There are also some Italians, one is in the recruitment team!

Quite a few South Africans. I know of Maltese, belgians, in fact there are pilots from all over. I dont believe they prefer some pilots over others. I believe EK likes to recruit pilots from all over, helping to make its mark as a truely international airline.

Yes they indeed recruit from lots of nationalities. The only thing is the pay is crap and Dubai is a small town for expats. Take my advice, stay put if u have a good job in your home country. You will regret coming here in the long run.

I agree with Big Yellow Bird!
BELGIANS.......Quite a bit!!! Just recently they had another one that joined them. There's one more scheduled for a 330 course in NOV '02! And several having an interview date in a near future...

So, NA....whatever nationality you have, you won't be discriminated....believe me!

CU,all
:cool:

Von alibar, pay is crap? what do you mean by that. I thought the EK salaries were pretty good. If it's not too indiscreet could you tell us how much do you earn according to your status in the company.

In Dubai, for many high skilled jobs, people dont get paid salaries as such, they get a package. For example, a package could include:

A villa. In most cases it is not possible for expats to buy property in Dubai. Instead you must rent. Most companies either give you a villa, or give you a housing allowance in order to find a house yourself.

A car allowance or interest free car loan.

School fees for a certain amount of children, usally 2 or 3. All British and American schools are private.

Medical insurance for you and most of your family.

Yearly flight allowance, or flights home to your home country for your family.

A monthly salary, which does not look as attractive as other companies in Europe may offer. However, you must take into consideration what you get in your package.


The above tends to be what many skilled expats get in their packages, give or take one or two things. If you add together everything in your package and get a number, it is very generous. However, the amount of money you actually get in your pocket is not like what you would be getting if you were a senior captain for british airways, for example.

What many workers have a problem with is that they do not get all the money to do what they please. If a captain for BA was making 60-70,000 pounds+, he/she gets that money regardless of whether or not they have a family. In Dubai and you are a senior captain for Emirates, if you do not have a family your package essentially becomes smaller as you are not entitled to the money for school fees, larger house, insurance, flights etc..etc. If you had a family and put a number with the package, your income would be larger, even if you hold the same position as a fellow employee who is single.

Pilots, correct me if I'm wrong with the above. I am not exactly sure how it works for the pilots, but for other jobs like architects, engineers where I know first hand that is how it works.

Cheers

eaglejet
about 4500 US as first year F/O, very little change out of that if you have kids at school. About 6500 for new Captain. Company has just reduced training captain pay. Constantly chipping away at conditions. In short i suspect it will get worse before the industry picks up and people vote with their feet forcing a change of policy. Until then it is still an OK job flying excellent jets.

I would just like to validate the facts. The previous post is just that. Fact

Spamman is correct, the actual sterling values go up and down with the exchange rate but the Dirham is tied to the dollar. As well as the above there is a profit share which ran to 3 weeks even after 9/11 and is lookin good this year as long as Dubya doesn't go mad.

The house is free or you get a $23,000 F/O / $25,855 Capt housing allowance. If you take the company accom: electrics, water and maintenance are paid by the company and they provide furniture and appliances.

On top of that you get an $15,000 interest free loan on arrival to help buy a car. Go to www.emiratesgroupcareers.com for more info as below:

EMPLOYMENT PACKAGES

FIRST OFFICER SALARY:
Monthly Salary
Starting Salary is Dhs 16,760 and is reviewed annually with eligibility for step increases within scale. (1 US$ = 3.66 UAE Dirhams). The salary is Tax Free.
On promotion to Captain, a pilot's salary is increased by ten steps. The minimum initial salary on promotion to Captain is Dhs 23,340.

Productivity Pay
For each credit hour above approximately 84 hours, an additional Dhs 280.

GENERAL CONDITIONS:
Place of Employment
All positions are permanent and based in Dubai, one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the Middle East, well known for its wealth of fantastic shopping, sporting opportunities and a wonderful social life.

Provident Fund
Emirates provide a company sponsored Provident Fund.

Company Contributions:
First 10 years - 12% of basic salary
After 10 years - 15% of basic salary

Entitlement on Resignation:
Within the first 5 years - No entitlement to Company Contributions
Between 5 and 7 years - The entitlement is 75% of the company's contribution
After 7 years - The entitlement is 100% of the company's contribution

Accommodation
Utility Allowance or Fully furnished accommodation (including water & electricity) is supplied.


Transport
All transport while on duty is supplied by the company. Additionally an interest free car loan is available for new joiners (Dhs 55,000).


Health Cover
Free health cover (medical and dental) for the employee. Subsidised medical insurance for spouse and dependent children.


Employee Insurance Benefits
Insurance benefits for the employee include Loss of Licence Insurance (36x basic salary) and both Life Assurance and Accident Insurance (48x basic salary).

Child Education Assistance
Education assistance is provided for a maximum of 3 dependent children (between the ages of 4 and 19, in full-time school equivalent education). The allowances per child are: -

Primary School:
Reimbursement of 100% of the first Dhs 10,000 and 90% of remainder up to a limit of Dhs 21,500 per year.

Secondary School: Reimbursement of 100% of the first Dhs 20,000 and 90% of remainder up to a limit of Dhs 39,000 per year.

Profit Sharing
The company has in the past few years paid a profit share bonus for all employees, which is dependent on company performance.

Annual Leave
42 days per year.

Privilege Travel
Free air travel for employee, spouse and eligible dependant children once a year to the Annual Leave Destination. On other occasions, after a qualifying period, discounted travel is available.


Hope that helps,

Ghost;)