Bringing your spouse to Hong Kong
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2004
Location: USA
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bringing your spouse to Hong Kong
I have a question about bringing spouses for the second interview:
My experience is only in the US; I know the culture at Cathay is slightly different. If I were to ask if I could bring my spouse to the interview for a US carrier I know they would think that was odd.
My questions is: Does bringing your spouse for the second interview at Cathay have any kind of negative reflection on the applicant?
Thanks...
My experience is only in the US; I know the culture at Cathay is slightly different. If I were to ask if I could bring my spouse to the interview for a US carrier I know they would think that was odd.
My questions is: Does bringing your spouse for the second interview at Cathay have any kind of negative reflection on the applicant?
Thanks...
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: USA
Age: 53
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No, bringing your spouse is a good idea. They talked to my wife a lot at the party, and told her about places to shop and so forth while in HK. They seemed to like the fact that I brought her. I heard other similar things from other applicants who were hired.
Unfortunately, I wasn't hired, but I messed up in the sim test (most likely). But if I get to go try again, I'll certainly bring the wife. Only catch is that they don't give her a free ticket if you are interviewing for an FO seat. So you'll have to pay her way.
Unfortunately, I wasn't hired, but I messed up in the sim test (most likely). But if I get to go try again, I'll certainly bring the wife. Only catch is that they don't give her a free ticket if you are interviewing for an FO seat. So you'll have to pay her way.
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Canada-West Coast
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Can anyone tell us what types of activities the wives are invited to attend...is it just the cocktail party? Otherwise, do they just shop while we interview?
Plus, the wife wants to know how to dress.....semi formal non-sexy?
Plus, the wife wants to know how to dress.....semi formal non-sexy?
Waytan
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Australia
Posts: 2,242
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
waytan
It is possible I am a bit out of date but I believe that the wives are invited, by other wives and CX staff to a chat about HKG and CX in particular, they are shown typical housing etc., the cost of living is discussed and possibly just about every sector that may be of concern to wives, (including 'shopping'!). The idea is to set your mind at rest.. The 'party' used to be called a cocktail party, possibly still is as I believe it starts quite early, just so long as you don't show up in jeans and a T shirt, just make a little effort I'm sure you'll be OK.
Would those of you who have been through the ordeal recently care to comment?
Would those of you who have been through the ordeal recently care to comment?
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: On the high seas one day
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
When I went through, there were two wives present out of 20 or so applicants. Only 3 ended up making it through. I thought it would be much higher based on the experience and level of preperation that I could see all had invested (most had a few hours of classic sim time and months in the books!). Post- interview I spoke with many whom were not successful, and quite a few were confused as to why. The cocktail is very pleasant, and unintimidating. I would advise the misses a semi-formal cocktail dress, perhaps nothing to low cut or low back, but all the cx brass were very cool and if she has a few questions prepared for the awkward silence she will glide right through and increase your stock! Best of luck!
NG
NG
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Canada-West Coast
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
THanks NG, your advice is much appreciated. Classic sim time? is it helpful?...I suppose every bit helps. Is there anything you can pinpoint for the 3 guys that made it of the 20? A certain look? A certain "chipperness"? I too know a handful of good guys that have done the second interview and only 3 who made it all the way.
Any advice for us guys doing the second interviews in august in addition to the hit the books, know everything, be ultra positive stuff?
Thanks in advance.
Any advice for us guys doing the second interviews in august in addition to the hit the books, know everything, be ultra positive stuff?
Thanks in advance.
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Not sure anymore..
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My advice, Make sure the wifey gushes about how much she loves HK. My experience a couple of months ago had some uncomforable moments for my wife at the cocktail party. We got to HK the day before the interview, and planned to look around for a few days after the interview. So at the party my wife was grilled about her opinions of HK life and how she thought she would like it. Poor lass was honest and said she didn't know as she had only seen the place out the window on the approach to landing. Of course after looking around when the interview was over she loved the place, but too late to share that with the HR people.
Out of 10 experienced, nice guys at my interview only 1 ex fast jet mil guy got the call! Don't know for sure where the rest of us went wrong but I have re-applied already, after getting a taste of it in HK they won't get rid of me that easy! Good Luck.
Out of 10 experienced, nice guys at my interview only 1 ex fast jet mil guy got the call! Don't know for sure where the rest of us went wrong but I have re-applied already, after getting a taste of it in HK they won't get rid of me that easy! Good Luck.
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Like way out there dude!
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi guys,
Thought I might try and shed some light on the interview if I can...
Reading about how few people got in, I am very very grateful for getting the nod a couple of weeks ago. I attended the 2nd interview about a month back.
Regarding the wives and the cocktail party, well, the CX people there are very chilled and laid back and very friendly. My wife came with me and had the good fortune of being tour guided around Hong Kong by a fellow CX mates wife. This helped tremendously during the party as she was questioned in a friendly manner for a long time about many many things and was able to ask questions herself.
Why people don't make the selection is open to speculation I guess. Where did they mess up, etc etc. The sim aparently carries quite a bit of weight. You need to show a learning potential and I don't thnk they expect you to fly it perfectly but at least if you mess up, do your best to correct it asap.
The personal interview was tough and they all the correspondence you have ever had with CX with them. Qs are similar to the 1st interview tech wise and you just need to know HTBJ fairly well I guess but know the company in depth.
If anybody has anything specific they would like to know, drop me a PM and I will do my best to help you.
It may seem weird, but if you have that burning desire to get in, you will!
Best of luck to all...
Thought I might try and shed some light on the interview if I can...
Reading about how few people got in, I am very very grateful for getting the nod a couple of weeks ago. I attended the 2nd interview about a month back.
Regarding the wives and the cocktail party, well, the CX people there are very chilled and laid back and very friendly. My wife came with me and had the good fortune of being tour guided around Hong Kong by a fellow CX mates wife. This helped tremendously during the party as she was questioned in a friendly manner for a long time about many many things and was able to ask questions herself.
Why people don't make the selection is open to speculation I guess. Where did they mess up, etc etc. The sim aparently carries quite a bit of weight. You need to show a learning potential and I don't thnk they expect you to fly it perfectly but at least if you mess up, do your best to correct it asap.
The personal interview was tough and they all the correspondence you have ever had with CX with them. Qs are similar to the 1st interview tech wise and you just need to know HTBJ fairly well I guess but know the company in depth.
If anybody has anything specific they would like to know, drop me a PM and I will do my best to help you.
It may seem weird, but if you have that burning desire to get in, you will!
Best of luck to all...
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Canada-West Coast
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
wife's experience
waytan's wifey here. just got back from HK and wanted to put in a short blurb about my experience from the wife's POV. everything posted was correct...it was relaxed but I was asked several times from several Cathay HR people/captains how i liked HK, what i would do, where i'd like to live etc. but i was ready for all of those Q's and the conversation flowed well. Mostly we asked "them" a lot of questions and had pleasant conversation. We tried to talk to everyone in the room but "they" mostly moved around and came to talk with us. In a way, it kinda felt like speed dating. 90mins was over quickly and then we(interviewies and wives) headed into the city for some chinese grub and shopping. All in all, a fantastic experience. They sure make you want to work for them. For any other wife advice, feel free to PM us anytime. Good luck to all!
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Canada-West Coast
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
info for the wives from a wife
Along with the "drink party", wives are invited to a short 1 hour briefing about living in hong kong, it includes going over salary 1st-4th year, housing benefits, areas to live, types of schooling to chose from and the schooling subsidy structure and any other questions about living in Hong Kong. The "drink party" as they call it is a very casual shmooze fest. I wore a conservative yet stylish black dress as did most of the other wives that attended. One wife wore pants. I was told that in the info packet they sent the husband, the drink party dress code is "smart casual" but all the men wore suits. In my opinion, I think a nice skirt/dress pants and blouse would be well suited for the occasion too...or sunday/church clothes...ie semi-formal, non-sexy...
I would advise all wives along with husbands try to go a few days early to check out hong kong and to have points of interest to talk about at the drink party. They WILL be asking you, the wife, a lot of questions about living in HK, what you will do in HK (since you cannot get a work visa). I think the Cathay people are looking for the wifes interest towards living and adapting to living in Hong Kong, as it would be a huge change for anyone moving from north america and they want to MAKE SURE that they won't lose a pilot due to a wife that is unhappy living in HK.
The part that surprised me the most was the commradery between the interviewies and between their wives, we feel that we made some good friends on our short stay in HK. I was able to go shopping at the markets in Repulse Bay with a few of the other wives and the whole bunch of us went out for dinner and shopping at the MongKok night market on the last evening.
Both of us wished that we had more time to see, shop and eat in HK but the short time we had was a really wonderful experience. feel free to PM for more details
waytan's wife
I would advise all wives along with husbands try to go a few days early to check out hong kong and to have points of interest to talk about at the drink party. They WILL be asking you, the wife, a lot of questions about living in HK, what you will do in HK (since you cannot get a work visa). I think the Cathay people are looking for the wifes interest towards living and adapting to living in Hong Kong, as it would be a huge change for anyone moving from north america and they want to MAKE SURE that they won't lose a pilot due to a wife that is unhappy living in HK.
The part that surprised me the most was the commradery between the interviewies and between their wives, we feel that we made some good friends on our short stay in HK. I was able to go shopping at the markets in Repulse Bay with a few of the other wives and the whole bunch of us went out for dinner and shopping at the MongKok night market on the last evening.
Both of us wished that we had more time to see, shop and eat in HK but the short time we had was a really wonderful experience. feel free to PM for more details
waytan's wife
