This is a frequently asked question on the forums,
especially for those new candidates who have never attended an
assessment day before. Be one step ahead of the crowd and know what to
wear!
As you will be a representative of and the ‘face’ of the
airline, your personal presentation must be immaculate at all times.
This starts right at the assessment day, where you have to create a good impression and continue to do so right through your airline career.
When you join an airline, you have to commit to ‘uniform standards’ as outlined by the company and if you don’t, you will be reprimanded. This can be something like forgetting your tie or wearing the wrong colour lipstick – it may sound trivial, but airlines are brands and they need everybody to meet the same standards and be instantly recognisable in uniform. A good place to start is at your interview/assessment day.
Here are some useful tips:
When you join an airline, you have to commit to ‘uniform standards’ as outlined by the company and if you don’t, you will be reprimanded. This can be something like forgetting your tie or wearing the wrong colour lipstick – it may sound trivial, but airlines are brands and they need everybody to meet the same standards and be instantly recognisable in uniform. A good place to start is at your interview/assessment day.
Here are some useful tips:
• Do some research – see how their cabin crew dress and try and wear something similar, like the same colour tie for example and a similar haircut. For the girls, try and copy the hairstyle and make up of the cabin crew too. This will not only show the recruiter, how you may look as cabin crew with their airline but also shows you have done some research.
• As far as presentation goes, dress and look like you already have the job – this will give you confidence too as well as showing you look professional.
• Whatever airline assessment day you are attending here are some grooming guidelines, that will have you looking perfectly presented on the day:
Males – Navy, black or dark grey suit with white shirt. Simple plain coloured tie, nothing to patterned or fancy. Black belt. Clean black shoes and black socks. Make sure you are clean shaven and look polished and tidy. Well kept hair and clean nails. Simple classic watch and one ring only, no other jewellery. Smart file for paperwork.
Females – Navy, black or dark grey suit, well fitted. White shirt. Clean black high heeled shoes with bare hosiery. Classic daytime make up, not too heavy. Hairstyle should be off the face in a bun or a french pleat, accessories matching colour of suit and hair colour must be even all over. Classic handbag, nothing fancy. Jewellery should be kept simple with small ‘diamond’ or pearl stud earrings (doesn’t have to be real!) and small neat watch, one ring only. Nails should be either buffed shiny and natural or French polished.
• If you have any body piercings make sure they cannot be seen and any facial piercings must be taken out. If you have any small visible tattoos, these should be covered with a sticking plaster or make up, but please be aware that many airlines do not accept any visible tattoos, even if they are covered.
These rules may sound strict, but you will look professional and create an excellent first impression to a recruiter. These guidelines will also put you in good preparation for uniform standards with your chosen airline, where this high standard of presentation will be expected of you on a daily basis.
The airline will issue you with a uniform standards booklet prior to your training, so you know that is what you have to maintain during your career as cabin crew and as ‘face’ of the company – this will include things such as acceptable make up colours, the right style of watch, heel height for shoes and suitable hair styles. Get used to these standards now and it will be an easy breeze to get ready for your 5am standby!