How to Become an Overseas Flight Attendant
Flight attendants ensure that airline passengers know and observe safety and security regulations on each flight. Flight attendants also provide comfort and pleasure during flights by providing pillows, headphones, small meals and beverages. Some advantages to becoming an overseas flight attendant include free time as well as free or discounted airfares, which give you the opportunity to travel and also balance out the fact that the work can be stressful and strenuous.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Cell phone with international capability
- Travel clock
- Durable and easily transported luggage
Instructions
-
-
1
Obtain the desired level of education. Although a high school diploma is the minimum required, airlines increasingly prefer hiring flight attendants who have attended college. Choose a people-oriented discipline, such as communications, psychology, nursing, travel and tourism, hospitality or education. Airlines look favorably on flight attendant candidates who have attended a college with flight attendant training.
-
2
Learn at least two foreign languages. Since you want to travel overseas, make a point of studying languages from the regions where you would like to travel.
-
-
3
Understand that airlines have some physical requirements such as correctable vision or height requirements for reaching overhead compartments. Airlines prefer flight attendant job candidates with no visible piercings or tattoos and a general clean-cut appearance, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes.
-
4
Be physically fit. Overseas flight attendant work will be physically demanding and will challenge your physical health with long flights, physical work, long hours and time changes. Being healthy will help you weather the physically challenging aspects of overseas flight attendant work.
-
5
Create your resume and a portfolio detailing your education and work history. Be sure to highlight any experience working with the public, as well as your flexibility and versatility. List any personal travel you have done, particularly overseas travel. Keep a travel journal and be prepared to bring it with you to your interview.
-
6
Seek positions advertised in large city newspapers or visit individual airline websites and view their employment opportunities sections. You may also choose to seek out a service to help you find the right overseas flight attendant position, which will charge a fee but maintains a full-time research staff monitoring the most up-to-date trends in the airline industry.
-
7
Prepare to relocate or be away from home for long periods of time. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that flight attendants may be away from home base at least one-third of the time. Since your first year as an overseas flight attendant will be spent on reserve status or on call, you will need to be easily available. Your willingness to relocate will be a large determining factor in your being offered positions.
-
8
Realize that airline interviewing is highly competitive and that you should be thoroughly prepared. Approximately one out of every 100 applicants is hired for an airline, according to AirlineCareer.com.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Accept work as a domestic flight attendant to gain experience and make contacts until you find an international flight attendant position.
Note that formal training will last from three to six weeks and will include practice flights, as well as instruction regarding passport and customs regulations.
Airlines now actively seek older employees, especially those seeking second careers, according to AirlineCareer.com.
You will need to be able to handle difficult and stressful situations, such as passengers' anxiety over delayed or rerouted landings.
Flight attendants experience a high work-related injury and illness rate.
Cabin crew employment is expected to grow through the year 2012.
The airline conducts a thorough background check, going back 10 years, which is required by the FAA.
References
- Photo Credit Digital Vision./Digital Vision/Getty Images
