Writing a flight attendant CV or resume can be a critical step in landing your dream job in the aviation industry. This article is designed to guide you through the process, offering straightforward advice and practical tips. Whether you’re a seasoned flight attendant looking for new opportunities or a newcomer aiming to break into the field, we’ll cover the essentials of crafting a CV that stands out. We’ll explore what to include, how to format your experience, and the best way to highlight your skills and qualifications. Additionally, we’ll provide real-life examples to help you visualize how a well-constructed flight attendant CV looks. Our aim is to equip you with the tools and knowledge necessary to create a compelling resume that showcases your strengths and aligns with the expectations of airlines.
Contents
Read The Job Description / Advert
The first step is, of course, to read the job description. We need to know what the firm is looking for so that we can properly highlight these characteristics in our CV. So read back over the job description and try to pinpoint the important points. A lot of times a firm will call things “required”; if you see this, you need to make sure you include that in your CV. Similarly, if certain things are repeated throughout the advert, this indicates they are of high importance, so we will want to make sure our CV shows that as well.
When performing this analysis, take care to copy the ‘exact’ words and phrases that are being used by the hiring manager. We will want to pepper these into our CV later.
Flight Attendant Job Description Example
Flight Attendant Job Opportunity
Job Title: Flight Attendant
Company Overview: Join our dynamic team at [Airline Name], a leading airline committed to providing exceptional in-flight services and ensuring passenger safety and comfort. Our diverse and inclusive work environment encourages personal and professional growth, offering numerous opportunities to advance your career in the aviation industry.
Job Description: As a Flight Attendant with [Airline Name], you will be the face of our airline, providing outstanding customer service and ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers on board. Your responsibilities will include:
- Conducting pre-flight safety checks and demonstrating emergency procedures.
- Assisting passengers with boarding and deplaning, including special needs passengers.
- Providing information and assistance to passengers.
- Serving meals, beverages, and selling onboard products.
- Ensuring the cleanliness of the cabin.
- Handling in-flight emergencies and providing first aid if needed.
- Ensuring compliance with all aviation rules and regulations.
Key Qualifications:
- High school diploma or equivalent; further education or certification in hospitality, travel, or customer service is a plus.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Proficiency in English; fluency in additional languages is highly desirable.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
- Physical fitness, including the ability to lift luggage and stand for extended periods.
- A valid passport and the ability to travel internationally without restrictions.
- Previous experience in customer service or hospitality is preferred, but not mandatory.
Skills and Attributes:
- Strong customer service orientation.
- A professional demeanor and immaculate appearance.
- The ability to remain calm and efficient under pressure.
- A team player with a positive attitude and strong work ethic.
- Excellent problem-solving skills.
Benefits:
- Competitive compensation package.
- Comprehensive training program.
- Travel benefits and discounts.
- Health and life insurance options.
- Opportunities for career advancement within the company.
[Airline Name] is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Join us and take your career to new heights with [Airline Name], where we pride ourselves on our exceptional team and our commitment to passenger safety and satisfaction.
Research The Company
Time to put on your detective hat and do some research on your target company. Look at their website, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms. You are looking for any piece of intel that will give you the leg up.
- Find out about recent work/projects they have undertaken or will be embarking on (highlight your experience in these areas on your CV)
- Find out what software/processes they use and make sure you include your proficiency in them in your CV
- Learn what interview questions you might expect should you make it that far
See if you know anyone who works there and/or connect (LinkedIn) with people ahead of the interview. A little nepotism could never hurt, and you might be able to glean more information about the role/hiring process in the meantime.
Find A Good CV Template
When selecting a CV template, it’s essential to opt for a simple design and structure. Not only are straightforward layouts more compatible with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), but they also make it easier for recruiters and hiring managers to quickly identify and understand key details. A clutter-free and organized CV ensures that your most important information stands out, facilitating a smoother review process for potential employers.
This is the CV template that we recommend (click here)
Write 2 Or 3 Bullet Points As A ‘Professional Summary’
A handy approach is to craft three sentences: the first highlighting your qualifications and experience, the second showcasing your biggest professional achievement, and the third detailing your most recent experience.
Flight Attendant Professional Summary Example
Over 5 years of experience in the aviation industry, holding a Flight Attendant Certification; skilled in emergency response procedures, in-flight service management, and passenger safety protocols – utilizing tools such as the Amadeus reservation system and onboard CRM software.
Awarded ‘Flight Attendant of the Year’ in 2021 for exceptional passenger service and achieving a 95% satisfaction rate on post-flight surveys – a testament to dedicated customer engagement and problem-solving abilities.
Recently led a team of attendants on long-haul international flights, responsible for coordinating pre-flight safety briefings, efficiently managing in-flight services, and ensuring adherence to all FAA regulations, contributing to the airline’s reputation for safety and service excellence.
Detail Your Employment History
Begin by listing your employment history in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent role. This allows potential employers to see your recent experience upfront, which holds greater value. Keep in mind that brevity is key.
As you go further back in time, reduce the level of detail to ensure your CV doesn’t exceed two pages. Employers are less likely to read lengthy CVs.
When writing about your responsibilities as a Flight Attendant in your CV, focus on how you’ve excelled in those roles. Instead of just stating “Handled in-flight services,” you could say, “Efficiently managed in-flight services for over 100 international flights, consistently receiving high passenger satisfaction scores.” This shows not only what your job was, but also highlights your success in customer service and your experience with international travel. It’s much more impactful to demonstrate your achievements and how well you performed your duties rather than simply listing what those duties were.
Detail Your Education History
Keep your CV concise, aiming for a two-page limit. The education section can often be streamlined.
Highlight the most relevant qualifications. For instance, if you have a degree, your A-levels become less significant. Similarly, if you’re in the U.S., having an MBA overshadows your high school GPA.
Unless an older educational milestone is crucial for the job or highly pertinent, focus on showcasing your Bachelor’s degree, post-graduate studies, or professional certifications. If you lack these, mention your latest qualifications. Remember, having a Master’s suggests you’ve finished school, so no need to state the obvious. Only include your educational background if it’s pertinent to the job.
CV Structure
Tactically structure your CV to the ‘most wanted’ attributes of the job description. For example, if the job description values “qualified”, then place your qualifications first; if they want someone with RECENT experience, put your last job up top. If they want multiple years of experience, highlight your tenure.
We always recommend that you have a Professional Summary up top (after your name/contact info), as it will be the first thing that anyone reads. As discussed earlier, this should be tailored towards the job advert and showcase your experience and skills in what the employer is looking for.
A fairly typical structure would go:
- Name and contact info
- Professional Summary
- Current (or most recent employment)
- Education & Professional Qualifications
- Employment History
WHAT NOT TO DO
Now that we’ve discussed what you should be including in your CV, let’s look at some things that you should avoid doing.
- Do not include personal history or likes. Employers are not going to care about your hobbies, so unless you have some inside information that the hiring manager only hires people who play a particular sport, for example, then leave your extracurricular activities off your CV. This does not extend to things like volunteer or charity work. Definitely include that if you have the space.
- Do not list your skillset and the tools/applications you have experience with. It takes up valuable space and is often obvious (Skilled in Excel…?). Instead, include these in your achievements section (Example: “Used Asana to manage and coordinate tasks for a remote team of 25 members”).
- Do not include references or “references available on request”. If employers want a reference, they will ask you for them; otherwise, this is just wasted space on your CV.
- Do not include a photo of yourself unless specifically asked. In many countries, including the UK and US, you should not include a photo of yourself on your CV/resume. Companies don’t want you to do it, as it opens them up to liability, and there is absolutely nothing for you to gain by doing so – plus, you are making it easier for firms to discriminate against you, either implicitly or explicitly.
- Do not use any fancy graphic or artistic CV format. Most CVs come in a standard format, allowing Application Tracking Software, recruiters and hiring managers to easily pick out the key pieces of information they need quickly based on their experience. If you throw them a CV in an artistic format, they are more likely to get annoyed and throw your application away. This is not a situation where standing out is good. You want your skills/experience to be noted, not your CV format.
- Do not include your previous salaries. This will severely impact your negotiation abilities down the line.
Flight Attendant CV Tips – Recap
Let’s recap what we’ve discussed so far:
Focus on Relevant Experience
Highlight your past work that’s directly related to being a flight attendant. This includes customer service roles, hospitality jobs, or any position where you interacted with the public.
Showcase Your Soft Skills
🌟 Emphasize skills like communication, teamwork, and patience. Flight attendants need to be excellent communicators and good at working with a variety of people.
Certifications and Training
Include any relevant certifications, like CPR, first aid, or any flight attendant training you’ve completed.
Language Proficiency
If you speak more than one language, make sure to list this. It’s a huge asset in the airline industry.
Attention to Detail
🔍 Proofread your CV. Make sure there are no spelling or grammar mistakes. This shows your professionalism and attention to detail.
Tailor Your CV
Customize your CV for the airline you’re applying to. Show how your skills and experience make you a perfect fit for their specific needs.
Positive Attitude
Reflect a positive and friendly tone in your CV. This is key in a customer service-oriented job like a flight attendant.
Clear and Concise Formatting
Keep your CV easy to read. Use a clean layout with clear headings and bullet points.
Include Achievements
Rather than just listing duties, highlight your achievements. For instance, mention awards or recognitions you’ve received for your customer service.
Flight Attendant CV Sample
Below is an example CV from someone with a number of years experience in the field. For an editable .DOCX version, click here.