Being an SQ girl is not an easy job. You have to deal with loneliness and homesickness, all while managing unreasonable passengers with a smile.
But for many aspiring cabin crew members, being paid to travel is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for those in their 20s.
So to find out how girls can secure a spot, we got in touch with 23-year-old *Jamie who cleared all the rounds on her third attempt.
Here’s what the interview requirements were, and what she did differently this round as compared to her last.
Tip: It involved smiling, a lot.
*Names have been changed to conceal identities
Contents
Jamie:
Some girls wore LBDs so tight and crop tops so short their boobs were falling out. But I wore a formal pink dress and treated it as a casual business interview.
At this stage, I was required to touch a line on the wall to determine if I could pass the height requirement of 1.58m for girls and 1.65m for guys.
If you know you are more than a couple of centimetres shy of the required height, don’t try to ‘squeeze’ your way through.
After I cleared the pre-interview, I was registered and split into a group of ten. Seated in a semi-circle before two interviewers, I waited for my turn to introduce myself and answer a given question.
My question was “Do you prefer sunrise or sunset?”. Other interviewees’ questions included “What makes you smile?”, “What is your name and what is the meaning behind it?”, “Why do you want to be an SQ girl?”, and “What is your favourite colour, and why?”
The ever-changing questions can be random, broad and generic. Interviewers look out for a friendly smile, warm personality, and the ability to maintain eye contact while addressing a room, not so much your answer.
I failed this stage once because I was too nervous and appeared stiff and fidgety. So the next time, I remembered to be more natural and friendly.
In the debate round, I was put into a group of six before the two interviewers further split the group into three VS three.
Note: Though this phase is titled the ‘debate round’, it’s not quite so. Interviewers are looking out for how you can be smiley and non-aggressive while answering the question.
In the past, the questions I received were “Which would you choose: Brains or beauty?” and “Do you think Singapore is a good country?”.
But this time, they asked, “Do you think kiasuness is good or not?” and my group was chosen to be ‘for’ kiasuness.
I was up against a law student who spoke eloquently and went full-on debate mode. So after he presented, I felt my answer was super ‘CMI’. But I put on my biggest smile and said, “Kiasuness is great because it’ll help you get your hands on limited edition Hello Kitty toys.”
Overall, three out of six in my group moved on to the next round and surprisingly, the law student didn’t get in. So while being eloquent is important, smiling can help you a lot more.
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This round, I was individually assessed and interviewed by two Cabin Crew Executives. Usually, they’re very friendly but will sit quite a distance away.
Questions included: Why do you want to be a cabin crew? Let’s say a passenger wants a magazine but you’ve run out of magazines, what would you do? Can you deal with SQ’s unpredictable working hours? Could you put your hair behind your ears and give me a big smile? I see you tried to join last year, what has changed this year?
Tip: If they ask you about your hobbies, it’s good to say fitness and sports (yoga, running, etc) so they know you’re fit and won’t MC as often.
Previously, the assessment was carried out by only one Cabin Crew Executive and included a reading test (sample announcements). But in my interview, these components were absent.
After I cleared the management round, I tried on the kebaya, underwent a skin check, and had my height and weight measured.
There is a fool-proof way to walk in a kebaya: stand up straight, and walk slowly while putting one foot in front of the other. The first time I tried the kebaya, the interviewer mentioned I looked chor lor and walked like an ah beng. Luckily my amended walk was deemed alright.
Then, there was the micro inspection of my face. After the initial scrutiny, I was nervous as the first interviewer called another over for a second opinion on the small bumps on my forehead.
But despite my light scarring and pigmentation, they passed me as the flaws could be concealed with foundation and having a good skin texture is more important.
Someone also asked me if I would be alright with getting my hair cut, and I chirpily said, “Yes, not a problem!”
Finally, I made it to the last round: the medical review. After making sure I didn’t have any life-threatening illnesses, scoliosis (spine curvature) or was prone to airsickness, I passed.
If you have mild back acne like I did, fret not as it’s not an issue if it can’t be seen.
Once you’re done with the medical check, you’ll have to wait for up to a month before you’re given the results. Then you’ll be given a date to sign the official documents.
While waiting to sign the contract, I booked an appointment to have my hair cut. Now I’m looking forward to the training stage. Hopefully, I won’t get a culture shock!
This article was first published on 20 April 2018 and last updated on 23 April 2024.
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