Helping people ace the interviews

I did coaching work for a cabin crew wannabe yesterday for 3 hours. She is going for SIA cabin crew interview after getting her diploma in 2 years time. She is preparing early and want the best coach to help her ace the interview. This Friday, I will be coaching a young man who is interested to be a flight steward with SIA. He had previously failed a few times at the interview. I will do my best to help these young people who aspire to fly with SIA. Just for info, I was an executive, interviewer, trainer etc with SIA for 35 years before my retirement. 

He felt humiliated at the cabin crew interview

Dear Forum Editor,

Good day to you.

I'm a Singaporean who's very proud of my flag carrier Singapore Airlines (SIA) and it's a brand I hold in high esteem.
I'm sharing my experiences in this letter because I'm concerned Singapore Airlines is losing it's competitive edge.

I was a candidate at the most recent SIA cabin crew walk-in interview.
It was a negative experience for me because I met a difficult interviewer at the one-to-one interview.
I answered the interviewer's questions accordingly and when I tried to elaborate relevant points, he made this retort a few times-"did I ask you?".  I was courteous and genuinely smiling during the interview and the interviewer told me to stop smiling.  The warm smiles of the Singapore Airlines cabin crew is one of their signature traits.  Shouldn't a cheerful disposition be a desirable trait in a cabin crew candidate?  When I told the interviewer I want to work for my own flag carrier instead of other airlines and I'm willing to learn to improve myself, he replied sarcastically, "did you go for a course to prepare for this interview".  I was rejected after the interview.
I'm not disgruntled because I didn't get the job, I can accept if I'm unsuitable.  However, the interviewer's attitude made me feel demoralized and put down.

In July this year, I had a different experience during the Emirates Cabin Crew recruitment campaign organized by Sass Atlantic.
I credit and appreciate Emirates and Sass Atlantic for making it a positive experience, even though I was unsuccessful.
The Recruitment Officers from Emirates were professional, encouraging and kind throughout the selection process.
Sass Atlantic staffers provided invaluable assistance and guidance to all candidates.

In sharing my experiences, I wish to highlight that any job interview should be the candidate's platform to promote himself and his qualities that make him suitable for the job and the interview decorum should be in accordance with the company's image.  If the job interview isn't properly conducted, how will the company suss-out the best candidate for the job.  Some candidates for airline jobs may become the target market or potential passengers of the airline they interviewed with.  The interview experience will affect how the candidate perceives the airline in future. If SIA doesn't address these issues, I'm concerned they'll loose out to competitors.

Thank you for your attention.

BT: Song sung and lyrics written by yours truly.

SIA cabin crew interview

Things SIA cabin crew interviewers look for in the candidates:

• Personality
• Steadiness or maturity
• Service minded
• Teamwork

Besides the above qualities if one possesses average attractiveness, good skin and complexion, minimum height (female at least 1.58m and male 1.65m) and minimum educational qualification (at least an O level with credit in English), one should be able to clinch the job.