What on earth is going on over at Emirates? **Updated June 2018**
Well, that’s a VERY good question!
As you know, Emirates re-opened recruitment in January 2018.
Their new online application system was unveiled, and this meant the end of open days.
Or so we were told!
Their new online application, however, was soon beset by technical problems, in particular with the video interview.
It seems that Emirates’ online system is unable to update when an applicant completes a video interview.
So, the video interview has been halted until this problem is resolved.
Who knows how long that will take?
So, in the meantime, Emirates have started holding open days again!
Wow!
And to make matters even more complicated, not all open days are the same, so you never know what’s going to happen!
The first type of open day they are holding is a CV Drop.
What is interesting about this is that it seems that everyone who has applied from that country is being sent an email about the open day:
Within this email they also send you some details about working with them:
What seems to be happening is that EVERYONE who has applied online and whose application was under review is sent this email.
It appears that those who are being invited to attend an assessment day (which is usually the same day or day after the open day) are being selected from those who attend the open day ONLY.
So, if you don’t attend an open day in a country where they are holding open days, then you will NOT be invited to an assessment day.
Of course, this could all change at any time If they re-introduce the video interview!
So, how does a CV drop work?
It means that you can drop-in your CV anytime during the hours listed.
So, for example, if you look at this open day in London, you can see it runs from 0900 to 1600.
Be careful with this, however!
At the last open day in Dubai, 1000s of people turned up
Ok, ok- that’s NOT an Emirates Open Day, it’s just to illustrate the point!
Anyway, there were so many people there that they refused entry to people.
AND, they cancelled their next scheduled open day, so think it’s fair to say that they have more than enough CV’s from Dubai at the moment!
Is everything quite as chaotic as this?
No, not quite!
There was an open day held recently in Manchester and some of the lovely members of our FREE Facebook group, the Departure Lounge, told us all about it.
Wait, what?
You’re not in our FREE Facebook group to help people like you become cabin crew?
Are you mad?
If you want to join, you can find us at
Anyway, I digress!
The open day in Manchester seemed a lot more organised.
Although it was also a CV drop off (and we know this because there is a start time of 0900 and a finish time of 1600), it wasn’t nearly as busy as the Dubai one!
So, what happened at it?
Well, according to one of our members, they were taken into a room with about 100 others. They each got the chance to handover their CV.
When handing over their CV, they were asked a couple of questions such as “Why would you like to fly for Emirates” or “What is your current job”.
Once everyone had handed over their CV, they were given a number.
They were then asked to wait outside, and the numbers would be posted up with those who had been successful in getting through to the assessment day, which was the following day.
On the way out, they passed the next group of candidates waiting to come into the room for their opportunity to handover their CV.
After an hour and a half, a list was posted up. On this list were the candidates who had been selected to attend the assessment day the following day.
So, these candidates went to the assessment day the following day.
If they were successful, they were invited to a final interview.
Priority is normally given to those who have travelled far to the assessment day.
Others were told they would be emailed with a date for a final interview.
But here’s where it gets really crazy as these candidates have now been emailed and told their final interview would be done via Skype or face time!
So, that’s how CV drops appear to be organised at the moment.
What about Open Days?
Well, these are different again!
You will know if the day you are attending is an open day and not a CV drop because it only gives you the start time:
So, what format does the open day take?
Before I begin though, I should just point out that the order of events may change slightly depending on where your Open Day is, the number of attendees at the Open Day and it may take place over one day or several days.
So please don’t take this blog as gospel and use it as a general guide only!
Wait, what? A punctuality test?!
A small word of warning- these Emirates Open Days are also set-up as punctuality tests, so if you’re not in the room you should be by the published start time, you’re out for good!
Give yourself TONS of time to get there and be friendly to EVERYONE you meet.
Why do I need to demonstrate great listening skills?
When you check-in for the Emirates Open Day you will usually be given a sticker which you will be expected to wear for the ENTIRE event, so please don’t take it off as it doesn’t match your lipstick as this will simply show you up as someone who can’t take instruction well (which is SO important when working as cabin crew!).
The number on this sticker is how you will be identified throughout the process, so make sure you listen out for it. Don’t let the Emirates recruiters shout out “No.24” repeatedly, to then look down and realise you are number 24- you won’t look good! So make sure you know your number and you listen out for it.
Again, remember, to be Emirates cabin crew you will need to be good at listening to your passenger’s requests, so you need to show the recruiters that you are a great listener by listening intently to everything being said during the day.
What does the Emirates Airline representative talk about?
Once everyone has arrived and been given a sticker, you will watch a promotional video about Emirates Airlines and life as a member of Emirates cabin crew.
A representative from the airline will then give you a talk about what it’s like to be cabin crew with Emirates Airlines and life in Dubai. The representative will talk about things such as the Emirates flight attendant salary and what life is like when you fly emirates.You will then be asked if anyone has any questions
Oh no, I’ve heard the CV handover is really scary and it’s like walking a catwalk?
Following any questions from applicants, the first major screening event occurs- the CV handover.
Several tables will be set-up at the head of the room and you will need to submit your CV to the appropriate location you have been issued. Again, this is where listening is important!
What, that’s it? The Emirates Open day is over?
There will usually then be a break for lunch and only those applicants that have passed the CV handover will return for the rest of the day.
It’s really worth noting that you will have very limited to NO interaction with your Emirates recruiters before this stage, so the entire screening event is based on your CV and your personal presentation so remember-
FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT!
And then they make even more people leave the Emirates Open Day? Seriously?!
The first group exercise takes place. Applicants are split into groups of approximately 20-25. Following this event, you will be informed whether you will continue with the process.
You will then participate in another group activity, this time in groups of around 8-10.
This time, you will be given a more complex scenario and after this group activity you will be informed who will be continuing.
You will then be given an English comprehension test followed by an Aptitude test. Only those who have passed these two tests will be invited to continue.
You will then be given a one-to-one or two-to-one interview with a member of the recruiting team, known as a final interview.
How long will it be before I hear I have been successful?
There will then be a tense time whilst you wait to hear if you have been successful!
The minimum waiting time seems to be 14 days and from my experience, it’s not unheard of to wait up to 6 weeks!
But I’m sure the wait will be worth it when you get that “Golden Call”!
It could take up to 6 weeks to receive your golden call
A gate? What’s that got to do with Emirates?
Remember, this is a general summary of the whole process.
You should try and look at each stage in the process as a gate you have to pass through.
So, in order to get your dream job as Emirates cabin crew you have to pass through all the gates along the way!
Unfortunately, if you don’t do too well in any one stage, you will not be allowed to pass through the gate, even though you had been doing really well up until that point.
You have to be outstanding at EVERY stage in the Emirates Open day process and that’s why it’s so important to be prepared.
What do you mean- Emirates Airlines has nothing invested in me?
This may sound a bit mean, but Emirates Airlines has absolutely NOTHING invested in you.
There will be literally HUNDREDS of people standing in line behind you trying to get this job, and if you fail to impress then they may well do, so you’re going to have to put the work in.
So, what’s really important at EVERY stage of the process?
Attention to detail is REALLY important at EVERY stage of this process.
If your Emirates Airlines recruiter sees ONE thing, yep, just ONE thing, about you that they don’t like, then they will just move on to the next applicant.
Now this may sound discouraging, but please remember that the VAST MAJORITY of people will turn up completely unprepared.
They don’t understand how competitive the process is.
Is the Emirates Open Day really as competitive as you’re making out?
It absolutely is. But here’s the thing…
…others don’t understand why it is SO important to have prepared for the day.
They will show up thinking they can improvise, planning just to wing it and the job with Emirates Airlines will be theirs.
However, they won’t be dressed right, won’t behave right and they won’t present themselves well at the Emirates Open Day and that is why the majority of applicants FAIL
But, here’s where you have an advantage…You, however, understand the importance of EVERY SMALL DETAIL of the process and you will stand out for all the RIGHT reasons.
Phew, aren’t you glad you’re reading this blog?
However, Emirates are also holding assessment days:
As you can see, this one says invitation only on it, as only those who have been sent an invitation email from Emirates can attend.
The invitation email looks like:
These candidates have been selected based on their online application, so it’s important that you do continue to apply online, particularly if you live in a country where Emirates are NOT holding open days.
So, what seems to be happening is that IF you live in a country where Emirates are holding open days or CV drops you will get an email telling you about them IF you applied online.
Emirates only appear to be choosing candidates from these open days to then invite to an assessment day.
So, it looks like they are simply ignoring all those other applications in their system from that country if you DO NOT attend an open day!
However, they ARE looking at online applications from applicants in countries where they are NOT holding open days!
Confused?
Can’t say I blame you as I am too!
And, of course, all of this could change tomorrow when they solve the technical issues with their video interviews!
I will, of course, update this blog if they make any more changes!
Hope it’s helped
Pauline x
Hi, Pauline! I’m Silvina. I went to the Open Day in Argentina on May, and made until the first task of the assessment. What do you think if I apply again for the next open day that will be held next week? I withdrew my last application, so I could start anew with a different email? I just don’t know what to do… If I wait for 6 months to reapply, I’ll be 35 years old.
Thanks in advance!
Hi Silvina- I wouldn’t wait 6 months, I would recommend that you go to all of the available open days that you can 🙂
Yes confused, I don’t understand that if I should wait for video interview problem to be solved and than apply again, or look for a open day to attend in Dubai as it is near to my country and because no OPEN days in my country.
Thanks
Hi Munira. It doesn’t look like the video issue has been resolved as yet, so I would advise you to attend an open day in Dubai 🙂
Hey Pauline, on EK’s website it says OPEN DAY – INVITATION ONLY for my country and only gives the start time, place of venue is not given and doesnt even say “tbc” which got me confused. I did not apply online thinking the open day would be a cv drop off. Oh and for my country it only used to say open day but now it says invitation only too as well as open day like i mentioned above. I can apply online but there is only 18 days left for the “presupposed” open day. What do you think OPEN DAY – INVITATION ONLY means.
Thank you in advance, Deniz.
Hi Deniz
Open Day Invitation Only means that you will need to apply online to get an invitation.
Good luck
Pauline x
Dear Pauline 🙂 is the video interview back? Thanks a lot for your great blog! Best regards,
Kla
Not as far as I know Kla.
Pauline x
Hi!
I went to an open/ assessment day yesterday in Lyon and succeeded in all the steps. At the end of the day we had to fill in a form and were invited to complete a test online once at home, but the mail doesnt want to show up and got nothing to contact them. Is it normal ?
thanks
Hi Suzanne
Try checking your spam folder to see if was sent there by accident if not try emailing HR@emirates.com and ask them to resend the email.
Good luck
Pauline x
Hello Pauline. My country has not been selected for an open day and I cant afford to go to Dubai right now. What should I do. Please..please Am so devastated.
Thanks
Hi Rachel
Sorry to hear that however Emirates are adding new destinations all the time so they may yet still come to your country. In the meantime why not consider applying to an airline that is based in your country and work for them to gain a bit of experience?
Good luck Pauline x
Hi Pauline,
I’m attending a CV drop Open Day this weekend. Could you please advise on whats best to wear?
Many Thanks
Beth
Hi Beth- grooming is incredibly important to airlines such as Emirates, so you need to look absolutely immaculate. A dark suit (jacket and skirt), a white blouse, nude tights and black shoes and handbag will look good. Keep jewellery to a minimum and have a look at cabin crew photos online. Use these as a guide to help you plan your hair and make-up 🙂
Love the blog!
Can anyone show up at the Open Days or do you have to apply online first to be allowed attend the open day?
Xx
Thanks Ashlyn! No, you don’t need to apply online to attend an open day, you can just turn up. Good luck 🙂
Hi thanks for make this blog to let us know better the process.
I just have a question, I opened my online account and I got an invitation for the open day in Amsterdam next Sunday (30th september) I will be in Munich and I will comeback at 10:30 am to amsterdam but since in the web page says that is at 8:00 am I am not sure if I can go later around 11 or I will miss the open day.
Do you know if I can do that? Thanks in advise
Natalia
Hi Natalia- I am afraid you would need to be at the venue for 8am 🙁
Hello Pauline! Great blog! Enjoyed every detail. Do you, by any chance, know for how long Emirates will recruit? And second question, do you know if they’ll repeat Open Days twice in a same state (USA)? As far I can see, they only do one event per state… Thank you!
Hi Monika- thanks for your lovely comments. No-one knows how long Emirates will recruit for, but as they have not recruited for a few years, I think they will continue recruiting for the forseeable future. I don’t know whether they will repeat open days- I would just keep a look-out on their recruitment page 🙂
they had open days 3 times in Toronto city, Canada with 2 months interval between each. So they might held OD twice or more in one state! Good luck
Hi Pauline xx
I am from South Africa and I intend on applying (I’ve completed most of my application, just haven’t submitted). I’m delaying my submission because I know for sure that I won’t be able to attend the Assessment day (if I am invited). I saw in the email above that you should let them know if you can’t make it, does that mean they make alternate arrangements such as a live interview?
Hi Teneal- no, they would just invite you to an alternative assessment day 🙂
Hello Pauline! Thank you for your great job! I will go to Open Day in Budapest next week. Could you please clarify for me some points? Thanks a lot.
1) Is it single scenario that you will have all this stuff (presentation, representative talk, CV sreening, working in groups and tests) in one day? Is it possible that events will be devided into two days?
2) Is it possible that a recruter will ask you something during a CV screening?
Hi Mary- it very much depends on how many applicants are at the open day. I have heard of smaller open days where they covered the open day and the assessment day in one day. More usually though, they take place over 2 days with the open day on one day and then the assessment day the following day. Yes, the recruiter will ask you questions during a CV screening 🙂
Dear Pauline, I would love to know what type of job experience is Emirates looking for on the CV so if I have any experience in that field I could highlight it?
Hi Sabah- Emirates will expect you to have at least 12 months customer service experience 🙂
Hey Pauline – loved the blog loads of info on it. I attended an open day a few weeks ago and got to the stage before final interview. I was so upset and want to try again. Do you have any info how strict they are on 6 months or should I attend an open day in a different city?
Thanks 🙂
Hi Aine- thanks, glad you liked my blog. Well done on getting to an assessment day- that’s an achievement in itself! To be honest, I have known a lot of people who have attended open days in other cities and got away with it. However, I have known others who went to a different city in the same country and the recruiter recognised them and asked them to leave! So I think a lot of it is down to luck to be honest. They seem to be basing the same recruiters in the same recruiters and this is probably an attempt to try and stop people attending again within the 6 month period. If you can, try and analyse what you did wrong last time, so you don’t make the same mistakes again! Good luck for next time 🙂
Hi Pauline,
I have been a flight attendant for almost 4 years now.
The best Job in the World!
However I just went through a hard bankruptcy. :/
So I really want to join Emirates now! Guess it’s my time! 🙂
I just have a question concerning the CV:
The pas photo in the C.V. Should it be a real photo attached or just printed on the paper?
Best regards
25 year old Daniel from Denmark
Hi Daniel- I would make it a real photo attached to your CV 🙂
Hi Pauline! What a nice blog you write! Anyways I’m Ica and I live in Indonesia. I attended the OD and made it to the Assessment Day but unfortunately I failed on the last stage before final interview. I kinda have the same question about the 6 months period of waiting. My assessment day was on 5th of August yet I received an invitation by email regarding their Open Day on 21st of October. I am puzzled of what to do. Should I attend the open day or wait for another 3 months to re apply? Will really appreciate your gloss. Thank you!
Hi Andi- thanks for your lovely comments. I would go for it! What do you have to lose 🙂
Hi Pauline,
Really have enjoyed and actively used your blog in my application process for Emirates and am very grateful for how much it has assisted me.
I, this week, in another city interstate went to an Open Day and made it down to the what I understand final group assessment task. I was very close to the Final Interview and there is another Open Day in my city in 2 weeks.
Should I wait the suggested 6 months, or will this harm my application more? Is it likely to be the same recruiter, and even if not, would they just see back in the database that I was in an assessment day just weeks before? Thanks
Hi Jodie- thanks for your lovely comments about my blog and glad to hear it helped you in your last application. Well done for getting so far! In answer to your question- it very much depends. Some people have gone back within 6 months, the recruiter recognised them and they were asked to leave. Yet others I know, have attended within 6 months and got away with it! If it was me, I would go for it- really, what have you got to lose? Don’t know if you’d be interested, but we have recently launched a new course called How to Become Emirates cabin crew. It covers over 250 pages of content and includes everything you need to know to help you during your recruitment journey. If you’d like to find out more, please visit- https://mondrago.co.uk/how-to-become-emirates-cabin-crew/ 🙂
Hi Pauline,
Emirates is coming to my area and I was wondering if the photo requirements on their website is the type of photo we have to bring in with our CV. Since my passport picture is from a few years back with no makeup on. Do you know if it can be a nice picture of your profile?
Also, are they super strict on what you wear? (I’m a lady.) Can you wear dress pants if your outfit is still professional and modest?
I know that soft skills are what they’re actually looking for but I can’t help but wonder.
Hi Valerie-please check out this blog and you will find the answers to your questions 🙂 https://mondrago.co.uk/emirates-cabin-crew-recruitment-faq/
Hi Pauline, I have read your blog and it is so helpful. Thank you so much for doing this ❤️
I am Mexican and I am thinking about attend an Open Day on November 30 2018 in Montreal, I am just affraid that the whole process will be in French because I don’t understand it. I talked to an ex-Emirates crew cabin and she told me everything is in English. Do you have any advice or know something? It would be very sad to make it all the way to Canada from Cancun for not understand anything 🙁
Hi Arianna- thanks for your lovely comments. Yes, the ex-cabin crew is correct, everything will be in English. English is the international language of aviation, so everything is conducted in this language. However, I worry about you travelling so far just for an open day. The whole thing could be over in moments and it could cost you a lot of money. If you are determined to go-ahead, then please be prepared! Make sure your CV is outstanding and that you know a lot about the airline and the whole recruitment process, so you know what to expect. We have a course called How to Become Emirates cabin crew which may be of interest to you. You can find out more about it at- https://mondrago.co.uk/how-to-become-emirates-cabin-crew/ and if you have any questions at all, please just ask. My email address is pauline@mondrago.org. Good luck Arianna if you go to Montreal! 🙂
Hi Pauline , thank you for sharing some great tips. It is really helpful!!
Do you know if there is any age limit to apply for Emirates as Cabin crew ?
Many thanks
Hi Arabella, the minimum age requirement for Emirates is 21. There is no maximum age requirement, however, anecdoctally, most new cabin crew recruits are under 30 🙂
Hi Pauline, your blog is amazing.
My name is Sharukh from Bangalore India.
I had applied for emirates through online application on 19-11-2018 as there are no open days in my region but still my application status is not changing is it normal?
And if i get invitation for assesment day do i need to travel dubai?
Hi Sharukh- unfortunately, Emirates have yet to do any recruitment in India. You wouldn’t be expected to travel to Dubai for an assessment day. You may be better considering Qatar who are holding open days in India this month- http://careers.qatarairways.com/qatarairways/vacancysearch.aspx
Hi, I love your blog! I’m wondering do you have to go to an open day to have a shot to land the position, or is the online application enough? There’s one coming up Dec 13 in LA but I wonder when the next one would be after that. And if I do go to an open day do I have to apply online as well? I’m also a recently graduated registered nurse from Hawaii, do you think this would help me to get the job? I’ve worker a lot with people and with different cultures there, hence my reasoning for wanting to join the crew. Also, I’ve done a lot of volunteer work in my community and in the medical field, can I add that to my resume? About how much money would you say I should save up just in case I make it to the end interview? I ask because I’m confused about when you go ron Dubai, let’s just say, for the training and beginning part of the job… do you pay out of pocket those first couple months or is rent paid for once you land in Dubai? Thank you! Sorry for so many questions!
Hi Victoria- I think being a qualified nurse will make you really stand-out from the competition as you have really useful skills. You don’t need to apply online, you can just turn up at the open day. If you are successful and make it to a final interview, you will then be asked to apply online, so they have an electronic record of your application. In terms of when the next open day will be- the honest answer is who knows?? That said, Emirates are in the midst of a massive recruitemnt drive, so they seem to visit most cities again within 3- 6 months. In terms of money, all of your accommodation is paid from the moment you arrive in Dubai. Your travel to Dubai is also paid and you will recive a salary as soon as you begin your training. Hope this helps 🙂
Hello! Anyone going to attend an open day in Dortmund on January 13th?;)
Hey Pauline, one question I did an open day in Uk and got through the 3rd stage but not further, I tried another open day 2 months later but same recruiter!! She recognized me straight away! So now I don’t know if I should try another country, I was worried another recruiter would see my British passport and know I’ve already tried there and been turned down! Is it worth a go?!
Hi Sabah- it really is up to you if you want to try another country, but I would always caution against it! It’s so expensive and the whole open day process can be over so quickly and you’ve wasted all that money. To me, it’s far more important to think about WHY you weren’t successful. Because, unless you work that out, you’ll just be making the same mistakes over and over again and you won’t ever be successful. So, I would wait until my 6 months is over and then reapply. Use this time wisely though. Start preparing an AMAZING CV as this is the most common reason for rejection. Look back at your last open day and think about the stage you were rejected at. Try and analyse where you went wrong and make sure you don’t make the same mistakes again. Every single person I know who has been successful with Emirates has worked incredibly hard for the opportunity. They knew a lot about the airline, they had read up on the recruimtent process and they had written and re-written their CV until it was perfect. You have to treat getting a job with Emirates as a job in itself and be prepared to work really, really hard. Less than 3% of applicants will be successful, and it’s those who go the extra mile who are successful. Simply travelling to open days hoping for a different outcome rarely works I’m afraid 🙁