Interview timeline:
May 11th, 2013 - applied online.
May 22nd - Invited to interview online (same questions as the phone interview, only in a Skype format).
June 4th - AA left vm to set up F2F in Dallas. Called back to set a date for F2F.
June 17th - F2F
I have read all of the online posts and all of the interview questions are basically the same. They are changed around a bit, but I wanted to share some important details from my F2F interview which I hope can help others who may be nervous about the process. I had previously been a Flight Attendant for AA in the 90's. I did not get fingerprints or an offer so just because you may have flown for AA before does not mean the job will automatically be yours.
Top Five Interview Process Tips:
1. Your first impression is your last impression. I chose not to wear a "traditional" business suit. This was a HUGE mistake (in my opinion). Wear a navy or black suit - preferably with a skirt and hose. Even though I had my hair in a sleek pony, a nice skirt, blouse, blazer and hose, It is my belief that I should have stuck with a basic look.
2. Be prepared and don't be surprised by the lack of professionalism. Upon arriving - you enter the first interview room to write your essay question and turn in your Driver's License or Passport. The question that day was "AA flies anywhere in the world - if you could fly anywhere, where would it be and why?" Insider scoop - they really don't pay much attention to this so don't fret over it too much. When you are finished with your essay you bring it up to the front. There are 2 interviewers in the room. One person is instructing you on what to do and one is collecting the essay and giving you a name tag. Be careful here!! You are to go up one at a time. When you hand in your ID, you move to the next person. When I got to the desk this was her response (no hi or greeting of any sort) "We have a process here - you turn in your ID and then come to me" I was so flustered because I had handed in my ID and proceeded onto her (because the other interviewer told me to go ahead) and I stood there for a second and told her that the first person told me it was ok to come over. Only then did she say hi and write out my name tag. I very well could have blown it right here!! Be on guard at all times - they are watching you.
3. Focus on what you need to do to get through the process with a positive attitude. Once everyone is finished with the essay, you move on to another room where there are tables of five set up. Five recruiters come in to show you how the team building exercise is going to be done. You and your group decide who will speak for the group when presenting your circle. Also, when others are presenting their circle you will have a spokesperson to guess for your team who is who in the other groups. Even though this is a "team" building event - it is not. They are watching you and how you interact with everyone else. When your team member presents - DO NOT interrupt or try and help them if they are struggling. We had a gentleman in our group who could not hear everything and when he presented a couple of us corrected him - it is your instinct to try and help, but NEVER correct anyone. Another mistake!!
4. Have your game face on all day - smile through the frenetic energy. After the group exercise, you are taken out in groups of five to be interviewed by two recruiters. This interview consists of 4 questions. Once again - only worry about your answers!! Pay close attention because you will be asked to repeat ONE thing about ONE other applicant that you learned in the interview. Don't start rambling on and on - they said ONE thing, not 100. In my case, a fellow applicant starting repeating my life history. I was nodding along when he repeated a fact that wasn't dead on. I froze and kind of shook my head. Dumb!! Just go along with whatever they are saying because once again I couldn't help myself and had to interrupt him.
5. Be true to yourself and answer the questions honestly. Answer the questions to the best of your ability. Do not answer with what you think they want to hear.
This is MY story and I am sharing what I deem to be mistakes so that you can be successful in your interview. Best of luck to you!! This is such a wonderfully diverse job with many fantastic perks - I wish you all the best!!