Lengthy process with lots of question marks. I submitted online in May, within three weeks was asked to complete an online, virtual interview where I fielded pre-recorded questions and answered via webcam recording. I think this is a clever option for screening a high volume of applicants and ensuring all are asked the exact same questions. Delta does this, as well, only a bit better. I received email confirmations of submissions along the way but several months elapsed between my webcam interview and my invitation to fly to Dallas to the group interview (25-30 people). We were periodically observed as a group sitting in the lobby at "The Lodge" - American's training center in Dallas. Everyone was dressed to impress, articulate, attractive and friendly - the best of the best. We were eventually taken on a tour which was also how we were escorted back to the interview room. There were five tables of 5-6 seats each with markers and paper in the center. We were asked to fill out a form that had three questions on it - I can't remember exactly but one was asking to detail your idea of top rate customer service, another was asking you to force rank 5-6 provided options as to how you would respond if it was your first day serving First Class and the CEO, Doug Parker was on the flight. And I believe the other(s) were reiteration of questions answered in application process - are you legal to work in US, do you have valid passport, can you comply with dress code or the like. We then had to go up to a gentleman at a table who reviewed our passports for expiration date (can't expire within 6mo-1yr of interview or has to be eligible for renewal). Once that was completed, we were shown a video about American. We then had our interview team (five different tenured American employees from FAs to HR employees) demonstrate the group activity which was fun. We all then completed the activity with our individual round tables as our "flight crew". One person was delegated or became the team lead or "purser" for the presentation. As we completed our activity, the five American reps were walking around with clipboards and observing/making notes. After presentations, we were split up into different mix of groups and brought in for group interviews of 5-6 people per room, two interviewers per room. Everyone was asked and had to answer the same questions. "Why would you be the best for this position/company? Describe a time when you gave exceptional customer service. We will give you a card face down, keep it face down, when it's your turn read the number of card, question and give your answer (to see how well we can follow precise directions)." We were then released to see slide presentations on American, training, benefits, etc. At that time, individuals were called up out of the room. Either you were escorted to the door (me) or taken back for a true one on one interview. Mind you, they referred to the whole things as your "one on one interview" but in the case of people were no longer being considered, it was basically a glorified escort to the door. The difference I observed in those who were brought back for fingerprinting and those who were no longer under consideration was that our original team of 5-6 reps were the ones who called us up and escorted us out. American staff we had yet to see/meet in the interview process came and took people on for fingerprinting, the reach test and real one on one interviews/sit downs. I kept in touch with another candidate who was pulled back for this phase. You read on here that if you are fingerprinted you are in.... that is not necessarily true. Also, the recruiters made a comment about being on Glassdoor so they read these boards and see everything we see. They want to keep you guessing so I believe they do change it up so you won't know where you stand.
I received the final rejection letter about three days or a week later. Form letter, very brief, automatically generated. My friend who was fingerprinted received the same letter only it was more like two weeks later.