How to Become a Flight Attendant

The first requirement for becoming a flight attendant is that you absolutely must have a high school diploma or its equivalent.  If this is your dream career, you should begin preparing even before graduating from high school.  You can do this by keeping a clean record.  Somewhere along the way, a very thorough background check will be done on you.  If you have a criminal record, the airlines will not be interested in putting you onboard their planes in a representative capacity.

This background check will include your grades, work history, drug use, criminal activity, health history, etc.  Do not try to cover up anything, or lie about anything, because you will be found out and immediately disqualified.  In fact, since a urinalysis will be done, if you are on any medication you should tell them.

It would be a good idea to find out the exact requirements for several airlines.  They are not all exactly alike.  Also, you should be prepared to put your application in at several different ones.

Expect to have to move.  The airlines will have a list of places for their attendants to live.

Like it or not, appearance is an important part in becoming a flight attendant.  The reason for that is that the attendants are basically the only representative of the airline that the vast majority of customers will ever see.  The airlines want to make sure that their representatives are clean, well groomed, attractive, healthy, and not in any way shocking to look at and deal with.

There are a few things that are not mandatory, but could put you ahead in the game.

One of those things is to work in a public service position.  This can start even in high school.  Any job where you are working in direct contact with people is considered public service.  Waiting tables, answering the phone, being a receptionist, etc.  A history of public service will be a good addition to your resume.

If you happen to be fluent in a second language, that will help.  It is not a requirement, but when dealing with people on an international level it could make you more hirable.

Another thing that is not a requirement but could put you ahead is a college education.  Even if you didn’t graduate, a year or two, or an associate degree would look good on your resume.

Learn how to present yourself well in an interview.  That will be an important part of the hiring process.  They will be looking for someone who can handle the English language correctly, express themselves intelligently, and answer questions confidently.

You don’t have to have a passport in hand when you apply, but if it is at least in process that would be helpful.

Remember that these additional qualifications may come in handy later on, also.  They may help you get your dream job, but beyond that, they may help you advance to a higher and better position after you get hired.

So prepare yourself the best you can, put together a good resume, and then submit those applications and get ready to see the world!