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Interview experience:

There were about 27 people at the interview. The interviewers consisted of four women - one corporate recruiter, who did most of the presenting, one current Southwest FA, and two Flight Attendant Base Supervisors. We were all seated in the typical circle of chairs. Everyone had a brochure with company, pay rates, and benefit information. We also had a sheet with job requirements and physical requirements - Southwest is one that still uses "weight appropriate to height." It was like most group interviews. The corporate recruiter spent a lot of time explaining all of the details - 4 weeks of training in Dallas, etc., explaining things that non FA's would not know - but nothing new to former FA's. Mostly lingo, how Reserve works, etc. The other three were jotting down notes (they had a sheet with all of our names and rooms for what looked like notes and maybe scoring?) during the entire presentation. Probably noting if we were paying attention, smiling - whatever. We also had a third sheet with the questions (not exact): "Explain how you successfully handled a customer complaint" "Describe a time when you went beyond the requirements of your job" and "Describe your greatest achievement." We had a few minutes to write down an experience. They stressed that it should be professionally-related and not personal in any way. Towards the end, we each stood up and presented the answer to whatever question we chose. They made notes during the entire "show." Then they gave us a break, while they went away and discussed the applicants. When they came back, they said that they would be asking some of us to stay for second interviews, and may be calling others, but they only had 6 openings that day. Next, they had us do an activity in two groups - it's a common one - the one where you have 15 people of different professions relocating to a new planet, but the spacecraft can only hold 7. Who do you choose? They don't care about the outcome, b/c they didn't even really ask our group. They just walked around us, making more notes. Then they called 6 names to stay, and said they they let you know either way, and they may be calling others. Although I haven't heard, I do not feel that I will get it. They look for a culture fit, and if you are not the sort of bubbly, cheerleader type, it's difficult. I only remembered the name of one guy who was asked to stay, and when I heard his story and saw his delivery, I knew he'd get it. He told a story of a girl that was on spring break and lost all of her money the first day, so he raised $450 and let her use jet skis, etc. for free so she could have "fun" on her spring break. That's a perfect type of story for them. I'm more of the conservative type, and I'm not good at pretending to be something else. Although I orignally wrote a story about a time where I did try to help a planeload of passengers who were losing a day of vacation, I went with a different one with a more humanitarian edge, and I think I made the wrong choice. But, I feel better about that story, so that's life. I tried to smile and do everything they say during the group activity, etc., but I don't think that Southwest looks for the usual things. The guy that got chosen was fiddling with papers during the presentations, and there were others that I think were chosen who were not dressed very appropriately,e tc., so I think it's all about a sort of party attitude. It's smart, though, because they said that not everyone fits in, and I know that I would not fit in with the culture and not be happy, but I needed the interview practice. They also said that if you want to fly international, this is not the place for you. I also made the mistake of discussing a flight that was international, and I think this was a bad idea - but they are right, b/c I really do prefer international flying. There was also a lady there for her second interview and she was dressed on the trashy side, so I don't think a conservative suit is the best thing. They are hiring 120 FA's for each training class - so good luck!

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Southwest Airlines Study Guide Questions:

1. Describe a time when you went beyond the requirements of your job.

2. Describe your greatest achievement.

3. Tell me about a time you received bad information while flying and what did you do?

4. Tell me about a time you had to plan for poor wx.

5. Tell me about a time you had to deal with a sensitive person.

6. Tell me about a time you had a job in which you had to prioritize. How did you do it?


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