Etihad Cabin Crew Recruitment – Step by Step Process 2021

With 122 aircraft and a worldwide route network of 112 destinations, Etihad Airways is a major player in global aviation.  But Etihad is also the smallest of the big three Middle East airlines with less than 5,000 cabin crew.  Make no mistake, however, this Abu Dhabi-based airline is just as popular as Emirates and Qatar Airways for aspiring cabin crew – the competition is intense for the few positions available.

Following significant financial losses, Etihad was forced to halt its recruitment drive in 2017 and many successful candidates were placed “on-hold” for over a year.  Things, though, have changed a lot in the last few years and Etihad has held over a hundred recruitment events since it restarted hiring in late 2018.

The following step by step guide will help you through the process and give you an indication of what to expect.

Step 1. Submit Online Application

The Background

For the past few years, Etihad encouraged online applications via their official careers website.  While they did hold some Open Day’s, these were few and far between and pretty much the exception rather than the norm.

Since restarting recruitment, Etihad only permitted online applications but in the last few months has arranged a small number of Open Day’s.  Again, these are quite rare but they may suit some candidates who can’t get past Etihad’s dreaded ‘Applicant Tracking System‘.

Etihad won’t reimburse any costs you incur from attending an Open Day or Assessment Day, so it’s up to you to decide how far you are willing to travel to attend one of these recruitment events.

If you’ve previously applied but were not successful, you won’t be able to submit an application on your old account (this is a reported bug in the Etihad system that has not yet been addressed).  Simply delete your account and start over.

What You Need

You’ll need the following items for your online application:

• A copy of your updated resume in Microsoft Word or PDF document format.
• A cover letter
• One full-length photograph
• One passport size photograph
• A short essay on your dream holiday destination.

We have written an article about creating your perfect cover letter using a proven formula and an example tailored to the Etihad process: Do You Need a Cover Letter for Your Cabin Crew Application?

Photograph Standards

• You should be wearing professional business attire (including a jacket and tie for men).
• Stand facing straight on towards the camera, hands down by your side (not held together).
• You should be smiling with a large but natural smile (ideally showing teeth).
• To be taken against a white backdrop.

The full-length photograph should be sized: 6×4 inches (15×10 cm).  The passport sized photograph should be sized: 45×35 mm (1.77×1.37 inches).

Is Etihad Hiring?

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Etihad has currently suspended all cabin crew recruitment activity. Use the guide below to learn more about the process and prepare yourself for when recruitment does resume.

We’ll regularly review career opportunities and update this post as soon as we learn more (Last updated:August 2021)

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Step 2 – Assessment Day

Choose a Date and Location

Once submitted, your application will first be evaluated by a computer to see if you match the requirements of the role.  If you successfully pass this stage, a recruiter will review your application and invite you to an Assessment Day.

Etihad will still be running Assessment Day’s in cities around the world.  You’ll be able to choose a date and location that is most suitable for you.

For candidates based in the Middle East, it’s worth noting that Etihad does hold Assessment Day’s in Abu Dhabi.  However, if you need to travel to a different country or city, Etihad will not be able to reimburse you for travel costs.

Required Documents

You’ll need to bring the following documents to your Assessment Day:

• Completed registration form
• Completed introductory form
• Current CV / Resume
• Five colour passport copies
• One copy of your highest educational certificate
• One current and one previous employer service letter
• Pre-employment medical examination form
• One colour full-length photogragh and four colour passport sized photographs (as previously described).

If you live in the UAE, you’ll also need the following documents:

• Three colour photocopies of your UAE Residence Visa
• Three colour copies of your Emirates ID card (both front and back)
• One colour copy of any expired/cancelled UAE Visas and Emirates ID cards.

The recruiters understand that you might not be able to get employer service letters for the Assessment Day.  Simply tell the recruiter on arrival.

What Happens

The Assessment Day is a popular recruitment method used to screen a large number of candidates.  The day will be made up of a number of elements used to test your suitability for the role of Cabin Crew.  There may be points where candidates are further shortlisted before moving to the next element in the day.

To find out more about Assessment Days I would invite you to read this in-depth article.  We’ve included lots of details about what to expect, the different elements involved and what the recruiters are looking for: How to Ace the Cabin Crew Assessment Day 2017 – Tips and Advice.

The Etihad Assessment Day will typically look like this:

• Sign-in
• Hand-over required documents and short, informal interview
• A brief presentation
• English test and written exercise
• Individual speaking and listening exercise
• Presentation and break
• Group exercises
• Longer presentation

Step 3 –  Final Interview

Unfortunately, the majority of candidates who attend an Assessment Day won’t be invited to Final Interview.  The competition is extremely tough so making it to this stage is a really big achievement.

The interview will normally last between 25-40 minutes.  We expect, future Final Interview’s to be held on the same day as the Assessment Day. However,  in the past the interview has sometimes been scheduled for the next day or a mutually agreed later date.

Competency Based Interview

The interview will be made up of competency and behavioural based questions.  You’ll need to have examples from your previous work experience that prove you possess the skills, qualities and competencies that the Etihad recruiter is looking for.

It can take time to gather the evidence and become comfortable with your answers.  You should, therefore, prepare for the Final Interview at the earliest opportunity.  Our best interview technique is the SOAR method – We’ve included lots of details here to help you best prepare: SOAR to Success at Your Cabin Crew Final Interview

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Step 4 – Medicals and Final Approval

It may take some time before you hear back from Etihad after your Final Interview.  However, in the past, some candidates have received feedback in as little as two weeks.  You’ll be notified of the result by email.

Submit Medical Report

You’ll need to submit a medical report from your doctor based on a questionnaire supplied by Etihad.  You only need to do this once you’ve received the ‘Success email’.  This is a more in-depth report than the questionnaire you complete before your Assessment Day.

Cabin Crew medical standards are governed by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) in the UAE.  However, the minimum medical requirements required for Etihad Cabin Crew surpass that of the GCAA.

If you have any concerns you should discuss this with your recruiter at the Final Interview.  We’re currently working on an article about GCAA medical Requirements.

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Step 5 – Onboarding

If your medical results are satisfactory you’ll receive final confirmation from the Etihad recruitment team.  You’ll receive further information about your date of joining (DOJ), travel arrangements and allocated accommodation.

Etihad will also provide workbooks that they expect you to complete before attending Training School.  These are designed to ensure everyone starts training with a good base knowledge.