Describe the Strictest Rules You Had to Follow on the Job

What it’s testing

Air travel is considered the safest form of mass transportation in the world for one reason: the industry takes safety and security incredibly seriously. There are lots of non-negotiable rules that need to be followed exactly because if they are broken or even slightly bent, the entire system becomes weaker.

As a member of cabin crew, it’s imperative that an airline can trust you not only to follow the myriad rules that are in place but to understand why they are there in the first place, and what to do if a mistake or accident happens.

What recruiters are looking for

Recruiters are looking for cabin crew who are professional, responsible, and can be trusted to follow strict safety and security rules. Answering this question isn’t about describing the most bizarre or strict rule you have ever encountered in a job, but checking that you understand why it exists and what steps you take to ensure that it is adhered to.

Think about what this looks like on board an airplane. Safety equipment checks, security procedures, medication and alcohol service rules – all of these exist to keep you, your coworkers, and all of your passengers safe, not because someone in an office likes paperwork.

Recruiters are also looking for how you catch mistakes – whether that be a mistake you made or a mistake made by a coworker. Did you challenge the person making the mistake and offer them feedback or coaching? Did you report the mistake so that systems could be strengthened to prevent a recurrence?

Think about how you ensure the rule is followed in pressurised and fast-moving situations. One technique is to slow down and focus solely on the task at hand. You could try calling out your actions as you do them, and pointing at the task at hand. You might also ask for assistance from a coworker to check you have completed the task correctly – much like cabin crew when they cross-check their doors.

How to structure your answer

While it might not seem like SOAR or STAR fits this question, it really will help you structure your answer in a way that recruiters will appreciate:

• Situation: Name the rule, why it mattered, and the consequences of it not being followed.
• Objective / Task: Explain what you were trying to achieve by following the rule.
• Action: List the methods you use to follow the rule. This could be the pointing and calling method, or cross-checking with a coworker. Explain if you’ve had to address a mistake or report a near miss.
• Result: Explain how you have adopted methods to follow rules in other roles.

What you shouldn’t say

Don’t suggest, even for one moment, that the rule was excessively strict or that you learned how to bend the rule in order to complete a task faster.

What to do if you get stuck

Think about licensing, certification, food hygiene, health and safety, cash handling, or data protection rules from any previous role. These are all the kinds of rules that we deal with so often every day that we almost forget that we are following them and have developed methods to ensure compliance.