How to succeed in the Group Assessment Day - Emirates, Etihad and Qatar cabin crew
Group assessment exercises are now the standard used by Emirates, Etihad and Qatar as they are very effective in evaluating certain types of skills in applicants.
A group assessment exercise round of 7 to 8 people can help the recruiters observe the candidates who have potential leadership skills, teamwork and communication skills. The recruiter is also able to observe which candidates can perform under pressure.
For some of you out there, this exercise where you know you have to participate can be an uneasy experience . Performing well can be difficult for some of you as group dynamics come into play - this is where some candidates tend to show off how good they are while other candidates become more reserved - remember being reserved is not what the recruiters want to see,
Some Tips to help you ace the group assessment rounds:
Make a great impression - Be well groomed and well dressed and remember to smile. Arrive early and in good time - this will ensure you can get comfortable before they commence the recruitment event. Greet the other applicants. You will shortly be interacting with these people, so building rapport early will help you greatly.
Confidence is key - Keep your cool. Even if other candidates are well=spoken, better looking and better dressed like fashion models, do not be shocked or disappointed. By showing a positive attitude and being confident in your own abilities will stack up against external beauty.
Be mindful of your Body Language - Remember that the recruiter goes round making observations and taking notes and see how applicants are handling a high pressure social environment where some applicants could take over or not even giving you a chance to speak. Even if you do not contribute much, your body language here tells the recruiters and others in the group that you are feeling concerned and uncomfortable.
Be friendly with other applicants - NEVER feel threatened or give them a silent treatment. Find a suitable opportunity, introduce yourself and contribute.
Communicate - Generally speaking, group assessments can be uncomfortable and difficult for shy or introverted people, which is why some airline recruiters spot them and avoid them. That does not mean introverted applicants cannot get through - that is not true! Focus on what you are about to say, and speak at a constant pace, and concisely as possible.
Do not keep participating - these are people showing off, and fighting for attention. If you are an introvert, speak when you have a focused point to make. It is quality not quantity.
Do not dominate the discussion. You must never come across as aggressive, or incapable of collaboration and compromise.
If you are an introvert, do not force yourself to behave as though you were a leader, it can backfire.Recruiters do not look for over-confident people who push themselves into a leadership roles — they tend to look for people who are intelligent, collaborative and effective.
Involve the group - give credit to those that contributed to the group. Politely disagree but when you do, always come up with a persuasive suggestion and sell your idea to the group. Addressing some of the group members by their first name is also a good idea, and if you happen to be nominated as the group leader, give everyone a say in the discussion. It shows how much you value their views even if they may appear quiet.
Be a good listener - Always show you are listening to the views put forward by other members.
With the 10 tips above, we are confident you will succeed in the group round and get to remain for the final interview.
If you feel more guidance and practice is needed, we run one-to-one classes on Zoom, and can be arranged through my website.