Use Action Words in your CV and in your Emirates, Etihad or Qatar application form to make an instant favourable impact.

Giving your CV a good makeover to ensure you get selected for your dream cabin crew role is very important.  A killer professional CV with action words showing your achievements help you stand out from the competition.  Using action words draws attention to the achievement. When attending an Emirates, Etihad or Qatar recruitment open day, you want to be in the pile that gets shortlisted not eliminated. Do you know how recruiters make their shortlist on who gets through to the next stage?

Here are extracts from 2 CVs - both potential applicants for cabin crew roles at Emirates, Etihad and Qatar.  They both have current experience as Head - Front Desk Reception at a 5 star hotel. They both attended the recruitment events but who will be shortlisted?

Example A: Extract - Sample CV for person with customer experience gained at a 5 star hotel.

Professional Experience
July 2016 to Present
Head, Front Desk Reception
Palace View Hotel, Dubai Marina, Dubai, UAE

- Planning and managing demanding work schedules for the team and supervising 3 Front Desk staff members.
- Managing and processing all guest arrivals and departures.
- Checking and co-ordinating final bills for hotel guests.  
- Greeting and helping multi-cultural guests (new arrivals) with registrations. Introducing key cards to them and providing information on restaurants.
- Enjoying interaction with guests in a kind and courteous manner, and going out of my way to help them. 
- Giving priority for members on the privilege loyalty card scheme offering them room choices and inviting them to the complimentary happy hour.
- Organising room upgrades for regular guests who are also privilege members.
- Explain the shuttle bus service to town and assist with sightseeing needs.
- Showing empathy and helping guests with special needs.
- Manage, mentor and train a multi-cultural team, and provide team support at busy times.
- Resolve difficult situations faced by guests over rooms, travel or other hotel services.


Example B: Another person with similar experience but with CVs written differently
Professional Experience
July 2016 to Present
Head, Front Desk Reception
Gold View Hotel, Dubai, UAE

- Greet customers and assist them to their rooms.
- Dailycheck-ins and check-outs.
- Collect cash and generate invoices.
- Supervise and provide team training.
- Manage guest complaints and resolve issues.
- Ensure guests feel comfortable.
- Ensure reception area and desk is clean at all times.
- Organise hospitality requirements.
- Greeting guests and responding to telephone calls.
- Meet new people from different countries.
- Excellent customer service skills
- Good organisational skills and good team player.
- Self motivated and passionate about giving guests the best experience.
- Excellent communication skills.


Who would you shortlist?  

Action words are so important and when used sparingly will ensure your CV passes the ATS (Applicant Tracking System) and also scores highly on traditional reading. Over-stuffing with keywords will be penalised so please be careful.

For Emirates, when demonstrating your skills, show by way of short examples that you have provided excellent service in a team environment, dealt with people from multi-cultures. What has to come across is your passion for hospitality, adaptable to new people, new places and new situation, and a strong determination to perform well. Team collaboration and communication are highlighted as very important.

For Qatar, focus on your interpersonal soft skills, show them you have an outgoing personality, passion for customer service and you have worked in a multi-culture team.

For Etihad, show examples where you have inspired customers with exceptional hospitality that surpass guest expectations. Focus on excellent personal presentation, style and image.

Write the CV tailored to the airline that you are applying to using these keywords and blending them nicely with your skills and achievements. If you did that, your CV will pass the ATS checks online and also impress the recruiter too!

If it is your first time applying to the airline or if you have tried too many times, speak to us and we will help you write a suitable aviation CV for one of the three airlines of your choice.