It should never have happened. But with enough research, I knew the system in and out and knew how to hack it. Back in 2009 there wasn't much info around. I dug deep on the internet and probably spent about 2 months reading and researching every think I could find on the internet, and compiled my own handbook. I studied for it like I studied for exams.

A short overview

I really wanted to fly for Etihad, but they weren't recruiting. Emirates was my second choice, and Qatar my third choice. The QR interviews were a month before the Emirates ones, so I used the Qatar ones for practice. At that point in my life, it was my first interview, ever.

The open day (where anyone can show up) was a cold July day in 2009. The interviews were held at the Hilton, in Wale Street in Cape Town. Even though I arrived early, the queue was already snaking around the outside of the building. Apparently close to 1,500 people showed up to that open day. Only 25 got called back. I was lucky to be the first on the list to get a call!

The next day, the 25 call-backs showed up again, and we were put through a series of games and interviews where we were assessed. At the end of the day, only 3 girls got invited to join Qatar Airways, and I was super stoked to be one of them.

A few photos from life at 30,000ft

The Hacks

OUTFIT

The open day invite only says professional. That's way too vague. You don't want to be flashy. Neither chilled or comfy. My plan: to dress like a cabin crew, but in simple black and white. When the recruiters see me - their first thought should be: she already looks the part. I didn't want anything about my clothes to stand out. I just needed to look the part.

Plain white button and collor shirt. Don't roll the sleeves up. You don't want to look "chilled".
Black fitted pencil skirt. Thanks, Mr Price! *I still had this skirt in my cupboard until 2024.
Stockings. This is important. Nothing shiny! I found the ugliest, pale-est skin coloured stockings.
Shoes. Okay, this is important. Wear what the crew wears. Court shoes! So, thick heel, closed toes, no strap. No peep-toes, super high heels, thin heels, no straps, no colour. Just plain black. And polished! I managed to find shoes from Mr. Price, but they had straps around the ankle which I cut off.

ACCESSORIES

No accessories. Nooothing. No bangles, no necklaces, no rings, no flashy earrings.
Earrings: I found fake pearl studs - which is what the crew wears
Wear a simple, plain watch. It shows that you think time is important.
No big handbag. You want to seem effortless. So had a TINY clutch - just big enough for my car keys, bank card, drivers license and cell phone. (I had a massive bag in the car with hairspray, a brush, flat shoes, makeup, deodorant etc)

HAIR

Up into a bun. Nothing fancy. And make sure your hair is flat on your head. Like a cow licked it!

MAKEUP

Red lipstick. And keep the rest simple.

Some photos of our Ab Initio training

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The interview process

OPEN DAY

It’s really simple. After standing in a queue outside, you eventually get into the hotel and into a room where a panel of recruiters sits. You’re handed a number, and when it’s called, you walk up to the table and hand over your pack, CV, application letter, and photos.

They ask you one question, and in those 10 metres you walked, they’ve already taken in how you look, how you present yourself, and whether your paperwork is in order. Your pack either goes onto the YAY heap or the NAY heap. Mine went onto the small heap. So, yay!

And that was it. On the drive back to Stellenbosch, I got the call that I’d made it to the next round.

THE SECOND DAY

The next day, all 25 of us were called back to the Hilton Hotel. We started with an introduction session about life as a Qatar Airways crew member, what recruitment involves, and what to expect once you’re in the skies. I remember so vividly the recruiter, an ex-crew member herself, saying:

“Once you become cabin crew, life will never be the same. You are forever changed.”

Now, nearly 12 years later, I can say without hesitation, it is. My life has never been the same since. No job has ever felt quite like being cabin crew. I’ve had wonderful roles that I’ve loved, but nothing compares to the experience, the camaraderie, and the lifestyle. There are still days I deeply miss it.

That day, we were divided into small groups, five people each, and given various team challenges. I’d done my research beforehand, so I knew they were looking for collaboration over competition. At 30,000 feet, during a crisis, they don’t want 13 people all trying to take charge. They want a team that follows instructions, supports one another, and keeps calm under pressure.

One exercise stands out in my memory: a simulated in-flight crisis. We had to discuss it as a group and present our solution. The recruiter handed me the paper with the details, but I quickly passed it to someone else, asking them to be the group leader. I wanted to make it clear I could be a team player.

During our discussion, a couple of people dominated the conversation while other girls didn’t really get a chance to say much. I recall seeing a recruiter approach our group and I seized the moment and said something along the lines of ‘XXX trying to say something, we should hear her out.” I made sure the recruiter heard me. :)

THE OFFER

At the end of the day, only three of us were offered positions. I was one of them. This was in late July, and they wanted me to start in September. I asked to delay until October so I could finish my master’s thesis first. I’d promised myself I’d complete one chapter of my life before starting the next.

MEDICALS

Once I accepted, the paperwork arrived. I had to do medical tests, TB checks, police clearance, EKGs, and more. When I got to Doha, they repeated many of them. Because I have a naturally low heart rate and low blood I was sent for multiple EKGs to ensure nothing was wrong. Fair enough, they couldn’t risk hiring crew with undetected health issues.

And that’s how my journey with Qatar Airways began, through careful preparation, a bit of strategy and one recruiter’s words that would echo in my life for years: