Reasons candidates get rejected after the HireVue with Etihad

 

 

 

Did you get rejected after the Hirevue with Etihad and wondering why?

 

Well below are some points why you got rejected::: 

 

---- CV formatting issues:: Unreadable by ATS/AI, tables, images, unusual fonts. 

 

---- Missing keywords:: Lacking key terms like ''customer service'' or ''aviation safety'' or ''teamwork''

 

--- Low AI match score:: Resume content doesn’t align with job description.

 

--- Underqualification:: Missing required experience or education. 

 

--- Duplicate application:: Applying multiple times can trigger an auto-rejection. 

 

--- Nationality or visa restrictions:: system filters based on eligibility to work in the UAE or fly internationally.

 

--- Poor lighting or video quality during Hirevue:: Unclear face, bad camera angle, or poor sound.

 

--- Unprofessional attire:: Not wearing business attire. 

 

--- No smile or warmth:: Lack of a friendly and approachable demeanor.  

 

--- Nervousness or monotone voice:: Showing low confidence or energy. AI detect this. 

 

--- Lack of eye contact:: Looking away from the camera frequently.

 

--- Poor communication skills:: Unclear speech, grammatical mistakes, or filler words : um, like etc. 

 

--- Not answering questions directly:: Vague or off-topic answers.

 

--- Negative body language:: Slouching, crossing arms or fidgeting.

 

--- Late submission:: Missing the Hirevue deadline.

 

--- Age: Etihad may use age as a screening factor. For example, candidates who are significantly older ex 50 years old, might be filtered out if they fall outside the typical preferred age range. 

 

--- Language proficiency:: Weak English or communication barriers.

 

--- Grooming standards:: Visible tattoos, piercings, or appearance not matching Etihad grooming policy.

 

--- Height or reach requirements:: Unable to meet physical requirements for cabin safety.

 

--- Customer service attitude:: Lacking empathy, patience or positivity.

 

--- Teamwork issues:: Appearing overly self-focused or not a team player.

 

--- Skin issues:: Having severe acne. AI can detect this. 

 

--- Social media screening:: Inappropriate posts or public behavior.

 

--- Cheating:: If a candidate cheats during the HireVue ex: by reading from a script, receiving outside help or using unauthorized tools, the AI system can detect such behavior through facial, eye, and voice pattern analysis. When detected, this typically results in an automatic rejection of the candidate.

Etihad Cabin Crew Recruitment Process 2025

 

Are you curious about what the Etihad cabin crew recruitment process looks like in 2025? (New system) Well, you are in luck, here is (almost) everything you need to know:::: 😊

 

 

 

 These are the requirements:::

 

 

 

You apply::::::: 

 

If shortlisted you get invited for a online Hirevue video assessment:::::

 

 

 

 

 

Examples of questions that they will ask you in the Hirevue are these:::::

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some of the questions will require video responses, while others is without video.

You can re-record your answers as many times as you like.

It’s best to complete the HireVue assessment on a laptop. If the lighting in your room isn’t great, consider using a ring light to improve visibility.

You will also be asked 1000 other questions too, from your background, likes and dislikes, and personality traits, to flight-related challenges and situational scenarios.

Since August 2025, Etihad has been using an AI-based system for this assessment, so don’t even think about trying to cheat, the system is quite advanced. This new system is meant to make the process quicker. 

Once you have completed everything, that’s it! Keep in mind that not everyone who applies is shortlisted for the HireVue stage, I know several people who were rejected before reaching this step. I believe it mostly due to CV mistakes. 

After finishing the assessment, you will receive an email titled ''Candidate Feedback Report'' Everyone who completes the process gets this email.

 

 

 

 

 

The feedback highlights your individual strengths based on your assessment performance, and everyone receives unique results. 

 

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 When completing a HireVue or AI-based assessment, every detail is evaluated. To boost your AI score, here are a few tips to keep in mind::::

 

Remember:::: Doing all of these will help you get a higher AI score. However, the final shortlisting is still done by the recruiter, who decides whether to move you forward or not. Sometimes, even when we follow every textbook guideline perfectly, we can still face rejection due to HR decisions:::::::::::::::::::: 

 

 

----- Choose a quiet, well-lit room. Ensure your face is clearly visible. Natural light works best, avoid backlighting.

 

----- Minimize filler words. Avoid ''um'' ''like'' or ''you know'' Keep answers concise, ideally 60–90 seconds, and don’t ramble.

 

----- Maintain eye contact with the camera, not your screen, to appear engaged. Looking up/ down/ sideways too much is regarded as cheating, and might get you rejected and get a lower score. 

 

----- Smile naturally. Warm, approachable expressions score higher. The AI tracks facial cues.

 

----- Speak clearly and at a moderate pace. Friendly, calm tone is ideal. Avoid rushing or speaking too slowly.

 

----- Use natural hand gestures. Subtle movements show confidence without being distracting. Don’t move your hands/ shoulders too much. Constant body movement indicates nervousness and unpreparedness. Keep your body in a calm and composed state

 

----- Be authentic. Over-rehearsed or robotic answers can be detected by AI.

 

----- Structure answers with STAR: Situation, Task, Action, Result ensures clarity and impact.

 

----- Use professional, clear, and polite language. Avoid slang or overly casual expressions.

 

----- Highlight key traits. Emphasize teamwork, service orientation, adaptability, problem-solving, cultural awareness, and communication. Phrase examples like: ''I collaborated with...'' or ''I adapted by...'' etc. 

 

----- Use action verbs. Words like: implemented, led, resolved, improved etc strengthen your impact.

 

----- Mirror job description language subtly. Keywords in your responses may align with AI scoring criteria. The algorithm then checks how many words from the job description you have included in your response. 

 

------ Dress professionally. Even subtle cues influence perception.

 

----- Focus on both delivery and content. Strong stories can be undermined by poor video, audio, or monotone delivery.

 

The AI algorithm evaluates 2 major aspects of your response:

 

---Verbal: Your speech, words, tone, pronunciation, voice, pauses, etc.

 

---Nonverbal: Body language, eye, lip and hand movements

 

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After this, your application status will remain: ''Assessment in progress''' until you receive the next email:::

 

 

  

 

If you get lucky, you will get shortlisted further::::

 

Once a slot will be open for you, you will get an email:::

 

 

 

 

 

Above you can read more about the assessment. Either you will do a virtual assessment or a in-person assessment in a city near you. 

 

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A resume sample that I think is great is for example this link below::

 

Resume: 

 

 

 

 

Your resume should be short and to the point, 1-2 pages max. Remove any unnecessary details and keep only the information that is relevant. Also make sure to add action words in your CV. 

 

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During the virtual or in-person assessment, candidates will be shortlisted. Those who make it to the final stage will then be required to take an English test. Once you pass the test and HR determines that you are the right fit, you will move forward in the process. 

 

About the dress code in photos and for the assessment etc::::

 

 

 

Regarding male candidates, you don’t need to be clean-shaven for Etihad. The image shown is for Emirates. Etihad allows a neatly trimmed and well-groomed beard. 

 

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About Etihads max age: When it comes to Etihad, they are incredibly welcoming to candidates in their 30s and 40s. I personally know people aged 42 and 45 who were invited to assessments, and even someone who joined Etihad at 43!! So if you are in your 40s and wondering whether you should apply or not.....10000% go for it 😊

 

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Scars: When it comes to scars and marks, Etihad is not as strict as Qatar or Emirates. As long as they are not too deep or highly visible, you will be fine. We are all human, and it is completely normal to have a few scars or marks

 

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Tattoos:

 

It is completely fine to have tattoos, as long as they are not visible while in uniform. For example, above is a diagram showing the approved areas::: the gray areas are permitted, while the white areas are not. 

 

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Does Emirates recruit cabin crews over 30 years old?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If anyone is curious about their max-age, then here is the proof. Emirates' target age group is 21-25 years old. They love to hire in this age group.

Then we have 25-30 years old. After 30+ it will be super difficult to get this job. From what I know in 2024, their max age is 32 years old.

But the door is open if you are 21 years old to 30 years old. After 30 + then the door will slowly be closing for you.

I assume everyone who is reading this knows that Emirates is ageist and this is no secret in the aviation community.

This photo shows up as an ad on Facebook. You won't get more proof than this.

 

How to successfully pass all the recruitment steps (Emirates)

 I found this on Quora and it's super informative. Tips and tricks about how to pass an Emirates recruitment event. What to think of and some secrets etc. Check it out:::😊

 

 

The things the recruiters look for in candidates:

 

• You have to look good. There is no secret that the Emirates crew members all look amazing. Emirates uses their Cabin Crew as their PR. Image is super important for Emirates. That's why they carefully select those who have that ‘’look’’. It's pretty easy though for most people to create this ‘’look’’ with makeup and the right attire. The way someone carries themselves walks, and talks also can make someone look ‘’attractive’’ for the job. The crazy fact is that All Emirates cabin crew recruiters are females. They never hire males for this position. Emirates still do things as if they are living in the 1920s.

• With a good look comes a flawless skin. By this I mean your skin has to look flawless. Having acne is not a good look when attending a recruitment event. The recruiters reject candidates with severe acne etc. These recruitment events are very superficial among other things. sad but a reality.

• Candidates aren't allowed to have wild hair colors. It's not acceptable for example to have pink, blue, or even red hair. Natural hair colors are acceptable. No wild highlights are acceptable either.

• Being presentable at the event is a big plus. For example, wearing formal attire during the recruitment events.

• Having an easy and simple CV, with no strange gaps in it. Having customer service experience is a huge plus in your resume. Spelling errors in your CV are a big no-no. If you have gaps in your resume, then you better have a great examination for it. 1–2 pages max. Recruiters don't have time to read too much info and page after page.

• Fluent in English is a must, which is obvious here. With this comes also excellent communication skills. This is one of the number 1 qualities the recruiters look for in recruitment events.

• Body language. Your body language should be positive. You should smile, and you shouldn't be afraid of making eye contact with everyone. Think of your posture, and you should sit and walk confidently.

• Females should have full make-up on, nails, and hair on point.

• Males should be clean-shaven.

• If you are single and have no kids when applying that is a plus. Sure they hire married folks, but they rather not. They just want young and single people to accept whatever contract is given so they could work work work without any complaints. That's why they don't hire anyone above the age of 32 years old.

• During group assessment and group work, you should talk a little bit but not take over the whole show. You should be able to work in a group. When talking during group assessments, you should use words like example ‘’ I agree, do you all agree, Is this a good idea for everyone and what does everyone think’’. Talk in a way where you are including everyone and being a team player. For example, saying words or sentences like ‘’ We as a group think this way, our group decided that…’’ etc. Teamwork is one of the main things recruiters look for. If someone is talking all the time and not allowing others to talk, that's a red flag.

• They don't like overly extroverted people. Neither do they like shy introverts. There should be a balance.

• During interviews, you should have stories ready about your previous working history or about your education. When talking with recruiters, the conversation should come naturally. You should communicate confidently. If you come off stressed or nervous that's not a good look. This means you can't handle stress and pressure.

• Your photos that you will include in your application should be flawless with minimal editing.

•  Their height recruitment is that you should be above 160cm and be able to reach 212cm. There will be a height and reach test during the recruitment event. Being taller than 160cm is even better.

•  Being lucky to connect with the recruiters. Here is one point that no one can control or practice beforehand. Sometimes as a recruiter, you simply can’t connect with a candidate even if that person has everything they need. There is a gut feeling recruiters have, and that's something candidates can't control. We have had perfect candidates on paper but then they sit in front of you and there is no fire or passion detected coming from the candidate. There is no connection and that's the reason for a rejection. This happens all the time in the HR/Emirates world.

• Being lucky. That in itself is something no one can control either. The recruiter has a quota when they travel to these cities to recruit. For example, they go to France and their goal is to hire only French-speaking people. If someone from Italy flies to this open day in France, they will get rejected. Even if this Italian candidate might be able to speak a little bit of French or none at all. They simply want to hire only French nationals. For example, they might only want to hire from the age group of 21 to 25. Then if someone is 30 years old, they will have no chance. There are secret quotas they have for every city they go to, and this is something no one can control. You just have to be lucky to fall into this category or the quota that they have for that specific day and city.

• They don't mention this, but if you come from a specific country that the UAE has issues with. Due to whatever reason political or whatever, they will reject you for it.

• Being skinny or having a healthy BMI. As I mentioned before image is everything for Emirates as they use their crew as their PR. You can not be overweight or even be super curvy etc.

• You have to have a nice smile with normal teeth. If you have crooked teeth, you will get rejected.

• Flexibility, communication, teamwork, customer service oriented, problem-solving, attention to detail, adaptability, leadership, and interpersonal skills are skills that recruiters look for in candidates. They check these skills during the whole recruitment event. From the way you communicate and behave etc. How you solve different situations during the group work etc.

• As image is everything to them, it's obvious that you shouldn’t have any visible tattoos when being in the uniform or birthmarks that are visible and deep. No deep scars that would ruin ‘’their perfect image’’.

•  Coming across as a cheerful and social person during the interview and the recruitment event is also something that will land you the job.

• They are also looking for someone who is a calm person. If stuff happens onboard, you should be able to remain calm.

• They are looking for candidates who would be able to wear many hats. This is a universal thing, that crew members do a lot of things on board, things that aren't in their contracts. For example, be a nanny and handle kids from time to time. Kids will be running up and down the aisle, and parents will ask you to watch their kids so they can go to the WC. Parents who will not watch their kids and let their kids run around wild. You have to be the one who will inform the parents about the rules. So many things can happen with being around kids.

 

• You have to be a person who is quick to come up with stories about how you would handle various situations. Stories that you have experienced during your work or studies etc.

• You should be healthy. If you have a weak immune immune system and you mention this in your medical papers they will reject you. Having many sick days is a big no-no. They don't want the crew to call in sick a lot. If you feel you aren't fit to fly, get sick a lot, or have medical issues, this job isn't for you

•  Being articulate is a must to ace the Emirates cabin crew recruitment events.

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I would say these tips/tricks/secrets would apply to Etihad and Qatar too. 

Emirates cabin crew accommodation

Have you ever wondered how the Emirates cabin crew accommodation looks like? Well this Emirates crew member has lived in many Emirates crew accommodation. She have moved around a lot. With that, she has gained a lot of experience and insight into how crew accommodation in Emirates is. A really insightful video about Emirates cabin crew accommodation. If the video above for some reason won't work, check it via this link instead:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijbu6ZcY8PU&t=80s

Etihad cabin crew recruitment process

Dijanas Etihad cabin crew journey. Very informative. To you newbies out there, you will find some tips and tricks. You will get some insight into the recruitment process. While the recruitment process change a little bit year from year. The basics are still the same. The ''system'' is still the same.

Dijanas successful Etihad assessment and interview experience:

My Assessment Day was in Belgrade. It started at 8:00 in Hyatt Regency.
I showed up twenty minutes earlier. One recruiter from Australia was standing at the entrance of the hall. She had a list with our names so you should tell her your name or ID number.
I decided to wait for my friends, two lovely girls with whom I practiced my English and answers for final interview.
We checked in at the last moment and sat for a round table which was in the back of the room. Two recruiters were in the other room.They were taking the documents from applicants. During this process I was asked couple of questions ( what is my current job? about Wimbledon?) and I did the reach test (210 cm). (210cm is from year 2013. Today 2020 it is 212cm)

I was the last one with the number 96.
Then they made a presentation and gave us information about the company and Abu Dhabi. After that they asked questions in order to test our listening skills and then explained our first exercise.

They gave us 5 minutes to find out one interesting thing about our new friend who was sitting next to us. So, we should stand up and speak in front of the whole room:
Hello everyone. My name is .... and my registration number is ....I would like to introduce to you all my friend .....She works as a .....What I found interesting about her is ....for example that she loves pats, she would like to go skydiving, she likes to read and her favorite book is ....
After that we had an English test. Test lasted 15 minutes and had 4 exercises.

I - elementary grammar: provided answers a,b,c,d and you should choose the right one
II - answer the questions about text: again provided answers a,b,c,d
III - text with missing words: you have a list with this words and should choose the right spot for them in the text
IV - answer the questions about the text but this time you should write down the whole sentence

Then the results...
They read the registration numbers and names and those who heard his/her name should leave the room. I was in the group, left the room and followed the others. We went to other room where they again read our names and then congratulated us. We passed, 50 of us.

The next stage, testing our teamwork skills.
Eight of us and one recruiter were sitting for a table. We got a task on the paper. One of the girl read the task and then we had to agree about the steps that we would take in that situations.
We were receptionists in 5 star hotel and we had a guest Mr. Smith who was complaining about the room. What would we do in that situation?
We were really good team and we all got through the final interview. We talked about apology, empathy, extra service (free of charge massage, spa treatments, special meals, free sports activity), about discounts, upgrades, VIP cards.

After this part of testing, they again read the names and registration numbers. But this time, if you were lucky to stay in the room you had passed this stage.

It was 13:00 o'clock and 33 of us made through the final interview. Some interviews were done that day and some people were asked to come back tomorrow.
Before interviews started they had made one more presentation. This time they told us about the conditions, salary, training...
I had interview that day and I was waiting until 18:00 for my turn. We could not go anywhere because we did not know when they would call us. The interview was 2:1, one recruiter was taking notes and the other was asking questions.

My final interview lasted about 15 minutes. Everything happened really fast. I was asked just one customer service question and that question was
Tell me about the time you handled customer complaint?
The other questions from my final interview:
 Why do you want to work for our airline? Why do you want to become cabin crew?
 What makes a good cabin crew? Why are you leaving your present job? 
What can be challenging in moving to Abu Dhabi? What challenges would you face in Abu Dhabi?

What challenges would you face as a cabin crew? How would you deal with being away from your family when working as a cabin crew? 
Are you ready to embrace the multiculturalism? 
Why have you decided to change professions at this stage of your career?

Her timeline:

25.06.2013 - Assessment Day/Final interview
30.06.2013 - Successful e-mail
07.07.2013 - Offered date of joining
08.07.2013 - Signed contract

11.08.2013 - DOJ

If you guys like to read more from her blog, check it out:

http://cabin-crew-etihad.blogspot.com/2013/06/27.html