originally written on March 5
Yesterday, I had my first taste of how it is like to be pre-screened by IPAMS for Emirates (EK) Assessment. It was officially my 8th attempt (3 for 5J, 2 for QR, 1 for PR and 1 for AirPhil ) to chase the Cabin Crew Dream but my first for the said Airline. There were no EK representatives yet as it was supposed to be only a pre-screening day. I've waited for this moment for almost a year since IPAMS usually do their screenings in Manila.
Weeks before the screening, I was a little bit undecided on which day I should attend the screening; whether on the first or second day. I decided to go on the first day thinking that a lot of aspirants will be coming over on the second and last day instead.
When I got there at around 1000 hours, there were a lot of aspirants already and when I got my priority number, I was already # 100+. After the numbers were given to us, we were instructed to go to a local employee (not from IPAMS) who made us do the reach test and who also obtained our height and weight. We were then instructed to go back outside and wait for our numbers to be called. Good thing The boyfriend was with me and stayed until lunchtime. I also met fellow aspirants that are already my friends; Nikki and Ruth. I also saw familiar faces from previous airline applications. Grace was and early bird so I didn't have the chance to see her. Talk about another Grand Reunion? =)
The waiting experience was a little bit grueling since it was really humid outside the Cebu Capitol Peso Office. However, I keep on telling myself that this waiting part is a test of patience on my part. Patience is one of the important qualities that a cabin crew must have right? I imagined myself on an airport standby instead, recited Hail Marys, conversed with The boyfriend and had a little chitchat with the other applicants when he left after lunchtime. I waited for around 4 hours before my number was called since Miss R and the other lady from IPAMS had to stop the interview process for their lunch break. Did I already mention that IPAMS also had interviews for other posts like cashier, reservations agent, etc.?
For the afternoon interviews, Miss R kinda modified the screening process. She assigned the other lady to concentrate on applicants who applied for the non-cabin crew posts. For cabin crew hopefuls, she instructed a PESO employee to group us by 5. When it was our turn, the PESO employee then ushered us to Miss R's desk. At this part, I didn't know she was the Miss R.
I smiled when I sat down with the other 4 aspirants. Miss R then instructed us to give a short introduction of ourselves like work experience, educational background, family background, why we want to work for Emirates as a cabin crew.
She randomly checked our CVs and called us one by one to do the brief introduction, I was called third and smiled while sharing a little bit about myself to Miss R and my group mates. However, I wasn't not that happy with the way it turned out since Miss R has to stopped me from talking and she had to fix my blazer's collar!! What a bomber! I was in a hurry in putting back my suit when my number was already called so that pretty much explains why the collar was a little bit not in its place. It is interesting to note that there were 4 nurses in out group including me and the other one was already working for this hotel in Dubai for 7 years ( I think she said Al Jumeira). After we all spoke, Miss R then told us that the original assessment date (March 27) is moved a week earlier (March 20). She also told us that their might be a QR OD this April but she is not sure of the date and venue as well. She then asked us if we have questions. I asked her about the number of aspirants they are going to invite for the assessment. She told me that their target is to invite 100 aspirants for the one-day assessment. I was a little bit relieved since the chances are high but I suddenly realized that there are also male wannabes. Another fact is, there were around 250 aspirants that day and another 200+ aspirants on the second day of assessment perhaps. I even recognized one Miss Cebu 2010 contestant among the crowd.
Another thing that concerns me is this little but somehow recognizable scar in my forehead. It was not properly concealed. After the screening, I went straight to school to submit some paper works for my Masteral Class and then went home. While I was on the cab, I realized that Miss R was not really that intimidating and horrifying. I envisioned her to be very strict, picky and has the usual "Miss Michin" look. She was exactly the opposite; she is very warm and accommodating.
And then it suddenly hit me that the five of us in the group were not physically assessed! She didn't check out elbows, knees, arms, legs and face. At the back of my head, I asked myself if I should be worried since it might be a sign that Miss R wasn't that interested at all in our group! I sulked for a couple of hours, watch Big Bang Theory to somehow lift me up and prepared for my part-time job that night. Before I went out of the house, I prayed and asked for a sign if I should be getting that Email invitation and continue with my FA dream. While riding the pedicab to the highway, I saw somebody wearing a "Fly Emirates" shirt and it was already dark but the shirt sort of "shouted" at me and said " Hello, I'm the sign you're looking for! No need to sulk!" For a moment there, I was elated.
And also, a week ago when I asked myself if I should or should not go to the assessment, I prayed for signs. On the same day, while doing some research for my freelance work, an annoying pop-up box appeared and voila! It was an Emirates ad! I clicked it and it was some sort of an Emirates Airline quiz that will qualify as a raffle ticket for a Vacation Getaway courtesy of the airline. And later that day, when I went out with the boyfriend, I saw someone with the white "Fly Emirates" shirt and he was walking towards pass me. My heart skipped a beat and thanked God.
Today, on my way again to my part-time job, I saw another guy wearing the "Fly Emirates" shirt while I was again on the pedicab thinking if I'll get the Email or not. It was not the same guy I saw yesterday though and it was red this time. I asked myself, is this really it or are there really a lot of Fly Emirates shirts in the ukay-ukay stalls? Hahahah.
I'll have to remind myself that in order to have this dream materialized, there should be no room for doubts. That little hint of doubt will surely cloud all the positive vibes.
So here I am, waiting for
THE EMAIL. I know I'll get it before March 15, 2010. I will.
