Each candidate's timeline/experience WON'T always be the same. So if your timeline takes longer do not worry.This is a competitive and sought out position. Patience is key! I applied 08/16. My phone interview was towards the end of October, and they flew me out to Dallas for my f2f 12/08. My phone interview could not have gone better. 45 minutes. A lot of yes/no's, company background, and situational questions. Emphasize that you don't mind relocating. Study the questions listed on site and have answers mentally prepared before the PI. The recruiter I had spoken to took the time to tell me she genuinely hopes I get this position and invited me to the f2f. do not stress after about being contacted for the f2f after the PI, on average it takes a few weeks to process the info. Several weeks later, I was contacted by phone from a woman who scheduled me for my F2F for the following week. Not leaving much prep time. I had to shop and mentally prepare. My mom has been a FA my entire life so I felt pretty confident in what I was getting myself into. I flew out the day of my interview
I land with a few hours to spare, so I find a nursing room to freshen up in(nobody had knocked and if they did, I would have gladly left for them to tend to their babies! It has outlets, a mirror, chairs and a sink so be on the look out for one of these in the airport!! You're welcome) I had plenty of time to spare. I head down to where the vehicle picks us up. I arrive to HQ early. I walk in to a room filled with people of ALL ages. I met retired FA and wanting to go BACK to work. regardless. There's 2 groups. AM/PM. If you are AM you will interview/fingerprint then do your PPS. Since I was afternoon, we all began (both groups) with the PPS. Then my group did fingerprinting and then interviews. Before/during your PPS, you sit in conference room with everybody and they give you a run down of the company and their expectations. Keep smiling. A note pad and a pen are your best friends during this time. Take notes! Then one by one you're asked to walk through a "window" walk down an "isle" and buckle yourself into a jump seat. **LADIES- make sure your heels are comfortable. One thing I wish I did differently was my approach through the window because I was in heels and a long skirt. This gives ladies a disadvantage which does unfortunately suck. Where our window was placed, the tile was slippery
At this point all the of AM group is gone. My actual interview time was 1 pm and I wasn't seen until closer to 1:45. I quickly learned this f2f process is unfortunately EXTREMELY biased. There's around 6 interview rooms at the Dallas HQ, each having different people interview everyone. I found this unfair. I was stuck with two men. I kept calm, smiled and felt as though I was myself the entire time. I was asked very random questions, only maybe a couple that were on here. one of the gentleman seemed like he was having a long, overall bad day which made it a little difficult to read him. I felt my energy was awesome, but he was quite the drag. Which is a bummer to have spent all of my effort and time for this very moment to have somebody like that. But you gotta roll with the punches. Keep smiling. So I did just that. I told them my background, things about me, and my past work experience. They do ask a lot of examples and scenario based questions. The actual interview wasn't even as long as I had intended.
I left around 2:30- feeling great, however my flight wasn't even until 8:45 so I had far too much time to sit at the airport and reflect. There were smiles and laughs, but I knew in the back of my mind that it just seemed unfair for every person to be interviewed by different personality types. What if the guys interviewing me were only looking for a certain look? or wanted more guys? Or the lady down the hall was a class clown like me and related to my humor? Regardless, in the beginning we were ALL told as a group we'd know in 2 weeks. I flew back to Florida that same night.
I checked my spam and regular email constantly for almost 2 weeks remaining hopeful.I was praying for the CJO phone call.Boom. Spam folder from the People Department. *heart sank* I was bummed. I personally know several FA for Southwest (+my mom who is an active FA of 29 years for another company, but used to work for AirTran) that were positive I had it in the bag, their L.O.R were on point! I felt I was equipped with what the company searches for in an employee. Wrong. They are very biased. I remained myself throughout this process so I have no regrets! And I met some awesome people! I will still try to apply later down the road if this is meant to be my path because I still admire this company
What I have to remember: Out of 20k applicants, making to the f2f is an accomplishment in itself!