So today I had my mock interview in college, some past Jet2 cabin crew came in to do the interview’s. the session was split in two parts, the first half was to assess how well I would do in a real interview and the second part was to prepare me for any future interviews in the tourism industry.

They started the day off with an icebreaker which was to get us all comfortable and for them to get to know us a little better. We were asked “you’re given £500 to spend on either a family member or friend for a weekend. What would you do and why?” everyone then took some time to think and write the answer down my answer was I would treat my mum to either a spa day or take her for afternoon tea somewhere and some shopping as she does everything in her power for me it would be nice to treat her and let her relax. We then all shared our ideas and got to know a little bit about each other.

We then went onto the next activity which included us selling something we were all given 15 minutes, I decided to sell a party package for Zante which included a boat trip, white party, bar crawl etc… I described all the benefits and what was included in the package I then described Zante and what Zante has to offer such as restaurants, nightclubs, bars, beaches, shops etc… I finished the pitch off with prices and offers that would be available if they booked the same day. i believe this was a great way for me to work on my presentation skills, as i had to speak in front of people and sell them my deal.

This day was full of all different styles such as communication, teamwork, listening and i would also apply leadership into this day as i took it upon myself to lead the group when we were all asked the first question.

The next task was a maths and English test, we were given these to do interdependently to assess out skills in currency exchange, basic maths and basic English. i was very surprised and proud that i achieved high marks in this test which gained me more knowledge and confidence when it comes to my weakness in numeracy.

The final task to finish off the mock interviews was a one to one interview in which I was asked a number of questions about myself, why I wanted the job, why Jet2, what would I bring to the company, my strengths, weaknesses, challenges and conflicts I have overcome.

My primary career interest is Cabin crew, preferably I would love to work for an airline such as British airways or Emirates. I would love this opportunity, as I have always had a keen interest in this area of career and I feel after several years of studying in travel and tourism and gaining skills and knowledge, this is the correct career path for me, this would be my mid-term goal which then allows me to work and build more skills and knowledge.

Below is my SWOT analysis of my future career plan.

As stated above I have mentioned in my weaknesses that I need to gain a few more skills in the sales area such as selling items and pushing myself to hit targets I will push myself in my current work place to become more confident when upselling our star buy’s and sim cards. I have also mentioned I have a visible tattoo on my foot which will affect me in my future career so my plan is in the next few months to have this tattoo lasered which will remove the tattoo and the I will have no problems in appearance.

As for threats I have mentioned, I will make sure I make time for myself and make a plan on when I will start the course or training so I can work around these dates and times etc…

Below is my personal objectives for my future career plan.

As stated above in my short term goals firstly I will either sign up online for a sign language course or complete one in my HND studies, then I will complete a first aid course again I will do this online or look into a private course. I will then start researching into the airlines I am interested in such as British airways or emirates and look into their duties, skills needed etc… and finally for my last goal I would like to be more confident in my numeracy skills, I will do this by signing up to an online mathematics course which will test me and gain more knowledge.

My medium term goals once I have gained more skills, worked on my weaknesses and removed my tattoo I should then feel confident enough to go and get myself a cabin crew job ideally in the airline I want. meanwhile now I have gained a new job with DNATA travel at Manchester airport in a year or so I’m hoping to work my way up to team leader.

My Long term goals ideally I want to gain a higher position in cabin crew which I would want to do for several years and then be the head of cabin which is my future goal which I now I will have to work very hard to gain but once I have completed all these goals and gained more skills and knowledge I should do just fine.

What?
Throughout this session I learnt how to sign numbers, tell the time, morning, evening and night. This means I can now ask and answer questions such as:
What time do you start work?
What time did you  wake up?
Meeting friends at what time?

With this session I didn’t quite understand at first what I was doing until I decided to think and focus more instead of always saying i cant do it and give up straight away, once i did this everything started going my way and i was enjoying the lesson more.

So what?
Throughout this session I focused more than usual to get the most out of this lesson, as I knew this was our last lesson with Andrew it was a lot more detailed this lesson with telling them time which Is why I needed to concentrate as it was only a short lesson. I’m finding sign language lessons very helpful but also a lot to take in and understand and as I’ve mentioned previously in my other blogs regarding sign language they have improved my non-verbal skill significantly and my social skills as we all worked in teams.

I found a useful explanation of team work skills; Working well in a team means:

• Working with a group of people to achieve a shared goal or outcome in an effective way
• Listening to other members of the team
• Taking everyone’s ideas on board, not just your own
• Working for the good of the group as a whole
• Having a say and sharing responsibility
  (“What Are Teamwork Skills | Build Skills For Life And Work | Young Professional – Youth Employment UK”, 2019)

I will go home and take what Andrew has taught us over this 3 week course and practice at home so I will remember everything I will definitely be able to be more confident talking/approaching a deaf person now. I will also watch YouTube videos to keep me up to date and as I still don’t feel 100% confident in having a full conversation with a deaf person, I want to look into a sign language online course where I will learn more as it will be more lessons. once I have completed the online course and I keep up to date reminding myself watching online videos I will feel very confident in myself to have a full conversation with a deaf person.

References:

What Are Teamwork Skills | Build Skills For Life And Work | Young Professional – Youth Employment UK. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.youthemployment.org.uk/young-professional-training/teamwork-skills-young-professional/

What 
Throughout this week’s session we learnt a variety of things which can be put together to make a simple question or simple response which include; What is your name?, Past, Present and future, Days of the week, Types of transport, What days do you work? When do you go to college?

So, what
Throughout this session I proved I understood these questions and phrases I did this by having a conversation with Andrew who was our teacher in sign language; as well as asking the person opposite me questions and answering theirs. This has added more confidence to my non-verbal skills as well as social skills and team working skills with other people in the class. i feel today i used the Egan Soler theory which stands for S; face squarely which shows you are interested, O; open posture so have no arm or legs crossed as this will make people feel intimidated, L; Lean forward which will show them you care and are interested to the person you are talking to, E; eye contact again shows interest and R; relax ensure you are relaxed as it may cause tension. this method is what i would use when i am talking to a deaf person to make them feel comfortable and me comfortable. (2019)

Now what 
After Learning all these basic questions which has given me the knowledge for learning in my next few lessons, as all this will one day help me when dealing with customers in my future career or in a general situation. today helped me with communication skills and team work skills in my future career i need to be prepared as i will be coming across all different people deaf, disabilities, different language, so from this lesson today i feel like i have gained confidence.

Today direct communication was used as i feel like this kind of communication is very straightforward and this type can be done with full confidence with no hesitation.
(“Communicate in a Variety of Styles & Appropriate Manner”, 2019)

References:

Rolfe, G., Freshwater, D., Jasper, M. (2001). Critical Reflection in Nursing and the Helping Professions: a User’s Guide. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

(2019). Retrieved from https://image.slidesharecdn.com/verbalandnon-verbalcommunicationskills-130514095240-phpapp01/95/verbal-and-non-verbal-communication-skills-6-638.jpg?cb=1368525195

Communicate in a Variety of Styles & Appropriate Manner. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.wesrch.com/gp/communicate-in-a-variety-of-styles-appropriate-manner-2063