Getting Hired At Air India, Your Ticket To Limitless Opportunities

Unstop CEO Ankit Agarwal sought to unlock the secrets of getting hired at the legacy Indian aviation brand in a conversation with Neha Singh, Lead-Talent Acquisition at Air India. With 15 years of experience in aviation, Singh breaks down what it takes to be a part of the Indian aviation scene and soar to new heights both personally and professionally. After all-

The sky is not the limit, it’s just the beginning.

She also gave us a peek into how Air India remains relevant to attract new and fresh talent. So, let’s take off into the world of recruitment at Air India.

The Key Insights

This Unstoppable podcast ticks all the right boxes for anyone who wants to know why to join Air India, the skills needed to get hired and the growth opportunities awaiting exploration.

How Can A Brand Remain Relevant?

In a world where the general attention span is zooming in and out of focus at an accelerated pace, Ankit asked Neha what is Air India’s secret to remain relevant. 

Singh stated that remaining relevant is an art, especially for legacy brands. Air India has undergone a complete revamp in terms of the brand image and beautification of its logo and fleet. 

With respect to its employer brand, Air India has rehauled its HR and engagement policies to focus on employee well-being and provide new hires with the perfect environment to learn and grow. Air India’s five-year plan- Vihaan.AI, and its learning platform- Gurukul, are just the tip of the iceberg, Singh states.

The Battle Of Experienced Employees Vs. Freshers

Many freshers have gotten caught in the paradoxical cycle of not getting hired without experience. Almost every employer struggles to get the right mix of experienced professionals and fresh talent in their pool. Ankit asked Neha how Air India got it right. The aviation veteran stressed the importance of mentorships as a two-way street. She said-

When it comes to experienced people and freshers, there has to be an environment that is built on trust, learning and mentoring. We allocate a mentor to everyone the moment they step into Air India. This experienced mentor takes them through the nuances of the aviation industry while learning from and absorbing the new perspective the newcomer is bringing in. 

Leveraging Campus Engagements Is A Strategic Decision

Ankit asked Neha about what led to the company’s decision to go back to campuses to hire fresh talent. Here is what Singh had to say-

The Air India SOAR Challenge was one of the best things we did. We took a step back from campus hiring and went back to the board to analyse what our goal was. We quickly realised that we were looking for fresh talent and a new mindset where fresh ideas were brewing. And for this Air India needed to go back to campuses.

The 3 Essential Qualities Needed To Get Hired

When asked about the 3 essential qualities that Team Air India looks for when hiring fresh talent, Neha Singh gave a clear response-

The first would be adaptability since the aviation industry is constantly changing and will keep doing so in the future. We are looking for adaptable people who will thrive in a changing environment and not see it as a hurdle. 

The second is team-orientedness because our industry is all about synchronization between various departments. So, you must have a harmonious mindset and be ready to work inter-departmentally. 

The last one is customer-centricity because the purpose of airlines is to connect people and cultures through transport. A new team member has to have a passion for customer service.

The Limitless Offering By Air India

The survey from our Unstop Talent Report 2024 shows that the new generation is looking for more than just job security. So, Ankit asked Neha what the limitless opportunities at Air India truly meant. Here is what she said-

It is a remarkable time to be a part of Air India. We are in the midst of something that can easily be called a renaissance. Newcomers will work on projects that are as challenging as they are unique. They will redefine and rewrite what the aviation industry is going to be in the future. As a newcomer with Air India, the opportunities are limitless in terms of learning, getting a platform to showcase your talent and growing.

About The Speaker

Nehas Singh is an aviation industry veteran with 15 years of experience. She has worked with Interglobe Air Transport and Indigo in various capacities. And is currently serving as the Lead Talent Acquisition at Air India.

Suggested reads:

1. Finding Passion And Growth In A New Role: L'Oréal & Bosch HR Leaders
2. Cracking The HR-Student Code: Lessons By Ex-CEO Pepsico & Nokia
3. Job Search 101: Insider Tips From Flipkart Director
4. 'Is It Okay To Take A Career Break?' HR Experts Share Their Views
5. "We Need More Transparency"- Students On Hiring, Competitions & More