20 IATA Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviewing for a job with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), you can expect to be asked questions that are specific to the airline industry. While some questions may be general in nature, others will be specific to the IATA and its member airlines.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of sample IATA interview questions and answers. These questions will give you a good idea of what to expect during your interview and help you show off your knowledge of the airline industry.

IATA Interview Process

The interview process at IATA is generally pretty smooth, with most candidates only having to do one or two interviews before being hired. The questions asked are usually related to the candidate’s background and experience, as well as their knowledge of the company. However, some positions may require a more technical interview, so be sure to study up on the company if you’re applying for one of those roles. Overall, the interview process is relatively quick and easy, with a good chance of getting hired if you’re qualified for the position.

1. Tell us about your experience working with customers.

This question is a great way to assess your customer service skills and how you interact with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific time when you helped a customer or client solve a problem or answer their questions.

Example: “I have worked in the travel industry for five years now, so I am very familiar with helping customers find the best deals on flights and accommodations. One of my favorite parts of my job is being able to help people plan vacations that they will enjoy. In fact, one of my clients was having trouble finding a flight from New York City to Miami during spring break. After looking at several different airlines, we found a flight that would get them there by late afternoon. The client was thrilled and thanked me for all of my help.”

2. What would you do if a customer was upset? How would you handle the situation?

This question is a great way to assess your customer service skills. It also allows you to show the interviewer that you have experience working with customers and how you would handle an upset customer.

Example: “I would first try to calm them down by listening to their concerns and asking questions to understand what they are upset about. I would then apologize for any inconvenience caused and offer solutions or alternatives to help solve the problem. If it was something I could not resolve, I would refer them to someone who could.”

3. Do you have any experience working in international markets?

This question is a great way to determine if you have the experience needed for this role. If you do, it’s an excellent opportunity to share your experiences and how they prepared you for this position. If you don’t, you can explain why you are ready to work in international markets.

Example: “I have worked internationally before, but I am always looking for opportunities to expand my knowledge of working with foreign companies. In my last position, I was responsible for managing all aspects of our company’s shipping operations. This included communicating with foreign airlines about their shipments and ensuring that we were meeting all compliance standards. I feel confident that I could handle any challenges that come up when working in international markets.”

4. Have you ever worked for an organization that has had to comply with regulatory requirements?

This question is a great way to determine if you have experience working in an industry that has specific regulations. If you do, the interviewer may want to know how you handled those situations and what skills you developed while doing so.

Example: “I worked for a small company that was just starting out when I started there. The company had no idea about regulatory requirements or how to comply with them. I took it upon myself to research the necessary information and create a plan of action for my employer. We were able to successfully implement all of the required processes within six months of hiring me.”

5. Describe a time when you had to adapt to a new environment.

This question is a great way to learn about your potential colleague’s adaptability. It also shows the interviewer how you can work with others who have different backgrounds and experiences than you do.

Example: “When I started my current job, I was working in an office that had no windows. The only natural light came from fluorescent lights overhead. After a few months of this, I realized it was affecting my mood and productivity. So, I asked for permission to move my desk to a windowless cubicle near the back of the office. My manager agreed, and after a week or two, I noticed a significant improvement in my mood and energy level.”

6. How many people are on your team and what is your role within the team?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your leadership skills and how you interact with others. To answer, think of a time when you were the leader of a team or had a leadership role in an organization.

Example: “I am currently the only person on my team at my current job. However, I have previously worked as part of a larger team where I was responsible for managing social media accounts and creating content for our company’s blog. In that position, I also helped other members of the team by proofreading their work before publishing it online.”

7. Why do you want to work at IATA?

This question is an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the position and explain why you are a good fit. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific aspects of IATA that interest you or how you would like to contribute to the organization’s goals.

Example: “I am passionate about aviation and want to work at an organization that supports its members. I have always been interested in the way airlines operate and think I could bring valuable insight into how IATA can support its members. I also believe my background in customer service will help me provide excellent service to IATA members.”

8. Give me an example of when you went above and beyond to provide excellent customer service.

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are willing to go the extra mile for customers. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give specific details about what you did and how it helped the customer or company.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job as an airport security guard, I noticed that one of the passengers was having trouble finding their gate. I asked if they needed any help, and they said yes. So, I escorted them to their gate and made sure they were comfortable before leaving. This action led to me receiving a positive review from the passenger on social media, which in turn led to more people wanting to work with us.”

9. What are some of your strengths and weaknesses?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest. Employers want to know what you are good at as well as areas where you can improve. When answering this question, try to focus on your strengths rather than weaknesses.

Example: “I am extremely organized and detail-oriented. I also have excellent communication skills and enjoy working with others. My weakness is that sometimes I work too hard and don’t take enough time for myself. I need to learn how to balance my work life with my personal life more effectively.”

10. What challenges do you anticipate facing as an intern?

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to work through challenges and learn from them. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific challenge you faced in the past and how you overcame it.

Example: “I anticipate that my biggest challenge as an intern will be learning all of the processes involved with IATA’s operations. However, I am confident that I have the skills necessary to overcome this challenge. In my previous internship at a marketing firm, I learned how to manage multiple projects at once. This skill has helped me become more organized and efficient when working on tasks. I also expect that managing my time well will help me succeed in this role.”

11. If hired, how would you approach onboarding a new client?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your interpersonal skills and ability to work with clients. Use examples from past experiences that show you can communicate effectively, listen actively and solve problems quickly.

Example: “I would first meet with the client in person or over the phone to discuss their needs and expectations for our services. I would also want to learn more about their company culture so I could make sure we provide a service that fits well within their organization. Next, I would send an onboarding email to introduce myself and my team members who will be working on the account. I would include links to our website and social media accounts so they can easily find us if they have any questions.”

12. What do you think makes this company stand out from other airlines and travel companies?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the company and how you can contribute to its success. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight what makes IATA unique from other airlines or travel companies. You should also mention why these qualities make working for IATA appealing.

Example: “I think one thing that makes IATA stand out from other airlines is its commitment to safety. The organization has developed many standards and regulations that help ensure passenger safety while traveling. Another reason I find IATA so interesting is because it offers training programs for employees who want to advance their careers in aviation. These programs are available at no cost to employees, which shows me that the company cares about its workers.”

13. What steps would you take if there were a conflict between your manager and yourself?

This question is a good way to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to work with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific examples of how you worked through the conflict and what steps you took to resolve it.

Example: “I would first try to understand why my manager was upset or disagreed with me. I would then explain my reasoning for taking the actions that I did. If there were still disagreements between us, I would ask if we could meet again in a few days so that we both had time to think about our positions on the matter. This has helped me find solutions to conflicts in the past, as it allows both parties to have some time to reflect on their position.”

14. How did you come up with the price of your last product or service that you sold?

This question is a great way to show your analytical skills and how you can use them to benefit the company. When answering this question, it’s important to be as specific as possible about the process you used to come up with the price of your product or service.

Example: “I started by researching similar products that were already on the market. I then compared my research to the cost of materials needed to make the product. Finally, I calculated the labor costs involved in making the product and added a small profit margin for myself.”

15. What qualities should you look for when hiring someone for this position?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have the qualities they are looking for in an employee. When answering this question, it can be helpful to list specific skills and traits that match what the job description asks for.

Example: “I think one of the most important qualities I should look for when hiring someone for this position would be attention to detail. This role requires someone who can keep track of many different details at once, so I would want to make sure my potential hire has these organizational skills. Another quality I would look for is communication skills. In this role, there are often multiple people involved in projects, so I would want to make sure my hire can communicate effectively with others.”

16. Are you comfortable making cold calls and reaching out to potential clients?

This question is a good way to determine how comfortable you are with networking and reaching out to people. If the job requires you to make cold calls, it’s important that you feel confident doing so.

Example: “I have experience making cold calls in my previous role as an account executive for a marketing firm. I was responsible for finding new clients and would reach out to businesses by phone or email. I found that most of my leads came from referrals, but I also enjoyed meeting new people and learning about their business.”

17. What skills have you gained during your previous roles?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you are self-aware and have learned from your previous experiences. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention skills or qualities that will help you succeed in the role you’re applying for.

Example: “In my last position as an operations manager, I had to manage a team of five employees. This was my first time managing others, so I made sure to learn how to delegate tasks effectively and communicate with my team members regularly. As a result, my team became more efficient and productive, which helped me achieve my goals.”

18. What is one thing that you feel sets you apart from other candidates?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you are confident in your abilities and have a unique skill set. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what makes you different from other candidates and how those skills could benefit the IATA organization.

Example: “I feel like my ability to work well under pressure sets me apart from other candidates. In my last role as a customer service representative for a major airline, I was responsible for handling all of the calls coming into our call center during peak travel times. This required me to multitask between several phone lines while also helping customers with their questions. I am confident that I would be able to handle these situations effectively if hired by the IATA.”

19. What do you know about our company and why we exist?

This question is a great way to test your research skills and knowledge of the industry. It’s important that you understand why IATA exists, what it does and how it benefits airlines and passengers.

Example: “IATA was founded in 1945 as an association for international airlines. Its main purpose is to promote air transport by providing services like safety standards, training programs and information sharing. The organization also helps its members find ways to reduce costs and increase revenue. In addition, IATA works with governments and other organizations to develop policies that support safe and efficient air travel.”

20. What interests you most about this job?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you’ve done your research on the position and company. It also gives you an opportunity to talk about what you enjoy most about working in this industry.

Example: “I am very interested in the travel industry, so I was thrilled when I saw this job opening. I love how airlines are always innovating to make their customers’ experiences better. For example, IATA has been instrumental in developing new technology for baggage tracking and flight delays. I think it would be exciting to work with such forward-thinking people.”