I wanted to share my own experience in the hope that it might help others.
I applied for Direct Entry Boeing FO and have recorded the process as I remember it.
Please forgive the long-winded writing style, as I am not as skilled at writing as the person who wrote the Emirates review.
1. Application Submission
First, register on the Qatar Airways Careers site and apply for the Direct Entry FO position.
You can apply for either Airbus or Boeing, depending on your qualifications.
After submitting your application, you’ll receive a confirmation email. If additional documents are needed, they will contact you by email, so make sure to check your inbox regularly.
I received an email about a month after submitting my application stating that it wasn’t complete, so I provided the missing information and resubmitted.
2. Psychometric Assessment
Once your documents are reviewed and you’re shortlisted, you’ll receive an email guiding you to the next step.
Many overseas companies don’t even contact you if you don’t pass the document review stage.
In my case, I received an email about a week after submitting additional documents.
The psychometric assessment includes a personality test (Propel Personality Questionnaire) and an IQ test (Symbiotics Reasoning Assessment), which covers verbal, numerical, spatial, and abstract reasoning, as well as working memory, perceptual speed, and accuracy.
Propel is the company handling the tests, and you’ll take the assessments online within the deadline, which Qatar Airways said was 3 days.
However, Propel mentioned that the deadline was within 7 days.
The personality test is similar to ones you may have taken in Korea for job applications or military service, so just answer honestly.
3. Interview Invitation
Previously, Qatar Airways conducted online HR interviews before inviting candidates to Doha, but since early 2022, the process has changed.
If you pass the psychometric assessment, you’ll be invited directly to Doha.
I was lucky to receive the invitation 2-3 days after the assessment.
However, many people wait for much longer with no communication before finally receiving an invitation.
The invitation includes the basic schedule, process, and necessary documents.
Once you confirm your attendance, Qatar Airways will arrange your ticket and visa.
I received my ticket a week after confirming, and my visa arrived about three weeks later.
The ticket is an economy class reservation with a possible upgrade to business class at the airport.
I managed to upgrade to business class for both legs of the trip.
In Incheon, the counter staff kindly upgraded me right away, while in Doha, I had to wait at the gate for the upgrade.
Since the Incheon to Doha route is serviced by the Boeing 777, there is no first class, only business class.
Note that Qatar Airways office hours are from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. local time, with shorter hours on Thursdays (until 3 p.m.).
The workweek runs from Sunday to Thursday, and communication outside of these hours is difficult.
Additionally, Qatar Airways has a strict culture, so even when flying with an employee ticket, you must dress in business casual attire. This will be mentioned in the email as well.
Your schedule in Qatar will generally span 3 days.
The first day is for arrival and rest. The second day includes an introduction, technical exam, behavioral and competency-based interview, and technical interview.
The third day is for the SIM (Simulator), after which you may fly back on the third or fourth day, depending on the timing of your return flight.
4. Arrival in Doha – Day 1
The flight from Incheon to Doha departs around 12:25 a.m. and takes about 10 hours and 40 minutes.
You’ll arrive in Doha at around 5 a.m. local time (6-hour time difference).
After disembarking, you’ll meet a Qatar Airways staff member holding a sign, who will guide you through immigration, baggage claim, and entry procedures, making it very convenient.
From there, you’ll be taken to the HIA information center to wait for a shuttle to the hotel. It may take some time for the shuttle to arrive early in the morning.
At the airport, there’s a stand where local telecom companies are offering free SIM cards in celebration of the World Cup.
If you’d like one, show your passport and get a SIM card.
You’ll be staying at the Concorde Hotel, which is a 5-star hotel, clean, and comfortable.
Qatar Airways only covers the flight and accommodation, so you’ll need to handle your meals.
Breakfast at the hotel buffet costs 25 QAR, and dinner is 85 QAR. I recommend dinner.
Eating out in Qatar is not cheap, so consider bringing some instant meals like rice.
If you plan to exchange currency, do so at a currency exchange office outside the hotel, as the hotel exchange rates aren’t great. Uber works well in Qatar, and the fares are similar to those in Korea.
5. Qatar, Doha – Day 2
The day starts at 7:30 a.m. at the QROC, so you’ll be picked up at the hotel lobby at 6:45 a.m.
You’ll see other candidates from various countries in suits in the lobby.
Once you arrive at QROC, you’ll receive a pass (don’t forget to bring your passport).
The HR staff will guide you after 7:30 a.m.
1) Document Check
First, everyone introduces themselves—name, nationality, marital status, family, aircraft type, etc.
Then, you submit the documents you prepared.
Make sure your logbook’s last page matches the hours on the documents you submit.
There are two sets of documents: one for the company and one for QCAA for license conversion.
Have both ready.
The document checkers may ask for things like your last proficiency check date or IR expiry date, so it’s helpful to have these printed out for easy reference.
2) Company Presentation
While your documents are being checked, you’ll move to another room for a brief presentation about the company, focusing on salary and benefits.
3) Technical Exam
The technical exam is similar to an ATPL or CPL theory exam.
The questions are similar to those in the GLEIM or EASA question banks.
There’s good information on latestpilotjobs.com, where you can study the Qatar Airways question bank of about 750 questions, plus thousands of EASA questions. Just studying the Qatar Airways question bank should suffice.
The exam is taken on an iPad and lasts for 1 hour.
Most candidates finish early and leave before the time limit.
4) Technical Interview
This is conducted by two senior captains from Qatar Airways.
It’s not too difficult. You’ll be given materials like a flight plan, weather, NOTAMs, SIGWX charts, and WINDS charts to prepare.
The scenario depends on where you’ve flown before. You’ll have plenty of time to prepare.
Common scenarios include:
- Cold weather (EU)
- Monsoon (South Asia)
- Tropical cyclone (East Asia)
- Volcanic activity (SE Asia)
- Hot weather & dust (Middle East)
My scenario was a tropical cyclone
The flight was from Hong Kong to Doha, with a typhoon along the route.
Hong Kong had severe crosswinds and gusts, and one WX RDR was MEL.
There were various failures at both Hong Kong and Doha airports. The key is to brief the examiners as if you were preparing for a real flight.
They will ask questions about your plan, such as “What would you do in case of a windshear escape maneuver?”
Be prepared for follow-up questions, and it’s okay to say you don’t know if you don’t have an answer.
5) Competency Interview
The HR team psychologist will conduct this one-on-one interview, based on the personality test you took earlier.
The atmosphere is relaxed, and they aim to help you speak naturally.
They’ll ask 5-6 behavioral questions (TMAAT) related to decision-making, teamwork, and problem-solving.
They’ll follow up with questions about what you learned and felt in those situations.
Answer using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) format, and focus on aviation-related examples.
After the interviews, you’ll wait for the results. While the evaluation only takes a few hours, you won’t leave until everyone has finished, so expect to stay until at least 4 p.m.
You’ll receive a meal coupon to use at the cafe in the lobby.
At the end of the day, the HR team will hand out letters with either congratulations or regrets.
If you pass, you’ll be invited to the SIM evaluation the next day.
6. SIM (Simulator)
For Boeing candidates, you’ll be assigned either the 777 or 787 SIM; Airbus candidates will take the A320 or A350 SIM. I took the 777 SIM.
You’ll be given a profile before the interview, outlining the scenarios. There’s no debriefing afterward; once you finish, you just leave.
You’ll perform the following:
- Take off from runway 34R at Hamad Airport, fly a visual circuit, and perform a full stop.
- One engine failure after takeoff, followed by an ILS approach, and a go-around if the runway isn’t visible at minimums.
The focus is not on flying skills but on situational awareness, CRM, and decision-making.
7. After Returning Home
You should hear back from the company within 2 weeks, though it can take up to 4 weeks.
If you’re not selected, you’ll likely hear back within a week.
You can also check your status on the Qatar Airways Careers site, where it will say “Passed Assessment” if you’ve been successful.