INTERVIEWER: MAHMOUD MANSI
About Samia Salama: She has won her HR Head position after two years as ticketing officer in the same place. She has passion for teaching, writing, and puppetry.
About Yemenia Airways: The history of Yemen Airways goes back to the second 40s, exactly in 1949. We can say that 1978 is considered as a landmark in the Aviation history of Yemen. It had witnessed the beginning of a new era in air travel services and progress. In July 1978 Yemen Airways took a big step forward and new Company, Yemenia – (Yemen Airways) was formed with a 51% share by the Yemeni government and 49% by the Saudi Arabian government. The formation of Yemenia had reflected an ideal international investment that is lasting until now.
Its service had covered around 23 international destinations within 3 continents – Asia, Africa, and Europe. Egypt area considered one of the most important active regions for Yemenia. Yemenia has daily flights from/to Cairo the thing that has strengthen the relationship between the two countries.
The CEO and Chairperson of Yemenia is Captain Ahmed Massoud Alwani and the Egypt Area Manager is Mr. Khaled Alnoami.
HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: How does HR in the airways business differ than in any other business?
Samia Salama: As any other business, the HR department creates and maintains the image of the entity. Aviation demands the same from its HR department. It hands the HR not only the responsibility of its image but also the quality of its final product and service. As an aviation HR member, you have to always be there to fill any unexpected gap that could shake your entity. You should be always holding the alternative card to avoid the downs. Aviation could be very sensitive and stressful environment, and so is its HR department.
HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: What are the nontraditional interview tests and questions that you ask to the candidates applying to be part of the cabin crew?
Samia Salama: Cabin crew staff should acquire some special qualifications; they should be very presentable, great communicators, and dynamic. As an HR employee, you mainly depend on the role-play interview in order to guarantee better selection. Watch the way they move, talk, and the width of their smile.
HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: What are the qualifications of an HR member working in an aviation company?
Samia Salama: They are the same as any other entity; just add being familiar with the aviation jargon and jobs in order to be able manage, plan, and assist.
HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: Mistakes happen, however, there are some kinds of businesses where a very tiny mistake could have a very fatal outcome. I consider the airline business as one of those, as not only it delivers accuracy in destination and time, but also it is directly involved with the lives of people and pets on board. How does the HR prepare employees from different departments to avoid mistakes, and if one made a mistake what is the action you take?
Samia Salama: Aviation is a bit of a sensitive field; you are working in the-last-minute atmosphere. As an HR employee, you have to be highly selective when it comes to hiring. We prefer those who are attentive to details, quick-minded, highly dynamic, and with effective communication skills. They will adapt with the aviation nature, and smoothly fill the requirements.
Mistakes happen, but in aviation, they always have a poisonous bite. We are guided with law and that what we apply according to the nature of each mistake.
HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: In 2010 you attained your Bachelor’s Degree in English Language and Literature. Was this the beginning of your career? And why have you chosen to work in the HR field in the first place?
Samia Salama: I have not planned to join the HR field after graduation. After working in more than one place, I started to figure out what I am looking for. I was searching mainly for a field that enables me to add value, plan, and guide. I have found those elements in Human Resources.
HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: In your first job interview after graduation when you were asked: “Where do you see yourself after five years?” Did you know that the answer would be “Head of the HR Department”? How did you manage to become an HR Head in five years after graduation?
Samia Salama: I have always wished of taking a decision-making position. I have dreamed of this role, worked for it, but I have not thought of joining the HR department with this strong start. My honest answer to the second part of your question is following your heart. Do whatever appeals to you and your interest. I love creative roles; those who go hand-in- hand with positive change and adding value. If you would like to be successful, listen to your inner voice as it will guide you.
HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: Are you with or against hiring a female pilot? And when do you think airline companies in the Middle East will start hiring more female pilots?
Samia Salama: I do believe in women and I have witnessed a lot of women who carry high sense of professionalism, accuracy, and technicality awareness. Gender is not the measure of good pilots, but passion is. If she has passion for aviation, she surely leaves her finger print.
Here in the Middle East we do have limited chances for pilots in general. It’s a wild competition on all levels to have your seat. However, I never say never. Female pilots have to put the extra effort if they want to exist.
HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: You have worked as an instructor and teacher for adults and kids, and you have also conducted your own workshops. How did teaching support you in your HR tasks?
Samia Salama: Teaching teaches patience and responsibility. You are always the leader and the guide. Those two qualities have enabled me to join this field. Now I am responsible for organizing and planning; I have to be patient enough to reach the goals and highly responsible to get them accomplished.
HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: You attended creative writing workshops, and you are into writing. How can writing as a skill and tool help an HR member in his/her HR career?
Samia Salama: Being highly expressive. Writers enjoy expressing themselves. And an HR member must be able to glide gracefully between being concise and persuasive and that could be a writing technique.
HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: From a personal point of view, what is the connection between Literature and Human Resources? And if you would advise HR members to read further in literature, how can this be useful to their work?
Samia Salama: If you would like to understand yourself, you have to pick a book. Literature allows you to live endless situations that could sharpen your personality and enrich your responses. You can easily spot someone who reads when they start talking, from their flow of ideas, choice of words, depth of expressions…etc. And I think that could be perfect for an HR employee.
HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and time.