A journey from Cabin Crew to Lead Cabin Crew Recruitment

Viviann Svenkerud (48) started at Norwegian as a Cabin Crew member in 2002, when Norwegian first started its business.  

- It was clear to me from the get-go that I was going to work in Aviation. You can say I was influenced by my father who worked for Braathens for over 30 years. I got my education in tourism and also started working for Braathens in their offices. After a few years I received my termination when SAS bought the company.

Norwegian had previously flown small Fokker 50-aircraft as a feeder for Braathens. So at the same time as Viviann lost her job, Norwegian also stood before huge changes. Viviann had never thought about working in air but saw a job ad for Cabin Crew at Norwegian, ended up applying and got the job.  

- I loved the start-up at Norwegian, and I had the initial training with many of my former colleagues in Braathens. We started with 4 domestic routes on 4 Boeing 737-300 machines. You sensed from the very beginning that the environment was filled with so much drive and pride. We had a shared purpose to make Norwegian succeed.   

- It was clear to me from the get-go that I was going to work in Aviation. You can say I was influenced by my father who worked for Braathens for over 30 years. I got my education in tourism and also started working for Braathens in their offices. After a few years I received my termination when SAS bought the company.

Norwegian had previously flown small Fokker 50-aircraft as a feeder for Braathens. So at the same time as Viviann lost her job, Norwegian also stood before huge changes. Viviann had never thought about working in air but saw a job ad for Cabin Crew at Norwegian, ended up applying and got the job.  

- I loved the start-up at Norwegian, and I had the initial training with many of my former colleagues in Braathens. We started with 4 domestic routes on 4 Boeing 737-300 machines. You sensed from the very beginning that the environment was filled with so much drive and pride. We had a shared purpose to make Norwegian succeed.   

Emergency flight after earthquake 

Viviann fell in love with the job as Cabin Crew and worked in this role for 17 years. Her time in Norwegian has consisted of many interesting experiences, and one of her core memories was flying to Nepal due to the earthquake in 2015.  

- UD (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) in Norway had contacted Norwegian to ask if we wanted to help fly a team from NORSAR (Norwegian Search and Rescue Team) and I had the pleasure of participating on that flight. We met the NORSAR team which consisted of search, medical and a rescue team with 6 dogs.  Just before we were ready to leave, we received news that we could expect passengers flying back to Norway with us. Unaware of their condition we decided last minute to also bring two fantastic nurses with us.

Their passengers going back from Nepal turned out to be 85 students from a Norwegian Folk High school and one person from Ireland that had been hit by a rock avalanche at base camp when heading to Mount Everest. The overwhelming community and connections formed from this flight resulted in the crew not only flying back to Nepal to transport the NORSAR team home, but also meeting up on several occasions after. 

Emergency flight after earthquake 

Viviann fell in love with the job as Cabin Crew and worked in this role for 17 years. Her time in Norwegian has consisted of many interesting experiences, and one of her core memories was flying to Nepal due to the earthquake in 2015.  

- UD (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) in Norway had contacted Norwegian to ask if we wanted to help fly a team from NORSAR (Norwegian Search and Rescue Team) and I had the pleasure of participating on that flight. We met the NORSAR team which consisted of search, medical and a rescue team with 6 dogs. Just before we were ready to leave, we received news that we could expect passengers flying back to Norway with us. Unaware of their condition we decided last minute to also bring two fantastic nurses with us.

Their passengers going back from Nepal turned out to be 85 students from a Norwegian Folk High school and one person from Ireland that had been hit by a rock avalanche at base camp when heading to Mount Everest. The overwhelming community and connections formed from this flight resulted in the crew not only flying back to Nepal to transport the NORSAR team home, but also meeting up on several occasions after. 

Recruitment and culture ambassador in Argentina 

Viviann got back to her “normal” job as a Cabin Crew and after some years came across a posting where Norwegian was looking for Cabin Crew Evaluators (CCE). With this role, you keep your job as a Cabin Crew but assist on assessment days when recruiting new talents.  

- I immediately thought “I want this role”. I got accepted, and helped recruit Cabin Crew across the network. I also decided to get a degree in Recruitment in order to feel confident in this new role. Because of this I got the chance to assist full time in the office to plan the recruitment for our long haul Charles de Gaulle base.

The year after she had the opportunity to travel to Argentina to help with the start-up of Norwegians base in Buenos Aires. To set the Norwegian culture in Argentina it was decided that they would train and operate along side of them for 4 months. The goal was for the passengers to recognize the brand whether stepping on an aircraft in Oslo or Buenos Aires.    

- It was so much fun. In some ways it felt like I was back in 2002. The same enthusiasm and the desire to make this work from everyone was truly special. You know, in my role as a CCE I met two of my closest friends, and I got to travel with both of them to Argentina.

Recruitment and culture ambassador in Argentina 

Viviann got back to her “normal” job as a Cabin Crew and after some years came across a posting where Norwegian was looking for Cabin Crew Evaluators (CCE). With this role, you keep your job as a Cabin Crew but assist on assessment days when recruiting new talents.  

- I immediately thought “I want this role”. I got accepted, and helped recruit Cabin Crew across the network. I also decided to get a degree in Recruitment in order to feel confident in this new role. Because of this I got the chance to assist full time in the office to plan the recruitment for our long haul Charles de Gaulle base.

The year after she had the opportunity to travel to Argentina to help with the start-up of Norwegians base in Buenos Aires. To set the Norwegian culture in Argentina it was decided that they would train and operate along side of them for 4 months. The goal was for the passengers to recognize the brand whether stepping on an aircraft in Oslo or Buenos Aires.    

- It was so much fun. In some ways it felt like I was back in 2002. The same enthusiasm and the desire to make this work from everyone was truly special. You know, in my role as a CCE I met two of my closest friends, and I got to travel with both of them to Argentina.

Becoming Lead Cabin Crew Recruitment 

Thereafter Viviann dabbled in a few different roles, such as Cabin Service Performance Consultant and Deputy Chief Cabin Crew, until she was offered the position of Lead Cabin Crew Recruitment in 2022.  

- My responsibility in this role is to deliver qualified Cabin Crew to all our bases that suit the Norwegian profile. It is a big responsibility, and I feel that all candidates’ dreams, lay in my hands. The process shall be done thoroughly, with justice, transparency, and I do it with utmost respect.  

Viviann also highlights that she loves the opportunity she gets to meet so many great candidates and hear all their stories. Her love for Norwegian and the opportunities and connections she has made over the years is what has made her stay in the company.  

- I have worked for Norwegian close to half of my life, and still, I am excited to go to work. I have been able to put my mark on our operations, and there is always a drive to do better and be better.

When asked why others should consider applying for a job at Norwegian, she has the following to say: 