How to Get Hired as Event Staff | Tips and Tricks

Event staff positions offer a great way to break into the world of event planning, work flexible hours, and build valuable skills. Whether you’re aiming to assist at weddings, corporate events, concerts, or trade shows, these jobs can be both exciting and rewarding. However, landing a position as event staff can be competitive, especially during busy seasons. If you’re looking to secure a role, here are some helpful tips and tricks to increase your chances of getting hired:

Tailor Your Resume and Cover Letter

When applying for event staff positions, it’s important to showcase relevant experience and skills on your resume. Even if you don’t have direct experience in event planning, highlight any transferable skills that are useful in these roles, such as:

• Customer service experience: Event staff jobs often interact with guests, so demonstrating your ability to handle customer inquiries and provide excellent service is key.
• Teamwork: Most events require working with a team, so showing that you’re a reliable and cooperative team player is essential.
• Organization skills: Event staff are frequently responsible for coordinating logistics, so any experience managing tasks or events is a plus.
• Attention to detail: Event staff need to pay close attention to every aspect of the event, from setup to guest satisfaction.

In your cover letter, make sure to express enthusiasm for the role and the event industry. Demonstrate that you understand the nature of the job and highlight why you’re an ideal fit.

Build Your Network

Event staffing is often a gig-based industry, and knowing the right people can help you land a job. Here’s how to build a strong network:

• Connect with event planners: Event planners are usually the ones who hire event staff, so attending networking events or connecting with them on LinkedIn can help you build professional relationships.
• Join event-related groups and communities: Participate in local event groups, online forums, or social media pages where event professionals hang out. Joining these groups can increase your chances of hearing about job openings and help you build relationships with industry insiders.
• Attend events as a guest: By attending events like trade shows, conferences, or festivals, you can meet people who are involved in event production. You may even be able to offer your services and get hired for future events.

Develop Relevant Skills

While event staff jobs can sometimes require minimal experience, having additional skills will set you apart from other candidates. Here are some skills that can give you a competitive edge:

• First Aid/CPR Certification: Being certified in first aid or CPR can make you an attractive candidate, especially for large or outdoor events where safety is a priority.
• Bartending or Food Service Skills: Some event staff positions require handling food and beverages. If you have experience in food service, bartending, or even basic catering, mention it on your resume.
• Technical Skills: If you’re interested in working at conferences or music festivals, learning basic audio-visual equipment handling or stage management can be beneficial.
• Multilingual Skills: Speaking multiple languages is always an asset, especially at international events or in diverse cities where guests may speak different languages.

Be Professional and Punctual

Event staff jobs require a high level of professionalism, and employers look for candidates who are reliable and punctual. Here are some ways to demonstrate professionalism:

• Arrive early: Punctuality is essential when it comes to event work. Arriving early shows that you’re committed and organized.
• Be ready for anything: Events often require staff to adapt quickly to unexpected changes. Being flexible and maintaining a positive attitude is critical.
• Dress appropriately: Depending on the event, dress codes can vary. Make sure to dress in a way that aligns with the event’s theme or the company’s expectations, and always look neat and presentable.
• Follow instructions carefully: Event managers may give specific instructions for tasks, so following them closely shows that you are attentive and capable.

Look for Event Staffing Agencies

One of the best ways to get your foot in the door is by working with an event staffing agency. These agencies specialize in connecting individuals with event-based jobs and often have ongoing needs for staff. Many agencies are connected with local venues, hotels, and convention centers, and they can provide you with opportunities to work at a variety of events. Some well-known event staffing agencies include:

• Staffing agencies: Look for local agencies that specialize in hospitality, events, or temporary staffing. Many agencies will have event-related roles like registration assistants, ushers, servers, or coordinators.
• Event staffing platforms: Online platforms like Upwork or GigSmart may also list event-related positions.

By working through an agency, you can gain more experience, build your network, and develop a track record of success that might lead to direct hire opportunities in the future.

Research and Apply to Multiple Roles

Event staff roles can vary widely depending on the event staff jobs type, and many job listings are seasonal or temporary. Make sure to apply to a variety of positions to increase your chances of getting hired. Here are a few common event staff roles you can explore:

• Event setup and teardown: These positions involve setting up chairs, tables, stages, signage, and decorations before the event begins and breaking everything down afterward.
• Guest services: Greeting and assisting guests, handling inquiries, and ensuring a smooth experience during the event.
• Registration: Managing guest lists, checking in attendees, handing out badges, and ensuring the event runs on schedule.
• Food and beverage service: Serving food and drinks, managing catering stations, or assisting at bars.
• Security or crowd control: Ensuring that attendees stay safe, following event guidelines, and managing entry points.

Conclusion

Getting hired as event staff jobs can be a rewarding and dynamic career path that offers flexibility, variety, and valuable experience. By tailoring your resume, networking effectively, acquiring relevant skills, demonstrating professionalism, and staying proactive in your job search, you can significantly increase your chances of landing a position.