events business interview tips

Events business interview tips

Events is a highly competitive sector, and events jobs are often keenly

fought over.

We’ve placed thousands of successful candidates in event jobs and AV jobs,

from producers to technicians and everything in between.

Here’s our advice about how to succeed at your interview.

Your interview is basically common sense and a little preparation.

From your CV, your potential employer can already see that you

have the skills to perform the role for which you have applied.

A first interview will generally take

place to talk about you.

Employers will want to discuss your CV in further detail, gain an insight into your

personality, understand your aspirations and motivations, discover how you might fit

in with the existing team, and so on.

The following are guidelines to help you through the events

industry interview experience and make it as painless as possible.

Research the events company, production house or audio visual

firm thoroughly.

Most will have a website you can browse

Before

Compose at least a couple of questions that you can ask at your

interview.

Before

They should convey to your interviewer your genuine interest in the role and the company, so issues

such as future plans, company stability and staff retention levels are

good examples

Before

Plan your journey leaving plenty of time for delays, traffic jams, etc

Reread your CV to prepare yourself for any questions that your interviewer may have

Before

Make sure your suit/interview attire is clean and pressed and shoes are clean and tidy.

First impressions are everything!

Before

Remind yourself of why you have the relevant skills for this position and be

prepared for any questions that may be pertinent to the role

Before

Always arrive 5-10 minutes early and always phone ahead if you are running late - so ensure you have

the correct telephone number with you

Arriving

Introduce yourself with a confident firm handshake. Once seated, leave your

hands on your lap.

Don’t fold your arms, as this conveys a feeling of defensiveness.

Arriving

Most interviewers make a decision on your suitability within the first five

minutes.

That’s why your attire and good appearance is essential.

Arriving

Be confident and cheerful and engage in eye contact.

Arriving

Make sure you give the interviewer as much opportunity as possible to talk

about the role, so ask your pre-rehearsed questions about the

company and opportunity

During

Remember that, as much as you are selling yourself, the interviewer has to

sell the role to you too.

Make it easy for them by asking what is good about the company and this

position in particular

During

Always ask your interviewer if s/he has any doubts or reservations

about your suitability for the role.

If they do, you can attempt to overcome them there and then.

Ending

Thank the interviewer for the appointment and say you have enjoyed meeting them

Ending

Always ask what the next stage will be and when you should expect to hear their decision

Ending

Ensure that you convey genuine interest in the role.

If a potential employer has to choose between two equally suitable candidates, the most enthusiastic will be their more

likely choice

Ending

If you have a specific query about your interview, just get in touch with us.

We know most of the companies in the events business, and can often give you inside information and other useful tips.

Want to know more?

Image creditsSlide 1: http://www.creativeeducation.co.uk/blog/index.php/2011/06/how-to-impress-at-interview/Slide 2: http://www.flickr.com/photos/blind_beholder/5349314501/Slide 4: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sweetcaroline13/2941682132/Slide 6: http://jackfit.blogspot.com/2011/04/inspired-by-you.htmlSlide 10: http://www.soton.ac.uk/law/research/interest.shtmlSlide 11: http://www.flickr.com/photos/36106576@N05/3895590793/Slide 13: http://www.sellingbooks.com/what-to-wear-for-a-tv-interview/Slide 15: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonivc/2283676770/Slide 19: http://science.cabot.ac.uk/?p=984Slide 22: http://main.jestservers.com/2011-01/thank-you-blog-post/Slide 23: http://999medic.com/2010/10/28/proof-that-hearing-is-the-last-to-go/