Wrkio Blog

The events industry entails the planning and managing events large and small. This can include services like décor, catering, hospitality, security, entertainment and so much more, making it accessible to people of different skill sets.

It is a fast paced industry, suitable for those who thrive in high energy environments. You need to amass skills and work hard in order to get to the top of your field in events. Still, as you do this, there are several ways you can secure part time events jobs that pay well.

Photo by Lee Blanchflower on Unsplash

Get experience

Experience is key if you want to get a part-time event staff job that pays well. The events industry is often unpredictable and despite maximum preparation, something will inevitably go wrong. A fault may come up in any area. It may be a technical issue like a sudden electricity outage, or food might run out due to having more people than was anticipated. It might also be something totally uncontrollable like the weather.

Being able to share that you have faced some of these unpredictable scenarios will put you in a position to negotiate for better pay. You do not have to have been in charge either to have garnered experience. You will still be able to get experience and share your learnings from being part of a team.

Get experience by signing up for part time jobs at events. Take the risk even if the jobs are volunteer positions or if they only offer a small allowance. You might for instance take up the task of handing out wristbands to event attendees. This position will give you a front row seat to what goes into setting up and managing an event. It will also expose you to numerous contacts in the events space. Which brings us to our next point.

Get to know people in the industry

It is important to get to know people in the events industry if you want to land well-paying events staff jobs. Events, especially large ones, are always in need of part time workers that they can trust.

If you land one job, take the time to swap contacts with colleagues and supervisors and let them know you are available for the next job.

Is it possible to turn an events manager into a mentor? If yes, do so so you can benefit from their guidance. Attend industry events and follow people who work in the events industry in your specialty area.

Join an association

Another way to know people in the events business is to join an association. These associations bring people in the same field together and work to support and improve conditions for them.

Beyond learning from others, you will also learn about well-paying event jobs as they come up. One member may have been approached to do a job out of their scope and they could recommend you for it instead.

Some of these bodies are so well respected that being part of them can help you charge higher fees. A key to making the most out of these associations is to ensure that you also give back to members.

Photo by Helena Lopes on Unsplash

Create your own experience

You don’t always need someone to hire you in order to enrich your experience. You can be your own client. If you are a chef, consider doing some work on your own and showcasing this on your social platforms. A pop up, or even a party catered for friends can be used in your portfolio. As a bonus, it will show that you are not afraid of taking initiative.

Photo by Andrea Mininni on Unsplash

Go to school

There are many degrees to choose from if you are seeking a career in events. Getting one in event management or hotel management will put you ahead of the pack in terms of earning potential. You will walk away with covetable skills like budgeting, marketing and risk assessment.

If a degree isn’t a viable option for you, you can do some other form of training or get a certification. Knowledge is always marketable. Employers love candidates who have the technical awareness of the job.

Get your foot in the door

It is possible that there will be a surplus of jobs during the holidays. This can lead to high demand for events staff and result in people paying more. However, more likely than not, if you want to establish yourself in the events industry, you have to start somewhere not so lucrative.

Just because you are eyeing the position in the PR department, doesn’t mean you can’t start as an intern in another department of the events company.

Get your foot in the door and work to learn the skills you need to get that event part time job that pays well. As you work, you will be immersing yourself in the culture of the events world, making contacts and getting experience.

Keep an ear out for openings in the department you want to move into. Talk to your manager if possible about the chances of making a move. Perhaps there are some courses that you can take that will make you more eligible for that part time event job that pays well.

Work on your brand

In some areas of the events industry, such as being an MC for weddings, personal branding is key. This is also an example of an event staff job that pays well. Personal branding can help you to stand out and help you land your next big job.

To do this, you can leverage your social media. Share tips on weddings and for other wedding MCs. At the same time don’t be afraid to toot your own horn just a bit. This is an opportunity for you to show what you are capable of. A vibrant social media presence can help to get you noticed by more clients.

Cultivate a niche and create partnerships

Unless it is a very large events company, it is unlikely that one events firm has the capability to single handedly hold every event on their own. If you want to get part time jobs that pay well, focus on one area and then partner with other firms.

Going back to the example of the wedding MC, if you master your skill and are a professional reliable MC, you will have won part of the battle. Next, approach wedding planners and find out if you can be on their list of go to wedding MCs. You might end up getting part time jobs that pay well in this way.

Partnerships are beneficial not just in helping to earn good money but in saving money. A party decorator who partners with a transporting company might pay less than it would cost them to hire a car for every event they have.

It’s time to update your CV

One thing to do in order to get a part-time event staff job that pays well is to update your CV before applying for jobs. Your CV is the first chance recruiters will have at getting to know you. Put your best foot forward by having a CV that has some of these qualities:

• It is honest
• It is  brief but with details
• It is well formatted for easy reading
• It shows your skills and strengths
• It describes your past experience

Before sending your CV for a particular job, update it to show how your skills will help you in executing that specific role.

Today, recruiters use software to scan CVs for key words that mention exactly what they are looking for. Keep this in mind when updating your CV. For instance, if the job description is looking for a ‘good communicator’, mention that you are a ‘good communicator’ and describe briefly how you embody that.

Update your CV reflect recent skills. If you have done any certifications, worked any new jobs or gone back to school, include this.

Don’t forget to update the lingo in your CV, especially if you have been out of the work game for a while. Some jargon is now considered passé by some experts. This includes phrases like ‘mission critical’, ‘synergy’ and ‘game changer’.

Get some help from a recruiter

You can’t be highly competent at everything. Just as you are, or hope to be, skilled at events, there is someone skilled at helping people get jobs. Let them do what they do best.

A recruiter will have a list of jobs available, they will have numerous contacts of employers and be the first to hear when an opportunity opens up. They will also know where your skills will be put to best use. Getting a recruiter will make it easier for you to find part time event staff jobs.

Another bonus of working with a recruiter is that they can help you to polish your CV, share tips and even coach you before interviews. This extra support will help in relieving the pressure while you search for that part time event staff job that is right for you.

Expand your search

Where do you normally find your jobs? When looking for event staff jobs that pay well, expand your search area.

Job boards are a good place to look but there are many more places you can explore. One of these is social media platforms. First follow companies that you may be interested in working for. If they post a job, you will hear about it.

Don’t underestimate your contacts either. Let them know you are looking for work and they may be of use. Don’t forget to mention that you are looking for work on your LinkedIn profile.

Be flexible

Part time jobs that pay well in the events industry may require some flexibility. They may come up last minute, require you to work on holidays, require you to travel some distance from where you live or expect you to work extended hours. This is why some of them pay more.

Let employers know that you are flexible and willing to work weekends or holidays. You can also show flexibility by being open to taking on jobs that you have not done before. A pastry chef can work as a personal chef at a private event. A busser who clears tables at a restaurant can work as waiter at another event.

Photo by Bimo Luki on Unsplash

Ace the interview

The final piece to getting a part time event job is to do well at the interview. Consider these tips:

Master the response to ‘Tell us about yourself’

This is a question most interviews ask and most of us find it hard to articulate. Take time before the interview to write down the answer and rehearse it a little bit.

The response should be a summary of your professional life, that is; jobs you have worked, the highlights and experiences relevant to the position you are interviewing for. Depending on the position, you may add friendly personal anecdotes.

Prepare some questions in advance

That moment when the interviewer asks you if you have any questions is an important one. They want to know how you think. It is also a good time for you to find out more about the company, demonstrate that you are eager to learn and that you are genuinely interested.

Consider questions like:

What is a typical day like on the job?

What challenges do people in this position normally face?

Do you have any specific tips for overcoming those challenges?

If the interview is remote

Remote interviews are more and more common lately. Have the right equipment and software and test it beforehand. As with a physical interview, show up on time and dress professionally.

Ensure that the place you sit in is quiet and that you have a plane background and proceed to make a good impression.

In the events industry, your interview may be practical or a form of a dry run. Your employer wants to see if you can do what you say you can. Don’t panic and remember that confidence is a main ingredient for success. If you do make a mistake, do not fret. Recovering from mistakes is a great indicator for how well suited you are to the job.

Whether you are in catering, décor or transportation, you can land a part time events job that pays well. Visit work communities like Wrkio.com to set up your profile as a provider and get yourself one step closer to your dream job.