What Qualities Event Managers Look For In Their Staff?
If you are here reading this article, then you want or plan to become a part of an event management company team. What you are searching for the qualities event managers look for in their staff. One of the good news is you do not need to focus on one standout detail which will get you to the interview (well, you could and it would definitely be an advantage), ideally, you should focus on a set of points that will speak to your advantage making you the right choice for any of the positions you could apply, from bartender to the event manager’s personal assistant.
As anyone who is applying for a job position for the first time, you might be set aback by the fact that you lack experience. Nevertheless, that is not something you should worry about. With experience or without it, the key is to show that you are ready to learn, that you will allow the company to mold you and make you one of their own. Now, if you are ready to do that, here are some other things you should know:
Education
The good thing is that having a university degree is not obligatory for doing the job of an event planner; however, having one is more than a bullet point in the biography. Both the clients and superiors will think highly of the candidate and respect them more. Let’s say that a degree is a head start at the beginning of the career.
The same goes for event management staff. The road to a position which includes a degree is longer at the first glance. The second and a better look will show you the doors a piece of paper can open and obstacles it can overcome. Certainly, this is one way to make you stand out from other applicants.
If you do not have a degree but you have outstanding skills for this job, one of them being great marketing, you can market yourself and make the employer pay for your education. What is the better way of showing you are ready to learn?
Foreign language(s)
Speaking only one language is a disadvantage, even if that one language is English. Being a native speaker of English does not mean you do not need other languages as well. Big companies consider speaking English as mandatory, while other languages are essential. The reasons for this are many, and this will suffice for illustration: clients come from different backgrounds, nevertheless, whoever they are, they do not have to speak your language and pamper you – it’s the other way around - you need to find common ground with them and please them. What is the common ground you have with a foreign client who specializes in astrophysics and does not have the slightest inclination of what event organization is? Do not ever let the language be a barrier and the reason why someone else got the job.
Flexible working hours and communication
You need to be flexible as a contortionist in order to be successful in the event management company. There is no room for “I am tired”, “Let’s see to it tomorrow” and especially not for “I don’t know what to say”.
You want to work 9 to 5? Then do not apply for the opening in an event management company, as that is the first thing you will be required; flexibility in terms of working hours. The events are not organized and do not take place only in the period from 9 to 5.
Another thing encompassing flexibility refers to the communication. Flexible communication is effective, appropriate and creative. Event managers look for staff with open mind, readiness to think outside of the box and communicate their way into closing the deal and getting the job done; therefore communication is expected to be one of your strongest assets.
Mobility
Just as you are not tied up by working hours, you are not tied up by an office space, at least not most of the time. You must be a person of action, ready to be at different locations at different times, sometimes in two different states in one day. On some occasions, event venues will change at the last moment, while at others suppliers will cancel, either way you need to be ready to move fast.
Self confidence and honesty
Working with people can be a real struggle. You mustn’t show weakness even for a second. Whatever you do and wherever you are, you must act as your company’s representative. Make sure you keep the back straight, maintain eye contact, and speak in confident voice. Be honest and admit if you make a mistake, not in order to avoid sanctions and punishment rather to build trust with your superiors.
Digital literacy
Being computer literate has shifted far from opening a Word document, creating a simple Power Point presentation or inserting data into Excel. Digital literacy for event managers means the ability to use collaborative software, connecting to colleagues and clients on social networks, selling tickets, monitoring attendance, and gathering feedback online, storing job materials on clouds, talking on one smart phone while texting on other and having your kindle on the fiftieth page of latest book written by an expert of cooperative event management. Knowing this, be ready to embrace the power of modern technology and change your approach to work with it.
Ability to operate in a team
Work in event management business is a teamwork performed by the best individuals. There are a lot of things you must do and decide on your own, but whatever you do, it must enable each team member to act as one. Teamwork is not for everyone and it is difficult to stand out when you should act as equal, but for your boss, watching the team member’s back and acting in the best interest of the company is your ticket to being noticed and valued.
In the end, even if you don’t consider you are skillful enough or that some of the previously mentioned points do not speak to your favour, you should know that love for the job and you feeling good in your own skin compensate for the flaws and make you the perfect person for the job.