When you’re applying for a job in the world of events, little things can make a big difference. How cool would it be to know the secret codes that staffing agencies use to evaluate a staff member?
Here are 10 tips staffing agencies look for when selecting their employees or job candidates. Apply them to make the best possible impression and become a staff member of the month in record time!
1. Make Yourself Stand Out
Make sure that the staffing agency has as much information about you as possible so that your profile looks amazing in their database. This information must be of good quality, otherwise, the agency isn’t able to use it for any final purpose. The information you’re sending is not only representing you but it is also representing the agency, so be as professional as you can. The nicer your profile looks like the more you will stand out amongst other proposed profiles.
To provide you with some help, find examples of useful information below:
- Your qualified CV in English.
- High-quality pictures (modeling pictures, full-body pictures, facial pictures, working pictures).
- An English spoken presentation video of yourself. Read our post on Video CV Presentation – Tips & Guidelines.
- Some eye-catching words to describe yourself.
- Your fully completed profile on their database.
2. Leave your agency Baffled!
A good way of getting to know your agency bookers is to make an outstanding impression by visiting the agency in person whenever a face to face casting is organized. We need to get a complete image of the staff we recruit because once we know what type of person you are, it is easier for us to match you to the right job or client. When we have seen and spoken to you in real life, it is much more likely to receive job offers from us. If you’re living abroad, make sure you schedule a Skype call with us so we can personally meet you. In the end, nothing beats personal contact!
3. Tic – Tac – Tic – Tac. Don’t wait!
Reply quickly! When an agency contacts you asking for your availability, you must reply as quickly as possible. The client is normally waiting for profiles that have to be sent over by the agency within 24 hours. If you don’t answer fast, you may be excluded from the selection just because you didn’t reply on time. Good timing is everything!
4. Word & World: Your Word means the World to us
Don’t confirm your availability for the job if you are not 100% certain you are going to be free to work. There is nothing worse for us than having to swap confirmed staff members who suddenly become unavailable, especially when a client has specifically selected them. You gain our trust by sticking to your word and avoiding cancellations.
5. Cancellation Rule: Give us a Valid Proof
If something happens at the event which ensures that you can not stay, make sure you have a good and valid written proof of absence or sickness. As an agency, we use the proof to send it to the client to avoid paying a possible compensation fee (fine!). If you get sick during an event, let your Project Manager know as soon as possible and try to support them with covering the position (if possible). Fast action and professionalism to solve the problem are key.
6. Take Responsibility
Be prepared when you get booked for a job. Study the Event Briefing that has been sent over by your agency and follow the instructions in it carefully. This step is very important to prepare you for the upcoming job and getting to know the brand you will be working for. Little things such as finding out the company’s brand colors and dressing accordingly, remembering the CEO’s name or knowing a bit about their range of products beforehand will make a HUGE difference!
In terms of your dress code; make sure your uniform is nicely washed and ironed. This will enhance your image and will make you look extremely professional. Another way of showing responsibility is by looking at the route and transportation to your event location. This ensures that you do not get surprised by things such as traffic jams or strikes, unexpected situations that could have been prevented by preparing upfront. Research how to get to the venue beforehand, avoid imprudence, and most of all: ALWAYS be on time.
7. Don’t forget your Work Ethics
Don’t share your personal information with the clients outside work hours and NEVER accept working for them directly. This is unprofessional and disloyal, probably causing you to get an invite to leave the agency if they find out.
You must understand that staffing agencies put in a lot of effort and, behind the scenes, work for everyone to be able to do their job properly, get briefed, paid and secured. If you take on a client booking directly, you are stealing away a possible re-booking through your agency.
8. Keep us in the LOOP!
Communicate with your staffing agency when you’re unhappy or having issues during a job but also when all is going well! Don’t create a buzz amongst your co-workers and don’t discuss problems with a client before notifying the agency. The agency is there to help and support you, so before reaching out to the client about a serious problem, you always have to contact your booker first, they will try to do everything in their power to help!
We are there to support you when tough times come up but we also want to get involved in your best moments! Sending pictures of you in your workplace (whenever the working atmosphere is calm enough to do so) and giving a tiny feedback at the end of the day will give certainty to your booker that you are enjoying your work. Always remember that your assigned Project Manager is not physically but virtually with you and that we want to follow you in every step of the way!
9. Be a Problem Solver
Whenever possible, solve issues on your own! Employment agencies like to work with independent, mature people who take responsibility for their problems and try to solve them on their own whenever possible. Show them you are a proactive person when it comes to taking care of smaller issues on-set. Try to think about solutions, instead of burying your head in the sand and letting others handle it. Your agency and client will appreciate your proactivity.
10. Give your 110%!
Last and most of all, do an amazing job! Make the client and staffing agency happy by giving your 110% during the entire project. Send pictures to the agency, return items on time and provide event feedback. We love to hear that things went fantastic!
Do you have it in you to become our favorite staff member? If yes, prove it and subscribe to our database! We are willing to work with you!
