How to Get Your Foot Through the Door in the Events Industry?

The hardest thing about events and with any industry is getting your foot through the door. Doesn’t matter how many courses or qualifications you have, it’s about showing the recruitment/hiring manager you have what it takes for the job.

At the time of writing this I recently got my first job as an events planner. As someone who has only done freelance work in events as a helper from conventions to private events, I’m going to be honest pretty happy about it. As my first job in the events industry I’m not completely starting at the bottom. Your first job in the events industry may be different from mine, we all starts at different points but the main thing to remember is that we all start from somewhere. When I applied for my current role I originally thought I would not get an interview much less be hired, but I believed and here I am now.

Some tips I would give is during your interview, don’t just say it but show it. My first interview was with the general manager, I brought along with me a list of events I would as proud of helping out on as well as examples of using my own initiative by making event content via PR posts on LinkedIn. My general manager was nice enough to explain some of the key responsibilities of the job and mentioned function sheets. Once I get the call of my second interview I decided to make a mini function sheet of a fictional event using what info I found out about the company and presenting to my next interviewer. I managed to answer all the questions they had and show my enthusiasm which I believe led to me getting hired.

I would say the morale of the story is to keep trying and not give up. Before landing this job, I applied to hundreds and thousands but still got rejected. All it takes is for one employer to take the chance with you and that’s where it will all change. The salary wasn’t a crazy amount actually it’s below the London average salary but, as I said we all start from somewhere plus this salary is already a lot more compared to what I was doing before.

Keep trying and never give up!

Sincerely

Your Little Event Hero