Event management is about more than just standing around at events holding a clipboard – even if that’s all your family think that you do! It is a fast-paced and multi-faceted industry that has been growing and expanding with the arrival of new technology. It’s no surprise that the UK events industry is worth £42.3bn and accounts for 35% of all visitors to the UK every year.
If you’re interested in starting your career in events, you might be wondering if you have the skills and experience required to succeed. In this article, we will outline the nine attributes you need to be the ideal events candidate.
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People Skills
When you work in events, you work with a lot of different people. This could include clients, suppliers, volunteers and members of the public. Being able to work well with lots of different people is essential to success. Some people are born with great interpersonal skills and some people have to learn it. What is certain is that people skills are essential for success in events.
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Listening Skills
You won’t get very far in events if you can’t listen to the brief or understand updates on the go. Developing your listening skills in a fast-paced environment is essential. Being able to take in a lot of information and then act on the information provided will allow you to stand out in the events industry.
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Organisation
When it comes to event planning and management, the organisation is taken to a whole new level. This is about more than just having a tidy email inbox or a colour-coordinated diary. You will be a multi-tasking master and able to juggle 50 different things at once without breaking a sweat.
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Passion and Drive
Event management isn’t all glitz and glamour. The majority of the time you will be working behind a desk and putting in long hours to make sure your events go off without a hitch. This kind of work requires passion and drive for the job.
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Problem Solving
Being able to solve problems on the go will make your life in events much easier and it will also make clients more likely to want to work with you in the future. Things don’t always go to plan and you need to be able to think on your feet and find a solution fast.
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Decisiveness
In addition to problem-solving, you also need to be decisive. While other fields of work might value a slow and considered approach to decision making, events are fast-paced. As such, you need to be able to think on your feet and make a decision in the moment. If you’ve been given permission to make big decisions, you need to be prepared to do it.
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Communication
As we mentioned above, working in events means working with lots of different people. You will rely on your written and spoken communication skills to help you to get the job done. To be a success in events, you need to be able to communicate accurately and quickly, so make sure you know how to get to the point!
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Flexibility
The most successful events candidates are flexible in their planning. They understand that things might not go to plan and can adjust their expectations accordingly. If you are the sort of person who gets upset or angry if things don’t go to plan, you will struggle in an events job. If you’re the sort of person who thrives on uncertainty and can be flexible in any circumstances, you could just be the perfect candidate.
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Energy
Working in events can mean a lot of early starts and late finishes. You will need lots of energy to keep going and to keep your team motivated through thick and thin. If you’re a naturally high energy person, you will be well suited to a life in events. You don’t have to be bouncing off the walls all the time, but you need to know how to switch it on when required.
If you’re interested in starting your career in events, get in touch with Live Recruitment today. We are a specialist event recruitment agency currently hiring for roles throughout the UK including Leeds and Manchester. If you’re ready to realise your potential in events, get in touch with our specialist team today.