Getting a job with SXS

This page is to give you information on the ways in which you can get a job with SXS.

The events industry is a highly desirable place for people to work. It is always varied, full of challenges, and encourages people to be constantly learning new skills. Often a career in events leads to international travel, working with talented musicans and artists, and working in teams to represent some of the world's leading brands.

It can often be daunting for people who wish to gain a career in events. As such, we have put this page together to show you the ways in which you can gain work with SXS.

Through Professional Experience

If you have professional experience in the events industry this is the route for you:

Opportunities:

• Employment on casual, part-time or full-time basis
• Opportunities for bona fide freelance work
• Potential for professional development
• Other temporary or permanent roles as they arise - see our recruitment page for more info.

The Pre-requisites:

• You must have significant professional experience working in events
• You must have experience working for similar companies in a disciplined and commercial environment
• Professional means it has been your main job. Volunteer and educational work is good, but this is not enough to be deemed as professional
• You must have the skills and experience to be an effective team player from your first day at work
• You must be highly-literate, well-presented, physically able and friendly

The Stages:

• 1. Send your CV and a cover letter
• 2. Fill in an application form, if approved then you will be invited in for an...
• 3. Interview with a company director. Your interview will include proficiency tests in your field of expertise, and if approved you will be invited on a...
• 4. Trial event (basic pay subject to event)
• 5. Following your trial day your performance will be reviewed and future work discussed.

Through Educational Work Placement

This relates to people wishing to embark on a 9-12 month work placement as part of their degree (or similar) course. We have a number of positions available each year ranging from hands-on technical experience to office based marketing assistance.

The Opportunities:

• 9-12 month work placement
• Some of the best on-the-job training available in the UK
• Working alongside some of the most experienced designers, technicians and business people in the industry
• Working closely with the company directors
• Formal and semi-formal technical training in specialist areas for technical placements
• A real taste of what the industry is about
• A diverse range of experience of technical disciplines

These placements are not suited to people who wish to specialise in one part of event production. Our placements are offered as salaried positions on a reduced rate of pay.

The Pre-requisites:

• You must have experience in paid employment, however not necessarily within events
• You must be eager to learn
• You must be a team player
• You must be highly-literate, well-presented, physically able and friendly
• Participation in sport, hobbies and travel are preferable.

The Stages:

• 1. Send your CV and a Cover Letter
• 2. Fill in an application form, if approved then you will be invited in for an...
• 3. Interview with a company director, to include proficiency tests in your field of expertise, then if approved....
• 4. Sometimes a group interview will be arranged, then if approved you will be.....
• 6. Invited on a trial day (pay subject to nature of trial)
• 7. Following your trial day your performance will be reviewed and future work discussed

Through Our Work Experience Program

This relates to people wishing to get a taste of the events industry. This is not age specific and people range from school leavers to career changers. Some people are simply looking to diversify their knowledge and skill set.

The Opportunities:

• 1 week work experience
• Get a good view of the events industry
• Gain some basic skills
• Working alongside some of the most experienced designers, technicians and business-people in the industry

Work experience is offered on an unpaid basis. Excellent candidates may be invited back to work with us as junior technicians.

The Pre-requisites:

• You must have experience in paid employment, however not necessarily within events
• You must be eager to learn
• You must be a team player
• You must be highly-literate, well-presented, physically able and friendly
• Participation in sport, hobbies and travel are preferable.

The Stages:

• 1. Send your CV and a Cover Letter
• 2. Fill in an application form, if approved then you may be invited for an...
• 3. Interview with a company director, then if approved you may be...
• 4. Invited on a trial event (unpaid). If approved you will be sent a...
• 5. Formal offer of one week work experience
• 6. Following your work experience your performance will be reviewed and future work discussed.

To submit a CV and cover letter please email recruitment@sxsevents.co.uk

Other Pointers

To help you on your way with getting a job with us, or any other credible company, please take the following advice:

• Spelling on CV - any CVs with significant spelling or grammatical errors will not be considered and instantly deleted. If you do struggle with this, get someone else to proof your CV.
• Demonstrating Experience - your CV should show all the jobs and training you have had. An experienced recruiter will be very interested in the work you have done that may initially seem unrelated to the role for which you are applying. This is because a good interviewer wants to understand the whole picture of you as a person, so as to find the best fit for you in the company. Our interviewers are highly trained and experienced.
• Punctuality - arriving late for an interview or other similar meeting will almost certainly lose you the job. Aim to get to the interview half an hour early and wait outside until five minutes before your meeting.
• Dont be nervous - an interview is a two-way communication and both parties need to establish that they can work together. Just be yourself and trust that the interviewer will spot your strengths.
• Know yourself - know what your strengths are and what you have to offer to a company.
• Appearance - arriving to an interview poorly dressed will lose you the job. If unsure as to what to wear, ask before coming, this demonstrates initiative.
• Hygiene - poor personnal hygiene will lose you the job. Make sure you are clean and well presented.