10 Things to Consider Before Becoming an Event Crew Member

If you’re looking for a career change, researching what the role entails should be top of your list of priorities. However, the demands of some jobs vary from day to day, making it hard to know what to expect. This is especially true for event crew members at Gallowglass, where no two days are the same. Here are a few things to consider before making your application:

1. Long Working Hours

The physical demands that face event crew members every day are incredibly challenging. With tight deadlines to meet, hours can be long, and you’re expected to work tirelessly until the job is completed.

High Level of Physical Labour

The majority of our jobs include a high level of physical labour. Don’t worry, we don’t expect you to be the world’s strongest man or woman, but just be prepared that it’s far from a desk job! But you’ll often work closely with other crew members, and the team spirit helps to get you through the small hours.

2. Unforgettable Experiences

One of the most rewarding parts of working as part of an event crew is that there is the opportunity to go behind-the-scenes at some of the UK’s most prestigious locations; another is the chance to work in other countries.

Incredibly Rewarding

Helping to create backdrops for spectacular events, there’s no limit to the number of incredible experiences that you will get to be a part of. Granted, the hours may be long and the work tough, but it’s incredibly rewarding at the same time.

3. Training Opportunities

Gallowglass offer an array of in-house and external training programmes to those who work for us. Providing these opportunities to our crews allows both personal development and professional progression.

Variety of Paid-For Qualifications and Speciality Training

Many of our crew members start off with us as a stop-gap job but then realise how many fantastic opportunities the events industry actually provides. With sister company Gallowglass Training, we can prepare our crew members with a variety of paid-for qualifications and speciality training to ensure that every job is completed to our high standards.

4. Secret Events

Signing a non-disclosure agreement before a job is not uncommon, but every opportunity to see behind the scenes at the filming of an incredible movie is truly a once in a lifetime experience.

The thrill of working on these events ensures that boredom and monotony will never be an issue, and the hard work certainly pays off.

5. Experience Life Overseas

Event crewing is the perfect career for anyone visiting the UK on a working visa. Working for Gallowglass allows you to be part of the event crew in cities such as Birmingham, Liverpool and Glasgow, and get to grips with what life in the UK is really like.

Event Crew Jobs in Barcelona

For those of you based in the UK, our event crew jobs in Barcelona may be of interest if you are thinking of relocating. Although Spanish linguistic skills are preferred, as long as you are prepared to learn on the job, there is still a chance that you could be the perfect candidate.

6. Working Schedule

As an event crew member, you won’t be working a typical 9-5 day; but while the hours are variable and often lengthy, the flexibility you get from working at Gallowglass provides a great work-life balance.

Enhance Job Satisfaction

Flexible hours have been proven to enhance job satisfaction, and as no two days are ever the same in the events industry, you won’t be short of exciting challenges.

7. Pay

Our event crew rates range from £9.30 - £17.00 an hour (including holiday pay), depending on experience, crew level and other factors. By taking advantage of the training we provide to develop your skills, and demonstrating hard work and commitment, you’ll be able to progress towards the upper end of the pay scale.

8. Previous Experience

Crewing experience is not an essential requirement for working at Gallowglass, although a passion for the events industry, as well as knowledge of the sector, is preferred for a specialist job role.

Take on Un-Skilled Recruits

We often take on un-skilled recruits, especially students, so don't let a lack of experience prevent you from applying. We’re more than happy to provide training from the most basic level, right up to the top!

9. Drive and Motivation

If you want a job within the dynamic and fast-paced environment of the events industry, you’ll need both drive and motivation. We love to see passionate and enthusiastic applicants who demonstrate they are ready to get stuck in, so make sure that you show this within your CV or application.

10. People Skills

Working in the events industry means working with a wide range of people and personalities. Whether you’re communicating with your fellow crew members or working directly with clients to ensure that the job is done to their standards, you’ll need to have the necessary people skills.

Calm Temperament and Friendly Personality

A calm temperament and friendly personality will help to get you through the day, and you’ll undoubtedly need to know how to have a laugh and joke to lighten the mood!

You might also be interested in:

A Guide to Gallowglass Careers: Part One
A Guide to Gallowglass Careers: Part Two