Because you need answers.
For today’s blog, I won’t be covering any of the normal inquiries you are recommended to ask the hiring manager (or what have you) during an interview because there are plenty of blogs to get those questions from for you to use. Today’s blog is about the questions you may not know to ask simply because you may not know what all is involved with being a staffer, so you don’t really know what all to ask to get a grand idea of what it takes to be successful.
SO LET’S TALK ABOUT YOU
If you are not a quick learner, this may not be the job for you. If you don’t know how to manage and rangle an array of personalities within tight deadlines, you may want to reconsider being a Staffer. If you get annoyed easily at plans changing last minute and randomly, this may not be the role you want. If you are not strong at maintaining boundaries, you will struggle until you are. If you are not good with deescalating as the liaison even when it’s not your fault, you may want to rethink what you want. When an emergency happens, whenever it happens, would you be able to pause what you’re currently doing to resolve/fix/set back right the emergency and then resume back where you left off before the emergency happened cohesively? These are common things to consider before pursuing becoming a staffer.
Nonetheless, if you are detailed-oriented, organized, clever, a people person, works extremely well under pressure, kinda a perfectionist, knows how find peace in a storm, can think on your feet, good at problem solving, able to build rapport naturally, can follow company policy and procedure, knows how to pace your assignments and a team-player ... you may have a good foundation to stand on a Promo Staffer.
GUARD YOUR WORK-LIFE BALANCE
We all know that promo staffers are very busy people. Your work-life balance has its seasons where due to the nature of the job, maintaining balance can be a tricky task to accomplish, because there are so many moving parts that you must juggle as a staffer. Keep in mind that marketing event companies are not created the same. They may have small similarities but the infrastructure may be built differently. So make sure to ask:
Am I on-call on my days-off?
On my off-days, am I expected to keep an eye on my work emails or answer work-related calls?
When I have to handle a work-related situation on my day off, am I expected to handle it or is someone going to handle it for me since I’m off. And if I have to handle it, will I be given that day/time back without it being taken from my PTO?
Am I expected to be on-call every weekend or is there a rotation system in order?
BE PAID FOR YOUR SKILL
Many jobs pay you for your time. As a staffer, I want to be paid for my skill. I’m very good at what I do. Not just anybody who knows a lot of people can be a staffer. As a staffer, you must complete many things within an 8-hr shift and if you’re good at being a staffer, you can accomplish great things within 8-hr shift. Let alone, for example, within an hour when a team member doesn’t show up for their shift in a city you don’t know anyone in for client who is anticipated to show up at the event. It’s important to me that I am paid for my skill, because you’re not given all day to resolve a situation like that (so being paid hourly would suck). Being paid hourly serves its purpose, your workload may become different since the company is motivated to keep you within 40 hours, however, salary puts you in a position where you must meet deadlines in order for your time management to thrive. So make sure to ask:
How many events will I be booking for on average within a year?
How many team members would I be booking on average within a year?
Do you plan to keep events nationwide? How many time zones will I be booking team members within?
Is there a bonus program in place if my assigned events increase past the normal amounts of events assigned to me?
Does your company have quiet hours where after a certain time in the day, you’re not expected to be available for work-related activities unless it’s an emergency?
Will I be expected to work events too or is my role solely recruiting/maintaining/booking team members?
If I work an event, how will I be compensated?
UNDERSTAND THE TOOLS PROVIDED TO YOU TO GET THE JOB DONE
When it comes to the form of support the company will give you, we tend to assume. We also tend to assume that you'll be working with top-notch software, and that may not be the case. And although you won’t be able to know everything of what will be expected or involved in being a successful staffer for the company, it serves you well to know where the company’s support begins and end. So make sure to ask:
How many people are in the department I would be hired in and am I the only one in my position on the team?
Will i be provided with a laptop, an office, cell phone, office phone, printer, etc. or will I have to use my personal equipment?
Will I be expected to help others with their assignment and will be expected to help me?
How many meetings will I be attending a week and what role will I play?
Is my position a desk job, in the field or a mix of both?
When coming and going to events or traveling out of market, am I expected to provide my own transportation, fuel, per diem, lodging, etc?
Is there any training or certifications I will need to complete while fulfilling this position?
IN CONCLUSION:
Being a staffer is allot of fun for me, but I did not understand what all was involved in being a staffer. When I landed my first job as a staffer, if I knew then what I know now, I would set most definitely asked all these questions which would have allowed me to negotiate better on my terms of employment.
If you want to sign up for my live session that I will be having about the inner working of being a staffer, click here.
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