Tips for finding work on the international event circuit

1. Travel, work and turn
your dream into a reality!
April
2020

2. 2
• First Name
• Why you decided to
take this course?
• What would you like
to take away from this
course?
• What inspires you?
• Fun fact

3. 3
• Canadian
• Played at one of the highest levels in women’s football
• Career Highlights
• 2010 AHL Outdoor Classic (United States)
• 2011 Princess Cruises (Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Oceanian)
• 2012 English Teacher (Spain)
• Toronto 2015 Pan/ Parapan Am Games (Canada)
• Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (Australia)
• 2019 Arafura Games (Australia)
• Tower Bridge (England)
• Industry Experience
• International Sporting Events
• Venue Management
• Operations Planning
• Front of House Operations
• Fun Fact: Travelled to over 45 countries

4. 4
• At the end of the course students should be able to:
1. Identify their unique skills, travel aspirations and event
interests.
2. Be able to build a strong foundation by improving their goal
setting, networking skills, and understanding of the
importance of targeted experience.
3. Be aware of the challenges and opportunities while
pursuing international event positions.

5. PART 1
Getting Started 5

6. Congratulations! You have taken the first step.
Which one interests you? 6
LEISURE
CAREER ORIENTED

7. Duration Contract Type Responsibility Compensation Organisations
Leisure • Short Term
• 1 day- 4
months
• Volunteer
• Casual
• Part-time
• Event Delivery • Meals
• Transport
• Accommodation
• Stipend
• Salary
• Organising
Committees
• Sponsors
• Suppliers
Career • Long term
• 4 months –
4+ years
• Contract
• Full-time
• Planning
• Coordination
• Delivery
• Accommodation
• Transport
• Salary
• International
Events
Organisations
• Organising
Committees
• Sponsor
• Suppliers
• Stakeholders

8. 8
International Events Organisations
• Purpose: Planning/ delivering of services for the
event on behalf of a client
• Office Location: International offices all over the
world
• Focus: Planning, coordinating and delivering
services with event organisers
• Frequency: Multiple events per year
• Workforce: Staff, contractors, volunteers
• Clients: Organizing Committees, International
Events Organizations, Local Event Organizations
• Ex. Octagon, IMG and CSM
Suppliers & Stakeholders
• Purpose: Planning/ delivering of events on behalf of
a client
• Office Location: International hubs all over the world
(Ex. New York, London, Sydney, etc.)
• Focus: Planning, coordinating and delivering on
behalf of clients
• Frequency: Multiple events per year
• Workforce: Staff & contractors
• Clients: Primarily corporate some private clients
• Ex. First Global Event Agency, Mubarak Events,
Infrared Experience Marketing/ Event Management

9. 9
Sponsors
• Purpose: Provide financial and in-kind resources
to the Organising Committee/ event
• Office: International locations
• Focus: Brand exposure and brand activation
throughout the event.
• Frequency: Multiple events per year
• Workforce: Staff, contractors and volunteers
• Clients: Consumers & stakeholders
• Ex. McDonalds, IBM, Colgate, Red Bull
Organising Committees
• Purpose: Planning/ delivering of large- scale events
on behalf of stakeholders
• Office Location: Host City
• Focus: Planning/ delivering only one major event
• Frequency: One major event (may assist on smaller
local events)
• Workforce: Staff, secondees, consultants,
volunteers, contractors
• Clients: Stakeholders & spectators
• Ex. Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO)- The Tour de
France., Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee

10. Experiencing difficulties? Scroll down to the bottom of the ‘home’ webpage 10
Activity
•Select one event. Find
3 sponsors,
stakeholders or
suppliers involved in
the event.

11. What items are you currently missing? 11
Ensure the following documents/ items
are available, current and considered
• Passport
• Drivers License
• Savings
• Identity Documents (Birth certificate,
proof of address, etc.)
• Health care options
• Medication
• Certificates (Soft copies or photographs)
• Job flexibility

12. Can you think of any other areas? 12
Find the areas that you are
interested in, areas that you
have experience in & you feel
useful.
Media, Press &
Communications
Transport Venues
Volunteers/
Spectator
Services
Technology Client Services Security
Cleaning,
Catering & Waste
Construction
International
Relations
Merchandise Ticketing
Sponsorship Signage/ Look HR Accounting
Finance Design Medical Accommodation
Overlay Marketing
Protocol & VIP
Services
Logistics

13. Find events that are of interest you.
Ex. Sport, Entertainment, Arts, etc.
• Activity: Take 10 mins to
research events websites.
List 5 events that you
would be interested in
working over the next 5
years.
13

14. 14
Platforms to Search for Events
Websites
Tap into networks
Join movements
Engage in Social Media
Sign up for event updates
Word of mouth

15. 2022 FIFA World Cup
2022 Asian Games
2024 Olympic Games
2028 Olympic Games
2022 Commonwealth Games
2021 Fringe Festival
2020 Comic-Con 2020 CMA Awards
2022 Olympic Winter Games
2021 Rio Carnival
2021 Afrochella

16. • For inspiration visit
• BCC Sporting Calendar – What
events are still on?
• Timeout - 50 best music
festivals in the world
• Around the World in 80 Events
- Plans & Locations
• Bucket list Events - 99
International Events &
Festivals for your Bucket List
• Expo Dubai 2020 - 1 Year to
Go Celebrations
• Parrtijima- Alice Springs Light
Festival

17. Outline your travel plans. List places
you would like to travel. See if they
align with your event plans
• Activity: List 5 countries you
would like to travel
• Items to keep in mind
• Languages
• Visas
• Accommodation options
17

18. 18
DECIDE LIFE ADMIN SKILLS EVENTS LOCATIONS

19. PART 2
Building your Foundation 19

20. DecisionSkills. (2014, May 22). SMART Goals- Quick Overview [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-SvuFIQjK8
20
S: Specific M: Measurable A: Attainable R: Relevant T: Time bound

21. Developing ambitious goals are essential
for working international events
• Leisure oriented:
• 1 x goal event focused
• 1 x goal skill focused
• 1 x goal location focused
• Career oriented:
• 1 x 1-year goals
• 1 x 5-year goal
• 1 x 10-year goal
• Activity x 15 minutes
1. Determine path: leisure or career oriented
2. Draft SMART 3 goals
3. Explain why you have chosen these goals and be honest about it. 21

22. 22
• Examples below:
• Leisure: My goal is to work for the
UEFA Euro 2021 Tournament.
Securing a Manager role at
Wembley Stadium by April 2021.
• Career (10 year plan): My goal is to
become the Head of Venue
Management by 2024 for the LA
2028 Olympic Games.
• Share your goals. Let’s discuss

23. Research what international events are
in your region/ country. Apply to gain
experience during those events.
23
• Event
• Find local events that resemble
international events
• Create your own event to gain
experience in multiple areas
• Prepare
• Multiple CVs highlighting skills
from different areas
• LinkedIn
• Interviews

24. 24
Cover Letters & Resume
• Review job descriptions closely
• Review/ save job descriptions
• Highlight key word, phrases in the document
• Stand out from the crowd
• Tell a compelling story
• Highlight key words
• Tailor your application (Do not send generic
applications)
• Only add relevant experiences
• Ask a friend, colleague, mentor to review
• Diversify your applications
• Apply to many different roles
• If no traction, look lower
• Manager -> Supervisor
• Coordinator -> Volunteer
Interviews
• Do your research
• Strong understanding of the role
• Knowledgeable about the organisation
• Keywords that are critical in the role
• Extract relevant experience from your CV
• Write out experience
• Print resume/ cover letter- add notes
• State key information you want to discuss
• Understand who is interviewing you
• Review interviewers LinkedIn
• Understand their professional background
• Prepare
• Have a friend run through some standard interview questions
• For your journey
• Follow up questions

25. No event is too small to network.
25
Network… Network… Network
• Event
• Excel in your role
• Learn as much as you can
• Join social groups, attend team outings, etc.
• Never miss an opportunity to meet new
people
• Document your experience
• Share your goals
• Prepare
• Clear understanding of your goals
• Elevator pitch
• Build your network

26. 26
Altair. 13, April 2014. Elevator Pitch Examples. [Video] Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyxfERV5ttY

27. List what you gained from the
experience. Ex. Who you met, what you
learned, how you achieved, etc.
Event skills will be transferable internationally
27
• Event
• Thank you notes/ messages to
superiors & notable colleagues
• Ask for references
• Stay in touch
• Prepare
• Customized notes (hand written)
• CV for next opportunity

28. ‘Do not hesitate to reach out’ 28
LinkedIn is one of the best online networking tools
• How to network on LinkedIn
• Do and Don’ts LinkedIn
• Connect with people that you have met in
person
• Ask for an introduction
• Review profiles that reflect your career/
event goals
• Visit events social media pages &
websites Ex. Facebook, Instagram,
LinkedIn, etc.

29. Never count anyone out 29
Determine your key objectives
• Introduce yourself
• Create a few opening lines
• Be positive
• Connect with those you do not know
• Actively listen- do not dominate the
conversation
• Connect via social media before the
conversation comes to a natural end
• Provide assistance when you can
• Smile and enjoy the process

30. 30
Goal setting Gain experience
locally
Network

31. PART 3
31
Embarking on your International Journey

32. ACTIVITY
Refine your 3 goals & add
two networking goals
• 1 x online
• 1 x in person

33. 33
• Ways to get involved
• Volunteer
• Work & study
• Working Holidays
• Align vacation with events
• Primary purpose events
• Relocate
• Next Steps
• Applications
• Contracts
• Managing Risk
• Travel

34. 34
Job Postings
• Finding jobs
• Research events
• Find career pages
• Weekly or bi-weekly review events website
• Follow LinkedIn Groups
• Check Social Media Pages
• Bookmark frequently visited pages
• Sign up for alerts
• Create a table/ organisational document listing:
• Name of organisation/ Event
• Website (Careers page)
• Applied roles
• Notes
Event Website Applied
Roles
Notes

35. 35
Challenges
• Low application viewing if not a:
• A citizen
• A permanent resident
• A visa holder
• Always ask:
• “Do you have the right to work?”
• Required:
• Local telephone number
• Local address
• Language skills
• Specific skills
Opportunities
• Ability to acquire your own visas
• Youth Mobility Visas
• Student visa
• Transit visas (Volunteer opportunities)
• A connection within the organization
• Skill in demand
• Transport
• Accreditation
• Technology
• Speaking the local language
• Established postal address/ telephone
number

36. 36
• Revise applications to reflect
local practices, lingo and
industry
• Include application tips from
Part II
• Conduct research
• Example
• CV photo not required
for Oceania/ North
America in most
industries
Heading
• First & Last name
• Telephone number
• Email address
• Address (Optional)
• Not recommended if not local
Cover Letter
• Visa situation (if no local number or phone number)
• Unique qualities that you bring to the role
• Aspects that align with the job description
• Speak their language- use the right lingo
• Highlight contacts name
• Limit to 1-2 pages
Resume
• List qualifications
• Check if qualifications are of similar standard (adjust title if applicable)
• Only list relevant information
• Limit length to 2-3 pages

37. 37
Online Interviews
• Most initial interviews will be online
• Two types
• Video Interview
• In person Interview
• Tips
• Wear headphones for better sound quality
• Test camera, microphone and software 24 hours
before the interview
• Dress professionally
• Always have a pen and paper handy
• Ensure your device is charged & charger close by
• Find a neutral background
• Find a quiet environment
• Share your passion

38. 38
• Read carefully
• Understand what is being offered and conditions involved
• Contact dates
• Projected role
• Expected hours of work
• Compensation
• Salary currency
• Payment terms
• Tax implications
• Visa
• International travel
• Accommodation
• Local transport
• Other services
• Technology (Computer, mobile, etc.)
• Uniform
• Main Contact (Pre-arrival, During the Event, Post- Event)
• If unsure of terminology, speak to HR

39. 39
• Ensure the opportunity is legitimate
• Have a clear SMART goal
• Assess if it is a feasible/ practical plan
• Bounce ideas off your mentor/ trusted advisors
• Ensure documentation is in order
• Secure accommodation
• Notify your network
• Prepare a back up skill
• Bartending
• Childminding
• Tutoring
• Coding
Before you travel

40. 40
• What are your hard skills?
• Hard skills provide you with an opportunity
to earn money if there are complications
with your international contract.
• Take 5 minutes. List 2 skills
that you possess that you
could use to generate money
in a challenging time.

41. 41
• Passport (Check expiration date against contract)
• Visas
• Travel Insurance
• Health Insurance
• Personal Bank details
• Local Currency (Cash, travellers check, credit
card, travel card)
• Speak to your bank about options
• Sim card unlock code
• Hard copies of all documents listed above in a
waterproof folder

42. 42
• Primary Visa Types
• Transit visa (Volunteer opportunities)
• Working holiday visa (Work opportunities)
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Working_holiday_visa
• Temporary work visa (Work opportunities)
• Research options & understand restrictions
• Always read official government websites to
confirm information
• Never purchase flight until visa is approved
• Review travel options pre/ post contract
• Tips
• Understand all associated cost (Visa fees, health
insurance options)
• Review health insurance options
• Comprehend timelines
• Recognize arrival requirements

43. 43
Arrival Tips Banking
• Give yourself time to adjust to your new
surroundings
• Connect with someone from your country of
origin
• They can provide you with advice
• Make local friends
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions
• Research banking options prior to travelling
• Ex. Australia open account before arrival
• Transferring money
• Transferwise https://transferwise.com/
• Digital banking
• Monzo https://monzo.com/features/travel/

44. 44
Application
Processes
Contracts Manage Risk Travel

45. “Fortune favors the Brave” 45

47. Sharifa Wilkinson
LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/in/sharifa-
wilkinson-1a713711
Email:
Sharifa.Wilkinson@gmail.com