Job websites

Hi
As previously mentioned the best thing to do is to go door knocking.

In our experience a CV is a good start to email out to companies, but you should also follow up with a call and more so in interview.
Before you send your CV, ring and ask who to send it to because if you send it to the wrong person it may get deleted or go into the junk mail box.

I get allot of cv's sent which look great on paper, and even several times have had people who put us down as a referee when they have never worked for us. Which I find amusing.

There are always jobs around if you do some leg work, try av companies as well as specialists in audio, as most av companies run hotels and ballrooms and require a large database of crew.
The best place to look is the yellow pages under theatre suppliers, or some magazines have directories available.

Things to consider are:-

„«Make sure your CV shows your true experience; don¡¦t hype it up because you will only waste your time and the company you are sending it to.

„«In your cv always give referees names and phone numbers

„«If you have licences or certificates include copies of these in your cv

„«Follow it up with a phone call and request an interview.

„«Remember this is generally a casual based industry, so full-time positions are limited.

„«Be multi skilled or willing to do more than just your chosen task.

„«remember the hours can be long and hard and not 9 to 5

„«generally public holidays do not exist in this industry

„«Summer months are generally the busiest, whilst winter can be quiet or no work at all if you are casually based, so being multi skilled can be advantageous.
Or choose these times to go on holidays.
Or be available to more than one company

„«Don¡¦t expect to walk into the dream touring job or big named show straight away, this will take time, trust, hard work and loyalty (unless you have the proven experience)

„«Most companies work on a minimum call, be that minimum 3 or 4 hour call

„«Some work occupations are covered under the (MEAA) union and others are not and the MEAA differs considerably to construction unions and unions overseas

„«Don¡¦t send a cv to a company or go to an interview if you are not willing to work, (this is a bug bear of ours when people send in cv¡¦s come to an interview and then are either not contactable, don¡¦t return calls or don¡¦t let us know they are not interested or don¡¦t realise the hours are so periodic)

„«What we look for in our crew is professionalism, loyalty, hard working, honest, multi skilled, willing to lend a hand to any task required (within the realm of your competency level), willing to listen and learn. Ask questions because there is never a dumb question, work as a team, show initiative, a knowledge of the industry, always follow regulations and safety guidelines to provide yourself, your fellow workers, venues etc with a safe working enviroment

I have had experience with the DIMA paperwork, and if you are looking for a company to sponsor you, you may find it difficult due to the costs and company guarantees required by the sponsoring company.


So good luck in your endeavours

Robyn Good
General Manager
Showtech Australia Pty Ltd
Showtech Rigging
www.showtechaustralia.com.au