Pros
I am quite new to London, travelled from Manchester last year, so I took this job opportunity from my student job board UAL. Easy to get to short walk from Clapham South tube, northern line. Nice office with sweets for people waiting, and picture books showing events. A thorough but painless interview, and I got on well with the interviewer, who invited me back to training within 2 days. The owner, I think his name is Fergus, spoke to us in the training room, and we all met the rest of the very professional office team after the training to discuss trial shifts, which are obligatory btw so you must get started quickly. My trial shifts were canapé parties at The National Portrait Gallery, and Chelsea Design Centre. The first shift was quite long and we didn’t get break for over 5 hours, however they were lovely managers and met nice people so I would actually work in these places again. I quickly got to socialise after my second shift, and realised many people had other jobs too. However this is enough for me as I am bombarded with e-mails every day from the HS office, with more dates, and dates for the distant future too. I am still learning how to use the mobile-staff-portal, but it is good the way you can see your ‘booked jobs’, and ‘future jobs’ where you can register interest, all from your smart phone. A tip is to book 7 – 10 days in advance which allows you to know you can pay your rent, and then fill in with extra jobs, when last minute events come in.
Cons
I had to buy my uniforms, shirts and a corkscrew, which is branded !! which cost £20.00, and was told to remove my ear-studs, and one would not come out properly!... if removing jewellery bothers you then don’t bother with this job !! Everyone had to do this before the photos and for every job. I really think some uniforms shod be given to us, or a deposit taken instead. You must budget as pay is at the end of the month.
