Read job ads carefully

DJ_Spider

I saw this ad on Gumtree:

Want to work a world-class music festival as part of a fun and motivated team with international event experience? Want to gain great leadership experience and maybe even see a few bands?

************ is a global event company that is providing cleaning and waste services to this year's ****** Festival at [removed venue name], over the period [removed date] 2008.

We require motivated individuals who are able to supervise small teams in a dynamic event environment. NO CLEANING EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED, just common sense and a willingness to listen and learn in a junior leadership position.

We also require individuals who are able to provide basic admin support within our Event Administration team. Duties would include Helpdesk operation, signing in/out of staff, issuing of uniforms and general admin support of the event operation. Basic computer skills and admin experience is preferred but not essential.

So seeing as I have supervisory and admin experience I replied. I got this reply first:

We are having a meeting in Dublin at 4pm today, let me know if you can make it.
(well that was the gist of it! and I got that at 11:30am that day!)

I then sent back a reply making sure that I was applying for the supervisor positions. This was the response:

Supervisors are cleaners at Cleanevent. I run Operations nationally and I help out when required. Don't mean to be blunt but you need to be aware of what you are getting yourself into.

I sent this: (sorry if this is getting tedious!)

I see, I was wondering as this is what you put in your Gumtree ad:
We also require individuals who are able to provide basic admin support within our Event Administration team. Duties would include Helpdesk operation, signing in/out of staff, issuing of uniforms and general admin support of the event operation. Basic computer skills and admin experience is preferred but not essential.

If you read my original email, you will see I would be suitable for this position. Sorry if I got the wrong impression. Please could you let me know ASAP if you DO need admin staff, as I would like to apply.

I got this reply today:

I do need admin staff, but I think we have found candidates with the right approach.

If I may offer some advice, don't apply for any role within a cleaning company stating that you don't want to do any cleaning. That would be like applying for an admin role at General Motors saying you don't like cars in your application letter. Just a suggestion.

I also suggest moderating the tone of your correspondence with potential employers. Unfortunately we shall have to struggle through the event without you, but I wish you all the very best in your future endeavours.

So why advertise a job saying they want supervisors? I thought that's what supervisors do, supervise? If they wanted cleaners they should say so!

I just thought I would let people know that what it says in a job description isn't always what the job entails.

AARRRGH

To be fair on the empoyer:

Gumtree Advert wrote:

We also require individuals who are able to provide basic admin support within our Event Administration team. Duties would include Helpdesk operation, signing in/out of staff, issuing of uniforms and general admin support of the event operation. Basic computer skills and admin experience is preferred but not essential.

DJ_Spider wrote:

I was wondering as this is what you put in your Gumtree ad:
We also require individuals who are able to provide basic admin support within our Event Administration team. Duties would include Helpdesk operation, signing in/out of staff, issuing of uniforms and general admin support of the event operation. Basic computer skills and admin experience is preferred but not essential.

Cleaning Company wrote:

I do need admin staff, but I think we have found candidates with the right approach. If I may offer some advice, don't apply for any role within a cleaning company stating that you don't want to do any cleaning. I also suggest moderating the tone of your correspondence with potential employers.

DJ_Spider wrote:

So why advertise a job saying they want supervisors? I thought that's what supervisors do, supervise? If they wanted cleaners they should say so!

I'm siding somewhat with the cleaning company.

He says he has already filled those vacancies, and your tone was poor in your e-mails...

DJ_Spider

The main thing I was complaining about was the emploers tone when I enquired about the admin vacancies. Also I think it was not very fair to send an email at 11:30am saying we had to attend an interview a few hours later. Also at that interview they obviuosly picked the admin staff and didn't really give everyone a chance to apply. I.E. not all the people who wanted to apply could make it. (if they were working, at colledge etc)

AARRRGH

DJ_Spider wrote: »

I think it was not very fair to send an email at 11:30am saying we had to attend an interview a few hours later

Yeah, that does suggest they're (at best) disorganised.

DJ_Spider wrote: »

Also at that interview they obviuosly picked the admin staff and didn't really give everyone a chance to apply. I.E. not all the people who wanted to apply could make it. (if they were working, at colledge etc)

That's life unfortunately.

I've seen those cleaners get to work after festivals are over... what a depressing job!

DJ_Spider

Yes I agree I wouldn't want to clean up other people's crud, but I have had over 15 years experience working at outdoor events like horse races, pop concerts, motor racing and even the truck fest in the UK, so I thought I would be a good supervisor! Also I like organising, (or is that bossing?!) people! Oh well maybe next year I will find a job at a gig! (I'm just too mean to pay the entry fee!)

eth0_

OP - you could try and get a steward job for a UK festival if you're willing to travel.
http://www.dcsiteservices.com/ <-- know some people who have worked for them doing security and campsite supervisor and they said they are a decent company. Plus you get your own staff camping area with private showers and toilets.

I removed some info from your original post as it was clear what festival it was referring to.

Hitchhiker's Guide to...

no discussion of that music crowd on boards.ie, so have to close the thread unfortunately

eth0_

Have to say I disagree. This post could refer to any number of festivals in Ireland, any identifying details have been removed.

The OP's problem is with a company that provides cleaners to festivals, NOT with the festival or promoter itself...