Struggling to get hired? Don’t worry, there are a few tricks of the trade to landing that all important first shift.
1#
Make sure you’re only applying for shifts that suit your areas of expertise & look out for work that matches your skills. If you try to work a shift that isn’t right for you, you risk receiving a low rating and struggling to get hired next time.
2#
Don’t bid until you’ve got a rating or two under your belt! Think of it like you’re an early Airbnb user – people might be unwilling to stay at your place until you’ve got a rating or two.
3#
If a hirer asks a screening question, answer it clearly, accurately and honestly.
4#
Make sure your profile looks awesome. Choose a sensible photo, and consider adding video content & social links. Remember, when a hirer looks at a profile without ratings, they don’t know much about you or what you can offer. You find all the guidance on how to build a great profile here.
5#
Look out for early-morning or late-night shifts, last minute shifts, weekend shifts and shifts that require you to travel, as these are often less popular with workers, so don’t fill up so quickly.
6#
Add a cover note. This is a really nice way to make your application stand out from the crowd. A strong cover note will research the business, mention previous experience, highlight key skills & sign off with something friendly. Check out this quick example.
Hey! I noticed you specialize in authentic Spanish tapas. I worked as a chef in Barcelona for 2 years & think I’d be a great fit for this shift. I’ve got my own chef whites and I live 15 minutes from the restaurant. I’m confident, motivated & passionate about food. I look forward to meeting yourself & the team. Thanks for considering me.
What do we do to help?
To make things easier, it’s totally free for venues to hire workers that are yet to be hired for. We know you’ve got bags of talent and are totally up to the job, but it’s easy for hirers to slip into a habit of only picking workers they know and are sure they can trust. This feature encourages hirers to give new people the chance they deserve, even if you’ve never worked a shift before.
Most importantly, try not to be discouraged if you don’t always land the shift you want. On average it takes 12 applications before most workers secure their first shift. Just get out there and give it a go.
