Employability Skills for Event and Entertainment Sector

This article discusses the importance of employability skills for a career in event and entertainment sector. It covers topics such as Johari Window, Clifton Gallup Strengths theory, professional qualifications, job descriptions, CV and LinkedIn profiles, and job interview questions. The article also provides tips on how to develop skills such as communication, time-management, and problem-solving.

Running head: EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS
Employability Skills
Student’s name:
Name of the university:
Author’s note:

1EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS
Table of Contents
1. Know yourself............................................................................................................................2
Johari’s window:..........................................................................................................................2
Clifton Gallup Strengths theory:..................................................................................................2
Reflection on how these apply elements and theories help to achieve career aspirations:..........3
2. Know your sector........................................................................................................................4
Analysing a professional qualification required in Event and Entertainment sector...................4
Evaluating how by having the qualification it would add value to an employer and make the
preferred candidate......................................................................................................................4
Reflection current skill set in relation to the professional qualification and how this could
further develop them....................................................................................................................5
3. Let them know you.....................................................................................................................6
Identifying a live job description and specification for the desired job in this sector.................6
Reflect on how CV and LinkedIn profile demonstrates the essential and desirable skills
required, and what this says to a potential employer...................................................................7
Research and identify 3 relevant questions for a job interview using the following categories
and answer them using the STAR method..................................................................................8
Reflection on ability to apply the STAR method structure to the questions...............................8
Skills need to develop..................................................................................................................9
Reference List................................................................................................................................10
Appendices....................................................................................................................................12

2EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS
1. Know yourself
Johari window:
Johari Window can be defined as a technique that assists people to better understand the
relationship between others and themselves. This cognitive psychological concept was primarily
used as a self-help tool and it was also used in the corporate sector as heuristic exercise. There
are four quadrants in this concept model and each of them describes personality traits. Arena has
the adjectives that describe both peers and subject, therefore, these are the traits which peers and
subject can perceive (Poon and Brownlow 2015). Façade comprises the adjectives which are
selected by the subject and not the peers. Therefore, these are the qualities the peer unaware of or
these are the qualities the subject's claim. In the third quadrant, the blind grid has the qualities
that are not selected by the subjects and peers can select. These adjectives are represented by the
peers and subjects do not perceive this. Unknown are the adjectives that do not select the
subjects or by the peers, therefore, these can be represented by subject’s motives and behaviours.
As stated by Berland (2017), Johari Window can be conceptualised as meta-emotions and
motivational counterpart that open up the Arena and Unknown square.
Clifton Gallup Strengths theory:
Clifton StrengthsFinder can be defined as positive psychology model and this framework
encompasses the approach to human minds from the perspective of healthy, successful life
functioning. These Gallup strengths topics are included positive emotions, optimism, happiness
and spirituality, personal development, wellbeing and satisfaction (Masterman 2014). Positive
psychology is a therapist to focus on mainly removing dysfunction and Positive Psychologists
can aim at maintaining the successful function and life-enhancing the concept. Clifton Gallup

3EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS
Strengths measure mainly the psychological constructs that can compare and construct
psychological assessment to measure the theoretical starting point. Clifton StrengthsFinder is an
assessment of personality from the psychological perspective and these strengths are descriptors
of potential qualities of human beings and identify the chosen options.
Reflection on how these apply elements and theories help to achieve career aspirations:
Johari Window is a self-awareness diagnostic tool and it starts with the open arena. I
usually make some notes about myself when I face some challenges in my life. I am quite aware
of my strengths and weaknesses and my comfort level is in strength. I love willing to share my
strength with others. In facade grid, Johari Window shows me the qualities like energetic,
friendly, helpful, independent and ingenious. These are the qualities that other people do not
know and I can perceive these. I think friendly nature and energetic personality will help me in
Event and Entertainment career as I want to be a hotel manager in future in a large hotel chain. In
addition, I am the helpful and independent type, I love to help others in any condition. The
selfless help to others will help me in my management career. In the unknown grid, the friends
give me some remarks that I do not know about myself, some adjectives are adaptable, calm,
brave, logical and knowledgeable. These are the qualities that are un-tried because of lack of
opportunity, training, confidence and encouragement. These could be my subconscious feeling
and these could be my natural abilities I possess and conditioned behaviour.
I have taken the Gallup StrengthsFinder test and I have identified five strengths of me.
One may not be successful alone and finding the own strengths help in a future career. The first
strength of me is that I am a developer and it could help me in building a relationship in my
workplace. In event management career, I will need to build a relationship with clients and
employees that will further help me to make a team. The second strength of me is I follow

4EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS
discipline in my life and discipline helps to make the life easier in influencing others. Discipline
in life helps to take charge in other and in career; discipline is needed for speaking for the team
(De Guzman and Choi 2013). The third strength is competition and it will help me to explore the
opportunity in life and career. In competition, I can take the advice of my team in order to take
any final decision. Moreover, analytical strength falls into the category of strategic thinking and I
can absorb the ideas from the others and it will take better decisions. In addition, responsibility
strength will help me in event management career when I have to take a decision in critical
condition and execute the manipulation process.
2. Know your sector
Analysing a professional qualification required in Event and Entertainment sector
In event management career, the most profound career can be formed in hotel managers
or the advertising and marketing department. This profession is thrilling and glamorous. Event
and entertainment can provide the opportunity to unleash the creative potential of employees. In
making the career in event and entertainment management, the professional qualification can be
done on Principles of Event Management, Diploma in Event Management and Diploma in Live
Events. In addition, the professional qualification like making public relations, networking,
meticulous planning and venue management is necessary. In addition, the professional skills of
communication and leadership skills are also significant to make a team.
Evaluating how by having the qualification it would add value to an employer and make
the preferred candidate
When a candidate has the higher qualification than the rest, the employer will
automatically give the preference towards him/her. In addition, the professional qualification of

5EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS
the networking helps a candidate to make a good relationship with others and it would make the
person available for a better opportunity. In event and entertainment career making good network
will enhance the chance to have the clients and a better chance in a career. In addition, the good
public relation quality of a person will provide the benefit to managing the crisis in an
organisation and a degree in event management will eventually provide the theoretical
understanding of the situation (Deeley 2014). Public relation skill of a human being makes the
person desirable than the others and it will give the further advantage of top-level media
communicator. In the professional qualification, the course will teach the candidates about the
venue management and in event management career, it will provide the advantage of the idea of
a venue. In organising an event or in managing a hotel, planning is necessary, therefore,
organisational skills are important in event management and hotel management.
Reflection current skill set in relation to the professional qualification and how this could
further develop them
Event management and entertainment career provide the opportunity to manage hotel
and professional qualification is required and what the candidates have been taught in the course
will reflect. Understanding own skills and the practical knowledge will be helpful for an
employee to manage any job role in management. My current skills have been identified through
Johari Window Test and Gallup StrengthsFinder. I have always been the mentor in my college
days when any festivals organised in our department and I could show my leadership skills there.
I took the responsibility to organise the events and participate in the events as well. In addition, I
am quite used to with the digital skills as I had to make contact with other employees and
management when I had been in Internship. Internet and digital media have always attracted me
and I am users of the digital media since my early teenage. In my internship period, I used to

6EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS
solve the team conflict and I could show the ability to solve the issues from my practical and
theoretical knowledge. Problem-solving skills have two distinct styles, analytical, creative and
mental skills (O’Connor and Bodicoat 2017). I tried to solve the issue in analytical perspective
within a team and I tried to keep a bond within the team when we used to organise the events.
3. Let them know you
Identifying a live job description and specification for the desired job in this sector
(Refer to Appendix B)
In the job description section, it states about the essential job requirements,
responsibilities and job duties and skills (Balsells et al. 2017). Event Manager is an organisation
is responsible for the organising an event and planning of the meetings. The responsibilities of
the candidates will be onsite communication in pre-event occasions with the delegates. The
candidates have to arrange in ground and air travel with maintaining the relationship with key
stakeholders. It is required to establish the staff schedules, equipment allocation and task
assignment. The candidates have to negotiate the agreements with the clients.
The person specification tells about candidates' eligibility criteria in order to meet the
requirements. In the person specification section, the purpose of the job will be highlighted and
context of the environment is described. In addition, in the person specification section, the
accountabilities, main duties and responsibilities of the person are explained with the
specification. Key responsibilities and qualification are explained with maintaining the courses
and degrees. Job specification clearly mentions about the qualification, qualities, experiences,
background, training and interpersonal skills (Fisher et al. 2017).

7EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS
Reflect on how CV and LinkedIn profile demonstrates the essential and desirable skills
required, and what this says to a potential employer
(Refer to Appendix C)
I am a kind of person who updates my CV on a regular basis and uploads it on job portal.
I have an account on LinkedIn as well. My CV clearly portrays me and it has personal details
and contact information of me and it starts with personal data avoiding superfluous details. In the
next section of my CV deals with the education and qualification of me, these include
institutions' names and dates of completing the courses. In the following section of me comprises
of work experiences and employment history and it is done with chronological curriculum vitae.
The skills, like computer skills, foreign language skills and hobbies and interests are also
included in this section. Potential employers can find this interesting as this short and highlight
the potential skills. The employers can find this interesting as this highlights the scholarships,
training and research experiences of me.
(Refer to Appendix D)
In my LinkedIn profile, I have a professional profile photo which is called Headshot. The
headline of my professional profile is impactful and concise. Well written summary of my own
career and professional qualification are there. In addition, I have provided a well-constructed
list of professional experiences and well-developed skills and endorsement. I have provided a
few links to my achievement and on clicking of those links, employers can find my insights. I
have attached the recommendations and feedbacks what I got from colleagues and mentors.

8EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS
Research and identify 3 relevant questions for a job interview using the following
categories and answer them using the STAR method
a) Experience verification question
What did you like about your previous work environment?
In my previous working environment, I liked the team working. I was in a team of six
people and I was the youngest one. My team leader helped me very much and I always got
support from my teammates.
b) Opinion question
What would your friend say about you and your skills?
My friend would probably say that I am a kind of introvert as I do not talk much about
myself. I like to be composed and handle the situation with clam.
c) Behavioural question
Give an example of a goal that you reached and tell me how you achieved it.
In my previous workplace, we had an issue of marketing and our marketing team did not
perform well. The team leader gave me the responsibility to handle the marketing team and that
quarter, the organisation made a profit of 10%. I asked my team to research the market and asked
them to focus on internet marketing, email, social media and website optimisation.
Reflection on ability to apply the STAR method structure to the questions
In the experience verification question, it reflects the team working skills and supportive
nature of me. I like to work on a team where I can get the help of others. In the second question,

9EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS
it explores one side of me that is introvert side; however, introvert side of me should be curtailed
as I am an event management sector. In case of behavioural question, it explores my leadership
style and problem-solving abilities.
Skills need to develop
It has been observed that I have an issue in confidence; hence, I have to develop my
communication skills that can help me to develop my confidence level. Moreover, I have an
issue in time-management; therefore, I have to improve my time-management skills.

10EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS
Reference List
Balsells, M.À., Fuentes-Peláez, N., Mateo, M., Torralba, J.M. and Violent, V., 2017. Skills and
professional practices for the consolidation of the support group model to foster families.
European Journal of Social Work, 20(2), pp.253-264.
Berland, A. 2017. Using the Johari Window to explore patient and provider
perspectives. International Journal of Health Governance, 22(1), pp.47-51.
De Guzman, A. B., and Choi, K. O. 2013. The relations of employability skills to career
adaptability among technical school students. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 82(3), pp.199-
207.
Deeley, S.J., 2014. Summative co-assessment: A deep learning approach to enhancing
employability skills and attributes. Active Learning in Higher Education, 15(1), pp.39-51.
Fisher, D.R., Bagiati, A. and Sarma, S., 2017. Developing Professional Skills in Undergraduate
Engineering Students Through Cocurricular Involvement. Journal of Student Affairs Research
and Practice, pp.1-17.
Forsman, H. and Temel, S., 2016. From a non-innovator to a high-innovation performer:
Networking as a driver. Regional Studies, 50(7), pp.1140-1153.
Masterman, G., 2014. Strategic sports event management. Abingdon: Routledge.
O’Connor, H. and Bodicoat, M., 2017. Exploitation or opportunity? Student perceptions of
internships in enhancing employability skills. British Journal of Sociology of Education, 38(4),
pp.435-449.

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Poon, J. and Brownlow, M., 2015. Development of students’ commercial awareness within the
curriculum of professionally accredited courses: A case study of property courses. Education+
Training, 57(4), pp.405-428.

12EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS
Appendices
A: List of (Gallup) strengths
1. Discipline
2. Developer
3. Competition
4. Analytical
5. Responsibility

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B: Screenshot or copy of a current job description and specification
Copy of job description

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Person specification

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C: Current Professional CV

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D: Current LinkedIn Online profile

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E: Current Professional Development Plan
Short-term goal
Target Actions to achieve Target time frame
(within 3 months)
1. Time-management
skills
2. Leadership skills
 Set deadlines in work
 Stop doing
multitasking
 Delegate
responsibilities
 Use the downtime
 Reward yourself
 Have clear vision
 Be passionate
 Maintain positive
attitude
 Speak to leaders and
mentor
 Live accordance with
moral
01.01.2018-
01.04.2018
Midterm goals
Target Actions to achieve Target time frame
(within 6 months)

18EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS
1. Communication
skills
2. Cross-functional
expertise management
 Listen to others
carefully
 Body language
improvement
 Be specific in
communication
 Think before
speaking
 Short course on
communication skills
 Gain knowledge in
different department
 Trying to gain
knowledge in
subjective matter in
different section
Within first six
months of 2018
Long-term Goals
Target Actions to achieve Target time frame
(within 12 months)
1. Managing change
2. Financial knowledge
 Face the fears
 Confront the feelings
 Be flexible
By the end of 2018

19EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS
 Communicate the
ideas
 Be part of the change
 Take short courses on
professional finance
 Take help from
finance guy

20EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS
F: Completed STAR template for interview preparation
CW1 Star Method
Skills
Situation Tasks Actions Results Further,
Developmen
t Required
adding to
PDP
Leadership skills In my college
life, in
organising an
event, the
lead vocalist
denied
coming at the
last moment. I
took the lead
and arrange
an alternative
lead vocalist
for our
college
programme
and saved the
situation. We
I had to
contact
all the
large
bands
nearby
of my
college
and I
searched
through
the
Google
and
contacte
d all
possible
I took the
actions over
phone calls
and I used all
my networks.
I pacified the
students of
our college
and we tore
the old
posters and
printed new
ones
Lastly, I
managed to
a lead
singer to
perform in
our college
through a
charity
organisatio
n. The
programme
was
successful
all the seats
were filled.
1.
Motivation
2.
Delegating
3. Positivity
4. Creativity

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did this
within our
budget. For
the first time,
I took such
large
initiative in
organising a
programme
almost single
headedly.
persons
Team working,
collaboration and co-
operation
While
working in
my previous
workplace,
we had to
manage a
large order
within 3 days.
The
production
team of the
organisation
The
work
was
tough to
launch,
however
, I asked
all the
team
member
s to take
the
We broke
down the shift
of the team
members and
we did
overtime. I
worked in
collaboration
with fellow
team
members.
We
managed to
provide
production
within three
days. The
budget of
production
was
significantl
y low,
however,
1. Listening
skills
2. Reliability
3. Respectful
mentality

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was not great.
However, we
tried our team
working
challeng
e and we
took the
order.
we
managed.
Negotiating/
influencing
While I was
working as
the event
manager as
my
apprenticeshi
p. During that
time, and the
event was
organised for
the client,
however, last
moment one
of the
suppliers of
our
organisation
turned down
and said that
I called
up the
supplier
and
asked
the
reasons
for
turning
down,
He said
that last
time he
had been
faced
the issue
of late
payment
last
I negotiated
with the
supplier
singlehandedl
y and
managed the
situation by
asking to take
the half
payment
earlier. We
also booked
him for next
three events
to provide
him trust and
faith.
I saved the
situation as
this was a
large event
and without
the
supplies,
our events
would not
have been
possible.
1. I have to
improve
problem
analysis
skills
2. Emotional
control is
needed
3. Active
listening

23EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS
he would not
be able to
provide the
supplies of
raw materials
on time.
time.