How should I describe a typical shift in a AV Technician job ad?

Describe a typical AV Technician shift by walking through the three distinct phases that define event-based technical work. The shift begins with pre-event preparation: arriving early to position projectors, deploy microphone systems, configure video conferencing platforms like Zoom or Teams, set up audio, and run complete system tests before any client enters the room. The middle phase is live event operation, where the technician monitors systems, manages presentation transitions, responds to client requests, and troubleshoots any issues in real time while 200 executives wait. The shift ends with post-event breakdown, equipment return to storage, and preparation for the next event. Be honest about timing: setup for a complex conference might require a 6am start, and a late-running evening event could push the finish well past the scheduled end time.

Common misunderstanding: AV Technician shifts follow a predictable routine similar to standard hospitality roles.

AV shifts are fundamentally event-driven, which means every day has a different rhythm. A Monday with three back-to-back boardroom presentations is entirely different from a Friday with a single all-day corporate conference using multi-screen video and live sound. Describing this variability honestly helps candidates understand the dynamic nature of the role.

Common misunderstanding: The setup phase is the most important part of the shift to describe because it represents the bulk of the work.

While setup is significant, the live operation phase is what distinguishes AV technicians from general setup staff. Describing the troubleshooting element, the client interaction during events, and the pressure of solving problems in front of an audience gives candidates the most accurate picture of what the role actually demands on a daily basis.

What level of detail about daily routine should I include in a AV Technician job ad?

Include enough detail for candidates to visualise their working day without turning the ad into a minute-by-minute schedule. Cover the typical number of events supported per day and their variety, from simple video conferencing setups to complex multi-screen productions with full audio. Describe the balance between planned setup work and reactive troubleshooting, because this ratio varies significantly between venues and shapes the daily experience. Include the maintenance and administrative tasks that fill gaps between events, such as equipment checks, firmware updates, inventory management, and technical documentation. Mention client interaction frequency and nature, as some venues require technicians to liaise directly with external event organisers while others handle this through an events team. If the role involves on-call elements or last-minute event support, describe how often this happens realistically.

Common misunderstanding: AV Technician job ads should focus exclusively on the technical tasks and omit the administrative and client-facing elements.

Administrative and client-facing work can represent a substantial portion of the role. A technician who discovers they spend half their time managing equipment inventories and fielding client queries rather than operating systems during events may feel misled. Including these elements prevents disappointment and attracts candidates who are comfortable with the full scope of the position.

Common misunderstanding: Describing a quiet day gives candidates the most appealing picture of the role.

Describing only quiet days sets false expectations. Candidates need to understand what a busy day looks like, including back-to-back events, tight turnaround times, and the occasional equipment failure that must be resolved while the next client is already arriving. Presenting the busiest realistic scenario alongside normal days gives an honest and complete picture.

How do I give a realistic shift preview for a AV Technician without overwhelming candidates?

Focus on one representative day rather than attempting to catalogue every possible scenario. Walk through a morning-to-evening flow covering one or two typical events: the early arrival, equipment staging, system configuration and testing, client briefing, live event support with a moment of troubleshooting, breakdown, and reset. Weave in the client interaction naturally, such as explaining video conferencing setup to a presenter who has never used your system. Mention one realistic curveball, like a laptop that will not connect to the projector five minutes before a presentation starts, and describe how the technician would handle it. This gives candidates enough texture to self-assess without creating the impression that every shift is a crisis. Keep the preview to a few sentences covering each phase rather than a granular task list, and let the interview process fill in the operational specifics.

Common misunderstanding: A realistic shift preview will put off good candidates by making the role sound stressful.

Good AV technicians are attracted to roles that acknowledge the reality of technical event support. They already know that equipment fails, clients panic, and schedules overrun. A preview that includes these realities signals an employer who understands the role. Candidates who are deterred by honest descriptions of event pressure would struggle in the actual role.

Common misunderstanding: Shift previews should describe the ideal day where everything works perfectly to present the role in its best light.

An idealised description sets expectations that reality will immediately contradict. When a new technician's first week includes a projector failure during a CEO presentation and a video conferencing system that drops mid-board meeting, they will feel the ad misrepresented the role. Honest previews build trust and attract technicians who thrive under real-world conditions.