Equipment Hire

Equipment hire staff work directly with customers, answering queries, giving information about products.

They must keep up to date with their organisation's hire policies and standards to ensure the correct information is communicated to customers.

Hire staff are expected to know their industry well so that they can give information to customers and make suggestions.

The job can also involve servicing equipment and some hire firms send out staff with equipment to work on site as a technical assistants or operators, so technical knowledge is often required.

Depending on the employer, duties can include: dealing with customers in person, by telephone or email, or through a combination of these; handling payments/deposits from customers; familiarisation with the latest equipment;

Other duties include: talking to customers about their needs; liaising with suppliers and manufacturers about their products; completing paperwork; and offering after-hire service. A knowledge of the equipment available and its uses is essential.

Starting salaries are around £15,000 to £18,000 a year.

With experience this can rise to between £20,000 and £40,000.

You may not need qualifications to work in equipment hire but employers may expect you to have a degree or BTEC HND.

This should ideally be in a business based subject such as: buying and merchandising; marketing; retail management; business and management.

Some employers may consider you with other qualifications, such as engineering, IT, broadcast operations or if you can demonstrate familiarity with equipment.

Whatever your qualifications, you should ideally have some experience of working in merchandise and be able to show good business skills, an understanding of the relevant industry and the right personal qualities.