The events industry is a lucrative and in-demand industry. Today, people who love the thrill that comes with events can experience creating events as a job and get paid for it. If event planning has always been your dream and you’re finally ready to take action, this article will help you gain the best practices and principles in creating an event planning resume that stands out.
Starting an event planner resume from scratch? Don’t worry, because this article lists everything you need to include plus some event planner resume examples you can study.
Key Sections of an Event Planner Resume
Contact Information
Provide your name, email address, location, and phone number for easy access. If you have certifications or titles, you can also add them to your name. Examples are Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP), and Certified Meeting Manager (CMM).
Professional Summary or Objective
In the event planner resume summary, provide a concise overview of your experience, skills, and career aspirations. This section should highlight your most relevant qualifications and showcase what you bring to the table as an event planner. For the objective, clearly state your career goals and how they align with the role you’re applying for, emphasizing your enthusiasm and dedication to contributing to the organization.
Skills Section
Highlight both hard and soft skills that clients look for in event planners. The ability to remain calm, budgeting skills, project management, creativity, client relations, and event technology proficiency are just some of the things you can add to your resume.
Examples of Event Planner Skills
- Event Coordination and Management
- Budget Management
- Vendor and Supplier Negotiation
- Client and Relationship Management
- Event Logistics and Operations Management
- Marketing and Promotion
- Creativity and Innovation
- Attention to Detail
- Problem-solving and Decision-making
- Time management
- Communication and Interpersonal skills
- Team leadership and Collaboration Skills
- Technical Skills
- Adaptability adn Flexibility
- Networking and Relationship Building
- Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity
- Fundraising and Sponsorship
- Corporate Event Planning
- Wedding and Social Event Planning
- Emotional Intelligence
- Negotiation Skills
- Customer Service Orientation
Work Experience
Tailor your resume to highlight the experience you have related to the job opening you are applying for. If you don’t have any experience yet, you can start with volunteer experience or internship. Use bullet points to detail specific tasks you managed, such as coordinating events, negotiating with vendors, or managing budgets, and quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact.
For example, mention if you organized corporate events for over 200 attendees, increased event attendance by a certain percentage, or managed a budget of a specific amount.
Education and Certifications
To get an event planning role, you usually do not require a degree in events management but having certifications will help you gain credibility. You can start by applying for an event planning certification or program that fits you best.
Another strong addition to your event planner resume is the industry membership you are a part of. It is a way of showcasing your commitment to professional growth and staying updated on the latest event industry trends.
Portfolio
Your event planner resume can give a link or attachment to your event planning portfolio. Including a portfolio allows potential employers or clients to see real examples of the planner’s work, such as photos of decorated venues, planning documents, event timelines, and budget breakdowns. It also demonstrates the planner’s ability to manage various aspects of event planning, from logistics and vendor coordination to design and execution.
Testimonials
Ask for testimonials from the people you’ve worked with or your previous employers. To get a compelling review, ask them specific questions that can talk about the impact of your work on them. Ask questions like in what area did the event planner exceed their expectations, comment on the responsiveness rate of the event planner during the planning process, etc.
Event Planner Resume Examples
Event planners display their resumes on different platforms like their own website, LinkedIn, social media platforms, and job boards, among others.
Event Planner Resume – Personal Website
JoveMeyer is an event planner who showcases his portfolio on his website. His website is very minimalistic with bright, clean, and attractive photos from his different events. When event planners have their website, they have the creative freedom to build their branding and message for their event planning business.
When it comes to choosing a website, we highly recommend you use WordPress for better flexibility and features.
Event Planner Resume via LinkedIn
LinkedIn as a platform has existing questions that the event planner can answer. The sections that one fills up on LinkedIn are the About section, Experience, Education, Licenses and Certifications, Skills, and Recommendations.
For every job experience, you can add details about your event planning experience. Optimize it for SEO by adding keywords that hiring managers and clients are looking for in event planners. Use action verbs and specific metrics to showcase your achievements. For example, “Coordinated a charity event for 100 attendees, raising $5,000 for a local nonprofit.”
Optimizing your profile on LinkedIn is worth the effort because of its convenient features like the “Request Service” button where potential employers can give you their project details and request for your service.
Event Planner Resume via Instagram
Event planners can also reach clients by building a brand via Instagram. Unlike LinkedIn, Instagram can be more heavy on the visuals. Reels, hashtags, and carousels are strategies that event planners use to reach new audiences and gain new clients.
Maximize the features of Instagram and view your profile as your event planning resume. Record videos to post on your stories and highlights as your event planning portfolio. Engage with other accounts similar in your industry. Collaborate a post with your clients.
Event Planner Resume via Physical Print
The traditional route is to have your event planner’s resume printed and handed to hiring agencies. Ensure your resume is free of typos and grammatical errors. Consistency in formatting and font style is crucial for a polished look. Print your resume on high-quality paper to make a strong impression.
Event Planner Resume Example Template
[Your Name]
[Street Address] | [City, State, Zip Code]
[Phone Number] | [Email Address] | [LinkedIn Profile]
Professional Summary
Recent graduate with a degree in Event Management and hands-on experience coordinating university events and internships. Strong organizational skills and a passion for creating memorable experiences. Seeking an entry-level event planner position to utilize my planning and coordination skills in a dynamic environment.
Skills
- Event Coordination
- Vendor Management
- Budget Planning
- Time Management
- Customer Service
- Social Media Promotion
- Multitasking
Education
Bachelor of Science in Event Management
[University Name], [City, State]
Graduated: [Month, Year]
Relevant Coursework: Event Planning & Production, Hospitality Management, Marketing for Events, Event Technology.
Work Experience
Event Planning Intern
[Company Name], [City, State]
[Month, Year] – [Month, Year]
- Assisted in the planning and execution of corporate and social events, including meetings, weddings, and fundraising events.
- Coordinated with vendors to secure contracts, negotiate rates, and arrange logistics.
- Helped manage event budgets and tracked expenses to ensure events were delivered within budget constraints.
- Supported on-site event execution, including setup, registration, and guest coordination.
Student Event Coordinator
[University Name], [City, State]
[Month, Year] – [Month, Year]
- Led a team of 5 students to plan and execute on-campus events for over 200 attendees.
- Developed event proposals, budgets, and marketing plans.
- Coordinated logistics, including vendor negotiations, venue setup, and event flow.
Certifications
- Certified Wedding and Event Planner (CWEP) – [Organization Name], [Year]
- First Aid and CPR Certified – [Organization Name], [Year]
Portfolio
Available upon request. Includes photos and descriptions of planned events, client testimonials, and detailed event timelines.
Testimonials
“[Your Name] consistently delivers exceptional results and is a leader in event management innovation.” – [Client Name, CEO, Company]
“An invaluable asset to our team, [Your Name] has transformed our events into unforgettable experiences.” – [Client Name, Director of Marketing, Organization]
Best Practices For Event Planner Resume
Research the job description
Understand what the role you are applying for entails and what the employees are looking for. Even if you don’t have direct experience related to the job, you can talk about the skills you have gained from a previous job experience you had.
For example, if the job description emphasizes budget management, think about a time when you successfully managed a budget in a different context, such as a previous role in retail management or as a volunteer coordinator for a non-profit organization.
When reading a job description, check if they have indicated the relevant skills they are looking for. You can also look for repeated keywords or phrases because these often indicate the most important skills for the position.
Additionally, you can also network with other industry professionals in the industries to gain insights into the expectations and skills the role entails.
Customize for Different Roles
Tailor your resume to different types of event planning roles such as corporate events, weddings, non-profit events, and large-scale events. If you’re applying for a corporate event planning position, highlight experiences where you successfully coordinated with multiple departments adhered to strict budgets, and met tight deadlines. For organizing a wedding, demonstrate your experience to plan a memorable and creative event.
Make your resume easy to read
Avoid overcomplicating your resume by adding unnecessary information. Be clear and direct about what you include in your resume. For visuals, make it clean and easy to follow by using a light background over dark text.
Optimize for Application Tracking Systems (ATS)
These systems are used by many employers to screen resumes for specific keywords and phrases before they even reach a human recruiter. To ensure your resume gets through the ATS, include relevant keywords that align with the job description, such as “event coordination,” “vendor management,” “budget planning,” and “client relations.” Additionally, use a simple, clean layout without complex formatting or graphics that might confuse the ATS.
Use action verbs and quantifiable tips
Consistently use action verbs to demonstrate your accomplishments. Examples are “negotiated with 10 vendors and reduced cost by 10% from discounts”, “Implemented a marketing campaign that resulted in a 10% increase in attendance versus previous year”, etc.
Display Attractive Visuals
If your resume is hosted on your own website, you have the creative freedom to reflect a vibe and mood on your website. Use bright and clear photos to showcase your events. Add photos of the crowd and other event details like decor, venue, and giveaways.
Cover Letter Tips
Start strong
Your client or employer will be reading a stack of these event planner resumes and cover letters. To stand out, you have to make a good first impression on them even just from reading the first paragraph. Talk about your track record of running successful events and how your relevant skills can be what they are looking for.
Focus on the future
An article from Harvard Business Review discusses how the event planner’s resume talks about an event planner’s experience while the cover letter talks about the future and what they can contribute to the client/ company.
Keep it short
Focus on the most important information and try to keep your cover letter under one page. Experts say that the rule is 3 paragraphs max, 5-7 sentences each.
Show a positive attitude
Try to communicate your enthusiasm and energy in the way you write your cover letter. Use upbeat language and a confident tone to demonstrate that you are eager to bring your energy, creativity, and proactive mindset to the team.
Customize your cover letter
Avoid submitting a generic cover letter to all potential employers. Instead, research the specific needs and values of the company you are applying to, and tailor your letter to address those requirements. Demonstrating that you’ve done your homework can leave a strong first impression and show that you are genuinely interested and serious about the job.
Choose an Event Registration That Event Planners Trust
Event registration will always be a part of an event planner’s job. Whatever the type of event, event registration is a process that will make an impression on the attendees. Event planners have been using Event Smart for their event website.
Unlike other ticketing systems, Event Smart does not charge any commission fees for an unlimited number of events. It’s just a simple flat fee that gives you the ability to customize your event registration forms, accept payments, etc.
Check out our 14-day free trial now as you start your event planning.
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