Event Planner Resume Tips and Examples

Diane Caimares

Resume Writer, Career Coach, and Business Owner

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A resume is important as it reflects the skills and qualifications of a candidate. In this article, we’ll discuss the duties of an Event Planner and how to construct a sound Event Planner resume.

What Does an Event Planner Do?

Generally speaking, event planners are the masterminds behind all social and professional events. This includes weddings, educational conferences, business conventions, parties/celebrations, concerts, and much more. They have a hand in the event’s budget, logistics, safety regulations, staffing, and more. Additionally, they oversee the coordination of the event with other vendors and third-party organizers or entertainers. So, I guess you can say they coordinate every detail of these events.

Now that you know what an event planner generally does, it’s time to talk about how you should show that in your resume. When creating a resume for this position, it is important to first create a template. Then, you should get into the nitty gritty of it. Tailor the skills and job description to the position, company, and industry. This is so that you can really reflect your aptitude for specific skills and tasks that are being requested. Also, here are three other reasons why you should make note of the specific skills and tasks being requested.

• The job market is always changing
• A good tailored Event Planner resume can help you stand out from other candidates
• Convincing the employer that you fit the job description perfectly increases your chances of being shortlisted

The Process of Creating an Event Planner Resume Template

As mentioned before, your Event Planner resume should be on point and well-organized. To do this, you should, first, develop a template with the focus being on formatting. A poorly formatted resume is difficult to read, and rarely makes it past ATS.

First, you need to decide what format your resume will take on. There are functional resumes and combination resumes. On one hand, the functional resume is typically used if you have the skills, but lack extensive work experience. On the other hand, a combination resume is used if you have the skills AND the work experience to stand out. This format is usually written in reverse-chronological order – listing your most recent experience first.

Once you have chosen the format of your resume, you should focus on two things. One being the fine details of formatting, and the other being the sections that form a quality resume.

Filling in the Resume Template

Once you have a nice-looking template, then it is time to fill it in. As you go about filling it in, keep these key things in mind.

Your Resume Summary is Your First Impression

Yes, that summary at the top of your resume will determine whether the hiring manager will read on or toss it. So you should aim to strategically pack your skills, achievements, and career objectives into a 3-5 sentence introduction. This information should be informative and enticing enough for the hiring manager to think that you have a shot at being successful in the role you are applying for. Therefore, the information you put in it should reflect a little bit of what the company needs.

For example, say the company needs someone to manage planning 5+ events at any given time. Then your resume summary should mention how you planned and coordinated 5-8 events every month, while prepping for next month’s events.

Here is a quality Event Planning Resume summary example from Novoresume:

Experienced event planner with over five years experience in planning successful events whilst working for a fast-paced agency. Skills include venue selection, budget management, catering management, and event coordination. Managed 23 events, each with over 250 attendees and budgets of over $30,000. Seeking to leverage my skills and expertise in the role of event planner at XYZ Events.

Use Measurable, Quantifiable Results

When you write your professional skills section, it is important to remember that measurable achievements will make you stand out. Anyone can create a resume that just purely states their day-to-day tasks. It takes someone who has had an impact in the previous position to write about positive results you saw from doing your job well. Additionally, to make your professional experience section stand out, you should:

• Try to keep descriptions short, concise, and organized on your Event Planning resume. Be sure the format is consistent throughout each previous job listing.
• Create at least three to five bullets to describe your Event Planning skills resume and experience.
• Use keywords from the job description
• If you are writing duties for a past position, use past tense words for those positions.

Measurable, Quantifiable Results Based on Job Descriptions

Job Description #1 from Country Club:

Prefer a minimum of two (2) years experience
Proven track record of supporting the marketing/prospecting programs to drive event revenues
Proven ability in communication and a collaborative work environment
Creative, energetic outgoing personality with organizational skills and attention to detail
Sales experience preferably in catering and private event functions
Must have practical knowledge of food preparation and social customs of etiquette, especially in regards to private events
Knowledgeable of all proper methods of food and beverage service, systems, controls and costs
Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite

Keywords and phrases to identify are bolded in the job description above. Your job is to show that you have proficiency, experience, and/or the aptitude to be successful doing these things.

Therefore, an example of some previous work experience you can have is:

Event Manager
Salesforce
2005-2010

Collaborated with marketing teams to devise a process that drove ticket sales to a 35% higher
Managed food and beverage budgets by creating relationships with local caterers and negotiating prices
Headed a certification course for all new employees on the importance and practices of American and European dinner etiquette   
Juggled 6-8 private events every month while collaborating and managing 5 different teams

Event Planner Has Tons of Umbrella Terms

One thing to keep in mind is that the experience section can often have many different job titles. Despite the fact that the job titles are different, that doesn’t mean that they are not related to job title you are applying to for. The most important thing is not the actual job title. It is the day-to-day tasks and skills associated with that job title. If those match the position you are applying for, then you should include them in your resume.

Here are some common umbrella terms for Event Planner:

• Meeting Planner
• Conference Coordinator
• Site Coordinator
• Catering Associate
• Wedding Planner

Pay Attention to Education Requirements

Often, companies require event planners to have a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Communications, Marketing, Hospitality, Public Relations or something in a similar field. While those are typical education requirements, you can land an Event Planner position without a degree. Because there are currently many open positions in the job market and not enough workers to fill them, some industries are focusing on transferable skills over education. So you will need to show that you have some previous related work experience, or at least the skills to be successful in an entry-level position.

Know What Skills will Make You Stand Out

After reading the paragraph above, you may be wondering what skills, exactly, will you need to prove your proficiency. While it may seem like a difficult question to answer, it’s actually quite simple. Look at the job description. Here you will find the skills, certifications, or education requirements, which gives you something to focus on when writing your resume.

The most important thing is to be sure you do some honest introspection. If you do not have the skills that are being required, do not put them in your resume. Find opportunities to volunteer, intern, or get certified to build your repertoire.

Common basic skills that you will see most often are:

7 Best Practices When Writing Your Own Event Planner Resume

In addition to the tips listed above, there are also a few more tips to help build an event planning resume to increase your chances of being seen or, even better, get an interview or the job!

1. Research the Market – Event planners are needed in tons of different industries. Consequently skills, experience, and requirements can vary.
2. Use action verbs – Be sure to make your professional experience section exciting and captivating by using interesting action verbs.
3. Show that you can address the employer’s specific needs – Include all the required information such as education, certifications, licenses, work history, and more.
4. Don’t forget your contact information – Be sure to include your contact info at the top of your events planner resume for easy access on any job search site listing that might consist of it.
5. Don’t forget your cover letter – Attach a well-organized Event Planner cover letter that coordinates with your Event Planner resume, which will increase your chances.
6. Add languages, awards, honors, publications – Be sure to brag on yourself just a little bit. Adding additional languages helps back up your proficiency in communication. Also, if you have awards, honors, or publications related to event planning, it can support your expertise.
7. Use keywords – Make sure your resume stands out in the face of the ATS

Event Planning Resume Example

Jobs By State

The job outlook for Event Planners is expected to grow 18% from 2020-2030. This is faster than the average growth of most jobs. So now that you’ve gotten some valuable tips on wrapping up a sound Event Planning resume. Check out the top 5 states for the best paying Event Planning jobs.

• New York
• New Jersey
• District of Columbia (D.C.)
• Rhode Island
• Washington