It’s a harsh reality: No matter how skilled in event management you are, you won’t get your dream job if your resume doesn’t stand out. But when so much of your event planning work has to be experienced to be understood, how can you prove your prowess in writing?
The key is to make the typical elements of an effective resume work to reflect your skills. Here’s a checklist of the essential elements that should be on your event manager resume so you can stand out from other applicants.
Start with a stunning summary section
If you still have an “objective” on your resume, get rid of it and replace it with a summary. Employers want to get a quick rundown of who you are, what you’ve accomplished, and what you can bring to the table.
Include information that is relevant to the job you’re seeking, and share specific results that you were able to achieve. For an event planner or event manager, one line of your summary might be something like, “Planned and executed 15 premium-quality functions with budgets ranging from $10,000 to $100,000.”
Highlight your event planning accomplishments, not a list of duties
Format-wise, you want to list your positions in reverse chronological order. Include the employer, the job title, and the dates worked, followed by your key accomplishments. Yes, accomplishments — not your responsibilities.
The idea is to be specific and results-focused. So something like “Partnered with local vendors to reduce the cost of events by 35%” is much better than “Partnered with local vendors.” Likewise, “achieved a 98% attendee satisfaction rating” is more impactful than “addressed attendee concerns.”
Don’t have results to show? If you’re an entry-level event planner, you can still include experience gained during internships or if you volunteered to help coordinate an event. For career changers, focus on your most transferable skills, such as your ability to manage others, your work with vendors, and times that you managed a detailed project.
Keep the education section short and sweet
The education section of your resume should be brief, listing the school, the degree, and the year attained. It can be followed up with a bullet point or two if you have something compelling to add such as relevant coursework, or if you had a leadership position in an organization and planned their events.
Although a bachelor’s degree is not necessarily required to become an event manager or event planner, in a competitive space, it is strongly recommended.
While many who go into event management or event planning careers may have degrees in areas like hospitality management or marketing, it’s not a deal breaker if you studied something else. Your job experience is what usually carries the most weight.
Include relevant event management certifications
A popular way to differentiate your event management resume is by earning a certification that’s related to the position you’re seeking. In the case of event planner or event manager, some certifications to consider include:
- Certified meeting professionals
- Certified special events professional
- An event sponsorship certification
- Certified professional in catering and events
- An event marketing certification
Earning a certification lets a prospective employer know that you are committed to keeping your skills fresh and that you possess strong industry knowledge.
Add your most sought-after event management skills
Lastly, many people like to add a skills section to their resumes. You can do this if you have a very specific skill set — avoid obvious ones like “Microsoft Word.” Do include if you have a proficiency in a particular event registration software or social media ad management platform.
When creating an event planner resume or an event manager resume, don’t forget to make it engaging, and make a case as to why you’re the best person for the specific job you’re applying for.
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