How to Get a Job as an Event Planner in 2021
Ready to get the party started? You’ve got your day planned in your color-coded agenda and you’re all about organization. Your time management skills are second to none and you’re as tech savvy as they come. If you’re a bit of a perfectionist who loves planning get-togethers for your friends and family, consider becoming an event planner! In order to succeed in the industry, you need to have high attention to detail and be an amazing communicator. Download JobFlare today and prove to employers that you’ve got the skills it takes to succeed!
To be a successful event planner, your passion for organizing parties needs to be as never-ending as your Pinterest board. Event planners are in charge of orchestrating events for their clients. No two days are quite the same in the life of an event planner. Scoping out venues, creating pricing proposals, coordinating with vendors and caterers, emailing and meeting clients, nailing down the nitty-gritty details – all in a day’s work for an event planner! Most event professionals have great networking skills that will allow them to build and maintain relationships with clients, vendors, and partners alike.
While some event planners may do a little bit of everything, many of them choose to specialize. Wedding planning, product launches, corporate meetings, business conventions, personal parties, and even cruise ship entertainment are just a few of your options. Choose what interests you most!
Regardless of what industry you decide to work in, event planning is an exciting career choice. Nothing feels better than seamlessly pulling off the perfect party after weeks of planning. Working as an event planner opens the door to owning your own business or becoming a senior event manager down the line. It’s up to you!
Event Planner
US Median Salary
$48,290/year or $23.22/hour
Education Requirements
Bachelor’s Degree in event management, business, communications, or hospitality
You'd be great for this position if...
– You’re creative
– You stay calm under pressure
– You’re super organized
– You’re enthusiastic
– You’re reliable
– You’re a people person
You'd be great for this position if...
– You’re creative
– You stay calm under pressure
– You’re super organized
– You’re enthusiastic
– You’re reliable
– You’re a people person
Resume Tips for Event Planners
To have a successful career as an event planner, there are certain skills that hiring managers know to look for. Take inventory of these important qualities and emphasize them in your resume:
- High attention to detail
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Comfortable directing others and delegating
- Good with computers and technology
- Incredible time management
- Great problem solving skills
- Active listening skills
- Clear communication
If you don’t have much on-the-job experience, include things like…
- Involvement in organizing small events within your community, including volunteering ventures or clubs you’re involved in
- Prior experience working in customer service or the retail industry
- Any experience with managing vendor relationships
- Any additional strengths, like negotiation tactics, social media marketing skills, or being multilingual
If you’re still feeling stuck on what skills to list in your resume, check the job description! Hiring managers list the key qualities they’re looking for, so you can score serious points for including them.
Interview Pointers for Event Planners
Prior to your interview, be sure to think of examples of personal experience applicable to the role:
- Explain how you let your creativity shine when you’re planning an event.
- Describe a time when you had to handle an unexpected issue. What did you do to resolve the problem?
- Talk about your experience with a difficult client or customer. How did you proceed?
- Explain your thought process on prioritizing tasks and organizing your day.
- Discuss how you maintain composure, even when things start going sideways.
Be prepared to answer questions like:
- How do you assess the success of an event?
- What are your favorite touches to improve an event on a tight budget?
- What do you do to ensure you stay at or under budget?
Trouble finding Event Planner jobs to apply for? Try searching for these jobs as well!
Event Coordinator • Convention Planner • Event Manager • Meeting Coordinator
Famous Former Event Planners
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