Crafting a CV that effectively showcases your diverse experience in event planning can be a daunting task. Our guide offers practical tips and industry-specific examples to help you highlight your skills and achievements in a compelling manner.
- Applying the simplest CV design, so that recruiters can easily understand your expertise, skills, and professional background;
- Ensuring you stand out with your header, summary or objective statement, and a designated skills section;
- Creating your CV experience section - no matter how much expertise you have;
- Using real life professional CV examples to enhance the structure and outline of your profile.
If you still have no muse to write your professional CV, find some more industry-leading examples.
How complex should the format of your event planner CV be?
Perhaps, you decided to use a fancy font and plenty of colours to ensure your event planner CV stands out amongst the pile of other candidate profiles. Alas - this may confuse recruiters. By keeping your format simple and organising your information coherently, you'll ultimately make a better impression. What matters most is your experience, while your CV format should act as complementary thing by:- Presenting the information in a reverse chronological order with the most recent of your jobs first. This is done so that your career history stays organised and is aligned to the role;
- Making it easy for recruiters to get in touch with you by including your contact details in the CV header. Regarding the design of your CV header, include plenty of white space and icons to draw attention to your information. If you're applying for roles in the UK, don't include a photo, as this is considered a bad practice;
- Organising your most important CV sections with consistent colours, plenty of white space, and appropriate margins (2.54 cm). Remember that your CV design should always aim at legibility and to spotlight your key information;
- Writing no more than two pages of your relevant experience. For candidates who are just starting out in the field, we recommend to have an one-page CV.
One more thing about your CV format - you may be worried if your double column CV is Applicant Tracker System (ATS) complaint. In our recent study, we discovered that both single and double-column CVs are ATS-friendly . Most ATSes out there can also read all serif and sans serif fonts. We suggest you go with modern, yet simple, fonts (e.g. Rubik, Lato, Raleway) instead of the classic Times New Roman. You'll want your application to stand out, and many candidates still go for the classics. Finally, you'll have to export your CV. If you're wondering if you should select Doc or PDF, we always advise going with PDF. Your CV in PDF will stay intact and opens easily on every OS, including Mac OS.
PRO TIP
Use bold or italics sparingly to draw attention to key points, such as job titles, company names, or significant achievements. Overusing these formatting options can dilute their impact.
The top sections on a event planner CV
- Event Planning Experience to showcase relevant work history and expertise.
- Key Event Projects detail significant events organised and results achieved.
- Skills in Event Management highlight specific abilities in organising and executing events.
- Client Testimonials provide real-world endorsements of work quality and impact.
- Education & Certifications underscore formal training and industry-related qualifications.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight your exceptional organisational skills by detailing complex events you've successfully coordinated, showcasing your ability to multitask and handle logistics under pressure.
- Emphasise your communication prowess by mentioning instances where you've effectively liaised with clients, vendors, and team members to deliver seamless events.
- Showcase your creativity by including a portfolio link or images of past events, illustrating your eye for design and ability to create memorable experiences tailored to diverse client needs.
- Demonstrate your adaptability and problem-solving skills by sharing specific examples of challenges you've overcome in planning and executing events, such as tight deadlines or budget constraints.
- Include metrics to quantify your achievements, such as the number of attendees at events you've planned or the percentage by which you've increased client satisfaction or event revenue year-on-year.
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What information should you include in your event planner CV header?
The CV header is potentially the section that recruiters would refer to the most, as it should include your:
- Contact details - your professional (non-work) email address and phone number;
- Professional photograph - if you're applying hinting at the value you bring as a professional.
Many professionals often struggle with writing their event planner CV headline. That's why in the next section of this guide, we've curated examples of how you can optimise this space to pass any form of assessment.
Examples of good CV headlines for event planner:
- Event Coordinator | Specialist in Corporate Functions | Prince2 Certified | 3 Years of Dynamic Experience
- Senior Event Manager | Expert in Weddings & Galas | CMP Designation | Over 10 Years Leading Events
- Events Specialist | Focused on Music & Festivals | Bachelor's in Event Management | 5+ Years Industry Insight
- Lead Event Planner | Conferences & Trade Shows Aficionado | MPI Member | 7 Years Organisational Excellence
- Junior Event Organiser | Charity Fundraisers Enthusiast | Currently Studying for a Diploma in Event Planning
- Professional Events Director | Mastery in International Conventions | CSEP Certified | 15 Years of Global Expertise
Your event planner CV introduction: selecting between a summary and an objective
event planner candidates often wonder how to start writing their resumes. More specifically, how exactly can they use their opening statements to build a connection with recruiters, showcase their relevant skills, and spotlight job alignment. A tricky situation, we know. When crafting you event planner CV select between:
- A summary - to show an overview of your career so far, including your most significant achievements.
- An objective - to show a conscise overview of your career dreams and aspirations.
Find out more examples and ultimately, decide which type of opening statement will fit your profile in the next section of our guide:
CV summaries for a event planner job:
- Dynamic event planner with over 7 years of experience crafting high-impact corporate events, orchestrating logistics, and leading cross-functional teams to exceed client expectations. Expert in budget management and event technology with a history of doubling attendee engagement for a flagship annual conference.
- Meticulous professional with a decade’s tenure in hospitality management, pivotally moving into event planning to leverage exceptional organisational skills and a passion for creating memorable experiences. Known for successfully launching a hotel’s events department, increasing event bookings by 40% within the first year.
- Highly qualified marketing manager transitioning to event planning around London, bringing a broad experience of 8 years in campaign management and audience engagement. Combining creative vision with strategic planning to produce successful product launch events, resulting in a 20% boost in market penetration.
- Dedicated professional with a strong background in customer service and a recent graduate in Event Management, eager to apply theoretical knowledge and keen eye for detail in implementing innovative event solutions. Enthusiastic about creating events that resonate and leave lasting impressions.
- Aspiring event planner with a fervent interest in community organising, seeking to apply boundless energy and recent certification in Event Planning to create transformative social and cultural gatherings that align with contemporary societal trends and local interests.
The best formula for your event planner CV experience section
The CV experience section is the space where many candidates go wrong by merely listing their work history and duties. Don't do that. Instead, use the job description to better understand what matters most for the role and integrate these keywords across your CV. Thus, you should focus on:
- showcasing your accomplishments to hint that you're results-oriented;
- highlighting your skill set by integrating job keywords, technologies, and transferrable skills in your experience bullets;
- listing your roles in reverse chronological order, starting with the latest and most senior, to hint at how you have grown your career;
- featuring metrics, in the form of percentage, numbers, etc. to make your success more tangible.
When writing each experience bullet, start with a strong, actionable verb, then follow it up with a skill, accomplishment, or metric. Use these professional examples to perfect your CV experience section:
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Expertly managed over 50+ successful corporate, private, and non-profit events, ranging from intimate gatherings to large-scale conferences with meticulous attention to budget and client requirements.
- Skilfully negotiated with vendors, securing high-quality services and materials while reducing event costs by up to 20% through effective cost-saving strategies and strong supplier relationships.
- Implemented innovative event designs and themes that increased attendee engagement by 30%, utilising cutting-edge technology and personalised touches that enhanced the overall event experience.
- Cultivated a reliable network of industry contacts including venues, caterers, and entertainers, ensuring access to premium resources and services for diverse event needs.
- Developed and coordinated detailed event schedules and timelines, ensuring seamless flow and execution of all event components from inception to completion.
- Conducted thorough post-event evaluation through surveys and feedback mechanisms, achieving an average client satisfaction rate of 95%, and applying insights for continuous improvement.
- Led cross-functional teams with effective communication and leadership skills, fostering a collaborative environment that met tight deadlines and exceeded client expectations.
- Utilised advanced problem-solving abilities to swiftly handle unforeseen issues during events, minimising disruption and maintaining a high standard of professionalism.
- Implemented sustainable event practices that reduced waste by 25%, aligning with eco-friendly initiatives and positively contributing to corporate social responsibility commitments.
- Led a team of 10 to plan and execute over 30 successful corporate events for a tech start-up, doubling the firm's industry engagement.
- Negotiated with 50+ vendors to secure the best prices for services, slashing event costs by 20% while maintaining premium quality standards.
- Implemented a digital event management platform, improving attendee experience and boosting event attendance by 35%.
- Managed logistics for international trade shows, orchestrating travel and accommodation for 500+ participants, enhancing brand visibility globally.
- Designed and deployed engaging marketing material for events leading to a 40% increase in lead generation for the sales team.
- Collaborated with C-level executives to align event strategies with the company's growth objectives, resulting in a 15% increase in annual revenue.
- Spearheaded the transition to virtual events during the pandemic, attracting an average of 3,000 virtual attendees per event, surpassing previous in-person attendance records.
- Coordinated seamless online weddings and social celebrations through innovative platforms, resulting in peak client satisfaction and a 25% increase in referrals.
- Curated bespoke event experiences tailored to high-profile clientele, consistently receiving accolades for attention to detail and personalised service.
- Organised exclusive product launches and press events for luxury brands, elevating the company's profile within the high-end consumer market.
- Developed strategic partnerships with influencers and media outlets to increase event exposure and audience reach by over 200%.
- Masterfully managed event budgets up to £500,000, delivering all events within financial constraints without compromising on deliverables.
- Created and executed 50+ successful charity fundraisers, engaging with diverse community groups and surpassing fundraising targets by 60%.
- Implemented cost-saving initiatives for event production, retaining high-quality standards while reducing overhead by 30%.
- Pioneered an innovative approach to guest engagement through social media campaigns, increasing event attendance by over 50%.
- Designed and executed interactive and immersive experiences for a range of tech conferences, contributing to a 75% growth in online engagement.
- Managed a cross-functional team across five different time zones, facilitating virtual event coordination and delivering projects on schedule.
- Analysed attendee data to tailor future events, increasing repeat attendance rates by 40% and sponsor satisfaction scores by 30%.
- Oversaw the development and delivery of large-scale music festivals, consistently exceeding audience capacity goals with an average attendance of over 10,000 per event.
- Implemented robust risk management plans, ensuring a 100% safety record across all events and enhancing brand trust within the entertainment industry.
- Fostered strong relationships with local authorities and community leaders to streamline event approval processes and enhance public support.
- Led creative event concepts for automotive expos, directly contributing to a 60% increase in participant engagement and a 50% rise in event-driven sales.
- Orchestrated a team of 25 event professionals to deliver exceptional experiences in over 15 countries, solidifying the company's position in the global market.
- Negotiated with key industry players to sponsor events, securing an average of £250,000 in sponsorship funding per expo.
Swapping your professional experience (when you have none) with skills and more
Never underestimate the importance of relevancе when it comes to your event planner CV. Even if you don't happen to have much or any standard (full-time contract) professional experience, this doesn't mean you shouldn't apply for the role. Instead of a bespoke CV experience section:
- Showcase more prominently any internships, part-time roles, and volunteer experience that are applicable to the role and have taught you job-crucial skills;
- Feature a strengths or achievements section with your transferrable skills or talents you've obtained thanks to your work or life experience;
- Write an objective statement that clearly outlines your values as a candidate and defines your career ambitions;
- List your education or certificates that match the job profile closer to the top of your CV.
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PRO TIP
Include examples of how you adapted to new tools, environments, or work cultures, showing your flexibility.
Hard skills and soft skills to showcase your unique skill set on your event planner CV
Did you know that your CV will mostly likely be assessed by recruiters based on skill alignment? And that means that the way you feature your key skills across different CV sections will play a crucial role in landing you that first interview. We recommend you add your:
- technical capabilities or hard skills in your CV experience, certificates, projects, etc. Use your past accomplishments to prove your technical capabilities. List up to a dozen different software or hardware in your dedicated skills section to match the job keywords;
- personal and communication skills or soft skills in your CV strengths, achievements, summary/ objective, etc. Soft skills are a bit more difficult to prove. How do you define your aptitude in active listening? So, instead of just listing the skill name, include a tangible metric to show your success.
On a final note, when you're in a hurry to create your profile, you may misspell a particular technology or soft skill. That's why we suggest you copy and paste the particular skill name (or keyword), directly from the job advert. This would also help you to pass any initial Applicant Tracker System (ATS) tests.
Top skills for your event planner CV:
Event Design and Styling
Budget Management
Vendor Relations
Contract Negotiation
Logistics Coordination
Event Marketing
Risk Management
Event Technology Utilisation
Project Management
Catering Management
Communication
Organisation
Time Management
Creativity
Problem-Solving
Attention to Detail
Adaptability
Teamwork
Customer Service
Leadership
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Use mini case studies or success stories in your CV to demonstrate how your skills have positively impacted previous roles or projects.
CV education and certificates: your academic background as proof of your skill set
A common misconception about your event planner CV education is that you only need it, if you have less professional experience. That is completely false. The CV education section serves to back up your technical (and sometimes personal) capabilities, fill in gaps in your work history, and show you have the initial industry background and know-how. When creating your education section:
- List your degrees in the reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent (and relevant) ones first;
- Include your degree and university names, start and graduation dates. It's optional to also denote you received a "First-Class Honours" for diplomas that are more relevant to the role;
- Curate your relevant university coursework, projects, or thesis work if you happen to have less professional expertise and need to integrate more job keywords and skills.
Your professional qualifications don't need to stop at your academic background. It's advisable to also select up to three of your most noteworthy (and relevant) industry certificates and feature them in a dedicated section. Once more, include the certificate name, the institution that issued it out, and the date you obtained it on. You could feature both hard skills and soft skills certificates, as in the examples below:
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Focus on describing skills in the context of the outcomes they’ve helped you achieve, linking them directly to tangible results or successes in your career.
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Key takeaways
Your successful job application depends on how you well you have aligned your event planner CV to the job description and portrayed your best skills and traits. Make sure to:
- Select your CV format, so that it ensures your experience is easy to read and understand;
- Include your professional contact details and a link to your portfolio, so that recruiters can easily get in touch with you and preview your work;
- Write a CV summary if you happen to have more relevant professional experience. Meanwhile, use the objective to showcase your career dreams and ambitions;
- In your CV experience section bullets, back up your individual skills and responsibilities with tangible achievements;
- Have a healthy balance between hard and soft skills to answer the job requirements and hint at your unique professional value.
