The structure of your event manager resume will vary depending on the resume format you choose.
There are three types of
resume formats: chronological, functional and combination. Chronological resumes focus on employment history, functional showcases skills and combination emphasizes both experience and skills. Regardless of the type of
resume format you choose, your resume will have similar sections that highlight your professional experience, skills, education and certifications.
Header
The resume header section is a very important part of your resume and is typically the first thing a hiring manager will see. This section is made up of your contact details such as name, phone number, and email address. If you have previous industry experience, you can also supply links to networking sites like LinkedIn. If you have an events planning website, you can also showcase any links to testimonials or portfolios here. The contact details you supply are critical as this gives the recruiter or hiring manager the chance to contact you with updates about your application.
Resume summary or objective
The resume summary or objective is a brief statement that sums up your entire resume. This section primarily introduces you, your expertise and why you feel that you’re the ideal candidate for the role. To make this section effective, list some of your biggest achievements in events coordination or management to impress the hiring manager.
You might also wish to include any information that can make your resume stand out. This might be any notable certifications, relevant experience, or educational achievements that can help you fulfill the role’s primary job description. Perhaps you specialize as a wedding planner or large-scale trade shows? Whatever it is, consider incorporating this information as this can help you construct the perfect resume.
Skills
Your skills section may be one of the most dominant sections of your resume, depending on which format you choose. Your skills section should contain both hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills refer to industry-specific skills that are usually a hiring manager’s minimum expectation of candidates. Soft skills are a mixture of intangible and personal qualities that show how you approach work. Consider these skills:
- Detail-oriented
- Problem-solving
- Budget management
- Wedding planning
- Trade show planning
- Corporate and social events
- Client liaison
- Provider liaison
- Customer satisfaction
- Multitasking
- Time management
- Customer evaluations
- Client-first approach
- Communication skills
- Networking
- Special events requiring out of the ordinary accommodations
- Interpersonal skills
Work experience
The work experience section is essentially a record of your experience in events-related jobs. This includes brief explanations of your primary responsibilities and key accomplishments in your event planning experience. If you have previous experience in industries and roles such as project management or experience in applying or organizing any type of event, you can also include short explanations of your primary duties.
Typically, you should list your work experience in reverse chronological order. This format refers to starting with the most recent example of work and then going backward from that job title. This means candidates can provide hiring managers with the most recent information and demonstrate how up to date their industry knowledge or training is.
Education
Including an education section is very important to a functional resume, especially if the hiring manager or job advertisement specifically states that candidates require a type of qualification. Many job seekers looking for a career in events management may require a bachelor’s degree in business, PR, marketing and hospitality to prepare them with the necessary industry knowledge for the role. Therefore, it’s important to add this information as it may significantly increase your chances of securing an interview.