How to Make a Resume: Step-by-Step Writing Guide for 2023
How to write a resume that will get you the job you're looking for? This step-by-step guide will show you the best resume examples, and you can write a resume in a few easy steps.
Ready to write an event planner resume?
Figuring out the best venues and vendors. Managing the finances and logistics. Being yelled at in front of everyone while maintaining a sincere smile.
It's your dream gig.
You’re confident you can plan and execute an event once you get the job, but how do you prove it to them?
Don’t worry.
This event planner resume guide will show you:
- Event planner resume examples better than 9 out of 10 other resumes.
- How to write an event planner resume that will land you more interviews.
- Tips and examples of how to put skills and achievements on an event planner resume.
- How to describe your experience on a resume to get any event planning jobs you want.
Here’s an event planner resume sample made using our resume builder:
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Sample resume made with our builder—See more resume samples here.
Want to see other resume samples for jobs related to event planning and the events industry? Have a look at one of our guides:
- Event Coordinator Resume Examples
- Consultant Resume Examples
- Hospitality Resume Examples
- Stage Manager Resume Examples
- Hostess Resume Examples
- Event Manager Resume Example
- Volunteer Coordinator Resume Examples
- Logistics Resume Examples
- Visual Merchandising Resume Examples
- More Example Resumes for 500+ Jobs
Trade Trifles & Trivia: What is event planning? Is there a difference between that and an event coordinator?
An event planner generally makes all the decisions, arrangements, and logistical preparations in advance. Event coordinators typically carry out the plan and make it realized. These terms are often interchanged, so it is best to check the job description in detail.
1
Format the Event Planner Resume Before Writing
Before you begin writing your resume, make sure the event planner resume template is formatted to perfection.
Here's how:
How to Format an Event Planner Resume with Experience
Have experience working in event production or with event planning jobs?
The reverse-chron format emphasizes your most recent education and employment history first.
If you have secondary entries, those go below it, and so on.
Pro Tip: Choose the best resume fonts to make it easy for the hiring manager to read your resume. Use 11pt or 12pt font size for the body, and 2-4pts larger for subtitles.
How to Format an Event Planning Resume With No Experience
Writing an entry-level event planner resume?
On a first-time job resume, you’ll still use reverse-chronological format.
However, you'll simply list the duties you were tasked with at the other jobs which are closest in nature to the role of an event planner.
Pro Tip: Save the resume as a PDF, but check the job ad first to be certain PDFs are acceptable. Though rare, some applicant tracking systems can get jammed like a narrow emergency exit on PDF formatting.
Not 100% sure using the reverse-chron layout is right for your party planner resume? See our guide: The Best Resume Formats: Which One to Choose for Your Job?
When deciding which resume layout to choose, create an outline to plan out its organization. See this article for more: Resume Outline Examples: Complete How-To Guide With 15+ Tips
2
Choose an Event Planner Resume Summary or Resume Objective
Like a wedding MC speaking to people of ever-decreasing attention spans, you need to catch the employer's attention from the very beginning.
That's where resume objectives or resume summaries come into play.
Which one is right?
The Event Planner Resume Summary
Use the career summary when you have experience in the events industry space.
The summary statement is a brief paragraph at the top of your resume which highlights your wins in previous event planning roles. To kick things up a notch, this introductory paragraph mixes in a key achievement using numbers to certify your event planning talent.
Here are examples of event planning resume summaries:
| RIGHT |
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| Personable event planner with 4+ years expertise in a fast-paced agency in a large city. Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) certification. Managed 50+ events of parties over 200 attendees and budgets over $50,000. Seeking to advance event logistics career by growing with the Queens Qreative team. |
| wrong |
|---|
| I have been an event planner for the last 4 years. In addition to my expertise in various planning duties and responsibilities, I also handle event finances, logistics, venue booking, personnel, and key administration procedures. |
See how ineffective the second one is? It's just a list of tasks related to event planning, but they get no idea how well you managed them.
The first example uses numbers to alleviate this issue.
Having trouble getting started on your special event planning resume? Check out this guide: How to Open a Resume: 15+ Examples
If you’re craving more advice and examples of summaries for event planning resumes, check out our guide: How To Write A Resume Summary: 21 Best Examples You Will See
The Event Planner Resume Objective
Don't know the difference between an attrition rate and a rack rate?
Go with the career objective.
The resume objective statement for event planning resumes replaces your little or no experience with aspirational career goals. However, this intro paragraph also includes a number or two to verify your skills.
Here are examples of objectives for event planner resumes without experience:
| RIGHT |
|---|
| Diligent and results-driven assistant manager with 3+ years experience at large retail store. Received top scores in customer happiness (100%) and return mitigation (97.5%). Looking to utilize transferable skills and switch careers by joining Queens Qreative team as a junior event planner. |
| WRONG |
|---|
| I am an assistant manager eager to become an event planner. I don’t have experience in event coordination, but I am very motivated because I enjoy being in changing environments for work rather than at a desk each day. |
Just like with the summary statement, numbered accomplishments make a solid introduction.
When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building a professional resume template here for free.
When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.
Want more resume objective examples? Check out our guide: 20+ Resume Objective Examples—Use Them On Your Resume (Tips)
3
Describe Your Job Experience on an Event Planner Resume
“Damn. That was the best event I’ve ever attended!”
That’s not just what you’d wish guests and clients to say after their hangovers fade away—it’s also the reaction you want from the agency director after they conclude your interview.
That means you'll have to deliver the experience description on your resume in a show-stopping way.
Here’s how:
Experienced Event Planner Job Description on a Resume
Here are two event planner job description samples:
| RIGHT |
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Event Planning Specialist April 2014—November 2017 Hip Happenings, Miami, FL Key Qualifications & Responsibilities
Key Achievements
|
| WRONG |
|---|
Event Planner April 2014—November 2017 Hip Happenings, Miami, FL Key Responsibilities
|
When you see those two examples back to back, it's easy to see how terrible the second one is. Sadly, though, many prospective event planners pull a similar stunt.
Always describe your past experience in detail, and never forget to include a numbered achievement.
Tailoring your resume for event planners will not only help you find your ideal resume length, but it will also turn managers into believers: 6 Tips on How to Target Your Resume to a Job Description (Examples)
Event Planner Resume With No Experience:
Never planned an event before?
Here's how to show them you’re still a headlining act.
| RIGHT |
|---|
Assistant Manager March 2012—June 2017 Conway Stores, Atlanta, GA Key Responsibilities
Key Achievements
|
In this one, though you weren't an event planner, you listed those job responsibilities which make the most sense on a resume for event planner jobs.
How to find the right achievements to put on a resume for event planners? Check out this guide: How to Put Achievements on a Resume—Complete Guide (30+ Examples)
4
Ensure Your Education Section Doesn't Underperform
Like a venue without a properly planned table arrangement, the education section takes up unnecessary space.
False.
Even if the event planner job you're applying to doesn't require an advanced degree, you still need to list your educational background correctly.
Here’s how to include a completed degree:
BA in Hotel & Event Management
Boston University, Boston, MA
Completion: 2013
Still completing your degree in college?
Here’s how to list one still in progress:
Majoring in Hotel & Event Management
Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Expected Graduation: 2022
Only a diploma from high school for now?
Do this:
Stephen F. Austin High School
Austin, TX
Graduated: 2018
Pro Tip: Don't add your diploma from high school or a GED onto your event planner resume if you've completed an advanced degree.
Would you like some more ways on how you can make the best use of your education section? Then check out: How to Put Your Education on a Resume [Tips & Examples]
5
List Top Skills on an Event Planner Resume
Event planning skills are everything, but there's a right way and a wrong way to go about it.
First, though—
Here are examples of basic event planning skills:
Event Planner Hard Skills | Event Planner Soft Skills |
Event Management Software | Attention to Detail |
Client Database Administration | |
Event Coordination | |
Venue Selection | Analytical Skills |
Caterer Management | Teamwork |
Service Ordering | |
Project Management | Problem Solving |
Budget Management |
Find the perfect resume keywords by browsing the event planner job description and the job requirements section to identify skills they're seeking.
Add those to your event planner resume skills section.
Corporate event planner resume job description skills and requirements:
- Degree in marketing, events planning, communications, or related field, or equivalent experience
- Three years of events planning experience in a corporate environment
- Proven project management, analytical, and problem solving abilities
- Ability to manage all phases of multiple projects simultaneously and adjust to continuously changing responsibilities and priorities [2]
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills [3]
- Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and graphics applications
- Marketing/communications experience
- Previous experience with Cvent and Salesforce [1]
- Proficient in Microsoft suite
- Highly organized
- Excels in a fast-paced atmosphere
That's an actual job advertisement for a corporate event planner. If you look at the highlighted phrases, it's clear what this employer is searching for in a candidate:
| RIGHT |
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| WRONG |
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If you don't use the job requirements to your advantage, you risk your resume for event planning jobs looking generic and lazy.
Want more tips for writing the perfect resume skills list? See our guide: 30+ Best Examples of What Skills to Put on a Resume (Proven Tips)
6
Include Additional Sections for an Effective Event Planning Resume
To make your resume for event planner jobs more unique, add an extra section or two.
Here are a few ideal additional sections to add to an event planning resume:
Volunteer Experience
Do you have any volunteer work under your belt? Not only does it make you look like a candidate for sainthood, but it doubles as even more work experience!
Volunteering on a resume looks great, but only if list it correctly: How to List Volunteer Work on Your Resume [+Sample]
Hobbies & Interests
Hobbies and interests on a resume can be tricky, because why would they care, right? However, if you choose the best passions or pastimes, they can really round out a dull events planner resume. Read our guide: 20+ Best Examples of Hobbies & Interests To Put on a Resume (5 Tips)
Certifications
Many event professionals become certified, as it's an industry standard. Here are a few ideas for your resume:
| RIGHT |
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Professional certifications are proof you have the event planning knowledge and skills to do the gig right. Don’t list them the right way, and you can kiss your chances goodbye: How to List Certifications on a Resume: Guide (+20 Examples)
Languages
Are you proficient in a foreign language? Adding that to your event planner resume earns you a standing ovation!
7
Always Include an Event Planner Cover Letter
Suppose the job ad says, “cover letter optional”?
Even so, include an event planner cover letter anyway.
More than half of employers expect a cover letter to be attached, and they'll pass on a candidate without one.
Here is how to write an event planning cover letter they’ll just love:
- As with the resume, sort out the event planner cover letter formatting before you begin to write.
- Open the cover letter with a captivating introductory paragraph.
- Relay your top skills and experience, and include a numbered win.
- Explain why this particular event planning job is right for you.
- Close the cover letter with an eye-catching call to action.
Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:
See more cover letter templates and start writing.
Still unsure how to write a compelling cover letter? Want to see examples of well-written samples? Read our guide: How to Write a Cover Letter [Complete Guide With Examples]
Key Takeaway
As the joke goes, “you adore spontaneity, as long as it is carefully planned.”
Whether you’re a career event planner or pursuing a party planner internship, if you’ve followed the plan in this guide, you should have a resume that’s sure to get you an event planning job interview.
Here's a recap on how to create an event planner resume:
- Format the event planner resume template prior to writing.
- Open with an intriguing summary or objective statement.
- Highlight your accomplishments and past job responsibilities.
- Document your academic background in the correct way.
- List your best skills which match what they're looking for.
- Add certifications, languages, or other extra sections to stand out.
- Always attach an event planner cover letter!
Need ideas or help with the email part? Check out: How to Email Your Resume to Get More Job Offers (Examples)
Do you have any questions on how to write an event planner resume? Not sure how to describe your event planner skills or achievements? Let's have a chat below, and thanks for reading!
