Event Planner Jobs Tips for Getting a Great Event Planner Job COPYRIGHT 2008 by Leader Lifestyle Media. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. All information contained on this website is protected by International Copyright Law. It is intended only for the PERSONAL use of individuals who are seeking to find event planner jobs. It is not to be used as a source of information for the creation of any derivitive work. By using this website you agree to abide by these terms and conditions of use. There are a number of things which you can do to dramatically increase your chances of getting hired for a great event planner job. Take a look at what they are: Networking One of the big keys to success in landing an event planner job or breaking into the field of event planning is networking, as is so often the case in landing any really great job. Very often it really does come down to "who you know" when you are trying to hook a great job . If you were to take a survey of numerous event planners who currently have jobs they love, and ask them what they did to land the position, most of them will probably give you a one word reply: "networking". So what are we really referring to when we talk about "networking"? It's all about making an active effort to talk to people, get to know people, and let them know about your interest in getting a job as an event planner. It means developing a broad social network and keeping in touch with that network because somewhere, hidden among these people, will likely to be the ticket to the event planner job you are hoping for. That big lead may come in the form of a contact name, a job lead, or a introduction to someone who can help you. So who makes up your "network"? A wide variety of people: friends at work, past co-workers, old school buddies and classmates, neighbors, relatives, people you've done business with, people you know from your church, clubs or associations, etc. But don't stop there; take your networking a step further. Put some thought into where you might meet the very types of people who can help you to get your career started in the field of event planning and find event planner jobs. As we talked about earlier, it's really a good idea to join the event planning associations and /or related associations in your area. Apart from that, you should join other groups, organizations, foundations or associations which you think might give you the opportunity to volunteer your assistance in planning their events. Then be sure to actually attend the meetings and the functions held by the group! You won't meet anyone who can help you by simply staying at home and reading the monthly newsletter! You need to get out there, get involved, and get talking with people. Let them know precisely where your interest as an event planner lies. It's very likely that as you start talking to people about your interest in event planning, someone will know someone who can give you a foot in the door for the type of event planner job you want. Don't be afraid to ask for help. It is the basic nature of most human beings to want to be helpful. But the people you meet at industry associations or any where else can't know what you need and how it is they can help you if you don't tell them. So when you meet someone new at an industry association mixer, tell them what you need at some point in your conversation:   "I'm looking to find an entry level job position relating to social event planning. Do you know anyone who might be hiring?". If they reply that they do not, you might ask one or two more questions:   "Do you have any advice you can offer me? Maybe an idea on where I might look, or who I could contact?". You see, the truth of the matter is that in the field of event planning profession, as is the case with almost every profession, a significant number of the jobs that are available never get advertised. You read that right. They simply get filled through word of mouth - in other words, through networking. That's why putting your effort into networking is so very important. And as we talked about earlier, becoming involved in your community through volunteer activities is another important part of networking, especially when your interest is in event planning. Lastly, don't forget that you can also use the internet as a tool for networking by getting to know other people in the industry through internet discussion boards related to event planners and event planning. The "Informational Interview" Another fabulous way to develop a network of influential people who might be able to assist you in landing a terrific event planner job right within your own local area is to go on what is called an "informational interview". A lot of people who are working at launching a career in event planning or landing an event planner job use this technique. An informational interview is your chance to sit down with a person who currently works in the area of your chosen career and ask them the key questions which you feel require answers in order to get your event planning career off the ground in your local area. It is not a job interview, and you should make certain when approaching professionals in the field to make that very clear. Make sure they understand that you'd simply like to gain some information, not ask them for a job. Once they understand that, again, the basic human desire to be helpful kicks in and you'll be far more likely to get them to give you a few minutes of their time. But remember that the people who you are approaching for informational interviews are likely to be quite busy. Therefore it's also a good idea to quantify the amount of time you are asking for when you approach them. Fifteen or twenty minutes is usually an appropriate amount to suggest. If you are a particularly "schmoozy" sort of person (which is a very good thing if you want to be an event planner, by the way), you can avoid using the word "interview" all together; instead ask if you could take them to lunch or buy them a coffee to talk a little more about the event planning profession. There is a fabulous tutorial on the subject of informational interviews, which we consider to be highly recommended reading because one out of every two hundred resumes will result in a job offer, while one out of every twelve informational interviews results in a job offer - so mastering the art of the informational interview is hugely in your best interests. This tutorial will provide you with highly detailed instruction on how to arrange and conduct an informational interview: Informational Interview Tutorial http://www.quintcareers.com/informational_interviewing.html Stay on Top of Event Planner Industry Information Its important to read all you can about event planning if you are interested in event planner jobs. Remember that this includes reading books about your area of interest, reading articles in trade magazines either on or off line, and visiting event planning internet sites and bulletin boards. The knowledge that you gain through this process will show employers that you have done your homework. It will tell them that you have invested some effort into learning about the event planner industry, and that you are not merely applying for an event planner job on a whim. It will convey the fact that your level of interest in getting an event planner job is very genuine and that you are a serious candidate. Reading about the event planning industry in general, as well as about your specific area of interest, will allow you to speak knowledgeably about the job you are applying for during the interview. It will also enable you to stay connected with the latest trends. This will definately enable you to score some points in the eyes of your prospective employers. Join a Professional Organization Earlier we discussed the networking opportunities and benefits to be had by joining a professional organization. We've got to mention this again to emphasize the value that this has. Being a member of a professional organization is another way of communicating the message to prospective employers that you are serious about the event planner profession. This is an excellent way to increase your credibility when you are applying for event planner jobs. Previously we identified a number of professional associations related to the event planning industry, and we described the many benefits to be had from membership, including training opportunities which can also play an important role in helping you to land the event planner job you want. If you have a local chapter of one of these associations in your area, be sure to attend the meetings and functions hosted by the association for maximum benefit, rather than just being an armchair member. Remember, too, that there are other associations, apart from those directly connected to the field of event planning, from which you can benefit by being a member. As we've talked about, many event planner jobs are related to marketing at some level, so membership in a local marketing association is also likely to score points with many potential employers. Get Experience or Training If you are finding that your lack of related experience or training is turning out to be a stumbling block for the types of event planner jobs you have your eye on, it doesn't have to remain that way. As we've mentioned, not all event planner jobs require previous experience or training, but if the ones you want do, go out and get the experience or training you require. Its easier to do than it might sound. Go back and review the numerous ways we've described for gaining experience through volunteering, mentorship, apprenticeships, and so on. Sharpening up your event planner skills through industry-specific training will also go a long way to helping you land an event planner job if you are experiencing difficulty in getting the job you want. Earlier we explained the many avenues available to your for doing this - and remember, it doesn't always mean going back to school for a lengthy degree. Be Flexible If you are having trouble landing the type of event planner jobs you want, it doesn't meant that you should give up on the field of event planning. Instead, simply adjust the type of event planner job you are looking for to more aptly suit the type of job you can qualify for. Once you have landed a job within the event planning industry, it will be much easier to work your way towards the types of jobs you are really interested in and to move around within the event planner field. Be Willing To Start Small A good place to start if you don't have any previous job experience as an event planner is an event planning company or the events department of a hotel, resort or convention center. This will help you become familiar with what event planning is all about, and what goes into planning an event. Be willing to work your way up. For example if you don't have the qualifications to function as an event coordinator for a convention center, start as an event planning assistant or even acquire experience working at events in the capacity of serving personnel if that is what it takes to gain experience. Often, the best way to break into this business is to start small and go up from there. Insider's Tip: Actively look for job positions that have the word "assistant" attached to them. Very often these are excellent job opportunities for the newcomer, and before you know it you will be moving on to job positions of greater responsibility, either within the same company or through another. Once again, it's all about getting a foot in the door. Once you are on the "inside", it is much easier to chart the course of your event planner career.   Study Event Planner Job Postings As mentioned earlier, it's an excellent idea to spend some time carefully studying event planner job listings. This will really open your eyes to the broad spectrum of event planner jobs available and will help you to determine where you fit in based on the precise level of skill and experience - or lack thereof - that you currently have. This will help to ensure that you are applying for the event planner jobs that you are best suited for, and will give you definite indications of whether you need to acquire further training or experience in order to qualify for the event planner jobs you want, and if so, what types of training or experience. Make the Right Impression Once you've landed a job interview for an event planner position, use the opportunity to it's full potential. Displaying enthusiasm, energy, an outgoing and pleasant personality, and a "can-do" attitude are all important factors in getting an event planner job. And keep in mind that being an event planner is one job where image really does matter. In many cases your job as an event planner will require not only good judgment, but excellent taste as well. Show a prospective employer that you have both through the way you present yourself. It's absolutely essential that you show up to the interview very well groomed when applying for an event planner job. Yes, of course that's true for almost all jobs or professions, but it's especially so if you want to score a job as an event planner. Dressing well - and appropriately - is also extremely important when trying to get an event planner job. Regardless of how you dress in your personal life, you should dress professionally when you show up for the event planner job interview - and when you are on the job - unless your employer has indicated some other accepted dress code. It's also a good idea to do a little background research on the company, as we'll discuss in slightly more detail in a moment. Then you can ensure that the way you dress for the interview will be compatible with the company's style. One word of caution though: be careful about taking this too far. While you want to make it appear that you will fit in, it is still important to dress in a way which shows respect. Therefore, even if you have learned that employees of the company head to work every day in shorts and T-shirts, think carefully before walking into the job interview quite this casually - you are not, after all, an employee yet. So while a three-piece suit may be a little much when interviewing with an employer like this, try to find some middle ground. You want to look like you'll fit in without stepping over any lines. Wait to be told you may dress down before doing so. Exhibiting a flair for fashion and an aptitude for style is often important in the event planning field as well, but again, keep it professional and stay away from anything too "cutting edge" or radical, regardless of how trendy it may be. Learn Something About the Prospective Employer It's a good idea to do a little research into the organization you will be interviewing with for an event planner job before the actual interview. This will help you to better present yourself in a way that will make you appear and feel compatible with the organization, and that will put you in a better position to converse with the interviewer. Use the information that you learn through your research about the company to show an interest in the organization, and ask questions about the company and about the event planner position. Insider's Tip: Showing an active interest in the prospective employer and the job itself can help you to 'seal the deal'.   Building A Better Resume In applying for a job as an event planner, it may be necessary to slightly "re-vamp" your resume to help to better illustrate why you are the right person for the job. This site is about finding event planner jobs, so if you need to get a more clear idea of what an event planner does, what the various responsibilities of typical event planner jobs are, and what the necessary skill set is, we recommend you get and read the following guide: How to Become an Event Planner. Then take every thing you have learned from that guide to give your resume the right "spin" for a job as an event planner. We suggest you carefully review the skills discussed in Chapter 3 of How to Become an Event Planner! Your resume should be written in a way which shows the prospective employer what you can do for him or her if you were to get the event planner job. Draw attention to your organizational skills, your proven ability to work independently, your ability to manage several tasks at a time. Take a look at the specific event planner job you are applying for, the requirements listed, if any, and "tweak" your resume in a way which best demonstrates that you have those requirements. Use your resume to really show that you have what it takes to do this job. When applying for event planner jobs, if you don't currently have an "Other Skills and Experience" section on your resume, it's a smart idea to add one. This is the section where you can list skills or experience you may have which renders you suitable for the job, but which may not have been acquired through actual work experience. This could potentially be very important if you don't yet have any related on-the-job experience as an event planner or for the particular job you are applying for. This is where you can list things like the skills and experience you have gained through life experience and your volunteer activities, for example. Make sure your resume also makes mention of any professional association memberships you have which may serve to impress the employer. It's also a great idea to include a one page "fact sheet" with your resume which outlines any applicable accomplishments in the field of event planning and includes highlights of any and all events you may have planned or worked on in the past. Again, don't hesitate to list event related volunteer activities or even those events which you have planned for friends or family members. While its not as good as solid work experience, its better than no experience at all when applying for an event planner job. There is a great deal which could be said about building a better resume when you have your sights set on a job as event planner, and these are only some of the highlights. To adequately cover this topic, the pages of an entire book could be filled on this alone - and many have been. It's always a good idea to have a good guide on resume writing in your own personal reference library or consult internet websites on the topic. For starters, check the numerous on-line resume writing guides listed here: Resume Resources http://www.quintcareers.com/resres.html   Next: Insider's Secret for Finding a Great Event Planner Job    Event Planner Jobs | Corporate Event Planning Jobs | Event Planning Jobs With Venues | Event Planner Jobs With CVBs | Event Planner Jobs With Event Management Companies | Applying for Event Planner Jobs | Event Planner Job Tips | Insider's Secret to Getting a Great Event Planner Job | Event Planner Salary | How to Become an Event Planner © COPYRIGHT 2008 by Leader Lifestyle Media. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF USE: All information contained on this website is protected by International Copyright Law. It is intended only for the PERSONAL use of individuals who are seeking to find event planner jobs. It is not to be used as a source of information for the creation of any derivitive work. It is not to be republished, reproduced, or recomplied in any form or by any mean;. Any misuse of the information published on this website will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, and the names of violators will be published. By using this website you acknowledge that you understand these Terms and Conditions and you agree to abide by these Terms and Conditions of Use. If you do not agree to these Terms and Conditions, of if you do not understand what they mean, do not use this web site.