How To Write an Event Manager Resume
To write a compelling event manager resume, demonstrate your ability to plan, organize, and execute successful events of various types and sizes. Use quantifiable achievements to display your event management skills and track record of delivering exceptional results in the field.
Provide specific examples and establish context for your professional achievement and tell your own unique story in your resume, as building generic bullet points won’t separate you from the crowded applicant field during the job hunt.
Below, you’ll find expert tips to help you craft a winning resume:
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
1. Create a profile by summarizing your event manager qualifications
To generate interviews during your job search, you must make a strong impression on the hiring manager as quickly as possible. Create an engaging summary at the top of your document. This provides an opportunity to demonstrate the most substantial aspects of your professional career and immediately grab the reader’s attention.
For example, if you have a strong background managing large musical events, you might incorporate the names of performing acts you booked for venues. Including these types of insights can go a long way in establishing your credibility within the industry.
Profile Example #1
An Event Manager with five years of experience specializing in event planning, logistics, vendor management, client relations, and sales. A strong history of building relationships with clients to execute high-quality events in alignment with customer needs.
Profile Example #2
An Event Manager with eight years of experience specializing in virtual events, logistics, webinars, and communication. A strong history of advertising, planning, executing virtual events, and identifying opportunities to maximize attendance and customer engagement.
2. Showcase your event manager experience
Incorporating metrics and monetary figures can significantly enhance the impact of your bullet points. As an event manager, companies will be interested in understanding the size of the events you have coordinated, including monetary figures and the number of attendees. These details will give the hiring manager deeper insights into your background and increase your chances of landing the interview.
It’s also important to highlight your leadership capabilities while applying for event management positions on the open market. Feature examples of you managing personnel, coordinating with vendors, and maintaining client relationships to execute events successfully. This will show prospective employers you’re the ideal culture fit for their organization.
Professional Experience Example #1
Event Manager, Marriott, New York, NY
October 2019 – Present
- Manage, plan, and execute a variety of events valued at $40K-$125K, including weddings, reunions, celebrations, corporate events, charity fundraisers, and award ceremonies
- Serve as the point of contact for clients, provide education on vendors, pricing structures, venue accommodations, and potential menu options for events
- Identify opportunities to upsell clients on food and beverage packages and provide recommendations according to customer needs, resulting in a 15% sales increase
Professional Experience Example #1
Event Manager, Enterprise Software Pros., San Francisco, CA
October 2018 – Present
- Manage B2B virtual events with up to 30K attendees globally, oversee a $2M event marketing budget, and perform ROI analysis on event performance to optimize project spend and drive data-driven decision-making for the organization
- Coordinate logistics for all the tradeshows, lead negotiations with vendors and speakers, drive pre-show advertising, and manage a team of 15+ event coordinators
- Drive lead generation and enhance customer engagement by advertising, managing, and executing live webinars on technology products and capabilities
3. Outline your education and event manager-related certifications
In addition to your education, feature relevant industry certifications on your resume. While certifications won’t guarantee you a job, they can speak to your credibility within your field. Some of the most common certifications include:
- Certified Meeting Professional (CMP): The Events Industry Council (EIC) gives this to professionals who plan and execute meetings, conferences, and other events.
- Certified Professional in Catering and Events (CPCE): The National Association for Catering and Events (NACE) offers this for catering and event management professionals.
- Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP): This certification by the International Live Events Association (ILEA) is designed for professionals who specialize in creating and executing special events.
Education
Template
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
Example
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Event Management
- Temple University, Philadelphia, PA | 2018
Certifications
Template
- [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Example
- Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), The Events Industry Council (EIC) | 2019
- Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP), the International Live Events Association (ILEA) | 2018
4. List key event manager skills and proficiencies
Most organizations rely on applicant tracking systems (ATS) to identify qualified candidates for job openings. If your resume lacks a certain number of keywords, you may be rejected by the automated system before your document reaches the hiring manager. This is why analyzing each job description carefully before applying for the position is important. Incorporate skill sets and key terms that match the needs of the organization you’re contacting.
Below, you’ll find a list of keywords you may encounter during your job search:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Budget management | Client relations |
| Communication | Conferences |
| Contract negotiations | Conventions |
| Cost accounting | Cross-functional collaboration |
| Event coordination | Event management |
| Event planning | Guest registration |
| Logistics | Marketing |
| Project management | Public relations |
| Sales | Stakeholder relations |
| Trade shows | Transportation booking |
| Vendor relations | |
How To Pick the Best Event Manager Resume Template
A well-organized resume is essential for an event manager position. Look for a design with clear sections, such as summary, work experience, skills, and education. This will make it easier for hiring managers to scan your resume quickly. Avoid using overly complex designs or fonts that may distract from the content of your resume. Choose a template that is easy to read and includes an appropriate amount of white space.
Event Manager Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
- Example #1
- Example #2
- Example #3
Jessica Lang
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Santa Maria, San Francisco, CA 12345
Profile
An Event Manager with eight years of experience specializing in virtual events, logistics, webinars, and communication. A strong history of advertising, planning, executing virtual events, and identifying opportunities to maximize attendance and customer engagement.
Professional Experience
Event Manager, Enterprise Software Pros., San Francisco, CA
October 2018 – Present
- Manage B2B virtual events with up to 30K attendees globally, oversee a $2M event marketing budget, and perform ROI analysis on event performance to optimize project spend and drive data-driven decision-making for the organization
- Coordinate logistics for all the tradeshows, lead negotiations with vendors and speakers, drive pre-show advertising, and manage a team of 15+ event coordinators
- Drive lead generation and enhance customer engagement by advertising, managing, and executing live webinars on technology products and capabilities
Event Manager, Excelsior Technologies, San Francisco, CA
May 2014 – October 2018
- Planned and executed 200+ webinars and virtual events, delivering product demos to non-technical audiences, which included executing social media and email marketing campaigns to improve event registration by 150%
- Oversaw 35+ in-person events per year with over 15K attendees, including trade shows, industry conferences, product demonstrations, and networking events
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Event Management
University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, September 2010 – May 2014
Key Skills
- Virtual Events
- Marketing
- Client Relations
- Event Planning
- Webinars
Frequently Asked Questions: Event Manager Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for event manager resumes?-
You may run short on action verbs to build your bullet points on your resume. Often only a limited number of verbs can describe your professional experience accurately. That said, differentiating your vocabulary can enhance your content’s quality and improve the hiring manager’s reading experience.
Below, you’ll find a list of action verbs you can use to craft your resume:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Analyzed | Built |
| Collaborated | Conducted |
| Coordinated | Created |
| Delivered | Droved |
| Enhanced | Evaluated |
| Identified | Implemented |
| Improved | Launched |
| Managed | Negotiated |
| Organized | Oversaw |
| Partnered | Planned |
How do you align your resume with an event manager job description?-
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the event planning industry is expected to experience an 8% growth from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations. Approximately 15,200 openings for meeting, convention, and event planners are projected each year over the decade. Despite these positive growth indicators, you’ll still need to align your resume with the job description to secure the most lucrative opportunities.
For example, suppose the company is looking for an event manager with a strong background in managing in-person and virtual events. In that case, provide specific examples demonstrating your versatility as an event planner. If the company is looking for a candidate with a strong background in managing larger events, feature instances of you working large-scale gatherings with thousands of attendees. By tailoring your resume with the job description, you’ll significantly increase your chances of landing the interview.
What is the best event manager resume format?-
The most effective resume format for an event manager is the reverse chronological resume template. This format is preferred by most employers as it highlights your most recent work experience and achievements first, followed by your previous work experience in reverse chronological order. If you’re at the entry level, a combination format may be more appropriate. In this approach, you’ll feature relevant skills, internships, and certifications above your work history.
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Once you’ve completed your resume, a good way to finish it before sending it to your prospective employer is to add a cover letter. This is a great opportunity to speak directly to the hiring manager and make a case for why you’re the best candidate for the job.
Remember a cover letter should be fairly succinct. Don’t exceed more than 400 words — 250 to 300 is ideal. For more information and ideas, view our event planner cover letter examples.
