You might have the most experience, top qualifications and the best-suited skills for the job, but if your resume fails to properly highlight these points, it might all be for nothing. The reality is that we live in a competitive, fast-paced world. So if your resume falls short of astounding, it will likely end-up hidden amidst a neglected pile (or email folder) of other applicants.
The good news is that there is an art to properly shaping a resume. And as with any craft, this can be learned. Here are the main ways you can stand out as a meeting or event planner, even at first glance.
Be Specific About Past Roles
Designing a memorable event requires a wide variety of skills. For instance, a corporate planner working for a major tech brand and one working for a tourism board will have entirely different backgrounds. Avoiding ambiguity demonstrates greater expertise and richer responsibilities.
Diversify Your Scope
Marketing and public relations are an inseparable part of meeting and event planning. Attracting people to your event, coordinating with vendors and sponsors, putting together a swag bag, managing registration, using social media and other tasks which may seem second nature to you are actually part of these major fields. Show that you have experience in these areas by including proper terminology.
Technology is another area where planners are expected to be proficient. After all, it’s an integral part of every stage—from registration and vendor management to entertainment and attendee feedback. Show that your knowledge extends to this area and you will be seen as more valuable.
Put it in Numbers
It’s crucial to legitimize your accomplishments with numerical details. What was the budget size? How many attendees were involved? There really is no preferable amount here, it just paints a picture for the prospective employer of what type of work you did and what type of situations you are familiar with. Other numbers such as turnout rate and ROI are also great to include if they show above average success.
Demonstrate Commercial Value
Remember that, in a big way, you’re a potential investment for the company. Proving that you can save companies time and money convinces them that your presence will be beneficial. Efficiency and time-saving accomplishments are golden. There is a good chance you’ve had to cut costs, simplify processes, speed up tasks or all three over your career. Demonstrating a capacity to excel in this area will attract companies. Whether it was cutting the budget by 3 percent or introducing an entirely new registration process, these types of achievements are a priority.
You have the skills, you just need to tell the right people.
