Event Planner Resume and Cover Letter Examples

Event planning positions require impeccable organizational, communication, and planning skills. To get the attention of an employer, you need to provide examples of previous event experience and detail the ways in which your involvement directly led to the event's success.

There are some important facets of a cover letter that differ from the resume. Knowing what to include, and in which document it should go, could be the difference between your resume grabbing an employer's attention or not.

Here are tips for writing a resume and cover letter for an event planning position, with samples to review and advice on what to include.

What to Include in Your Cover Letter

Highlight your most important skills. You should call out your key skills that are relevant to the job posting. Consider the specific responsibilities mentioned in the job description and note instances where your qualifications are a match.

Typically, the ability to make and stick to a budget is essential for this type of work. Organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills are highly sought after event planners.

It's far more valuable to provide examples of times you've used these skills rather than a list of adjectives.

Describe successful events from your work history. A proven track record of relevant experience is particularly meaningful in this industry, so describe events you have planned (focus on events that are similar to the ones you would plan in this role).

Include keywords from the job posting. Keywords will make your cover letter more recognizable. This makes your application stand out—especially if you are submitting it digitally to organizations that screen resumes using applicant tracking systems. Incorporate (and disperse throughout) words from the job listing in both your resume and your cover letter.

These automated screening systems are programmed to rank resumes based upon the instances and positioning of particular keyword phrases. Common event planner keywords include: “event planner,” “event coordinator,” “detail-oriented,” “meeting coordinator,” “leadership,” and “vendor relations.” Again, let the preferred qualifications section of the job listing be your guide.

Include your contact information. Make sure your contact information is up-to-date. In a traditional cover letter (submitted by hand or through the mail), your contact information should be at the top of the first page of the resume, in the header.

If you're sending your cover letter via email, put your name and job title in the subject line of the email message and include your contact information below your email signature.

Event Planning Cover Letter Example

Jane Smith
123 Main Street
Boston, MA 02215
(111) 111-1111
jane.smith@email.com

March 14, 2022

Tonya Lee
Director, Finance
ABC Investment Partners
123 Business Rd.
Business City, NY 54321

Dear Ms. Lee,

I am writing because I am keenly interested in your Meeting and Events Planning Director position at Universal Events, Inc. I have qualified success as an event planner and possess an organized and detail-oriented work ethic that I can bring to the role.

As a Senior Event Coordinator, I have planned and executed over one hundred corporate events, ranging from large-scale international meetings to intimate fundraising events. I have overseen all aspects of event planning for corporations. This work ranges from finding appropriate venues to selecting vendors to publicizing events through print, electronic, and online media.

My experience with financial and contract management is also in line with your job description. As an event coordinator at Event Management Solutions, I oversaw a variety of events, both large-scale and small-scale. I identified ancillary revenue sources and various cost-saving opportunities for clients with limited budgets. I am known for my ability to stay within the parameters of my clients’ budgets, thus ensuring their satisfaction.

I have enclosed my resume and will call within the week to see if we can arrange a time to speak.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Signature (hard copy letter)

Jane Smith

Writing an Effective Event Planner Resume

Event planners are meticulous and detail-oriented, responsible for ensuring that meetings, conferences, and other events go off without a hitch. That means it's particularly important for you to have an error-free resume.

Quantify your achievements. Quantifying your responsibilities and successes allows employers to see what you can do. If you planned and executed an event for 2,000 attendees, mention it in your description. Share the post-event survey results. Wherever possible, use numbers to amplify accomplishments.

Mention any certifications or training you may have. If you have earned relevant certifications, completed training programs, or are a member of event planner-focused associations, be sure to include that information on your resume.

Consider a summary section. There are many types of event planners—wedding planners, corporate planners, and so on. It can be helpful to highlight your particular area of expertise at the top of the page, where it's most visible. (This is also a spot where you can craft a message if you are transitioning from one focus to another.)

Find and use power verbs in your resume. Coordinators and planners are doers. Emphasize your leadership skills by opting to use powerful, action-oriented words.

Event Planner Resume Sample

Event Planner Resume Example

Jane Smith
123 Main Street
Boston, MA 02215
(111) 111-1111
jane.smith@email.com

EVENT COORDINATOR

Planning effective meetings, seminars, fundraisers, social events, and more

An organized and detail-oriented event planner with more than eight years of experience in planning and executing meetings and events. Expert in selecting and transforming venues to accommodate clients’ needs and building strong relationships with quality vendors.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

PROFESSIONAL EVENTS, Boston, MA

SENIOR EVENT COORDINATOR (June 2020—Present)

Direct the planning and execution of meetings, fundraisers, and other events for corporate clients. Manage budgets of up to $100,000 for large-scale events and maintain strong relationships with numerous domestic and international vendors to assist corporations in planning overseas events.

EVENT MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS, Natick, MA

EVENT COORDINATOR (June 2015—June 2020)

Seamlessly planned and executed both professional and social meetings for a range of clients. Managed budgets of up to $30,000 for events with up to 500 attendees, multiple vendors, and other event contributors including entertainers, photographers, caterers, and AV technicians.

ART BY KIDS INC., Boston, MA

SPECIAL EVENTS ASSOCIATE (January 2014—May 2015)

Coordinated fundraising and donor communications for a nonprofit organization promoting and selling youth artwork. Developed social networking outreach and managed radio and print ad campaigns to promote two annual fundraisers.

Notable Accomplishment:

Recognized by the executive director for increasing attendance at fundraisers by 25%.

EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS

ALPHABET UNIVERSITY, Boston, MA

Bachelor of Arts in Marketing, 2015

Professional Affiliations

International Special Events Society (ISES) member
Event Planner Association member

More Resume and Cover Letter Examples

Review professionally written resume examples and cover letter samples for many different types of jobs, and get templates to download to use to write your own job application materials.

How to Get Your Resume Noticed

SHOWCASE YOUR EVENT PLANNING EXPERIENCE Provide a portfolio or exemplative list of events you have planned within the text of your resume and cover letter, quantifying these experiences with numbers, budget figures, positive client feedback, and other relevant statistics of success.

INCORPORATE KEYWORDS AND POWER VERBS Use the job listing to determine which skills and qualifications you most need to emphasize in your resume and cover letter. Then, sprinkle these keywords throughout your documents, strengthening your descriptions with action-oriented power verbs.

MAKE YOUR RESUME LETTER-PERFECT As an event planner, one of your employer’s chief expectations will be that you plan and deliver flawless events, with no detail overlooked. Grammatical, spelling, or formatting errors in your resume or cover letter might well ensure their quick dismissal. Proofread and edit carefully.