Resume Tips for Event Professionals

Written by The Apex Recruitment Team
Posted: 29 Jul 2024


Crafting a resume that gets you noticed in the events industry can be challenging. How do you communicate your role responsibilities and accomplishments succinctly yet impactfully in a few pages? Here are some tips to help you stand out and increase your chances of landing that crucial interview.

List Your Experience in Reverse Chronological Order

Always list your experience in reverse chronological order. This is crucial not just in the events industry but across all sectors. Hiring managers and recruiters want to see your most recent role first, as it’s usually the most relevant to your current skills and capabilities. Given that they may only spend a few seconds reading your resume, showcasing your latest experience at the top is a strategic choice. This approach can highlight your recent accomplishments and career progression more effectively than listing your experience in chronological order.

Highlight Accomplishments, Not Just Responsibilities

While listing your job responsibilities is important, highlighting your accomplishments is what will make you stand out from the crowd and can actually make it easier for event professionals to showcase what they do. Job titles in the events industry are not universal, so it can sometimes be difficult to explain your role by just listing responsibilities. Accomplishments can demonstrate the tangible results you've achieved and will illustrate your skills and abilities better than just listing your responsibilities. For example, instead of saying, "Managed event logistics," say something like, "Successfully managed logistics for a 500-person conference, resulting in a 20% increase in attendee satisfaction from the previous year."

Highlight Relevant Skills and Systems

In today’s competitive job market, highlighting your event management skills and technology experience is crucial for standing out as a qualified candidate. You can highlight your skills in a “skills” section on your resume, but also through showcasing your accomplishments as stated above. If a job advert says that the company is looking for a candidate with exceptional negotiation skills, make sure you highlight an example of when you successfully negotiated with a supplier, venue, or client. Furthermore, many event companies prefer candidates who are already familiar with the software that they use. If you have experience with event management platforms such as EventsAIR, Cvent, iVvy, among others, make sure to list them regardless if a job advert doesn’t specify a specific platform.

Additional Tips for a Polished Resume

  • Use a Consistent Font: Ensure your resume is easy to read with a consistent font throughout.
  • Include Contact Information and Location: Always add your contact details and location (city and state).
  • Opt for Simplicity: A clean, simple design is more effective than a complicated one. Be cautious with overly designed Canva templates that might detract from the content in your resume.
  • Save and Name Your Resume Properly: Save your resume as a PDF and name the document “Your Name - Resume”, or similar, for a professional touch.
  • Be Concise: Eliminate excess words and ensure your resume is concise.
  • Use White Space: Leave enough white space between sections to make your resume easy to read.
  • Proofread: Ensure there are no spelling or grammatical errors.
  • Consistency with LinkedIn: Make sure all job titles and dates match your LinkedIn profile to avoid discrepancies.

By following these tips, you’ll enhance your resume’s impact and increase your chances of landing an interview for the role you’re aiming for. Good luck!