When a recruiter is reviewing resumes, it usually takes them about 20 seconds or less to get a first impression. That means you have to have a clear, concise, and well-written resume that will also stand out among many others.

Being prepared and organized is probably one of your best features as an event planner, so when it comes time to prepare for an interview, you’re ready. If your resume needs a tune-up, or you’re thinking about leaving a portfolio with the interviewer, here’s some things to consider.

Think about how you want to approach freshening up your resume. Does it need a complete facelift, where you would start from scratch? Or are you confident in the format you have now, and would you want to simply tweek and update a few things? However big of an overhaul you decide on, consider using a service, such as Fresh Start Resumes (www.FreshStartResumes.com). Someone who specializes in making your resume look ten times better than it did is worth the cost of the service.

If you’re making minor adjustments, consider peeking at some samples of other event coordinator’s resumes online. Perhaps you have a co-worker or colleague that wouldn’t mind if you looked at theirs.

–       List your past positions, but don’t go too far back. If you were a lifeguard in high school, you may want to leave that off the resume. Only keep the relevant jobs on there. 

–       Don’t let the title speak for itself, briefly sum up each position.

–       Illustrate your use of time management, efficiency and productivity.

–       Define your achievements. List the largest event you’ve planned, including budgets.

–       Do you have special skills, such as email marketing? Social Media? List all of your technical skills in one spot, too. 

–       Think about your qualities that may stand out from other candidates, and be sure to include those on your resume and cover letter.

Now that you’ve got the resume polished, have you thought about creating a portfolio to leave with potential interviewers? Here are some things you can use to create a portfolio that really shows off your work:

– Copies of recent invitations, brochures, flyers

– Resume

– Cover letter

– Letters of recommendation (or print them out from LinkedIn)

– Letters of recognition

– Copies of certificates, professional memberships, 

– Wedding planners – include photographs