25 Event Planner Interview Questions & Answers
1. What was the most challenging event you've planned in the past?
How to Answer
When answering this question, try to refrain from describing an event that pertains to your future work if you are hired by this planning agency. Ideally, you will want to describe an event with many moving parts, and your lack of experience led to the event being the most challenging for you. In the end, you will want to describe how you learned a great deal from this event, and how it made you a better event planner. Also, exuberate confidence by describing how you enjoy and welcome such events now.
Answer Example
"I organized a conference for 500 people with my old company. Accommodating such a large event was challenging; staying within the budget for such a large scale can be difficult. I worked with the marketing director to learn the details of what would be needed and then I worked with some of our vendors to ensure we had the food and technology setup needed. In the end, the event went smoothly and I enjoyed the challenge that was presented to me."
User-Submitted Answer
"My employer recently renovated and relocated our office in town. To celebrate our move, we wanted to host a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by an immediate 7-hour open house at our new location. This was my first event where I had to communicate all details and plans to our back office for compliance approval and operate on a budget of less than $1,500. The trickiest part was the 7-hour open house because I had to ensure we had enough food and beverages to last 7 hours and have parking available throughout the day.
I didn't realize the amount of back/fourth communication I would have with compliance and all the moving parts required to plan this event - press notification, social media campaigns, parking, catering, set-up/tear-down, branded decor, and guest invitations. I ended up collaborating with an executive assistant to lay out all details of what was needed and how to coordinate all the details with our back office. I worked with our known vendors to secure enough food and A/V equipment for the event. In the end, the ribbon-cutting and open house had no hiccups. Everyone was pleased and the city's economic development committee praised the event on social media the following day."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Marcie Wilmot Reviewed the Above Answer
Excellent! You've used the STAR method beautifully here to describe the situation, your task/actions, and the end result. It's clear that this was a challenging event, but you handled all aspects of it well and pulled it off. Great response!
2. What value will you add to our team?
How to Answer
Companies don't just hire individuals who meet the basic qualifications. They want someone they want to work with. They want someone who stands out. Talk about your strengths and skills by showing how it enhances the company culture and benefits the business. Talk about one of your strengths that is unique to you.
Answer Example
"I am a leader and I am passionate about creating unforgettable, seamless events. I support my team by communicating effectively and listening to their needs. It takes a solid team to put together a quality event, and I make extra effort to establish a friendly, hard-working environment among co-workers and vendors."
User-Submitted Answer
"I'm a natural leader who enjoys jumping in head-first into a position and taking ownership of my job role. I have a strong foundation in customer service and I'm passionate about serving and assisting others, especially in a team setting. I find excitement in creating quality events people will remember, much like seeing a child's face light up when you give them a cookie!"
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Marcie Wilmot Reviewed the Above Answer
Awesome! You come across as passionate, enthusiastic, and capable, which is great. How will your strong foundation in customer service help you in the role? Why exactly are you so passionate about serving others? Remember, the more details you provide, the more meaningful and memorable your answer will be to the interviewer. Nice job!
3. Explain a time when you disagreed with your boss. How did you handle this situation?
How to Answer
Give an example of a situation that was fairly easily resolved. Suggesting a compromise puts you in a great position with your boss, because it shows your desire to work together and your creative problem-solving ability. If you share a situation where you could not find a common ground, discuss how you were willing to share your opinion, and also willing to let your boss decide. This shows your humility and willingness to pick your battles, letting the small things slide to focus on more important issues.
Answer Example
"Working on a budget for an event, I shared it with my boss to get his approval. He wanted to go with a vendor who did flowers for us in the past because they were cheaper. I explained my experience with them, but my boss insisted we use them. I asked if I could take a couple of hours to get bids from a few other florists before we made a decision and he agreed that was a good idea. I ended up finding a better florist with a solid reputation who gave us a great product and we stayed within our budget."
User-Submitted Answer
"There was recently an update to one of our webinar tools. The change was said to enhance all audio for VOIP. We experienced issues using ____ in the past, which resulted in us using a third party for audio conferencing. Excited by the news, my manager decided we should update all our webinar rooms to ____ immediately. I was hesitant and disagreed about making such a sudden change without testing. We were able to come to the middle ground and agreed to do a slow roll-out with X amount of rooms before committing to changing all 30 or so rooms.
As a result, we ended up finding that this update was still dropping calls and didn't quite stack up to the third party audio tool we used. I saved my team a lot of time that would have spent re-educating our presenters and re-writing best practices, only to return back to our original practice."
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Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
This is a perfect example of disagreeing professionally and stating your case in a way that makes sense for all stakeholders. Was your manager pleased with your recommendation in the end?
4. Tell me about a mistake that you made on the job. What did you learn from it?
How to Answer
Being able to admit to your mistakes shows strength and your ability to grow and improve. Give an example of something that may have been severe but focus on how you were able to resolve it, and possibly sharing what you have been doing since it happened to prevent the same kind of mistake from happening.
Answer Example
"I was scheduling travel and accommodations while working with one of my first event companies. I had a pretty good system until one of the schedulers was fired, so I took over her responsibilities while we looked for a replacement. Looking back I think I was a little overly confident and felt like I had something to prove. I ended up making a couple of simple mistakes that almost caused some bigger problems. My boss caught these errors and confronted me. I learned that it is better to ask for help than to take on more than you can handle. I learned more about my limitations and how to handle stress by communicating what I need to my team."
User-Submitted Answer
"I was managing a training event, and on the second to last day of the event, our attendees pull an all-nighter so that they can create a presentation and share it with a panel of judges the following day. That being said, it's important the attendees are well-fed and energized. I made the mistake of not ordering a vegetarian and halal option for the last dinner.
Realizing my mistake, I immediately communicated with my project manager that this had happened and it was being fixed; everyone would be fed. I spoke to catering, who noticed this mistake and offered to create a larger salad portion. I also called restaurants within a 5-mile radius to see who might be able to fill my order. We were able to find a sandwich shop nearby that filled our order. When picking up my order, I plated with the meal we ordered from catering so that the experience would be a bit more seamless and our attendees loved the food! It gave some folks an opportunity to try something local, and we still came under our original food budget."
Written by an Anonymous User
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Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
Fantastic story! It's evident that you are strong in the areas of problem-solving and communicating to meet a goal. Your story-based example shows natural leadership qualities and care for others. Excellent answer.
5. What are important characteristics for an effective event coordinator?
How to Answer
Think about the main responsibilities for the role and consider the characteristics that correspond. Scheduling, coordinating and planning all require attention to detail. They also require focus and preparation. When dealing with clients, you need to be a good listener and communicator. Staying calm in stressful situations is another key characteristic. In planning and executing events, you need to be flexible and composed. Depending on the emphasis for this role, working in corporate events or working with individual clients, consider the above qualities, focusing on about 5 different ones, discussing them in terms of how they relate to the role you are interviewing for.
6. Tell me about a time when you were working within a tight budget for an event. What was the outcome?
How to Answer
Give a concrete answer that shows you have a process and a plan for your budget. It's important to be able to use your creativity and be strategic to maneuver these situations. Depending on the client or the group you work with, your ability to think outside the box to stay within budget will be an important quality to show your interviewer.
Answer Example
"Researching costs and creating an estimated budget for each category helps me to set my expectations for which vendors to use and how to effectively stay within the budget. Having a tight budget for a festival was difficult because of the cost of some of the bands we wanted to hire and the cost to rent the venue. We increased the admission price by $10 in order to hire the bands we wanted, and we hired volunteers to manage the food stations to save on costs. The volunteers were excited to help because they got to see some great bands and we were asked to continue the event on an annual basis."
User-Submitted Answer
"I hosted a virtual trivia night, and the cost of the trivia host alone was my full event budget. To extend my budget further, I optimized the event by reaching out to organizers from different offices. We ended up collaborating with one other office in _______ and, as a result, had greater attendance and were able to hand out some sweet prizes to our winners!"
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Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
This is a terrific example of problem-solving and thinking on your feet to ensure a better financial outcome. Nice story-based example - it's well organized and easy to understand.
7. What was the most difficult event you promoted? What made it difficult?
How to Answer
When you can anticipate the difficulties before they occur, you will be able to prepare and have the tools you need if any sort of situation arises. Some of the preparation involves having the right people on your team and some will involve having a backup plan or person to call. Show your confidence in dealing with challenges.
Answer Example
"Organizing an event to promote local restaurants recently was the most difficult because there were so many different people that needed to be coordinated and managed. Anticipating miscommunications and last-minute hiccups allowed me to prevent those issues from arising. Sometimes they are unavoidable, and in those cases, you must have a backup plan. Everything worked out seamlessly because I was calm and prepared."
User-Submitted Answer
"The most difficult event I promoted was a reception for our new Sales New Hire onboarding program. This was difficult to promote because the event itself was created with three days of notice, and attendance was limited to new hires, managers, and directors.
If I were to re-do this, I would have given more notice to participants so that they could prioritize their attendance. I'd also open up attendance to all roles so that new hires could network with employees across the board."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
Three days is certainly not a lot of time to pull an event together! Despite the challenges, were you able to pull off the event? Your suggestions for improvement are smart - good job!
8. What would you do if the DJ is late and not responding to calls or emails?
How to Answer
This role is responsible for many different moving parts. Life happens and people can be flakey. How will you handle these types of situations? How have you dealt with them in the past?
Answer Example
"I always have a backup plan and this has definitely happened before. If the DJ wasn't there on time, I would already be sorting through people to call. Building good relationships with your vendors will assist with these types of issues. When you have a relationship built on mutual respect, you find out quickly who you can rely on. I typically let my DJ's know in advance that I have an event coming up and I sometimes even call my backup the night before just in case."
User-Submitted Answer
"Depending on the event I like to always have a backup playlist. I'd pump up the background playlist and offer to take requests from any of our attendees while we fill for the missing DJ."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
Good answer! It's clear that you are well-prepared and on the ball for instances like this one.
9. What brings out the most excitement for you in event planning?
How to Answer
Discuss an element of the job that excites you. It could be making others happy or experiencing the finished product when everything comes together. The interviewer wants to know you are excited about the role.
Answer Example
"I love to see everything come together. The anticipation of the event is exciting because you start to see all of your efforts materialize. It takes many different people to work together to create an event. I love being in charge of orchestrating the event."
User-Submitted Answer
"What brings the most excitement to me is the opportunity to create an impact. No matter how short or long the event, we as event planners introduce value to attendees and create experiences that they take away with them. I love getting to plan an event that not only employees are excited about but that their friends and families wish they could have attended as well."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
Your enthusiasm is shining through in this response. It's apparent that you enjoy what you do and take pride in the way you approach events. Positive vibes all around :) At the end of your response, you may want to consider expressing your interests in this future opportunity. For instance, what do you look forward to the most, as it directly relates to the hiring company events and needs?
10. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult client. How did you manage that relationship?
How to Answer
A client can be a challenge for many reasons. They may change their minds so often that you constantly have to change your plan and change directions. They might be a difficult personality to work with, anxious, and calling you constantly. Managing these relationships can take away from the energy you need to prepare for events. Being able to manage your client shows strength and ability to set clear boundaries. Describe how you were able to communicate your needs while balancing the needs of your clients.
Answer Example
"My client for a corporate education event was difficult because they were very anxious and constantly wanted to communicate about how things were coming along. After two weeks of this, I called a meeting to show her the plan and our progress. I wanted my client to have confidence in my skills and I wanted her to feel secure that I had everything under control. We set up a weekly meeting and I told her to email me if she had questions and concerns so that I could address them."
11. How do you multitask when you plan or manage multiple events?
How to Answer
Discussing your planning process and how you divide your time and attention. If possible, use real experiences to detail how you plan multiple events at once. Stay humble in your answer, which will show a level of confidence you have in yourself to the interviewer that multitasking is just any other ordinary day in the life of an event planner.
Answer Example
"I create a timeline for each of my projects, setting deadlines for different tasks that need to be completed as the event approaches. I am cautious not to take on multiple events that take place on the same weekend unless I can share some of the responsibilities with an assistant. Many events require the same types of vendors, so on a day when I need to schedule catering for a wedding, I'll schedule the catering for the corporate event that day as well. I like to plan each facet of an event strategically to make life easier on me, my clients, and my team."
User-Submitted Answer
"The first rule is I wear comfortable shoes. I also like to create three different timelines for my events: pre-production, day of the event(s), and post-production. As the timeline progresses, I identify what can be done immediately and what actions might be pertinent to the success of the task."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
You are very organized - good for you! And yes, comfortable shoes would be a must-have. The idea of having three timelines shows that you are smart and prepared - ready to tackle the moment and what lies ahead.
12. Tell me about one bad experience you've had, preferably something catastrophic, how did you handle it? Was the event still a success?
How to Answer
Event Planners can only plan so much. There are always outside factors that are unpredictable, even for the most well-planned events. Give an example of something that could have destroyed a great event and explain what you did to resolve it, and how you learned from that mistake. Being able to show that you understand things can go wrong and you anticipate having to deal with them is a great quality to share. Show how you are proactive in your example, even if it is something you couldn't have predicted.
Answer Example
"I put together a wedding and my client requested candles all along the front of the room for her ceremony. The candles began to melt and one fell over and caught the table linen on fire. I had two other assistants working with me and we were standing on all sides of the room to monitor everything. As soon as the candle fell over, my assistant grabbed two bottles of water and ran over to put it out. I anticipated that the candles could be an issue, so we had buckets of bottled water on both edges of the stage and we were ready for anything."
User-Submitted Answer
"I was managing a week-long event in Utah. I spoke with the Facilities manager shortly before flying out and identified the layout and supplies we would need for our venue. She informed me that everything would be set up the Friday before my flight. I arrived on Sunday, the day before the event, to prep what I could in advance to find that a number of tables were missing. We had no chairs and no power strips. When reaching out to our Facilities Manager, I would get a voicemail and no response. I left a voicemail and set up the supplies I could get in advance. When returning the next morning, we were still missing these items. I called the Facilities Manager one more time and was able to get ahold of her; it turned out she was in the mountains with no cellphone reception that weekend and her support team did not follow through on our request. As she planned on driving to our site, I worked fast and identified security who could open up a closet that would have chairs and sped to make arrangements. As some attendees slowly arrived, I informed them that we were still setting up and invited them to enjoy breakfast at an open table or downstairs. Eventually, we could get the layout and supplies we needed, and I debriefed with the Facilities manager to identify the shortcomings and additional alternative contacts if needed. After this, the event went smoothly, and the Facilities manager and I were better able to collaborate on future events."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
It's a good thing you were so adamant about finding solutions in this situation. A less driven person may have been tempted to curl into a ball in the corner :) You tell this story very well - it's engaging and will allow the interviewer to picture you in action in the workplace! The fact that you performed some troubleshooting to ensure the situation didn't happen again is a great touch to your story example.
13. What was the most successful event you've planned in the past?
How to Answer
Before answering this question, think about your definition of success. For some, they may share an event that went smoothly without any issues that were carefully planned and executed. For others, it may be overcoming problems that arise and without affecting the satisfaction of your client or the guests. Give an example that displays your top qualities as an event planner, and show your passion and ability to manage events from start to finish.
Answer Example
"I have worked on a wedding of 200 people at a city park. Some of the challenges had to do with setting up electricity and power while staying within the constraints of the city for sound and lighting. My client had a very particular vision for the asthetic and design of lights and decor, with specific fixtures picked out. I communicated with my client about the constraints due to the location, and suggested a few variations that would help us to stay within the contract with the city while staying true to the vision. This event ended up being the most visually beautiful event I have put together, through careful planning and collaborating with the vision of my client. I was most pleased because of the quality and my client was extremely happy with the results."
14. We've read your resume and seen where you went to college and your work experience, but could you walk us through this period and tell us how you made the decisions you did regarding your education and work?
How to Answer
If you have made work and educational decisions intentionally, this is your time to shine. Discuss how you set your goals and chose your profession. Some people fall into opportunities and end up somewhere but not always because they chose to get there. This answer shows your choices were well thought out and considered your future growth. While not everyone has the benefit of following a clear path in one direction, showing your self-awareness and admitting to some mistakes made along the way is a sign of strength. Be reflective and thoughtful in your response.
Answer Example
"I have always loved concerts and festivals. After I went to Austin City Limits Music Festival in 2006 I knew I wanted to organize and plan large events. I chose my major in Mass Communications because I knew it would help give me the knowledge and skillset I needed to get into the industry. I chose my internship with a small local event planning company because I liked that their focus on entertainment and I saw potential for me to grow with them."
User-Submitted Answer
"I have always worked with events in some way, but the role that really sparked my passion for events was my experience with ______, where I built career readiness workshops for students from underrepresented communities. This experience allowed me to combine my studies as a PR student with my passion for relationship building. I really enjoy creating highly impactful experiences, and that is why I continue to pursue events roles."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
Wonderful story! The passion and excitement that you bring for your career path certainly come through in your answers :) Good work!
15. If you were hired, when could you start?
How to Answer
Show that you respect your employer enough to give them time to fill your position. The interviewer will interpret this as the way you would treat the new job. If you are so excited and say you could start tomorrow, that could come across as impulsive, and likely that you don't even care about your current job. Show enthusiasm while being conscientious and respectful towards your current employer.
Answer Example
"I can start in two weeks. I have some projects I need to wrap up but I am really interested in this opportunity, so if I needed to be more flexible I can talk with my employer."
User-Submitted Answer
"My company is in the middle of a Sales Conference, and I'm currently committed to multiple events and breakout sessions. I want to give enough notice without leaving my current employer in support so I would be comfortably able to start as soon as late January or early February."
Written by an Anonymous User
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Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
Excellent answer! You are very clear on your plans, and any hiring company should appreciate that you are thoughtful in the timing around your exit. Your approach shows professionalism and integrity.
16. Tell me about a work situation that required a creative solution.
How to Answer
Give a concrete example and break down the details that show you were able to understand the situation and able to apply a solution. It doesn't necessarily have to be an event. You could share about difficulties among co-workers or being presented with a new challenge from a client.
Answer Example
"The budget for our work Christmas party was very small. I looked at all of the different pieces involved, including venue, food, music, and decorations, considering our staff size and their requests. Next, I looked within my network of connections that could give us discounts or sometimes even things for free. I was able to get the catering done for half price because of my friend who works at Whole Foods, and stayed within the budget overall because I used connections and did cross-promotion for other companies and individuals."
User-Submitted Answer
"I created a recording studio in a conference room for an event at my past internship. This event was training, and in the past, we had a camera set in the room to record the instructor. This wasn't a great approach because the audio and visuals were poor, and as a result, not many people would watch these recordings. To improve the quality, I worked with the Director of Video Production and arranged a schedule to have instructors record their presentation hours after presenting live. As a result, we had presentations with crisp audio, and they were easier to consume. I don't remember the exact numbers, but viewership increased, and more people were keen to use these videos as a resource versus previously."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
This is a well-organized response - it's clear that you are using the STAR framework to tell your stories...great to see! Your ability to think outside the box to solve problems and your history of gaining buy-in from others are all very strong.
17. How good are your listening skills? How do you know?
How to Answer
Listening is the key to effective communication. There are many skills that make a person a good listener. Touching on a few aspects, such as putting the speaker at ease and removing distractions to give your full attention will demonstrate your skills.
Answer Example
"Yes, I focus on the person I'm talking with and give them my full attention, setting aside my phone and making eye contact. Co-workers come to me when they need to talk about an issue, and I am someone others confide in."
User-Submitted Answer
"I consider myself a great active listener. I like to make sure I'm giving my full attention in conversations and asking questions when I might not understand. It's important for me to have a great relationship with my peers so that we feel empowered in the workspace and know that we can comfortably utilize each other as resources when in need."
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Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
You bring up some excellent points regarding the importance of listening to others and its impact in the workplace. Asking for clarification is a great way to show that you are an engaged listener who is keen on understanding.
18. If you had to describe yourself as detail-oriented or big-picture oriented, which would you choose? Why?
How to Answer
The above example shows how you are aware of your strength and how you also value the area where you are weaker. They go together. Not everyone can do both. By sharing a thoughtful explanation, you show self awareness and your ability to articulate and reflect.
Answer Example
"I am more of a detail-oriented person, because I good at noticing and keeping track of the small details that make up an event. I have also learned how to be more strategic about how and when a task is completed. When I have a variety of tasks that need to be accomplished, I look at how they fit together for an event or program. This helps me to prioritize and delegate."
User-Submitted Answer
"I would easily describe myself as a detail-oriented person. I'm always paying attention to pieces that people might not notice that attribute to an event's success, such as the temperature of the room or creating a brochure of local activities for travelling attendees. It's very easy for me to step back and see how an event is successful, but the details are, in my opinion, what makes the experience more impactful."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
Temperature is a perfect example of looking out for the small details. It's evident that you care about each event, and you approach your planning by thinking of an attendee's 360 needs and desires. Well done!
19. Give an example of a time when you felt the greatest sense of accomplishment in your job?
How to Answer
This answer shows that you are collaborative and find satisfaction in helping others. Whatever your motivations may be, choose an example that shows what you value and how that makes you feel accomplished.
Answer Example
"I feel most accomplished when I am able to create an event that pleases the guests and makes an impact. I put together a concert for an event that benefitted a non-profit and raised over $10,000. Each of the vendors and the organization and I all worked so well together to make it happen. It felt so good to be able to not just have a fun event but to have something to show for it."
User-Submitted Answer
"I hosted a virtual magic show shortly after office closures. The magician we worked with was super funny and professional, finding ways to engage with the audience and call for volunteers. This event was a big win because it wasn't just another meeting where people were blankly staring at their screen. We received over 700 attendees (500 being the number to describe a great event in San Jose) and supporting comments such as "I wish we could do this every Friday" and "This was the first time I laughed out loud in a really long time. Thank you." I introduced value to my attendees, and I felt their excitement throughout the event."
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Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
A fantastic example of being innovative at work and enjoying what you do! It's great that you mentioned some measurable accomplishments, such as 500 attendees as a success benchmark and the reviews that you received after the event. Great response.
20. What are some strategies you use for managing and prioritizing work for yourself when there is too much work and too few staff members to complete the tasks at hand?
How to Answer
Showing your ability to delegate, prioritize, and share responsibilities with your team shows you are a collaborative, strategic team-player. There may be times when you can contract out work, hire an intern or a volunteer to assist the team. Having a mindset that looks for solutions is a skill you want to share with your interviewer to prove you can handle these situations.
Answer Example
"In these situations, I prioritize based on simplifying the tasks. Sometimes I make a list of everything that needs to be done and then set aside the tasks that can be done later and focus on the most important ones with the most immediate deadlines. When my team and I are all in the same situation, we sit down together and discuss the most time-sensitive tasks to see if we can assist each other."
User-Submitted Answer
"I have a template that I like to use to identify my weekly and daily high-priority items. Every Sunday, I write down my focus for that week and identify who my stakeholders and potential lead for support are. This way, I'm never missing a beat, and there is a way to track my progress easily."
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Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
Good for you! It sounds like you have full control of your schedule and go into each week and day with a clear idea of what needs to be done. This will translate well in an interview showing that you respect your employer's time by maximizing productivity.
21. Describe your experience with designing and developing advertising graphics and publications used to market programs and services.
How to Answer
This aspect of the job can involve communication with your client, and a lot of creativity and attention to detail. Give an example of your process and how you approach completing design projects.
Answer Example
"I work closely with my clients to identify their needs. When it comes to the design, I usually have my clients answer some questions so that I can create a template to start with and we can make changes from there. I've worked on posters for events, flyers, logos and websites, and I strive to maintain a clear message that portrays the essence of the event and that attracts the right audience."
User-Submitted Answer
"Most recently, I have managed marketing campaigns via email communications and through summary Spark pages. My experience also includes engaging with communities by creating marketing graphics and acting as a community manager via Facebook groups, LinkedIn groups, Twitter, and Instagram."
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Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
This is a good recap! It will be easy for the interviewer to understand your areas of expertise. If you want to go into more detail regarding some measurable successes/metrics you've been able to deliver, that would be an impactful addition to your answer.
22. Describe your specific skills and experience related to Event Planning.
How to Answer
Consider the skills needed in order to accomplish the responsibilities for this position. Some may be new to you and some may be areas where you have experience. You want to discuss skills that could easily transfer to prove you are qualified for the job. All events need to be executed by the anticipated deadline, so talk about your time management skills. Whether you are a consultant or working with a team, you will need to be able to interact with others. Discuss how you relate with others, delegate tasks, and work as a team.
Pro Tip: For each responsibility listed in the job description, list the skills required to accomplish that task. Draw from your experience, referring back to your resume if you need a reminder of how you have accomplished similar tasks.
23. Tell me about your experience working with an event planning committee?
How to Answer
Committees can be challenging. You may have experienced this early in your career or when volunteering with a non-profit or managing corporate events at work. Give an example of an event you put together with your team. This example focuses on budgeting and planning and working on an inexperienced team. You have the choice to be a leader or to follow along and get frustrated. Showing that you are willing to step up and take responsibility to lead your team shows initiative.
Answer Example
"I worked on a gala for a new non-profit organization as the event organizer. It was challenging because the board members wanted to be involved but didn't have a very realistic budget in mind, seeking donations for most aspects of the event, which can take more time. I made a point to be clear in communication with the team and the vendors and follow a timeline to make sure everything was accomplished by the deadline of the event. It's important to plan and structure the event based around a realistic budget from the very beginning. I was the only person on the team with experience, so I delegated the smaller responsibilities among the team and checked in to make sure everyone knew what they needed to do."
24. How would you describe your work style?
How to Answer
Interviewers will want to learn more about you, and the methods you use to get your work done day in and day out. There really is no right or wrong answer here, simply a personal preference from the interviewer. They will want to be sure you are a fit for their organization and your personal work style can be accommodating inside their agency. Some areas of focus you can discuss are; organization, time management, team interaction, and your personal process of handling daily tasks and projects.
Answer Example
"I am intentional about how I plan my work week and with how I spend my time at work. I usually spend my Sunday evenings and mornings structuring my week and confirming deadlines, meetings and luncheons. I also prioritize my time with the team. Our meetings are pretty structured, following an agenda and using time efficiently. I like to have fun with the team at work as well, but I typically keep my work hours focused on work so that I can have fun at happy hours after work."
User-Submitted Answer
"I would describe my work style as efficient and collaborative. I celebrate my wins by creating a "done" list and categorize my pending items based on priority. This way, I can always speak to what I'm working on and identify any upcoming roadblocks."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
I love the idea of a 'done' list! It's so rewarding to see progress vs only focusing on what needs to be accomplished. It seems you are very well organized and on top of your tasks. Great answer.
25. What approaches do you use in communicating with different people, customers, staff, co-workers, management? How do you know you are communicating effectively?
How to Answer
Effective communication shows active listening and understanding between both parties. If you use email or text to communicate during office hours, you know you are being effective if your message is clear and your tone comes across the way you intended. Your relationships are one indicator of your effectiveness. Being able to maintain positive relationships at work promote a team environment. The only way for teams to function well is through effective communication. Give an example that gives insight into your work relationships and shows your understanding of what effective communication looks like in the workplace.
Answer Example
"When I delegate responsibilities on my team, I ask my staff if they have the bandwidth to handle the task. I invite them into a discussion to make sure they are clear on expectations and also to let them know I am here to help if they need it. We have a tight group and I set the tone for everyone to feel supported through my language, listening, and then giving them an opportunity to give me feedback."
User-Submitted Answer
"I find that I frequently communicate via Slack or instant messaging platforms. However, I'm never afraid to pick up the phone or take someone out to coffee if communication isn't coming off clearly. I like to ensure that my managers, peers, and stakeholders feel comfortable when coming to me."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
These platforms are all beneficial for ensuring that the right information is communicated to the right people. Mentioning Slack is a good choice, especially if you know that the hiring company uses this tool as well. The interviewer should also appreciate that you're open to in-person conversation and direct phone calls to ensure clarity and understanding.