OCTOBER 15-17, 2024 | NEW YORK CITY

Need to Hire? What Event Planners Should Be Looking for in a Candidate

One of the most significant growing pains you’ll experience when leading a New York event planning business is hiring. And today’s job market is incredibly competitive, with companies and brands vying for the best position to attract top talent. When you’re ready to hire, whether it’s another event planner professional or a more supportive role within your company, these are the key characteristics to look for in a great-fit candidate.

Understanding of Logistics

As a New York event planner, your responsibilities include coordinating all the moving parts of an event. And no one conference or bar/bat mitzvah is the same, so experience in various planning situations matters. When you’re looking to bring on another team member, talk about all those task-management requirements needed for the job. And look for candidates who have experience either directly in planning the logistics of different events or supporting others who do.

Vendor Management Skill Are Necessary

Following directions and checking off to-do lists is one thing. But when it comes to managing vendors for your company’s events and conferences, you need a candidate who possesses the right soft skills and relationship-building chops to work with those vendors seamlessly. Look for strong communication skills, great negotiation experience, and a friendly yet professional demeanor.

A Keen Eye for Genius Budgeting

Anyone can plan an event when the client’s budget is endless. But that’s not the reality. Oftentimes, you’re faced with creating incredible and dazzling events on tight budgets. Talk with your candidates during the interview about how they tackle events with constraints. Look for those who can demonstrate genius ways of staying on track without compromising the quality of the event. Find the problem-solvers, the quick-thinkers, and the smart budgeters to add to your event planning team.

Look for Niche Specialties & Broad Experiences

Depending on the role you’re trying to fill, you might need to consider finding a candidate with a specific skill set or niche event planning expertise. For example, if you’re expanding your business model to include more corporate events and New York conferences, you might want to find a professional with more corporate experience. Alternatively, if you’re looking for another well-rounded planner to join the ranks who can handle weddings, C-Level trade shows, and company holiday parties, you might be in the market to find an event planning guru with experience in all of the above.

Questions to Ask in the Interview

Even if a candidate checks all the boxes with a stellar resume and loads of event planning experience, there has to be a personality connection and vibe that complements your company culture. You want someone who can fit right in with the other personalities in your team, even if it’s a different style or flare with which they work best.

  • Why are you currently exploring a career in event planning?
  • What do you love about planning an event? What don’t you love?
  • Can you share a time you created a solution to an event problem?
  • Describe what you feel are the top priorities when planning an event.
  • How do you stay on top of the latest trends in event planning?

If you’re looking to hire another team member to add to your event planning business, consider these insights to help you find the best-fit candidates for employment. 

And if you’re really looking to grow, make sure you have your tickets to The Event Planner Expo 2022 & 10-Year Anniversary coming up October 11th-13th. It’s the #1 events industry conference of the year!

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