Wondering why you didn't get a reply to that resume you sent out?

Most people trying to break into the events industry go about it in entirely the wrong way; you can't just take a course, graduate, and start applying for entry-level positions. Unlike most professions, a career in event planning does not require qualifications. Employers are looking for people with the right skills, personal qualities, and-above all else-experience. In this industry, getting hired doesn't involve blindly sending out resumes to get experience; it's all about networking, contacts, and relationships.

This straight-talking, no-nonsense, guide aims to show job seekers the right way to go about it-with practical steps and action points to follow. You will learn:

• Why you don't need qualifications or certifications to become an event planner
• How to decide if taking an event-planning course is right for you
• How to differentiate between credible and less trustworthy event-planning courses
• How to choose the most relevant event-planning course and how long to study for
• How to network, make contacts, and develop relationships in the events industry
• The specific skills and qualities that employers are looking for you to demonstrate
• The experience employers will be looking for on your resume
• How to get that experience when starting from scratch
• How to present that experience on your resume in the right way
• How to approach and get noticed by employers
• What to say and do in interviews-and what not to

Featuring advice from employers, recruiters, and senior event professionals with experience working for some the industry's leading players, including:

Jack Morton Worldwide, George P. Johnson, Imagination, Apple, Microsoft, UBM, Goldman Sachs, Credit Suisse, Linklaters, ACCESS Destination Services, International Travel Group, The Dorchester, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, FremantleMedia, Rhubarb Food Design, Chad Hudson Events, British Red Cross, and ESP Recruitment-the leading recruitment agency for the events industry.

Suitable for complete beginners or those who have already taken an event-planning course but are struggling to find work in the industry, this book reveals what employers are really looking for, to give you the best chance of getting hired.

For additional content, see this book's companion site at www.becomeaneventplanner.org

1 About the Author 2 Meet the Professionals 3 What You Need to Know before You Get Started My Route into the Industry: Starting in Charity Events From college drop-out, to organizing events for Elton John Matthew James, Owner, Left Field Productions Being an Event Planner 4 So You Want to Become an Event Planner? 5 What an Event Planner Really Does-The Idea v the Reality My Route into the Industry: Starting in Hotel Conference & Banqueting From casual banqueting staff, to co-founding an award-winning special events agency Nathan Homan, former Assistant Banqueting Manager, The Dorchester and Co-founder, Rouge Events Understanding the Events Industry 6 Understanding the Purpose of Events 7 The Different Sectors of the Events Industry My Route into the Industry: Starting as an Intern in Publicity From an unpaid internship in publicity, to producing The X Factor USA launch Charlotte Saynor, former Vice President, Brands & Events, FremantleMedia Enterprises/European Head of Events, Apple Education and Training 8 Education and Training for a Career in Event Planning 9 Certification and Why You Don't Need It-Yet 10 Is an Event-Planning Course Right for Me? 11 The Different Types of Courses: Accredited and Unaccredited 12 The Most Relevant Qualifications and How Long to Study for 13 How to Choose the Right Event-Planning Course My Route into the Industry: Starting in Travel From working in a hardware store, to running global meetings and incentive travel programs Martin Turner, former Global Head of Events, Credit Suisse Planning Your Route into the Events Industry 14 The Attitude You Need and the Approach You Must Take 15 The Personal Qualities That Employers Are Looking for in You 16 The Skills That Employers Are Looking for You to Demonstrate My Route into the Industry: Starting in Project Management From sales promotions at Christian Dior, to Global Head of Events for an international law firm Sharyn Scott, Global Head of Events, Linklaters How to Get Experience 17 Networking, Contacts and Relationships 18 The Experience Employers Will Be Looking for on Your Resume 19 How to Get Onsite Experience 20 How to Get Office-Based Experience My Route into the Industry: Starting as Event Support Staff From temping for an event staffing agency, to working as a senior corporate event manager for Goldman Sachs Lisa Simmons, Project Manager EAME Events, Goldman Sachs Resumes and Interviews 21 How to Present Your Experience on a Resume including sample resume 22 How to Approach Employers 23 Preparation You Must Do for an Interview 24 What to Say and Do in an Interview 25 What You Need to Demonstrate Once You Get an Opportunity My Route into the Industry: Starting as a Volunteer From volunteering at the American Film Institute, to producing the reveal of the largest LEGO model ever built in Times Square Marie Davidheiser, Senior Vice President, Director of Operations, Jack Morton Worldwide 26 Conclusion 27 Final Advice from the Professionals My Route into the Industry: Starting in Catering From selling printer cartridges, to working on events for HRH Charles, Prince of Wales Charlotte Wolseley Brinton, former Head of Events, Rhubarb Food Design My Route into the Industry: Starting in Venue Management From managing event bookings at a castle in Italy, to producing conferences and conventions for IBM, Shell, and Ferrari throughout Europe, Asia, and the Middle East Grace Nacchia, Event Director, George P. Johnson