Event Planner interview questions and answers
This Event Planner interview profile brings together a snapshot of what to look for in candidates with a balanced sample of suitable interview questions. Similar job titles include Event Coordinator, Meeting Coordinator or Planner, Conference Coordinator, Special Events Coordinator and Exhibition Coordinator.
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10 good event planner interview questions
- What information would you ask for from a potential client? Why?
- How would you choose the location/venue for an event? What are your priorities after choosing a location/venue?
- How do you choose partners (e.g. caterers) when organizing an event? What are your criteria to assess their eligibility/quality?
- Have you ever had to plan more than one event simultaneously? How did you do it? What was the result?
- How do you use social media for your event planning or for attracting customers?
- Describe a time when you went over budget. What went wrong and what did you do to fix it?
- How would you manage stress as the date of an event draws near?
- How would you react to technical problems during an event? What are the most common/serious problems you have encountered during an event and what did you do about them?
- Describe a time when you provided a creative solution to a problem. What was the result?
- Describe your most successful event planning experience. What did you do that made it so successful?
Here are 10 essential interview questions and sample answers to help identify the best candidates for this role.
1. What information would you ask for from a potential client? Why?
This question helps you understand the candidate’s initial approach to event planning and what they consider important for starting the planning process.
Sample answer:
“I would ask for the client’s vision for the event, the budget, and the expected number of attendees. This gives me a foundational understanding to start the planning process.”
2. How would you choose the location/venue for an event? What are your priorities after choosing a location/venue?
This question assesses the candidate’s ability to select appropriate venues and what they consider important after the venue is chosen.
Sample answer:
“I choose a venue based on the client’s vision, budget, and the logistics like accessibility. After choosing a venue, my next priorities are securing the date and beginning vendor outreach.”
3. How do you choose partners (e.g. caterers) when organizing an event? What are your criteria to assess their eligibility/quality?
This question delves into how the candidate selects and evaluates vendors, which is crucial for the success of an event.
Sample answer:
“I look for vendors who have a proven track record, can work within the client’s budget, and who can meet the specific needs of the event. I usually ask for references and perhaps a tasting or trial run.”
4. Have you ever had to plan more than one event simultaneously? How did you do it? What was the result?
This question gauges the candidate’s multitasking and organizational skills.
Sample answer:
“Yes, I’ve had to plan multiple events at the same time. I use project management software to keep track of each event’s details and deadlines. The result was successful execution of all events.”
5. How do you use social media for your event planning or for attracting customers?
This question explores the candidate’s understanding and use of social media as a tool for business.
Sample answer:
“I use social media to showcase past events, share testimonials, and provide glimpses into upcoming events. It’s a great way to attract new clients and keep existing ones engaged.”
6. Describe a time when you went over budget. What went wrong and what did you do to fix it?
This question assesses the candidate’s financial management skills and problem-solving abilities.
Sample answer:
“I once went over budget due to unexpected venue costs. I negotiated with the venue and made cuts in other areas to balance the budget.”
7. How would you manage stress as the date of an event draws near?
This question helps you understand the candidate’s stress management techniques.
Sample answer:
“I prioritize tasks and delegate when possible. I also make time for short breaks to clear my mind, ensuring I’m focused and efficient.”
8. How would you react to technical problems during an event? What are the most common/serious problems you have encountered during an event and what did you do about them?
This question gauges the candidate’s problem-solving skills in high-pressure situations.
Sample answer:
“I always have a backup plan for technical issues, like extra microphones. The most serious issue I’ve faced was a power outage, for which we had backup generators.”
9. Describe a time when you provided a creative solution to a problem. What was the result?
This question assesses the candidate’s creativity and problem-solving skills.
Sample answer:
“I once had a last-minute cancellation from a caterer. I quickly organized a food truck to come to the event. It was a hit and added a unique element to the event.”
10. Describe your most successful event planning experience. What did you do that made it so successful?
This question allows the candidate to showcase their best work and explain what made it successful.
Sample answer:
“My most successful event was a charity gala. I focused on the details, from the venue to the auction items, and we exceeded our fundraising goal by 30%.”
What does a good Event Planner candidate look like?
A strong candidate for an Event Planner position will have a balanced mix of creativity and practical skills. They should be adept at multitasking, have excellent communication skills, and be able to manage budgets effectively.
Red flags
Be cautious of candidates who lack attention to detail, have poor communication skills, or seem unable to handle stress well.
Event Planner Interview Questions
There is no single educational route into becoming a great event planner. So when interviewing candidates, it’s better to start with a picture of the hard event planning skills you would be looking for. These might include a knowledge of logistics, vendor management and budgeting. You can also ask them about their knowledge of the events industry and look for current knowledge of specific terms or standards.
The best sets of event planner interview questions will also be vital to assess soft skills. What evidence is there of the candidates’ organizational and coordination skills? The best candidates will combine creativity and practicality with considerable patience and keen communication skills.
Since every event has different elements, situational questions are the best to assess the eligibility of an event planner. Find out if they have experience in managing large or small scale events as well as what type of events (corporate, social etc.). Try to understand their event management approaches as they describe past events, their successes and issues they faced. Look for the systems they employ to do their job; how they use technology and how they prioritize tasks.
It’s a good idea to provide candidates with a situation and ask them how they would handle it. This will help you evaluate the way they think; whether they rush to do things or are calculating and analytical. Event planning is a high-stress occupation, so dig into their stress management approaches.
Let’s summarize some of the questions and add a few more divided into specific types.
Operational and Situational questions
- What information would you ask for from a potential client? Why?
- How would you choose the location/venue for an event? What are your priorities after choosing a location/venue?
- How do you choose partners (e.g. caterers) when organizing an event? What are your criteria to assess their eligibility/quality?
- Have you ever had to plan more than one event simultaneously? How did you do it? What was the result?
- How do you use social media for your event planning or for attracting customers?
- Describe a time when you went over budget. What went wrong and what did you do to fix it?
- How would you manage stress as the date of an event draws near?
- How would you react to technical problems during an event? What are the most common/serious problems you have encountered during an event and what did you do about them?
- Describe a time when you provided a creative solution to a problem. What was the result?
- Describe your most successful event planning experience. What did you do that made it so successful?
- Describe an event management experience that didn’t have the results you aimed for. What happened and what did you learn?
Role-specific questions
- How do you remain up-to-date with the event industry?
- Do you know the most popular venues in X location? Why are they popular?
- What do you know about DMS (Delegate Management System)? What is DDR etc.?
- What technology/software do you use/prefer? What do you know about event technology?
- How many events do you plan per year?
- What types of events do you usually plan? Do you have a specialty? Why did you choose it?
- What elements must be considered before you start planning an event?
- How do you assess the success of each of your events?
- What do you like most about your job? How do you stay motivated when things don’t go as planned?
- How would you persuade a client of the value of your services?