best resume tips planners

You might have the most experience, top qualifications and the best-suited skills for the job, but if your resume fails to properly highlight these points, it might all be for nothing. The reality is that we live in a competitive, fast-paced world. So if your resume falls short of astounding, it will likely end-up hidden amidst a neglected pile (or email folder) of other applicants.

The good news is that there is an art to properly shaping a resume. And as with any craft, this can be learned. Here are the main ways you can stand out as a meeting or event planner, even at first glance.

Be Specific About Past Roles

Designing a memorable event requires a wide variety of skills. For instance, a corporate planner working for a major tech brand and one working for a tourism board will have entirely different backgrounds. Avoiding ambiguity demonstrates greater expertise and richer responsibilities.

Diversify Your Scope

Marketing and public relations are an inseparable part of meeting and event planning. Attracting people to your event, coordinating with vendors and sponsors, putting together a swag bag, managing registration, using social media and other tasks which may seem second nature to you are actually part of these major fields. Show that you have experience in these areas by including proper terminology.

Technology is another area where planners are expected to be proficient. After all, it’s an integral part of every stage—from registration and vendor management to entertainment and attendee feedback. Show that your knowledge extends to this area and you will be seen as more valuable.

Put it in Numbers

It’s crucial to legitimize your accomplishments with numerical details. What was the budget size? How many attendees were involved? There really is no preferable amount here, it just paints a picture for the prospective employer of what type of work you did and what type of situations you are familiar with. Other numbers such as turnout rate and ROI are also great to include if they show above average success.

Demonstrate Commercial Value

Remember that, in a big way, you’re a potential investment for the company. Proving that you can save companies time and money convinces them that your presence will be beneficial. Efficiency and time-saving accomplishments are golden. There is a good chance you’ve had to cut costs, simplify processes, speed up tasks or all three over your career. Demonstrating a capacity to excel in this area will attract companies. Whether it was cutting the budget by 3 percent or introducing an entirely new registration process, these types of achievements are a priority.

You have the skills, you just need to tell the right people.

Buzzwords are irritating—plain and simple. Even the term buzzword is cringe-worthy. Overuse and misapplication has made these terms tiresome. Instead of just bashing them though, we’re offering more unique and precise alternatives. Whether you’re writing up an event program, e-blast, blog post or even just a Tweet, it’s time to showcase a fresh vocabulary.

Buzz Word

Why Not?

Alternatives
Thought leader There’s no concrete way to achieve this status. Influencer, expert or authority
Hyperlocal When you tack on “hyper”, no value is added and it’s no longer a word. Local, regional or characteristic
Authentic The word has devolved into the most inauthentic word. Genuine, legitimate, bona fide or natural
Synergy  Used too frequently, yet exclusively, in business settings. Collaboration, team effort or combined effort
At the end of the day What other point in time matters? Ultimately, after all or fundamentally
Utilize The shorter form “use” can almost always take its place. Use, apply, consume or exercise
Storytelling Although it’s a fun term, many use it too loosely to describe other types of information sharing. Narrative, writing, style or content
Innovative It’s muddled by over-representation. The word no longer has a spark. More specific adjectives, depending on the specific case, words such as artistic, stylish or advanced
Holistic  An appropriate term for an approach to health care, but ambiguous when applied to much else. Comprehensive, universal or balanced

Fatigue plagues too many, too frequently. How often do you hear complaints in the office of being exhausted?

Between the travel, late nights and high pressure, the struggle is particularly common with meeting and event planners. But if you’re clocking a solid eight hours of sleep, there might be another reason you’re yawning at 11 a.m. Here are a few sneaky culprits of low energy and how you can resolve them just in time for the New Year.

1. Evaluate Your Diet

It’s important to take both your intake of nutrients and eating schedule into consideration when evaluating your diet. You could need more iron, Vitamin B12 or magnesium.

The solution: Try staggering small meals every 3-4 hours. Additionally, be selective about certain foods for certain meals. A protein-heavy breakfast is ideal to keep hunger steady throughout the day, as opposed to something rich in carbs, such as a bagel. Also, be honest about what you’re eating and what needs to be done. One of the best ways to kick this off is by logging your diet. This can easily be done in apps like FitnessPal.

2. Put Down the Coffee, Pick up the Water

Drinking eight glasses of water a day sounds easy enough, right? Then why are so many of usunable to meet this quota?

When you’re dehydrated, your body processes slow down—including cell function. With a drop in blood volume, your heart has to work harder and leaves you sleepy. Many drink coffee or other energy drinks to compensate, which actually makes it much worse.

The solution: To get in the habit, set reminders on your phone or computer. Make a reusable water bottle part of your routine. Better yet, purchase one that tracks your hydration.  Another useful method is to drink two glasses with every meal.

3. Move Your Body

It’s hard. When you’re feeling groggy, the last thing you want to do is push yourself physically. However, that’s actually the best solution. According to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, regular physical activity can “reduce your risk of depression and may help you sleep better.” It also strengthens circulation, stabilizes your metabolism and stimulates adrenaline—all of which provide a lasting energy boost.

The solution: Fortunately, gym memberships offer generous deals in January. If you need motivation for keeping it up, try enlisting a gym buddy. It doesn’t have to be all pain or no gain either. You can work out at home or run somewhere local. Most importantly, find what works for you and experiment with different approaches.

4. Give Your Mental Health Some Love

This is a very complex topic, so let’s limit it to the basics. Surround yourself with positive individuals. When those around you are constantly complaining or harming your self-esteem, they will inevitably chip away at your mood.

Another important matter of self-help is stress management. According to Mayo Clinic, stress is the top cause of insomnia. This can be a vicious cycle when sleep deprivation in turn creates more stress. But it can also be taxing as you go about your day and manifest physically through adrenal fatigue and digestive distress.

 

The solution: It’s crucial that you prioritize a stress-relieving activity in your life. Take time out of the day to meditate, practice Yoga, go for a walk or simply listen to music. And acknowledge when you need professional help as well.

 

5. Give Up the Sleeping Aids

Alcohol, over-the-counter and prescription sleeping aids will all damage your quality of sleep. Alcohol forces your body to work harder than fat or carbs do. Plus, it reduces the amount of rapid eye movement (REM) you experience while sleeping. Meanwhile with medications, people typically develop a tolerance while growing dependent on them.

The solution: Let the crutch go and don’t worry about the amount of hours you’re getting in. Quality sleep is just as important, if not more, than the amount of time. Try natural remedies like melatonin, magnesium and tea. You could even try a warm bath before climbing into bed.

6. Abide by a Strict Sleep Schedule

When your body is conditioned to a stable sleep schedule, it will feel tired and restful at the proper times. Additionally, research has also shown that sleeping in late in general may harm your energy throughout the day. A 2008 Harvard study showed that morning people better anticipate problems and are more proactive than night owls.

 

The solution: Set timers for sleep and for waking up. Even on the weekends, try not to stray too far from your typical sleep schedules with few exceptions.

 

7. Reset the Thermostat

This one can be very insidious, especially if you live with others. The temperature in your room will not only impact your ability to and quality of sleep, it can also irritate your body. Heaters dry out the air and consequently lead to inflamed skin.

The solution: A suggested temperature indoors during the winter is 70 degrees in the living room and 64 in all other rooms, according to the West Midlands Public Health Observatory. When it comes to your bedroom, always veer on the colder side. 

8. Tidy up Your Room!

That chair in your room with all of the clothes on it might seem harmless, but the disorganization will eat away at you over time—even if you don’t consciously realize it. A messy room may contribute to other obstacles. For example, it can make you run late, feel embarrassed to bring people over or remain another task lingering over you. National Sleep Foundation asserts that your bedroom should be clean, comfortable and conducive to rest.

The solution: Make your bedroom a sanctuary. Invest in a bed that’s comfortable, keep it organized and take pride in its cleanliness. Allow fresh air to circulate. If you like scents, purchase a diffuser, candles, incense, an air freshener or all three. Make your bed in the morning to kick the day off right.

9. See a Doctor

Several health conditions could be underlying your fatigue. For instance, hypothyroidism and diabetes are known for causing fatigue. Other conditions can have this effect as well.

The solution: If you can’t pinpoint a cause, then make an appointment. Even if you think it’s probably nothing, better safe than sorry.

Photo credit: Noel Vasquez/GC Images

Many meeting-goers are of child-bearing age, and model and Lip Sync Battle color commentator Chrissy Teigen can sympathize with all the ladies and their bumps. The star, who is currently expecting her second baby with husband John Legend, got caught up in a travel snafu earlier this week when the couple’s flight from Los Angeles to Tokyo returned to L.A. after it was discovered an unticketed passenger accidentally boarded the flight.

https://twitter.com/chrissyteigen/status/946091850661851136

https://twitter.com/chrissyteigen/status/946091875412439041

This mix-up aside, Teigen coincidentally recently announced her partnership with Chase Sapphire to share travel tips and itineraries, including jet-setting with toddler daughter Luna. “If you’re traveling with a baby, don’t be afraid to ask the hotel to baby-proof the room for you (from covering the outlets to removing dangerous objects),” she says. “In addition to what you can do on your own, most times the hotel will be happy to help you, and you’ll be so glad that your baby can explore the room without you being in constant fear.”

With the bleisure travel sector growing in popularity, it is becoming more and more common for children and spouses to tag along on business trips, especially when the meeting is taking place in a tourist destination that offers family-friendly attractions such as theme parks. A study conducted by Expedia Media Solutions found that 43 percent of business trips double as bleisure trips.

Henley Vazquez, cofounder and CEO of Passported, told website Fast Company, “If you have to go somewhere, why not turn it into something beyond sitting in a hotel room and going to meetings all day? Use this as an excuse to show [kids] someplace new.”

To balance work and life on a trip with the little ones, Vazquez recommends planning ahead for childcare during the workday by finding daycare through your company, a hotel-endorsed babysitter or asking a favor of friends or family who live in the city you’re meeting in. She also cautions parents to be mindful of children needing to adjust to a new time zone and recommends extending your stay to include a work-free weekend to enjoy quality family time.

Phil Shawe, co-CEO of TransPerfect, told website Business Travel Life that bosses may actually benefit by allowing their employees’ families to come along for the ride. “If you are a frequent business traveler, the lack of being around for family/friends is almost always an issue. Without the stress of missing out on family events and other milestones, you can ensure that your mind is focused on the work in front of you,” he said.

Working from home always seems like a good idea until it’s not. Logging in from the comfort of your pajamas might sound delightful, but those who have taken a WFH day know it can be a double-edge sword. Distractions are abundant and structure sparse. Not to mention, it gets pretty darn lonely. The human connection provided by an office setting is vital to mental wellness, and therefore to productivity.

Cue coworking spaces. This term refers to offices that combine the autonomy of freelancing with the organization, and at times community, of an office. Also, keep in mind that although they have “co” in the title, most of these facilities also offer private offices on-site. The concept has become so popular that the Global Coworking Survey of 2017 predicted nearly 1.2 million people worldwide would have worked in a coworking space by 2018.

These facilities are particularly useful to meeting and event planners, specifically in the following scenarios:

1. Traveling

2. Launching a new business

3. Working independently

4. Holding small gatherings or networking events

Sold on coworking? Here are some of the companies setting the stage for this massive movement.

WeWork

Locations: 171 locations in 18 countries

WeWork is regarded as the pioneer of casual coworking space that fosters innovation. The experience is enhanced by free refreshments, conference rooms and discounts from more than 200 partners.

Hera Hub

Locations: Carlsbad, California; San Diego; Phoenix; Washington, D.C.; Sweden

Hera Hub is a female-centric coworking space and business accelerator. The spa-inspired environment discourages stress. The platform also connects users to business experts and educational workshops.

Locations in Chicago, Atlanta and Irvine, California, are expected to open soon.

The Farm Soho

Location: New York City

Located in the utmost convenient and trendy New York City neighborhood, The Farm is an unexpected oasis. The organic-designed interior transports city nomads to somewhere more peaceful—but not without the latest technology. The Farm even offers a treehouse work space and items made of barn wood from Missouri.

Outsite

Locations: Portland, Oregon; Lake Tahoe, California; Santa Cruz, California; Venice Beach, California; San Diego; Haleiwa, Oahu Island, Hawaii; New York City; Rincon, Puerto Rico; Bejuco, Costa Rica; Bali, Indonesia; Lisbon, Portugal.

Outsite members and one-time users can stay on-site at the brand’s luxury homes, which are run by their community managers. Their sophisticated spaces foster connections among creatives, academics, entrepreneurs and developers.

The Lab Miami

Location: Miami

Centrally located in the iconic Wynwood Arts District, The Lab Miami is in a converted, 10,000-square-foot warehouse. Since opening in 2012, the company has rapidly attracted Miami’s creative elite. It offers four different plans, so members can get as involved with community as they like.

Co+Hoots Coworking

Location: Phoenix

Co+Hoots is the only shared central Phoenix office locational that promotes professional collaboration. It also stands out for its emphasis on community, local businesses, shared resources and entrepreneurialism.

Workbar

Locations: Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Arlington, Danvers (all in Massachusetts)

Workbar provides cozy coworking spaces, meeting rooms, social meetups and educational workshops in the Greater Boston area (both urban and suburban). The space is uniquely laid out into different “neighborhoods,” with each facilitating a certain aspect of productivity. For instance, the Commons is for team collaboration while the Study is for quiet time.

Photo of Cameron Hughes

When professional crowd igniter Cameron Hughes danced his way into a room full of event professionals on a Wednesday night at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco, he had one job—to teach people the power of cheering for themselves and others. His message at NYC & Company and SF Travel “East Meets West” Education Day was based on the importance of connecting.

This high-energy Canadian is the human embodiment of how being your own best cheerleader and never giving up can lead to something as unlikely as inventing a career where you are paid to energize audiences at sporting events by spinning T-shirts above your head. Here are the secrets he shared for firing up a crowd.

1. When you are your own biggest fan, amazing things happen. Cheering is a superpower,  and you owe it to yourself to dish out fist-bump selfies just as you would pat others on the back and tell them to go for it.

That message is even more important when the thing you are excited about is a long shot. Hughes says that when he wasn’t chosen for the high school basketball team, his mother—who passed away of cancer soon afterward—told him that if he was passionate, he should find other ways to contribute. That led to him wearing a watermelon helmet and overalls at an away game, and getting everyone fired up. When you take a risk, it is important that you be in your own corner.

2. Energy is contagious. Excitement is not a finite resource. A lot of people hold back at meetings or in life because they are afraid, but when they realize that their involvement is essential for a shared goal, they come alive. The event professional’s job is to remove barriers so people feel free to open up. A crowd feeds off itself, and the more people are engaged, the more others will join. That will get the first group even more pumped up. We have to empower each other.

3. People crave spontaneous human interaction. In a world dominated by people staring at their phone, we long for the things only live events can provide—community, fun, emotional connections. Creating unscripted spaces in our agendas and an opportunity for people to shake it to C+C Music Factory without being judged is how you make the world a better—and more connected—place.

event staff finding

As an event planner, you’ve become accustomed to taking on many challenges, from catering to music to decor. For your next event, you’ve worked out most details on your own, but the destination offers its own event staff.

It sounds like a relief—that is, until your event comes, and the staff you’re counting on doesn’t meet your expectations. While it’s another aspect of planning to add to your plate, it might be time to consider hiring your own event staff. Below are seven tips to help you find the strongest staff for your event.

1. Write a detailed description about the position.

You know how it is: A call for employees has vague requirements for the position, which creates an influx of resumes to the recruiter. When juggling a host of other priorities on your own, however, you don’t have the time to sift through 30 resumes. When creating your listing, be as meticulous as possible, to not leave any important requirements out—it will lessen the amount of resumes you receive, reducing your stress levels.

2. Don’t rely on resumes, no matter how perfect the candidate might seem.

It’s easy to rely on resumes when you’re scheduling an event. You can see if they list the proper experience, and any resumes that don’t fit your requirements can be thrown out without deeper research. But never doubt the importance of a phone call or an in-person interview. Someone who may appear perfect on paper won’t necessarily have the pep you need for your event.

3. If necessary, have your lawyer draft a nondisclosure agreement.

It will take extra time, but having a nondisclosure agreement is a must, should your event or business include confidential property. It prohibits important information from leaking, and potential staff will understand that your business and its privacy are of the utmost importance.

4. Ask around for referrals.

You’re not the first person to hire your personal event staff—chances are, your fellow entrepreneurs and business owners have gone the same route. Ask around to learn of positive experiences and specific staffers that elevated the event. People put their best foot forward in interviews, but they may not execute their duties well in the moment. Referrals can be the best way to find a staff that stands out.

5. Overstaff, rather than understaff.

Unfortunately, things happen: Event staff fall ill or get stuck in traffic, or more attendees come than you originally expected. Consider how many staffers you will need should everything go according to plan, then hire extra. You won’t be caught off-guard if a problem arises and surprises you, in turn enabling you to pay attention to more important details.

6. Huddle up before the event begins.

Before your day officially starts, get everybody together to go over the agenda, expectations and responses should any emergencies arise. It’s important for your staff to be on the same page as you at all times, especially since your focus will shift constantly, from item to item, throughout the day. While you will want to check in throughout the day, a weight will be taken off your shoulders, knowing everyone is prepared to help execute a good event.

7. Be kind and gracious.

You might be stressed, but don’t take it out on your staff—they are there to help, not hinder. Once the event is finished, make sure to send timely thank you notes to your staff for helping to make your event a success. They will appreciate the gesture, and their positive experience with you will increase their chances of working for you in the future.

What makes for good company culture? Generous bonuses? Top products? Snacks?

Answering this million-dollar question is even more important for event planners who rely on quality employees in a tight hospitality job market. Companies offering a positive atmosphere attract and then develop their prime talent. Suggesting, success requires an ongoing examination of what’s happening internally.

Fortune’s annual list of 100 Best Companies to Work for is defines a prime workplace as “one where employees trust the people they work with, have pride in the work they do, and enjoy the people they work with.”

Meeting and event planners often work for small companies, where affirmative culture is particularly essential—both healthy and unhealthy behaviors can spread like wildfire. Laying the foundation for a place people want to go each day might be easier than you think. Let’s uncover the main takeaways from Fortune’s list of exemplary workplaces.

Value and Invest in Your Employees

Making your employees happy really isn’t about the bells and whistles. Perks might help contribute to satisfaction, but ultimately there’s a bigger picture. Employees want to feel valued, as all humans do.

Notably, Fortune changed its methodology this year to keep up with a modern workforce. The original measures were trust, pride and comradery. There are now seven: values, innovation, financial growth, leadership effectiveness, maximizing human potential and trust. Central to these new metrics, is maximizing human potential, meaning how well a company creates a positive experience for every single employee.

The numbers reflect the new values as well. Fortune found that companies rated highest in a For All standard grew revenue three times faster. Therefore, companies that invest in their team members rather than constantly seeking out new talent are much more likely to succeed. Not to mention, they make the world a happier place.

Get Proactive About Inclusivity

Inclusivity should already be a central company value. Yet, it’s important to exercise, improve on and demonstrate it. Not to mention, millennials, who are currently the largest segment of the workforce, come in with an expectation that this value will be emphasized and prevalent. After the emergence of the #MeToo movement last year, female employees have voiced a preference for companies that are making statements and taking actions against harassment.

Take it from the leaders of the No.1 company on the list. Marc Benioff, chairman and CEO of Salesforce told Fortune, “The intersection of our values—trust, growth, innovation and equality—and our actions creates our Ohana culture.” Adding, “This culture of family is at the core of everything we do—including our philanthropy, spaces, events, products and Trailhead, our online learning platform.”

family life while working

Hectic schedules, last minute client changes and unusual hours are common for event professionals. Add in the dynamic of family life and you may be left feeling frustrated and short on time. You are not alone! Many American families struggle with balancing work and family. These four simple steps can make the work-life balance thing seem manageable.

Step 1: Don’t Compare

Avoid the temptation to compare yourself or your family to another. Every individual and family is different and has different needs. If you know a soccer dad that never misses a game or practice, don’t take their perfect attendance and compare it to yours. Focus on what’s important to you and your family and don’t stress about the rest.

Step 2: Discuss Your Family Priorities

If you don’t have clear family priorities, you will constantly play a game in which you don’t know the rules. A simple, calm conversation can help alleviate this. For example, if you’re feeling guilty about missing some upcoming events, ask your spouse or children how they feel about it. Then, come up with an achievable plan that fits everyone’s needs. Talking about it in advance with those involved, will give everyone a chance to get their needs met. Then you can release that parent guilt!

Step 3: Quality Time

When it comes to quality time, everyone’s needs are different. Have a conversation with yourself and your family about their needs. If they are not receiving enough focused attention, talk about what would work and come up with a plan around that. It can be as simple as a one-hour mommy-daughter ice cream date once a week. When you carve out dedicated time for your loved ones, they feel special and you both have something to look forward to. Those dedicated moments really help during extra-busy times in life!

Want more tips from women in business? Read here.

Step 4: Self-Care

Don’t forget about yourself! Self-care is incredibly important, yet many of you are not doing it. I won’t try to convince you to work out or book yourself a massage (although, I should). I will try to convince you to take at least five minutes of quiet time for yourself every day. If you have time to be on social media or watch TV, you have time for this. Breathe. You will be amazed at what five short minutes can do for your stress level and reaction to life.

Wrapping It Up:

When you spend time on the front end, discussing what’s important to you and your family, you can greatly reduce self-imposed guilt, and increase the overall happiness and balance your family life. Life is ever changing, so this isn’t a one-time assessment. It’s important to regularly review your intentions and have ongoing family conversations.

Nikki Berkel is former accountant and CPA who realized she was in the wrong profession. It took years for her to make a change. After all, her life on paper was awesome.  On the outside, she had everything. On the inside, she did not. She was constantly exhausted and often in pain. She used wine, junk food and sleep to distract herself from her life. Years later, she found a new profession in life coaching, where her natural love and desire for more connection with people has bloomed. Today, her coaching work focuses on helping successful people learn what it takes for them to enjoy their work more, and helping stressed out mom’s prioritize their life to enjoy motherhood more.