17 Event Planner Assistant Interview Questions and Answers

An event planner assistant is responsible for helping to plan and execute events such as weddings, corporate functions, and parties. The job requires excellent organizational skills, as well as the ability to think on your feet and solve problems quickly. If you’re interested in becoming an event planner assistant, you’ll need to be prepared to answer a variety of event planner interview questions.

In this guide, we’ll provide you with a list of event planner assistant interview questions, as well as advice on how to answer each one. We’ll also give you a few tips on how to prepare for your interview so you can make a great impression on the hiring manager.

Are you detail-oriented?

Event planners need to be detail-oriented because they’re responsible for organizing and managing many aspects of an event. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the ability to pay attention to small details, which is a necessary skill in this role. In your answer, explain that you are organized and can manage multiple tasks at once. Explain that you enjoy keeping track of important information and facts.

Example: “I am definitely detail-oriented. I’ve always been someone who likes to keep track of things and stay organized. When working on projects or assignments in school, I would always take notes and highlight important points. This helped me remember what I needed to do when it was time to complete my work. As an event planner assistant, I will make sure to record all important information about each event so we can plan accordingly.”

What are your strengths as an event planner assistant?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you would fit into their team. They want someone who is positive, organized and detail-oriented. When answering this question, think of a few strengths that relate to the job description.

Example: “I am very organized and detail-oriented, which helps me stay on top of my tasks. I also have excellent communication skills, so I can relay information from one person to another easily. Another strength I have is creativity. I enjoy coming up with new ideas for events and helping others brainstorm.”

How would you describe your work ethic?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your work ethic and how you approach your job. They want to know that you are a hard worker who is willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. When answering, think of an example from your past where you worked especially hard or stayed late at work.

Example: “I have always been someone who approaches my work with a positive attitude. I am committed to doing whatever it takes to help my employer succeed. In my last role as an event planner assistant, I was tasked with organizing all of our supplies for each event. One day, I noticed we were missing some items. Rather than wait until the next morning to tell my boss, I decided to drive to the supply store myself to pick up what we needed. It ended up being a busy night, but I was happy to be able to help.”

What is your experience working in the event planning industry?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your background and experience. They want to know what kind of work you’ve done in the past, how long you’ve been doing it and whether you’re familiar with their company’s event planning process. Before your interview, make sure you read through the job description so you can refer to specific tasks that are part of the role. In your answer, explain which aspects of the job you have experience with and highlight any skills or abilities that will help you succeed in the role.

Example: “I’ve worked as an event planner assistant for five years now. I started out working at a small event planning firm where I learned all the basics of event planning. Now, I’m ready to take on more responsibilities and contribute to the success of a larger organization like yours.”

Provide an example of a time you overcame a challenge at work.

Employers ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills. They want to know that you can overcome challenges and still complete your work on time. In your answer, explain the steps you took to solve the challenge. Try to highlight your creativity or ability to adapt to change.

Example: “At my last job, I had a lot of tasks to complete each day. One day, I was working on an event when our main planner became ill. She asked me to take over her responsibilities for the rest of the day. At first, I felt overwhelmed by all the tasks she gave me. However, I decided to break down the tasks into smaller pieces. I delegated some of the tasks to other employees so we could get everything done in time.”

If a guest at an event you planned had a complaint, how would you handle it?

Event planners often work with a variety of clients, and some may not be happy with the event. An interviewer may ask this question to understand how you would handle a challenging situation. In your answer, try to show that you can remain calm and solve problems effectively.

Example: “If a guest had a complaint, I would first apologize for their experience and then find out what they were unhappy about. If it was something we could fix, I would do my best to make sure they left satisfied. If there wasn’t anything I could do, I would offer them a discount on their next event with us.”

What would you do if you were assigned a task and your supervisor was unavailable to provide guidance?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a challenging situation. Your answer should show that you are willing to take initiative and seek out resources when needed.

Example: “If I was assigned a task and my supervisor wasn’t available, I would first try to find someone else who could provide guidance or assistance. If no one else was available, I would use the resources at hand to complete the task. For example, if I was tasked with creating an event budget but my supervisor wasn’t available, I would look for existing budgets to use as a template. Then, I would create a new budget using the information from the previous budget.”

How well do you handle stress?

Event planners often have to handle a lot of stress. Employers ask this question to make sure you can manage the pressure that comes with the job. In your answer, explain how you stay calm and focused when things get hectic. Share an example of a time you faced a stressful situation and succeeded.

Example: “I am very good at managing stress. I’ve worked in event planning for five years now, so I’m used to handling high-pressure situations. When I first started my career, I was working on a large corporate event where we were understaffed. There were many last-minute changes, and it seemed like everything was going wrong. However, I stayed calm and helped my team solve all the problems as they came up. We ended up finishing the event on time.”

Do you have experience working with vendors?

Event planners often work with vendors to find the best options for their clients. Employers ask this question to see if you have experience working with vendors and how you handled those situations. In your answer, share a time when you worked with a vendor and what challenges you faced. Explain how you overcame these challenges or helped your event planner overcome them.

Example: “I’ve had experience working with many different types of vendors in my previous role as an event planner assistant. I once worked with a florist who was out of town but still wanted to be involved in the planning process. I used video conferencing software so she could see our plans and give feedback on her ideas. She also provided us with some great floral arrangements that we incorporated into the wedding.”

When planning an event, what is your process for determining the budget?

Event planners often need to create budgets for their clients. Employers ask this question to see if you have experience creating a budget and how you determine the costs of an event. In your answer, explain what steps you take when determining a budget. Explain that you would use your previous experience to help calculate the cost of each aspect of the event.

Example: “I first look at the client’s budget to see what they are willing to spend on the event. Then I research the venue options and compare prices based on the number of guests expected. Next, I find out which vendors the client wants to hire and then estimate the cost of hiring them. Finally, I add in any additional expenses like decor or entertainment.”

We want to improve our customer service. Describe a strategy you would use to improve communication with guests at events.

Event planners often work with clients to ensure they’re happy with the event. An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills and how you would help their company improve its own customer service. In your answer, explain a strategy you use to communicate effectively with guests at events.

Example: “I always make sure I have my client’s contact information so that I can reach out to them if there are any questions or concerns during an event. If I notice something is going wrong, I immediately let my supervisor know so we can fix it before the guest notices. This helps me avoid having upset customers and allows me to focus on making sure everyone has a good time.”

Describe your experience using event management software.

Event planning software is a common tool for event planners and their assistants. The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience using the software and how you use it in your daily work. Use your answer to describe your previous experience with event management software and highlight any specific skills or knowledge that you have regarding its use.

Example: “I’ve used several different types of event management software, including Eventbrite, Evite and Doodle. I find these tools helpful when creating an agenda for meetings and events. For example, at my last job, I used event management software to create agendas for weekly staff meetings. These tools allow me to invite other team members to contribute ideas and feedback to the meeting.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you can contribute to their team. When answering, think of a few things that make you unique or what skills you have that will help you succeed in the role.

Example: “I am extremely organized and detail-oriented, which is why I love event planning so much. I also have experience working with clients who are very demanding, so I know how to handle challenging situations. Another thing that makes me stand out from other candidates is my passion for learning new things. I’m always looking for ways to improve my skills as an event planner assistant.”

Which event planning software programs are you familiar with?

Event planners use a variety of software programs to organize and manage their events. The interviewer will likely want to know which ones you’re familiar with so they can determine if your skills match the company’s needs. If you haven’t used any event planning software, consider taking a class or researching online tutorials to learn about them before your interview.

Example: “I’ve worked in an office setting for five years now, so I’m very comfortable using Microsoft Office products like Word, Excel and PowerPoint. I also have experience using Eventbrite to create and manage event pages and Google Docs to collaborate with other event planners.”

What do you think is the most important skill for an event planner assistant to possess?

Event planners often rely on their assistants to help them plan and execute events. Employers ask this question to make sure you possess the skills necessary for the job. In your answer, explain which skills you have that will be helpful in this role. Try to choose skills that are relevant to event planning assistant work.

Example: “I think the most important skill an event planner assistant can have is organization. Event planning requires a lot of multitasking, so it’s essential to be organized enough to keep track of all the tasks you need to complete. I am very good at managing my time and keeping track of details. This skill has helped me succeed in previous roles where I had to juggle multiple projects.”

How often do you think event planners should update their plans?

Event planners often have to update their plans as they go along. This question helps the interviewer understand how you would handle this task and if you can work well with your event planner supervisor. Your answer should show that you are willing to help plan new events when needed, but also that you know when it’s best to wait until a later time.

Example: “I think it’s important for event planners to update their plans regularly so they don’t miss any details or changes in the schedule. However, I also think it’s important to not overdo it because it can be stressful to constantly change things up. I try to find a balance between updating too much and not enough.”

There is a conflict between two of the vendors you’ve booked. How do you resolve the issue?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your conflict resolution skills. This is an important skill for event planners because they often have to work with vendors and clients who sometimes disagree about the details of their events. Your answer should show that you can use problem-solving skills to find a solution that satisfies both parties.

Example: “I would first try to understand why each party has different expectations. Then, I would speak to both parties separately to get more information on what they want from the event. After gathering all the necessary information, I would meet with both parties again to discuss my findings. I would then help them come up with a compromise so everyone is happy with the outcome.”