Whether it’s your first job interview or you’re used to the exercise, to look good, be prepared for trick questions. Indeed, beyond the recurring “Tell us a bit about yourself” or “What are your strengths?”, knowing how to answer job interview questions in events can give you a boost.

Events, a multi-faceted sector

The event industry is as vast as it is diverse. Whether you specialize in artistic creation and decoration, whether your strong point is organization and logistics, or whether you are an expert in marketing and commercial negotiation, you are spoiled for choice. Thus, technical and logistical service providers, event organisers , PR and communications agencies share talents.

But who says different professions also says different job interview questions in the event industry. Here is an overview of the specific requests for 3 key positions that are on the rise today:

Questions for an event project manager

How do you organize an event?

What types of projects interest you the most? And why ?

What is your attitude or your rituals on D-Day?

Bonus: Come to the interview with a book explaining your previous projects.

Questions for a host or hostess

Are you in good physical condition?

Proficiency in foreign languages/English?

Welcome or animation, which do you prefer?

Note: Recruiters pay particular attention to the presentation: take care of your dress!

Questions for a Wedding Planner

Do you follow industry trends?

How do you measure the success of an event?

Have you ever had negative feedback on an event?

In pictures: Creativity and attention to detail are your best assets, know how to highlight them (on social networks, for example).

Organizational issues, preparing well for the job interview

Often attached to marketing and communication jobs, jobs in the event industry require being able to evolve in a team but also to be autonomous on many subjects.

Do you work better alone or in a team?

Ensuring that teams work in a fluid and coordinated way is essential for the company. Indeed, the preparation phase of an event is often synonymous with a multitude of interlocutors with different performance indicators.

If you are applying for a managerial position, it may be useful to explain how you manage a team, the conflicts between collaborators or the lack of communication. Talking about your ability to delegate to avoid work overload can also be interesting.

How do you approach budgets?

And its “trap” version: have you ever been out of budget? Establishing the budget for an event or further downstream, respecting it is an aspect of the job that is not always obvious, but which is essential to the proper functioning of the organization.

Knowing or researching costs using quotes and estimates, setting aside an envelope for contingencies, and keeping a tracking document up to date can all be talking points during recruitment. Having the “commercial” fiber and being able to negotiate with suppliers can also tip the balance in your favor.

What are the first and last tasks you perform at an event?

In general, the recruiter is interested in your methodology on managing a calendar and time. You can share with him your expertise in monitoring software (paid and open source), your enthusiasm for last-minute checks at the start of a trade show or your diligence in paying all service providers after a wedding.

Do you have an example of a situation where you had to manage a crisis?

Weather at half mast, power outage on D-Day, service provider canceling at the last minute, events are unpredictable. It is up to you to be able to mitigate these problems thanks to your address book, by having planned alternative solutions or, less conventional, by using the D system. Show the recruiter that you do not flinch under pressure and that you have a great capacity for adaptability.

Good point, if you have experienced this kind of situation and you are able to relive the experience to your interlocutor. If you’re one of the lucky ones this has never happened to (first of all, congratulations!) prepare responses with what you would do if any. And above all, don’t forget to emphasize the lessons to be learned.

Job interview questions in events and its new face

In events, as in many sectors, we have seen an effect before and after the health crisis , but even more disruptive, the technological shift, already underway, continues to leave its mark on the profession.

Are you familiar with the technologies of the sector?

The tools used in events are evolving, think about taking online training (MOOC type) if you think you have gaps. Depending on the position sought, indicate whether you know how to use cashless or contactless payments , online ticketing systems, virtual queues, email databases or social networks. Also take the opportunity to give concrete examples of the use of monitoring instruments.

How to switch from face-to-face to digital?

Preparing for a job interview also means surfing on more technical questions. The digital event has settled (willingly or by force) in our daily lives. Knowing how to use a digital platform, and the invitation system that goes with it, is a plus. Paying attention to the technical part (sound recording quality, image quality, internet connection quality) is another.

If you have not yet been confronted with this type of event , think about the things not to do: like transposing your event from face-to-face to digital without modifications or skipping its promotion.

How are you coping with the new challenges of the health crisis?

Job interview question in current events since the sector has been strongly impacted! The employer wishes, here, to know how you intend to rhyme face-to-face and security during one of its events.

Depending on your business, this may involve setting up a display and effective management of flows (configurations of stands and aisles limiting crossings and promoting social distancing) or knowledge and observation hygiene rules to protect the staff, but also the customers.