This interview profile for an Event Planner gives you an idea of what to look for in candidates and a range of good interview questions. Similar job titles include Event Coordinator, Meeting Coordinator or Planner, Conference Coordinator, Special Events Coordinator and Exhibition Coordinator.
Nikoletta holds an MSc in HR management and has written extensively about all things HR and recruiting.
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Getting hired as an event decorator takes more than just creativity and style. To land the job, you need to wow potential employers with your technical skills, problem-solving abilities and professionalism during the interview.
The interview is your chance to showcase your talents and demonstrate why you’re the best fit for the position. With some preparation and practice, you can enter each interview with confidence, field questions smoothly, and highlight your value as an event pro.
In this comprehensive guide we’ll explore the most common event decorator interview questions examples of strong answers, and tips to help you shine throughout the hiring process.
General Interview Questions About Your Background
These common questions allow interviewers to learn more about your education, interests, and what draws you to event planning:
Tell me about your educational background.
Focus on degrees, certifications, or training relevant to event planning. Discuss specific classes that prepared you for a career in event decor such as design, business, and hospitality courses.
Why did you choose a career in event planning?
Share what intrigues you about events and decor specifically. Convey your passion for bringing event visions to life through creative, beautiful designs.
How do you keep up with industry trends?
Mention reading industry blogs and magazines, attending conferences and workshops, following influencers on social media, and networking with other pros. Staying current shows commitment.
What personality traits do you think are important for event planners?
Creativity, organization, problem-solving, flexibility, positive attitude, strong communication, and attention to detail are key traits for success. Choose 2-3 to elaborate on.
What makes you want to plan events for our company?
Research the company’s mission, values, culture, and events. Share specific things that align with your strengths and interests as an event pro.
What events do you most enjoy planning?
Discuss your favorite types of events to decorate and why you find them inspiring and rewarding to work on. Show enthusiasm for the company’s common event types.
Technical Skills and Abilities
These questions assess your hands-on decor skills and mastery of event elements:
Tell me about your experience selecting event decor elements like lighting, linens, and floral arrangements.
Discuss past events where you sourced rentals and share how you chose items that brought the theme and vision to life within the budget.
How do you stay on top of new event decor trends and innovations?
Reading blogs, attending industry events, and following influencers helps you incorporate fresh, on-trend elements into designs. Stay curious and inspired.
What skills are most important for an event decorator to have?
Creativity, spatial design talents, knowledge of decor elements, budget management, negotiation skills, and a passion for events are key. Choose 2-3 skills to elaborate on.
How would you handle last-minute changes to the decor vision or budget?
Highlight problem-solving skills and thinking creatively to adapt the decor design while preserving the intent and wow-factor. Stay flexible and solution-focused.
Tell me about a time you created a decor design within tight budget constraints. What was your process?
Discuss how you find ways to maximize the budget through savvy negotiating, finding multi-use items, and getting creative with less expensive elements. Show resourcefulness.
What technology and software do you use to design, plan, and manage event decor?
From Canva and Adobe to Excel and Trello, discuss programs that help you create designs, track details, and communicate with teams to execute flawless decor.
Behavioral Questions
These questions evaluate how you’ve handled real on-the-job situations:
Tell me about a time you had to adapt an event decor plan last-minute. What happened and how did you respond?
Share a specific example that highlights your creative problem-solving, flexibility, and ability to quickly modify plans while minimizing issues.
Describe a time when you had to negotiate or persuade a vendor while planning event decor. How did you approach the situation?
Discuss how you professionally negotiated to get ideal pricing or contract terms that met the event needs, showing communication skills.
Give an example of how you collaborated with other event pros like caterers and coordinators on a past event decor job. How did you work together?
Share how you communicated to align on the vision, met timelines, and delivered a cohesive, integrated event decor experience.
Tell me about a time you faced a difficult situation with a client while planning event decor. How did you handle it?
Show how you resolved issues using empathy, patience, and strong communication skills to preserve the relationship and event success.
Have you ever made an event decor mistake? How did you address it?
Being honest shows accountability. Discuss how you owned the misstep, quickly solved the problem, and applied lessons learned to improve processes.
What has been your biggest event decor triumph so far in your career? What made it so successful?
Pick an exciting example that lets your creative vision, planning talents, and passion shine through. Share key details on how you brought such an impactful design to life.
Questions About Your Work Style and Philosophy
These questions reveal your people skills, work ethic, and approach to delivering events:
What is your work style when collaborating with clients and event teams? Give an example.
Highlight skills like active listening, clear communication, patience, and creating an environment of mutual understanding and respect.
In what ways do you go above and beyond for clients when planning event decor?
Share examples that illustrate how you seek to deeply understand clients’ needs and exceed expectations with thoughtful, personalized touches and service.
How would you handle decorators or assistants who weren’t following your vision or plans correctly while executing event decor?
Discuss using clear direction, patience, and empathy to course correct issues and rally the team around achieving the shared vision successfully.
What is your philosophy for making sure event decor fits the audience and goals of each unique event?
Convey the importance of fully understanding the event purpose, audience, and brand before designing a decor vision that aligns and amplifies the experience.
How do you stay motivated and focused during the intense planning and execution of major events?
Share how your passion, creativity, organization, support network, and outlook help you maintain energy and positivity even during high-pressure moments.
What does event success look like to you? How do you define and measure it?
Beyond logistics, discuss how positive client and guest reactions, achievement of event goals, and seamless, flawless decor execution define success for you as a planner.
Make Your Event Decorator Interview Count
Preparing responses and practicing for these common event decorator interview questions is the best way to maximize your chances of landing the job. Use the example answers to brainstorm your own stories and talking points so you can put your best foot forward.
Bring your portfolio, website, or a look book highlighting your past event decor work to showcase your talents visually.
With passion, authenticity, preparation, and practice, you can ace the interview and start bringing your creative visions to life for a new company. Wow them with your decor savvy, problem-solving skills, and dedication to event excellence.
What information would you ask for from a potential client? Why?
This question helps you figure out how the candidate plans events in the beginning and what they think is important for starting the process.
“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. ”.
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.
“My most successful event was a charity gala. I paid attention to the little things, like the venue and the auction items, and we raised more money than we expected by 30%. ”.
EVENT MANAGER Interview Questions & Answers! (PASS any Event Manager or Event Planner Job Interview)
FAQ
Why do you want to be an event decorator?
What should I say in an event management interview?
Why should we hire you for event management?
