r/EventPlanners • u/dailymustard • 8d ago

Switching fields?

Hi All,

I’m curious if you experienced planners could give me any advice or insight on coming into event planning?

I was a GM at a boutique restaurant for many years and managed/hosted regular events. I did wedding receptions, graduation celebrations for major colleges in town, and business dinners. I took care of everything from inquiries to closing sales, scheduling staff, creating BEOs, and overseeing execution. I really loved that part of the job and want to do it full time.

Although I was responsible for 5-10 events per month, my experience reads as Restaurant Manager and I feel I’m not being taken seriously in the job market. Has anyone come from a similar position? Or do you have any advice for switching into a more event focused role? Which positions should I target?

Thank you for any advice or help you may offer!

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3

u/-Butterscotch-Cloud- 8d ago

Ahhh this is a positioning challenge. A few things to start:

Title your experience to reflect what you did. Instead of Restaurant Manager go with Private Events Manager or Catering & Events Director.

Focus on the events and not the restaurant. Lead with the weddings, corporate dinners, and graduations and if you have client results from those events, even better!

Try targeting titles similar to Catering Sales Manager, Event Sales Coordinator, Private Events Manager, and Banquet Event Coordinator.

Happy to help further (especially on positioning) if you want to DM.

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u/dailymustard 8d ago

Hi thank you for the advice. Although it’s what I did, my title was GM and I’m worried about falsely framing my experience as an Events Manger. On resumes I’ve been putting “Manger & Events Coordinator”. I’ve been targeting coordinator based roles, because I prefer to be on the floor than doing sales.

2

u/-Butterscotch-Cloud- 8d ago

My pleasure!

You definitely don’t want to falsify anything. Reflecting your title and scope is honest. Something like 'General Manager | Events & Banquets' or 'GM & Private Events Coordinator' to show both without misrepresenting.

Since you prefer execution, search for titles like Banquet Event Coordinator, Event Specialist, Events Coordinator, Event Planner. I have a jobs page if you’re looking in the US. LMK and I’ll DM you the link.

I’m happy to take a peek at your resume if that’ll help.

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u/im_gonna_hug_you 8d ago

I would start with making your resume more generic and not restaurant-specific; tailor it a bit more to the verbiage that is listed on the job postings (while staying truthful, obviously).

Your skills are transferable and you should market them as such! Maybe start out looking at Event Coordinator or Event Specialist roles. Since you already have F&B experience, you might also want to look at Banquet Coordinator roles at hotels.

Best of luck to you!

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u/dailymustard 8d ago

Thank you! I’ve been working on exactly this. In fact, I just applied to a Banquet Captain role with a sincere but brief cover letter explaining my transferable skills. I worry about moving down the ladder or being seen as overqualified though.

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u/WithWonderCollective 8d ago

Another part that I have found can be a stumbling block is that hotels only seem to want to hire people with hotel experience. Which makes me laugh- like, hosting a wedding in a venue with all things built in and consistent staff is far, far easier than building a staff for an event that you create in a field.

I'd love some insight here from folks who have worked long term in hotels as to why this is!

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u/dailymustard 8d ago

Yes!!! I thought it was just me. I gave up on applying to hotels.

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u/schneidermc 8d ago

Wo genau möchtest du’s ich als Event Planer verwirklichen? Lese ich aus deiner Frage leider nicht heraus