Question:
Are companies concerned about the age and length of experience of senior planners? Are we hirable? I am 51 with 25 years of experience.
Answer:
Employers want to hire people who can maintain the demands of the job, such as handling multiple programs simultaneously along with a grueling travel schedule (25 percent or more). If you feel you're qualified for a position, make sure your resume emphasizes your experience and capabilities and not your age. Keep your resume within a 10- to 12-year span of time—15 years maximum if you feel there's something especially relevant to the position. That way you're on a level playing field with other planners who are younger in age. Let your experience be the thing that captures the employer's attention.
Question:
How can I get my employer to invest in boosting my career, such as through assisting with continuing education, memberships, etc.?
Answer:
You need to make a case for your employer that shows them why it's worthwhile investing in your career. Be sure to note the following: 1.) a statement about your career goals, 2.) what you’ve done so far to reach that goal, and 3.) what you still want to do to achieve your goal (obtain a professional certification, advanced degree, etc.). Document your achievements and accomplishments and how they've benefitted your employer.
Question:
I'm an independent meeting planner focusing on corporate meetings. Which certification is best for me?
Answer:
With a focus on corporate meetings, I would suggest exploring acquiring the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) or Certified Meeting Manager (CMM). The CMP emphasizes more of your logistical capabilities while the CMM focuses on strategic abilities. Assess the level that you interface with your clients as well as the direction you want your business to take. You may decide that both certifications would best serve you and your business.
Question:
Should any accomplishments be listed on page 1 of a resume?
Answer:
I'm a firm believer that you should identify your accomplishments within each position you've held. If you're considering including a Summary of Qualifications at the top of your resume, make certain that it highlights different accomplishments than the ones you note in the body of your resume.
Question:
What about an MBA as an added value in meeting planning, as events and meetings now fall under marketing?
Answer:
An MBA is an excellent way for you to show that you add value within a marketing department. Both George Washington University and University of Nevada Las Vegas offer masters degree programs that emphasize event management. If you're exploring other MBA programs look for ones that will help you develop a strategic focus and heighten your perspective about marketing models.
Question:
Some jobs ask for salary requirements. What's the best way to handle this?
Answer:
This is a bit of a Catch-22 situation because you don't want to be eliminated as a candidate if you under- or over-sell yourself. Some employers will automatically eliminate candidates if they don't answer the question, so what I suggest is providing a range in salary. Just make sure that the low end is a salary you'd be willing to consider.
Question:
What site was the site with the list of schools?
Answer:
Meeting Professionals International (www.mpiweb.org) maintains a list of colleges and universities that offer certificate and degree programs. You'll find this list by clicking on the Knowledge/Education tab on their home page, and then the section titled Research, Articles, and Programs.
Question:
Can you give us some examples of key words that could be used for higher-level, strategic positions, such as at the executive director or vice president level?
Answer:
Here are some examples of keywords and phrases to consider using: "Align individual performance and department goals with enterprise strategy," "strategic meeting management program development," "tracked spend," "savings and cost avoidance," "branded all meetings to match with the company's overall objectives," and "skilled at return-on-investment (ROI) reporting, cost tracking, and implementing cost avoidance processes."
Question:
When submitting a resume, what's the best way to include the cover letter, as an attached document or embedded in the e-mail message?
Answer:
When I surveyed hiring managers and human resource managers a few years back, more than 50 percent of them said that they don't open up cover letters if they're a separate attachment. If you want to insure that they actually read your cover letter, I recommend embedding it in your e-mail message.
Question:
Moving from the corporate side to the supplier side can be difficult. Any ideas?
Answer:
Whenever you're moving to another avenue of the meetings industry, it's important to translate your skills and abilities so they highlight your strengths into that new arena. Suppliers want people who can help increase business and are customer-driven. Make sure that you include quantifiable achievements, such as "developed a sponsorship program that generated a 25 percent increase in revenue over four years to $350,000," and provide examples of ways that you enhanced relationships with your attendees or participants.
If your question was not included in Take 10 and you're still interested in receiving a response, Sheryl Sookman Schelter, CMP, has offered to answer additional questions for individuals who participated in this webinar. Just send your question to her at sheryl@themeetingconnection.com and be sure to note that it's in reference to the "Boosting Your Career Potential" webinar.
|
