Tell me about a time when you had to negotiate with a vendor or supplier.
Negotiation is an important part of the job of an event manager. Whether you need to secure a better rate on services, secure better terms on a contract, or come to an agreement on the scope of a project, knowing how to negotiate is essential. Interviewers want to know that you have the skills to get the best deal for your company when it comes to event planning.
How to Answer : Start by talking about a specific experience you had where you successfully negotiated with a vendor or supplier. Explain the situation, what your goals were, and how you went about achieving them. Be sure to talk about the outcome of the negotiation as well. Additionally, it’s helpful to explain any lessons learned from this experience and how you would use those in future negotiations.
Example Answer : “I recently negotiated with a catering company for an event I was managing. My goal was to get the best rate possible while still ensuring that we could provide quality food and service. I did my research ahead of time, so I had a good understanding of what other companies were charging for similar services. During the negotiation process, I was able to point out the advantages of working with our company and how it would benefit them in the long run. In the end, we were able to come to an agreement that was beneficial to both parties and allowed us to provide excellent service at a great price.
