Trying to land your dream job in the marketing world?
A CV is your personal marketing campaign. But here’s the thing, resumes often get lost, ignored, and overlooked in the oversaturated marketing job market. Why?
Well, hiring managers goes through several resumes per day. This naturally leads to a very short attention span. Interestingly, a survey has revealed that recruiters often take less than half a minute to go through each resume and make a decision. This leaves zero room for error. Sounds like a lot of pressure, right?
But don’t worry because our article explores everything you need to know on how to craft a standout marketing resume with impactful marketing resume tips. Keep reading to find a FREE marketing resume sample at the end.
Let’s begin!
Step-by-Step Marketing CV Writing Guide
The marketing job market is fierce. And landing a job in this market? It can be taxing, particularly when there are so many talented people aiming for the same positions. This is where a CV that truly stands out is essential.
Not sure where to start? We got you! Here’s a complete breakdown of all the essential components that should be a part of your CV:
Header
Your header is the first thing recruiters will see. Make it count. Here’s everything you need to add in the header:
- Your name should be written in bold and centered on the document.
- Include a brief title stating your role such as “Digital Marketing Specialist”
- Add your email address and phone number for contact information
- Link your professional website, portfolio, or LinkedIn profile. Don’t forget to add your social media presence only if it is relevant to your field e.g. “Digital Marketing Guru”.
Profile Summary
This is where you can directly tell the recruiter why you might be the one for the job. Profile summary can be divided into:
- A summary
- An objective
What’s the difference? Well, a summary highlights your previous and present accomplishments and abilities. This method is more proactive because it entails everything you’ve achieved till now. In contrast, the objective explains your long-term professional goals. Or in simple words, it’s what you’re truly looking for in terms of future career growth. Unlike a summary, an objective is a more reactive approach, outlining everything you’re searching for in a new position.
Strong Summary Must-Haves
- Years of experience
- Key skills
- Achievements
- Career goals
Marketing Resume Summary Example
A 5+ years certified marketer experienced in creating brand awareness, lead generation, and exceeding target goals. Proven ability to develop and execute effective marketing campaigns with the help of marketing tools including, Google Analytics. Led to a 35% boost in the web traffic of [Previous Client]. Seeking a role to utilize my skills and experience to drive the success of a marketing firm.
Read More :- Resume Summary Examples for Jobs
Core Competencies
This section showcases your core marketing skills. Here are some examples:
- Digital Marketing: SEO, PPC, Email Marketing, Content Marketing, SMM (Social Media Marketing)
- Creative Skills: Copywriting, Graphic Design, Video Editing
- Strategic Planning: Marketing Strategy, Brand Development, Market Research
- Analytics: Google Analytics, A/B Testing, Data Analysis
Professional Experience
There are several formats in which you might present your professional background. Let’s examine the two most widely utilized ones:
- Reverse Chronological Format: This format highlights your recent employment before listing the earlier positions. It’s an ideal format for highlighting recent work experience and professional development.
- Functional Format: This format takes a skill-based approach. Here, you can organize your experience based on the skills, rather than job experience. If you’re someone with gaps in your employment history or switched industries then this is the ideal format for you.
Don’t forget to mention:
- job title
- company name
- start and end dates of employment
- key responsibilities
- accomplishments
Education and Certifications
- Degrees: List down your degrees with majors, schools, and graduation year.
- Certificates: If any, mention relevant certificates to bolster your chances of getting a callback.
Skills For Marketing Resume
Skills are akin to adding keywords to your resume. It essentially demonstrates to your recruiter why you are the ideal candidate for the job. But, there are two types of skills; soft and hard. Let’s see the difference:
- Hard Skills: Learnable, quantifiable, and measurable skills. These can be further divided into technical skills (social media, PPC, SEO, data analysis, and design software) and programming languages (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, SQL, and Python.)
- Soft Skills: Interpersonal skills that can be difficult to measure. For instance:
- Communication
- Creativity
- Problem-solving
- Teamwork
- Leadership
Pro Tip: Some of the most sought-after top skills to include on a marketing resume listed by marketing managers are project management, corporate communications, campaign management, market analysis, and product development. If relevant to your job and true to your CV, add these skills to your resume to stand out.
Tips for Writing ATS-friendly Marketing Resume
Landing that dream job isn’t an easy feat. It’s quite tougher than that.
But, here’s the truth: your resume can potentially turn the scales on your side. Here are a few tips to ensure your resume actually wins the attention of a recruiter:
- Keep it Straightforward: Resumes shouldn’t be cluttered with unnecessary information. Only mention the work and skills that are true to your experience.
- Don’t Generalize Your Resume: Submitting a generalized CV to all jobs may be tempting but it will not lead to callbacks. Instead, tailor it to the job description for a better impact.
- Keep it Concise: Applying for an entry-level or mid-level job? Keep your CV short, concise, and limited to one page only. A two-page resume might be appropriate for more senior positions, but only if you have a lot of experience.
- Numbers Speak Louder: Know what’s more powerful than describing your achievements? Using metrics to quantify them showcases your true impact.
- Provide Specific Examples: Skip vague phrases like “increased website traffic”. Instead, use data such as “increased website traffic by 20% through SEO implementation” to back your claims.
- Avoid Clichés: Words like “provided support” and “responsible for” are overused and ineffective.
- Use Strong Action Verbs: Use strong verbs describing your achievements.
- For instance:
- Led
- Directed
- Coordinated
- Supervised
- Managed
- Executed
- Orchestrated
- Presented
- Articulated
- Conveyed
- Negotiated
- Collaborated
- Advocated
- Investigated
- Assessed
- Synthesized
- Forecasted
Read More :- Resume Keywords To Be Included In Resume
Designing Your Marketing Resume: A Visual Guide
Creating an impressive resume isn’t just about stuffing a document with information, the visual presentation of the substance matters too.
Interestingly, Zippia found that over 40% of recruiters lose interest when presented with an overly flashy CV. Why? Well, think about it; a busy hiring manager receives hundreds of CVs for a single role! Overly flashy ones will probably be tossed aside.
These tips will ensure that your resume is both visually appealing and informative:
- Well-Structured: A neatly organized resume is easier to read and comprehend.
- White Space: White space is an excellent way to divide the content into sections and bolster readability.
- Consistent Formatting: Ensure that everything – font and size – is completely consistent throughout the CV. Don’t forget to justify the text.
- Fonts: Using fancy fonts can actually make a terrible impression on recruiters. Hiring managers are looking for someone professional so use easily readable forms like Calibri, Times New Roman, or Arial. Plus, it can increase a CV’s chances of passing the applicant tracking system.
- Colors: Make strategic and limited use of colors. The visual appeal of your resume can be improved with a professional color scheme. Consider using a color accent for headings or sections.
- Structure: A well-structured resume typically includes the following sections:
- Header
- Profile Summary
- Core Competencies
- Professional Experience
- Education and Certifications
- Skills and Tools
- Use a Resume Template: Sound too complicated? You can use several online platforms such as MyResumeStar to create a visually appealing resume with a template.
Writing a Digital Marketing Resume With No Prior Experience
So, you’re a budding marketer with no formal experience? No worries!
While past marketing roles and internships are great, recruiters are also keen on skills and experiences that might surprise you. Think about those times you:
- Got creative: Did you ever design a flyer for a school event or write blog posts as a hobby?
- Sold something: Whether it was lemonade stands or online products, sales experience is valuable.
- Influenced others: Managing your social media accounts or volunteering for a cause can showcase your marketing skills.
If your social media presence has made a splash in the digital marketing world, let the job recruiters know. This is because hiring managers are always on the hunt for fresh graduates with creative ideas. So, every experience counts. It may not be specifically about marketing, but it can still showcase transferable abilities like creativity, problem-solving, and communication.
Resume Template For Marketing Pros of Different Levels
[Your Name] 123 Main Street, Anytown, CA 12345 (555) 555-5555 | fullname@email.com [Your LinkedIn Profile]
Summary
A [Insert Number] years certified marketer experienced in creating brand awareness, lead generation, and exceeding target goals. Track record of developing and executing effective marketing campaigns with popular tools like [Insert Software]. Currently seeking a role to further my career growth in a forward-thinking marketing firm.
Work Experience
Marketing Manager [Start Date] – [End Date]
[Organization Name]
- Utilized current SEO tricks in content marketing that led to a [Insert Percentage]% increase in website traffic
- Developed social media campaigns that generated [Insert Number] leads and [Insert Percentage] brand engagement.
- Managed to achieve an ROI of [Insert Amount] while working within a certain budget of [Insert Amount].
- Involved cross-functional departments (product/Sales) to check for consistency in brand tone and messaging.
Marketing Specialist [Start Date] – [End Date]
[Organization Name]
- Increased open rates and click-through rates by [Insert Percentage] with efficient email marketing campaigns
- Optimized paid marketing strategies (Facebook Ads and/or Google Ads) to drive higher-quality leads and conversions.
- Developed marketing material to successfully convey brand messaging (brochures and website copy.)
- Offered data-driven insights into the effectiveness of marketing and provided recommendations for further improvements.
Education
Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing
[Insert College or University Name], [City, State] [Graduation Date]
Additional Courses (if applicable)
- Google Analytics Certification
- HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification
Skills
- Technical Skills:
- SEO
- SEM
- Social Media Marketing
- Content Marketing
- Email Marketing
- Google Analytics
- Soft Skills
- Communication
- Creativity
- Problem-Solving
- Data Analysis
- Project Management
- Time Management
- Collaboration
- Adaptability
- Critical Thinking
Certifications
- Google Analytics Individual Qualification (IQ)
- [Date obtained]
- [Other relevant certifications, if applicable]
Please Note:
- Personalize the resume with experience, skills, and certificates you’ve attained.
- When feasible, provide measurable outcomes to illustrate the significance of your efforts.
- Ensure the skills section is customized to the particular criteria of the marketing job you’re applying for.
Final Touches: Perfecting Your Marketing Resume
You’ve already laid the groundwork for a compelling marketing resume, but now is the time to enhance it further. To truly stand out, consider implementing a few final enhancements such as:
- Proofread your resume to ensure it is free of errors, easy to comprehend, and formatted consistently throughout.
- Make use of the job description’s keywords
- Emphasize relevant expertise and skills.
- Modify your profile summary to fit the position you’re applying for.
- Have friends, coworkers, or a professional resume writer edit your resume and offer helpful criticism.
- Use online resources such as Grammarly to identify any mistakes.
Final Thoughts
Your marketing CV should be expertly designed and customized based on the job description. Our tips and marketing resume template can help you win interviews and get the job of your dreams. Still, feeling unsure? Don’t worry; we’ve got you!
A study from MIT Sloan found that resumes powered with AI can increase job seekers’ prospects by an astounding 8%. Let the MyResumeStar algorithm make the CV that lands the dream job for you!