What differentiates a mediocre marketing resume from one that makes recruiters sit up and take notice? Learning how to write a marketing resume is a science and art we’ll explain in this article.
We will detail crucial features that define excellent resumes. We will also give you five helpful tips to help you craft a winning resume.
Let’s begin!
Features of a standout marketing resume
Every resume that lands an interview has the following features.
- A simple, professional design.
- Minimal errors.
- Conciseness.
- Customization to different marketing specialities.
Simple design
Your resume’s design is crucial, especially in a field that values creativity. An aesthetic resume stands out and creates the best first impression.
This design also has a functional purpose in addition to enhancing appeal. It improves readability by drawing attention to specific details.
Here are some helpful tips to help you design your marketing resume.
- Use white space effectively to remove clutter. However, don’t overuse it because your resume will feel empty.
- Choose an industry-standard font, like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.
- Use bold and italics sparingly to increase their impact.
- Choose a color scheme that ensures enough contrast between the background and text.
Minimal grammatical errors
As a marketing professional, your resume has little room for errors. Why? Because attention to detail is a crucial skill when your job is to create marketing campaigns.
Follow these tips to rid your resume of typos.
- Use your word processor’s basic spell check.
- Proofread repeatedly.
- Step away from your resume for a while, then reread it.
- Read your resume aloud.
- Use online tools, such as Grammarly and ProWritingAid.
- Get a friend, colleague, or mentor to read it and give feedback.
Concise
Job applications often receive many resumes, and recruiters have moments to scan each one. A standout resume condenses crucial information in less than a page.
Tailored to a marketing niche
Marketing is a diverse industry with many niches, such as digital, content, and social media marketing. Each niche emphasizes different skills, and you must customize your resume to highlight them.
How to write a marketing resume
Crafting a resume is nerve-wracking for new marketers and seasoned professionals alike. Here are five nifty tips to help you create the perfect snapshot of your abilities.
- Quantify your achievements.
- Incorporate keywords.
- Use action verbs.
- Align with the company’s culture.
- Optimize your LinkedIn profile.
1. Quantify everything
Consider this bullet, “Increased brand visibility on social media.”
It’s a boring statement that only states your duty without impact. It doesn’t spark any interest in recruiters.
Let’s rewrite that.
“Grew social media presence by 50% in six months, resulting in a 30% increase in website traffic and a 20% boost in online sales.”
Including a metric in your responsibilities is an excellent way to show the scale of your abilities. It shows recruiters your efforts have tangible results, ensuring you get that interview.
2. Research industry keywords
Learning how to write a marketing resume with human recruiters and ATS systems in mind is vital. An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software that scans resumes for specific keywords. Recruiters use them to shortlist resumes that are relevant to job descriptions.
Here are some relevant marketing keywords you should consider.
Digital Marketing
- SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
- SEM (Search Engine Marketing)
- Content Marketing
- PPC (Pay-Per-Click) Campaigns
Data and analytics
- Data Analysis
- Market Research
- ROI (Return on Investment) Analysis
- Google Analytics
- A/B Testing
Social media marketing
- Social Media Strategy
- Community Management
- Influencer Marketing
- Social Media Advertising
- Engagement Metrics
Read the job description carefully to find keywords that a company values and incorporate them in your resume.
3. Use power words
Have you heard of an action verb? These are phrases that make your resume compelling and dynamic. They set tones such as energetic, enthusiastic, or professional.
Hubspot curated 205 excellent action verbs from which to draw inspiration.
4. Align with the company’s culture.
Employers want an experienced marketer who will fit in with the existing team. Your resume must show you share common values, work ethics, and goals.
Research the marketing firm beforehand by exploring their website. Look for sections such as “About Us,” “Mission Statement,” and “Values.”
Additionally, pay attention to the content they share on social media. Look at their engagement with their followers and any events or activities they promote.
5. Optimize your LinkedIn profile.
The first place many recruiters go to learn more about candidates is LinkedIn. Your profile is a reflection of your professional brand. It will typically resemble your resume with a few more elements, such as your photo.
Here are some tips to help you optimize your LinkedIn.
- Use a high-quality, professional-looking headshot.
- Use relevant marketing keywords throughout your profile.
- Request recommendations from other marketing professionals on LinkedIn. Offer to write recommendations in return.
- Interact with and share marketing articles, blog posts, or industry insights.
- Personalize your LinkedIn URL by using your name or its variation.
- Include visuals of your projects and presentations in the “Media” and “Projects” sections.
Conclusion
Crafting a marketing resume that stands out is crucial to your career’s goals. You can grab attention and prove your value as a marketer by highlighting your achievements and qualities.
Remember, an excellent resume follows a simple design language. Additionally, it is brief and has minimal errors. Tailor yours to fit a marketing niche to improve your chances of getting a callback.
Ensure you quantify your achievements to show your impact. Incorporate keywords to pass ATS systems and align with job descriptions. With these helpful tips, you’re sure to appeal to recruiters and secure interviews.
