How To Write a Marketing Resume
To craft an accomplishment-driven marketing resume, you need to emphasize career achievements rather than day-to-day job responsibilities. As you begin building your resume, you should take the time to reflect on the value you bring to your clients, teams, and organizations.
You should also evaluate your long-term goals and determine whether or not your content aligns with your career objectives.
For example, if you’re a marketing manager transitioning to a director of corporate communications, you should heavily emphasize your public relations experience. If you’re pursuing a career in digital marketing, you’d want to highlight your versatility and advanced knowledge of SEO, social media, and brand messaging. Throughout this guide, we’ll provide valuable insights to help you translate your career experience into a powerful marketing document.
1. Write a compelling profile summarizing your qualifications
It’s important to grab the hiring manager’s attention as early as possible on your resume. Crafting a strong professional profile offers you an opportunity to draw attention to your most relevant qualifications at the very top of your document. Start by including your title, years of experience, and three to four specializations that align with the job posting in the first sentence. In the following sentences, you should provide industry-specific details to demonstrate your area of marketing expertise. This will help you make a solid first impression on prospective employers.
Senior-Level Profile Example
Profile
A Marketing Manager with 10+ years of experience defining brand messaging and leading campaigns for enterprise organizations. A proven track record of identifying opportunities to enhance digital marketing efforts and grow brand awareness across core demographics. Adept at building and leading diverse marketing teams.
Entry-Level Profile Example
Profile
A Social Media Marketing Coordinator with three years of experience specializing in brand messaging, content writing, data analytics, and HootSuite. A proven track record of developing marketing strategies and executing social media campaigns to drive brand exposure across target audiences.
2. Add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section
As a marketing professional, you want to craft bullet points to showcase your most compelling achievements within your industry. Hard numbers, metrics, and monetary figures should be incorporated wherever possible to establish a sense of scope for your accomplishments. The most important aspect of the resume-building process is drawing attention to the bottom-line value you bring to your clients, teams, and organizations. Even if you can’t quantify an accomplishment using data, you can still highlight the positive impact of your contributions. This makes all the difference in generating interviews during the job search.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example
Professional Experience
Marketing Manager, West Coast Airlines, Seattle, WA
July 2016 – Present
- Develop and implement large-scale campaigns to enhance brand awareness for a premiere airline valued at $200M, oversee the redesign of landing page, and increase sales conversions by 42%
- Manage and build a 20-person marketing team, oversee an annual budget of $30M, lead paid, social, and digital marketing initiatives, and achieve a 150% ROI on average for marketing campaigns
- Analyze KPIs, market indicators, and industry trends to revamp brand messaging and identity with an emphasis on diversity, inclusion, and equity (DEI)
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
Professional Experience
Social Media Marketing Coordinator, Rise Marketing Inc., Miami, FL
June 2020 – Present
- Oversee all aspects of social media marketing for a premiere technology start-up, manage Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter accounts, and improve followership by over 400% across all social media platforms
- Coordinate with the marketing team and senior leadership to establish a brand identity centered on trust and integrity and ensure alignment with target audiences and core demographics
- Support marketing initiatives for the launch of a new software product, coordinate social media campaigns, and raise awareness of online launch events
3. Include relevant education and certifications
Certifications are especially important for professionals within the marketing industry. There’s a wide range of certifications you can pursue, so you’ll want to be sure to focus on credentials that further emphasize your expertise within your specific type of marketing. Digital marketing managers will value certifications that emphasize their knowledge of SEO and content marketing. If you’re focused on product marketing, you’d want to prioritize a Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) credential.
Certifications
Template: [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Examples:
- Certified Web Professional – Web Developer, IWA, 2018
- Certified Digital Designer (CDD), ADA, 2017
Education
Template:
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] [Dates Enrolled]
Example:
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Graphic Design
- TEMPLE UNIVERSITY, Philadelphia, PA September 2012 – June 2016
4. List relevant key skills and proficiencies
Most organizations rely on Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to identify qualified candidates for job openings. To ensure ATS compliance, you’ll want to incorporate keywords that match the job description. However, it’s also important to understand that hiring managers want to see tangible examples of you using your marketing skills throughout your career. Rather than simply listing SEO marketing in your skills section, you should also craft a bullet point detailing a specific campaign you managed and describing the results. Below, you’ll find a list of potential keywords that you may encounter during the job search:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Brand Awareness | Brand Marketing |
| Brand Messaging | Campaign Development |
| Content Marketing | Content Strategy |
| Copywriting | Digital Advertising |
| Digital Marketing | Email Marketing |
| Google Analytics | Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) |
| Marketing Strategy | Product Marketing |
| Project Management | Public Relations |
| Search Engine Optimization (SEO) | Search Engine Marketing (SEM) |
| Social Media Marketing | WordPress |
How to Pick the Best Marketing Resume Template
Selecting a template for marketing resumes can be more complicated than in other industries. On the one hand, you want a straightforward template that organizes your content effectively. But you may also want to prioritize the aesthetic presentation of your template as a way of illustrating your personal brand as a marketing professional. The key is to achieve a healthy balance, as you don’t want flashy colors and bulky graphics to overshadow your career achievements.
Marketing Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
Years of Experience
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
Mina Sayed
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
LinkedIn | Portfolio
Miami, FL 12345
Profile
A Social Media Marketing Coordinator with three years of experience specializing in brand messaging, content writing, data analytics, and HootSuite. A proven track record of developing marketing strategies and executing social media campaigns to drive brand exposure across target audiences.
Professional Experience
Social Media Marketing Coordinator, Rise Marketing Inc., Miami, FL
June 2020 – Present
- Oversee all aspects of social media marketing for a premiere technology start-up, manage Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter accounts, and improve followership by over 400% across all social media platforms
- Coordinate with the marketing team and senior leadership to establish a brand identity centered on trust and integrity and ensure alignment with target audiences and core demographics
- Support marketing initiatives for the launch of a new software product, coordinate social media campaigns, and raise awareness of online launch events
Social Media Marketing Intern, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
September 2019 – June 2020
- Managed social media editorial calendars and platforms in coordination with a team of students and three faculty advisors, including LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook
- Spearheaded a Twitter campaign to raise awareness of student cultural organizations and events and collaborated with the team to overhaul social media strategy, resulting in a 200% increase in engagement
Key Skills
- Brand Messaging
- Social Media Marketing
- Content Writing
- Data Analytics
- Marketing Strategy
Certifications
- Certified Web Professional – Web Developer, IWA, 2016
- Certified Digital Designer (CDD), ADA, 2015
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Marketing
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL September 2010 – June 2014
Aliya Jackson
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
LinkedIn | Portfolio
San Diego, FL 12345
Profile
A Senior Digital Marketing Specialist with eight years of experience specializing in SEO marketing, social media advertising, and content marketing. A strong history of building successful brands and expanding online presence. Adept at developing strategies to drive community engagement and market penetration.
Professional Experience
Digital Marketing Strategist, Skyline Marketing Inc., San Diego, CA
October 2018 – Present
- Manage all online marketing for a portfolio of 12 client accounts valued at $100K-$300K, define digital marketing strategy, and align brand messaging with target audiences across a variety of industries, including technology, fitness, travel and hospitality, and healthcare
- Collaborate with marketing teams to develop visual materials, content, and website designs
- Enhance social media presence for clients across Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, leading to a 55% increase in followers and a 72% increase in community engagement on average
Digital Marketing Coordinator, West Beach Fitness, San Diego, CA
June 2015 – October 2018
- Defined digital marketing strategy for a new fitness center and developed range of marketing materials, including brochures, articles, press releases, newsletters, and videos
- Established and managed social media presence on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, developed a series of YouTube fitness videos, and generated a 35% increase in community engagement across all accounts
- Drove SEO marketing initiatives, performed research to enhance keyword optimization, conducted link-building campaigns, and increased web traffic by over 200%
Key Skills
- Digital Marketing Strategy
- SEO Marketing
- Lead Nurturing
- Content Marketing
- Social Media Marketing
Certifications
- Certified Web Professional – Web Developer, IWA, 2016
- Certified Digital Designer (CDD), ADA, 2015
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Marketing
University of San Diego, San Diego, CA September 2011 – June 2015
Joseph Corbin
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
LinkedIn | Portfolio
Seattle, WA 12345
Profile
A Marketing Manager with 10+ years of experience defining brand messaging and leading campaigns for enterprise organizations. A proven track record of identifying opportunities to enhance digital marketing efforts and grow brand awareness across core demographics. Adept at building and leading diverse marketing teams.
Professional Experience
Marketing Manager, West Coast Airlines, Seattle, WA
July 2016 – Present
- Develop and implement large-scale campaigns to enhance brand awareness for a premiere airline valued at $200M, oversee the redesign of landing page, and increase sales conversions by 42%
- Manage and build a 20-person marketing team, oversee an annual budget of $30M, lead paid, social, and digital marketing initiatives, and achieve a 150% ROI on average for marketing campaigns
- Analyze KPIs, market indicators, and industry trends to revamp brand messaging and identity with an emphasis on diversity, inclusion, and equity (DEI)
Marketing Manager, White Tiger Consulting, Seattle, WA
June 2013 – July 2016
- Managed a team of 15 marketing specialists, social media coordinators, and graphic designers to enhance visual marketing and brand identity for a $1.5M client portfolio
- Led initiatives to unify visual marketing and brand messaging across all platforms, coordinated with key stakeholders to define marketing strategy, and increased web traffic by up to 300% for clients
- Analyzed Google Analytics to evaluate online presence and define SEO marketing strategy, delivered presentations to clients, and identified opportunities to enhance web page performance
Key Skills
- Marketing Strategy
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- SEO Marketing
- Brand Messaging
- Project Management
Certifications
- Certified Web Professional – Web Developer, IWA, 2016
- Certified Digital Designer (CDD), ADA, 2015
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Marketing
University of Washington, Seattle, WA September 2009 – June 2013
Frequently Asked Questions: Marketing Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for marketing resumes?+
It’s easy to find yourself running short on action verbs during the resume-building process. Often, there are only a limited number of verbs you can use to describe your career achievements accurately. Marketing positions often involve large amounts of content writing, and using the same verbs repeatedly may create a negative image of your writing capabilities. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of action verbs you can use to craft your bullet points:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Analyzed | Conducted |
| Coordinated | Created |
| Built | Designed |
| Developed | Drove |
| Enhanced | Executed |
| Generated | Identified |
| Implemented | Improved |
| Increased | Led |
| Managed | Partnered |
| Spearheaded | Supported |
How do you align your resume with a job description?+
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, marketing jobs are expected to experience a 10% increase in growth from 2021-2031. This is a $1B industry within the U.S., and there’s a growing need for marketing professionals who can leverage data and develop strategies to reach target audiences. Despite the positive outlook, you’ll still need to align your resume with the job description to secure the most lucrative opportunities.
For example, if a company is looking for a digital marketing manager with a strong background in content writing and SEO, you’d want to highlight your experience creating quality web copy to improve user engagement, time-on-page, and web traffic. If an organization is seeking an expert in growth marketing, you may want to illustrate how you utilized multi-channel marketing to improve conversion rates. By tailoring your resume to the job description, you’ll significantly increase your odds of landing the interview.
What is the best marketing resume format?+
Marketing resumes should always use a reverse chronological format. This ensures that your most recent and relevant experience is featured at the top of your resume. Functional resumes, also known as skill-based resumes, are considered outdated by hiring managers and recruiters. This approach prioritizes listing skills and qualifications, but lacks the detail required to properly convey your career achievements.
Expert Advice: Include a cover letter with your resume
Providing a matching cover letter can bolster your chances of landing the interview if the document is carefully tailored towards individual job opportunities. Rather than only reiterating information from the resume, you should mention something specific about the company’s reputation or work culture in the middle paragraphs. This will show prospective employers that you’ve done your research beforehand and are genuinely interested in the position. For more guidance, view our marketing cover letter guide.
