10 Tips for Improving Your Resume as a Marketer
So, you’re looking to begin your career in marketing, and you’re likely wondering what you should do to put yourself in the best position to get your first job. The marketing and advertising industry is fast-paced and constantly evolving, and anything that you can do to stay ahead of the curve will work to your advantage. One way you can do this is by developing a resume that is strongly written, well-organized and aesthetically pleasing. We have provided you with 10 tips to follow if you’re updating your resume or writing a new one that will help you as you search for your dream job.
Treat your resume like a marketing document
Most people don’t think about resumes this way, but a resume is a tool that you use to promote yourself to a hiring manager. Thinking about your resume as a document that markets you as the candidate will inform how you communicate about your experience, education, and achievements. Consider providing an opening statement with general information about your background to give hiring managers a quick snapshot of who you are before they review the rest of the document.
Example
I am a marketing and communications professional with three years of experience in copywriting, social media management, and Google AdWords.
This opening statement is strong because it gives a condensed view of the candidate’s experience and skills. It pays to make sure that everyone who is looking at your resume, including people that don’t have time to read the full document, can get an overview of what sets you apart from other candidates without having to read all the information provided.
Use relevant keywords
Hiring managers look for relevant industry keywords when they are evaluating whether you have the right experience for a position. As an example, if you’re looking for a position involving content development, SEO, or social media you may want to include some of the keywords listed below when writing about your work experience.
Blog writing, Content, Content marketing, Copywriting, Data, Data analysis, Digital marketing, Email marketing, Facebook, Google Ads, Instagram, Microsoft Office, Return on Investment (ROI), Search, Search Engine Marketing (SEM), Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Social media
Depending on what type of position in marketing and advertising you are going for you’ll want to include different keywords. For example, below are keywords you should consider including in your resume if you are looking for a role in the creative development side of the industry.
Advertising strategy, Art direction, Logo design, Adobe products, Creative design, Digital, Illustration, Editing, Graphic design, Photographer, Banner ads, Website design, Marketing collateral, User interface design, Videography
Before you apply, we recommend that you research the position online and become familiar with relevant industry keywords and sample interview questions for that position to get a sense of what skills and experience may be expected. Being prepared will only strengthen your chances of landing the job.
Always put the most important information first
Order your most recent positions towards the top of the page and bullet out 4-5 of the most important aspects of each position. Contrary to popular belief, most resumes in 2021 are usually longer than a single page. According to Zety, the average resume is 489 words long, with 380 words being roughly the single page cutoff point. This is not to say that resumes should not be concise. Keeping your resume streamlined will make the document more digestible for the employer. Make a point to call out experience that is specifically relevant to the position that you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for a position as a graphic designer, make sure that you are listing out all the programs that you are proficient in using under one of your job positions or in a dedicated skills section.
Only include recent positions
It’s important to be selective of what positions you include in your resume. Try to include no more than 3-4 of the most relevant positions you have held as you are starting in your career. Less is often more when it comes to resume writing, and you want to make sure that you are keeping it concise to avoid losing important details.
Call attention to your important achievements
Include any important awards or scholarships to make yourself stand out. List any relevant internships or club experience, like PRSSA or advertising club, that is relevant to the position you are applying to. According to Glassdoor, employers receive on average 250 resumes for every corporate job posting, so anything you can do to stand out from the rest of the crowd will help.
Keep your LinkedIn profile up to date
Did you know that over 40 million people use LinkedIn to search for jobs every week? Having a presence on LinkedIn is something you can do to strengthen your chances of finding the right marketing opportunity for you. Your LinkedIn profile link is something that should be included with your resume, and we recommend that you update your LinkedIn page as often as needed. Please note that a LinkedIn profile should not replace a good resume. A LinkedIn profile should be included as a support piece that complements a resume. By having a strong LinkedIn profile, you’ll put yourself in a good position if the employer wants to know more about you.
Go with a graphical approach
It doesn’t matter if you are applying for a job as a designer or assistant account executive, having a polished, well-designed resume will always help you out when searching for a job in marketing and advertising. We recommend using a resume builder like Canva, especially if you don’t have experience using Adobe products. Canva’s resume builder allows you to make changes to the design of your resume as needed and includes hundreds of designer made templates that you can use so that your resume looks its best.
Include an online portfolio link
An online portfolio is a website that you create using an online website builder tool that displays past projects you want to highlight to employers. You can include social media content calendars, media placements, design samples, blog posts, and more on the website, and this will make it easy for employers to view samples of your past work without having to ask you for them. You can easily create an online portfolio website for free using Wix or WordPress. Make sure to include the link to your online portfolio along with the rest of the links (like your LinkedIn page) that you plan to include with your resume.
Consider writing a cover letter
Not every marketing job that you apply for is going to request a cover letter from you but consider writing one if there are reasons that you feel you would be better than any other candidate for the position. A cover letter should be between one and two pages long and include education, past work experience, and a testimonial letting the employer know why your unique experience makes you the best fit for the position.
Check your work over
Spelling or grammar mistakes in your resume is something that can cost you a job. Marketing jobs require you to be detail-oriented when you are crafting and distributing messages to audiences, and you need to make sure that your applicant portfolio is spotless to show the employer that you can produce good quality work for clients.
If you have any questions about resume building or getting started in your career in marketing, please reach out to info@affirmagency.com.
