Easy Ways to Improve Your Digital Marketing Resume for Your Next Job
Reading time 8minFeeling like a career change? Maybe it's time to improve your digital marketing resume.
With so many other candidates fighting for that one position you're seeking, you’re probably asking yourself, "How can I make sure my resume stands out?".
Excellent question!
The strategies outlined in this post will ensure that you stand out from the crowd of candidates who are fighting for the same marketing position as you are.
The Digital Marketing Race
Working in digital marketing is becoming an increasingly desirable career choice. And the digital marketing industry is booming in terms of new jobs, great salaries, and a creative career path that is dynamic and rewarding.
Furthermore, digital marketing is becoming more attractive to young professionals fresh out of college. But with so many people interested in the same career path, the race for the best jobs starts getting competitive.
This means: you must find a way to stand out from the other candidates to make the job selection process easier on you. And the best way to do so is by improving your resume.
If you're completely lost, don't worry. We'll guide you through all the steps to revamping your digital marketing resume so that you can start applying for better career opportunities in marketing.
In this post, you'll learn:
1. Resume Organization
- Highlight accomplishments instead of just listing responsibilities
- Include keywords in your skills section
2. Resume Readability
- Use bullet points when listing your experience and skills
- Make sure the font is legible
- Ensure you have plenty of whitespace
3. Resume Credibility
- Add relevant endorsements or testimonials
- Showcase your skills with numbers
- Ensure it's up-to-date
- Include details about recent education
We’ll also cover the three most common mistakes people make when updating their digital marketing resume.
Let’s go!
9 Actionable Ways to Improve your Digital Marketing Resume in 2022
If you're looking to land a job in digital marketing, now’s the time to put together your CV.
Here are nine easy ways to improve your digital marketing resume so you stand out from every other candidate.
Resume Organization
1. Highlight accomplishments instead of just listing responsibilities
When describing what you did at previous jobs, focus on the results you’ve accomplished rather than prior responsibilities. For example, instead of saying "managed social media accounts", you can say "organically grew Instagram account from 1.7K followers to 34K followers in 6 months."
Don't be afraid to brag about your accomplishments and skill sets. This is your chance to show off all the impressive results you’ve achieved as a digital marketer. If you've worked on any major campaigns or managed multiple social media accounts, don't hesitate to include those experiences on your resume.
Pro Tip: Go above and beyond by highlighting HOW you've pulled off such results.
2. Include keywords in your skills section
If there are keywords that describe the position you're applying for, include them in your skills section. For example, if you're applying for a job as a Social Media Manager, include words like "Facebook," "Twitter," and "Instagram" in this section so recruiters can instantly tell what kind of experience you have (plus, they may be using AI technology to quickly scan resumes for these terms to weed out irrelevant talents).
The same goes for software tools (CRMs). If there's a specific CRM that you used in your previous jobs, be sure to include it on your resume.
Resume Readability
1. Use bullet points when listing your experience and skills
Sadly, regardless of how awesome your CV is, the recruiter probably won’t read it in its entirety (rather, they’ll skim through it).
To avoid the recruiter missing out on any important information, use bullet points. That’s because bullet points make it easier for potential employers to see exactly what you have done in previous jobs, instead of reading through chunks of text.
Be sure that each bullet point contains only one idea or skill — don't list multiple items under one bullet point unless they're related somehow. Otherwise, it might backfire by being overwhelming.
2. Make sure the font is legible
One of the most common mistakes people make when creating their digital marketing resumes is using fonts that are difficult to read (i.e., small). Usually, this happens because candidates are trying to fit every bit of information in their resumes.
Listen, the last thing you want is for an employer reading your resume on a smartphone or tablet computer to struggle with words that are too small or too light.
If you have a choice between two options, choose the one that's easier on the eyes (stay AWAY from the fancy fonts).
For sans serif fonts, we recommend using Arial, Helvetica, or Calibri. For a more traditional look, try a serif like Times News Roman or Didot.
3. Ensure you have plenty of whitespace
Adding on, when thinking of improving your digital marketing resume, remember that less is often more. In other words, there is no point in cluttering your resume with fluff just for the sake of it. A cluttered CV conveys a lack of organization or attention to detail, and this might reflect poorly on your marketing skills.
When improving your digital marketing resume, be sure it has plenty of white space and is free of distractions. Remove all unnecessary words and information.
Resume Credibility
1. Add relevant endorsements or testimonials to your LinkedIn profile
If you've received recognition for your work, don't be afraid to mention it on your CV.
This can be especially helpful if you're applying for a job where there are hundreds of other applicants and you need to stand out. Highlight why people like working with you and how much value they've received from working with you in the past.
Highlight any awards or honors related to digital marketing or communications that you have received over time. This shows recruiters that you're not only knowledgeable about this field, but also dedicated enough to continue learning about it even after earning an advanced degree or certification within it!
2. Showcase Your Skills With Numbers
Quantify your accomplishments with numbers or percentages whenever possible.
For example, again, instead of writing "Managed social media accounts" on your resume, write "Managed 9 different social media accounts with 3 million combined followers." This will help employers see how much effort they can expect from you if they hire you!
The bottom line is, make sure you provide concrete examples of how you've added value.
3. Ensure it's up-to-date
To improve your digital marketing resume, make sure all of the information is accurate and up-to-date. If it's not, then this can hurt your chances of getting hired — and rightfully so!
This also means updating your resume for the relevant position you’re applying for (e.g., adding keywords and experience that directly speak to the job description of interest).
Employers want to know that they're hiring someone reliable, trustworthy, and hardworking, so they don't want applicants who are careless with their information or who make mistakes easily.
4. Include details about recent education
Since digital marketing is a constantly evolving field, it's important to update your resume regularly so recruiters can see what kind of experience you have and what new skills you've learned.
These days, most employers expect new hires in the marketing field to have at least some kind of college degree or certificate under their belt. So if you have an advanced degree or specialized training in digital marketing, make sure it’s clearly mentioned in your resume.
3 Common Mistakes to Avoid on Your Digital Marketing Resume
1. Don't be vague
Be specific about your accomplishments and use metrics to quantify them whenever possible. If you're a Marketing Manager, for example, you might say that you increased revenue by 15% or that you doubled website traffic.
2. Use the right resume format
The traditional chronological format is still the most common, but there are also functional resumes and hybrid forms that combine elements of both formats. Whichever format you choose, make sure it highlights your key skills and experience as they relate to the job you're applying for.
3. Be honest
If there have been gaps in your career history or other issues that could affect your candidacy negatively, address them upfront in an "additional information" section rather than waiting until an interviewer asks about them directly.
The Importance of a Professional Resume
Few things are as important as a first impression. Putting together a sharp marketing resume is one of them. That’s because your resume is your first chance to shine.
Your resume should be an extension of your marketing skills. It's the first thing employers see after you've met their qualifications for the job.
The key to writing a successful digital marketing resume is to make it easy for employers to scan and skim through. You want them to be able to quickly understand what you bring to the table, so they can decide whether or not you’re worth interviewing for the position.
Make it look as professional, clean, and easy to read as possible. This way you can show off your top skills to potential employers, and get the interviews and digital marketing job offer that you are aiming for.