Without question digital marketing is currently one of the most in-demand career fields on the planet.
Your digital marketing resume is normally the first thing a potential new employer sees. It’s an introduction to who you are, what qualifications and work experience you have and why someone should employ you.
Your digital marketing resume is essentially a sales document and is generally in competition with a whole bunch of other resumes . The big question is how you stand out from the crowd and avoid the rejection pile, getting from this brief introduction to the interview phase.
If you have skills and credentials, you can definitely earn a significant living and climb the ladder. However, the only way to climb this ladder is to get in the door with an interview.
Having a well-written, thoughtful resume is all you need to apply to the top digital marketing jobs and start getting interviews.
But what should go into this resume?
Resume Basics 101
While no one resume is the same as another, and formatting can vary a bit here and there, you should include some standard information.
- First there are your contact details – your name, address, mobile number and email. These should be at the top of your resume and clearly listed. You may think this is obvious but you’d be surprised the number of people who leave it out.
- Your personal statement is an important part of the resume and is basically a paragraph selling yourself to a potential employer. While it shouldn’t be too long, it does need to be eye catching and thought provoking. Expressing who you are, why you’re a suitable fit for the job and what your key qualities are is not easy in such a short space. Our advice is to take time to work on this section so that it’s the best it can be. Sometimes it’s the first and only thing that will be read before hitting the rejection pile.
- Your digital marketing work experience is another important part of the resume and needs to include any job that is relevant to the post you are applying for. Start with your most recent employment first and work your way down. Include the company name, your job title, when you worked for them and what your duties were.
- Your achievements in post are going to more important the higher up the career ladder you are. This is one key area where you can adjust the wording to meet the requirements to the job spec. List your skills and demonstrate how these were used in the workplace.
- Your education is next on the list and should include where you got your digital marketing qualifications, your grades and the dates. If you have been on relevant courses that match up to the job you’re applying for, it’s a good idea to include these too. Demonstrating that you have taken control of your own continuing professional development is certainly a plus point for any potential employer.
- Hobbies and interests used to be a staple of resumes but they’re of less interest than they used to be. Our advice is to avoid putting down any unless they relate to the job in hand. For example, if you’re applying to be a digital marketer for a sports firm, highlighting your sporting achievements or interests could be an important selling point.
15 Essential Tips on How to Write the Perfect Digital Marketing Resume
Let these tips guide you as you start putting together a digital marketing resume that works.
1. Pick the Perfect Layout
Even if it is text-based, you need to think of your resume as a digital medium.
As such, start by having a layout that makes people want to read it. You can do this by downloading an array of templates and figuring out what will work best for your needs.
You can also build your resume from scratch and use a design that you think fits your personality and industry.
The thing about resumes is that there is no one-size-fits-all way to create it. The only thing that matters is that it works and makes an impression on the reader.
Play around with a few layouts so that you are able to figure out which will get you the attention you need.
2. Lead With Your Intention and Make it Personal
You will be more likely to find the best digital marketing jobs when you are clear in your intentions.
Stating your "why" clearly, concisely and passionately in the very beginning sets the tone for how the reader perceives the rest of the resume. The key to this is to take an honest assessment into what you want out of your career and why you are applying for a particular position.
Put those thoughts into your opening statement, and make sure to grab the reader's attention from the very beginning.
As such, you may also need to alter your mission statement from time to time based on what position you are applying for, or what site you are posting your resume on.
While you are applying for this position in a professional capacity, keep in mind that every business is a "people" business.
Express why this job is part of your personal mission, what it will mean to you and what you intend to bring to it. That way, you'll strike a chord with the reader and will immediately help them imagine you in the role.
3. Acquire Some Dynamite References
When you want to have a long career in digital marketing, references are worth their weight in gold.
The old adage of "it's not what you know, but who you know", is only partially true.
Knowing people is not enough -- you need to know people that are willing to put their reputation on the line to speak highly about you. This will be a big part of your journey in any mission, as it takes personal relationships to get ahead.
Make sure that the references you include are people that you do have an authentic relationship with, as they will be more likely to g above and beyond to give you a reference that can get you hired.
Likewise, only include references from people that you know will have positive things to say. Too many people make the mistake of filling out the references section without thinking about it, or by treating it as a formality.
Simply put, you should always assume that every company checks references before making a hire. When you operate with this mindstate, you will take your time and do what is best for your resume when citing references.
4. Sell Yourself With Lively Language
The very act of marketing revolves around selling yourself through persuasion.
Don't wait until you get the job to prove that you have these skills. Instead, your resume should be filled with lively, intentional language that expresses yourself and creates an impression on the reader.
By the time someone finishes reading your resume, they shouldn't feel like you are capable to do the job -- they should feel like you are the best person for the job.
Make use of some glowing adjectives and put thought into word choices and how you craft each and every sentence.
5. Get the Help of a Writer and Editor
One of the best things you can do is get a little bit of help from writers and editors.
These professionals will choose expressions that really create a connection with the reader, and will also make sure that the work sounds professional.
Hiring an editor will help you make sure that your work is error-free.
You can easily hire a copyeditor for between about $50 per hour and $100 per hour. Since a resume is a light read, this shouldn't be too much of a financial hit but is worth every dime.
6. Have a Portfolio to Link to Your Body of Work
If you are putting your resume out on the internet, there's a good chance that you can include links that people can click for themselves. Rather than wasting this opportunity, take this time to link to a body of work that shows people your prowess in the industry.
Having a blog that shows off your digital marketing prowess is one of the best tools to have in your kit. If photos and video are your expertise, link your portfolio or YouTube channel to give people a clear glimpse of what you can do.
While the resume talks about your work, linking to your work actually shows hirers what you can do, and can make hiring you a no-brainer.
7. Describe Your Responsibilities With Clarity
Never assume that people understand what you did in your previous role simply because you listed it.
For instance, rather than just listing that you were a digital marketing manager, lay out your responsibilities and what they meant in relation to the company that you worked for.
This will put the reader in your shoes and let them know what your day to day work was like.
In a field like digital marketing, this is particularly important, because skills overlap and the field is so vast. Missing an opportunity to explain your contributions is a missed opportunity to sell yourself, so always break down each role with clarity and precision whenever it is mentioned.
8. Use Numbers and Stats Whenever Possible
Explaining your role is one thing, but don't forget to include the "brag" as well.
If you were responsible for creating a certain amount of profits for a company, don't hesitate to list that. Likewise, if you were in charge of a large group of people, list the exact number.
Using stats and metrics adds maths and science to the art that is your resume, and allows you to speak with clarity. It's not only more impressive -- it's also a more totalistic, realistic account of the work that you did in your prior roles.
It also lets the company know that you are equipped to handle the challenges that they have in store for you since the numbers don't lie.
9. Avoid Clutter as Much as Possible
Even if your resume is filled with great information, people won't read it if it is cluttered.
You have to remember that hirers sometimes read hundreds of resumes every day. Anything that makes yours difficult to read or comprehend will likely be used to eliminate you.
Tighten up your sentences, get rid of fluff, and make sure that you are breaking your sections down into easy to read chunks. This way, you will better get your point across and won't bog down the reader with too much information.
10. Include an Effective Cover Letter
You will also need to set the tone for your resume with a cover letter that grabs people's attention.
The cover letter is separate from the resume, and serves as an opening remark for the hiring manager you are reaching out to. Rather than just including a few sentences and attaching your resume, really put some thought into what kind of impression you want to leave.
The easiest way to do this is by thoroughly reading through the listing and really getting a sense of what they are looking for. When you know that you check every box, and that all of your past experiences led you up to this moment, express this in detail in your cover letter.
With that said, your cover letter should be brief and actionable. If you can win them over with the cover letter, your resume will more than likely end up at the top of the pile.
11. Make Sure You are Expressing Your Ability to Use the Tools of the Trade
Since the field of digital marketing is rapidly changing, you always need to show that you are up to date with the current tools of the trade.
For instance, you should be adept at things like search engine optimisation (SEO), Google Analytics, Hootsuite, video editing software and more. Put these in the skills section, and make sure to include all skills that are relevant to the job that you are applying for.
12. Bullet Points Are Your Friend
Your resume will always be more difficult to read when you have long sentences and paragraphs. The best thing you can do is break this up with bullet points.
Since you only get a limited amount of space, be sure that every bullet point counts. Read through your resume with a fine-toothed comb to ensure that you aren't being repetitive and that every point offers some sort of value.
This will break your resume up and make it a lot easier to read, which also helps people to figure out who you are and what you offer much quicker.
13. Let Your Personality Shine Through
Simply put, you need to always be able to sell yourself with your resume.
While a resume is a professional tool, you need to make sure that your personality is shining through with every sentence and word choice. Don't be afraid to express yourself and show different sides to your personality.
Not only should people be excited about what you can bring to the position, but they will also need to get excited about the energy you will bring to the company's culture.
You'll be spending long hours together, so make sure they know you are a positive and exciting person to be around.
14. Get Creative With Your Sections—But Keep Them Relevant
Don't get tied to the same approach that everyone uses. Your resume can be crafted however you'd like, so play around with different section options whenever possible.
For instance, you might want to create an entire section related to volunteer work and charitable organisations. This shows your compassionate side, which is an asset to any company.
15. Brief is Always Best
Finally, it should never take you several words to express a single point on your resume.
Brief is always best, so cut out fluff and superfluous information. Be discerning when editing your resume and get rid of any content that doesn't absolutely have to be included.
Create an Amazing Digital Marketing Resume
When you're trying to land a great digital marketing job, these are the tips that you will need when putting together your resume.
However, having an amazing digital marketing resume is just the beginning -- you need to post it around the web and start getting some bites. This way, you can apply for jobs and build a successful career in digital marketing.
Use these tips, register your resume and browse our listings and find your next digital marketing job.