One specific CV challenge you might face as a content manager is ensuring your CV stands out amidst a sea of equally qualified candidates. Our guide provides detailed strategies and examples to help you accentuate your unique skills and experiences, ensuring your application grabs the attention of hiring managers.
- Answer job requirements with your content manager CV and experience;
- Curate your academic background and certificates, following industry-leading CV examples;
- Select from +10 niche skills to match the ideal candidate profile
- Write a more succinct experience section that consists of all the right details.
Do you need more specific insights into writing your content manager CV? Our guides focus on unique insights for each individual role:
- Marketing Coordinator CV Example
- Content Marketing CV Example
- Digital Marketing Executive CV Example
- Commercial Director CV Example
- Marketing Assistant CV Example
- Communication Manager CV Example
- Advertising CV Example
- Creative Marketing CV Example
- Marketing Executive CV Example
- Email Marketing CV Example
How complex should the format of your content manager CV be?
Perhaps, you decided to use a fancy font and plenty of colours to ensure your content manager CV stands out amongst the pile of other candidate profiles. Alas - this may confuse recruiters. By keeping your format simple and organising your information coherently, you'll ultimately make a better impression. What matters most is your experience, while your CV format should act as complementary thing by:- Presenting the information in a reverse chronological order with the most recent of your jobs first. This is done so that your career history stays organised and is aligned to the role;
- Making it easy for recruiters to get in touch with you by including your contact details in the CV header. Regarding the design of your CV header, include plenty of white space and icons to draw attention to your information. If you're applying for roles in the UK, don't include a photo, as this is considered a bad practice;
- Organising your most important CV sections with consistent colours, plenty of white space, and appropriate margins (2.54 cm). Remember that your CV design should always aim at legibility and to spotlight your key information;
- Writing no more than two pages of your relevant experience. For candidates who are just starting out in the field, we recommend to have an one-page CV.
One more thing about your CV format - you may be worried if your double column CV is Applicant Tracker System (ATS) complaint. In our recent study, we discovered that both single and double-column CVs are ATS-friendly . Most ATSes out there can also read all serif and sans serif fonts. We suggest you go with modern, yet simple, fonts (e.g. Rubik, Lato, Raleway) instead of the classic Times New Roman. You'll want your application to stand out, and many candidates still go for the classics. Finally, you'll have to export your CV. If you're wondering if you should select Doc or PDF, we always advise going with PDF. Your CV in PDF will stay intact and opens easily on every OS, including Mac OS.
PRO TIP
Use bold or italics sparingly to draw attention to key points, such as job titles, company names, or significant achievements. Overusing these formatting options can dilute their impact.
The top sections on a content manager CV
- Professional Summary: Offers insight into your expertise and value in content management.
- Content Management Experience: Shows relevant job history and accomplishments.
- Digital Skills and Proficiencies: Highlights technical abilities in content platforms and tools.
- Education and Certifications: Provides details on formal training and industry-relevant qualifications.
- Portfolio of Work: Directs recruiters to examples of content you've managed or created.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Emphasise your experience with content management systems (CMS) and your ability to adapt to new digital tools, as this showcases your technical proficiency and flexibility in managing various content platforms.
- Highlight specific metrics from past content campaigns, such as increases in web traffic, engagement rates, or conversion improvements, to demonstrate your effectiveness in achieving business objectives.
- Demonstrate your understanding of SEO principles and how you've successfully implemented SEO strategies in your content creation and distribution, as this skill is crucial for online visibility and reach.
- Illustrate your editorial skills by mentioning your ability to plan, produce, and curate high-quality content, as well as experience managing content calendars and coordinating with writers and stakeholders.
- Include examples of your project management abilities by detailing successful content projects you've led, focusing on teamwork, deadlines, and how you've managed content lifecycles from conception to publication.
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What information should you include in your content manager CV header?
The CV header is potentially the section that recruiters would refer to the most, as it should include your:
- Contact details - your professional (non-work) email address and phone number;
- Professional photograph - if you're applying hinting at the value you bring as a professional.
Many professionals often struggle with writing their content manager CV headline. That's why in the next section of this guide, we've curated examples of how you can optimise this space to pass any form of assessment.
Examples of good CV headlines for content manager:
- Content Strategy Specialist | SEO Expert | CMS Mastery | Certified Content Marketer | 7+ Years' Experience
- Senior Content Manager | Multichannel Campaigns | Video & Blogging | Analytics Pro | 10 Years in Media
- Digital Content Lead | Brand Storytelling | Social Media Aficionado | Certified Digital Marketer | 5 Years' Growth
- Junior Content Coordinator | Curator & Copywriting Enthusiast | BA in Marketing | Emerging Social Trends | 2 Years
- Lead Editorial Content Strategist | B2B/B2C Engagement | PR & Outreach Specialist | 12 Years' Editorial Experience
- Content Development Manager | E-commerce Content Expert | Data-Driven Creator | MA Journalism | 8+ Years Dynamic Roles
Your content manager CV introduction: selecting between a summary and an objective
content manager candidates often wonder how to start writing their resumes. More specifically, how exactly can they use their opening statements to build a connection with recruiters, showcase their relevant skills, and spotlight job alignment. A tricky situation, we know. When crafting you content manager CV select between:
- A summary - to show an overview of your career so far, including your most significant achievements.
- An objective - to show a conscise overview of your career dreams and aspirations.
Find out more examples and ultimately, decide which type of opening statement will fit your profile in the next section of our guide:
CV summaries for a content manager job:
- Seasoned Content Manager with over 8 years of experience in developing engaging material for online platforms, adept in SEO and analytics-driven content strategies. Notably increased web traffic by 40% for a leading e-commerce brand through innovative campaigns and data-driven content optimisation.
- As a former Digital Marketing Executive transitioning into Content Management, I bring 5 years of experience in campaign development, profound knowledge of SEO best practises, and a track record of creating compelling content that elevated user engagement by 30% year-on-year.
- Dynamic ex-Journalist eager to contribute 6 years of writing and editing expertise towards managing content in a fast-paced digital environment. Skilled in storytelling and multimedia content creation, which led to a 25% increase in audience engagement in my previous role.
- Accomplished educator with 10 years of experience in curriculum development, seeking to leverage extensive background in crafting informative content to excel in a Content Management capacity. Recognised for developing award-winning educational programmes adopted across 50 schools nationwide.
How to meet job requirements with your content manager CV experience
We've now reached the essence of your actual CV - your experience section. This is the space where you can list your career roles and on-the-job successes. Many candidates tend to underestimate just how much time and effort they should put into writing this CV section. Your experience shouldn't be a random list of your responsibilities, but instead:
- Match the job description with your skills, values, and accomplishments;
- Start each bullet with a strong action verb, followed up with one key skill and your outcome of applying this skill;
- Spotlight parts of your career history that are relevant to the job you're applying for.
Before we move on, make sure to check out some professional CV experience sections.
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Strategically devised and implemented an editorial calendar that resulted in a 40% increase in web traffic and improved user engagement across all digital platforms.
- Executed a comprehensive content audit that identified gaps and redundancies, leading to a streamlined approach to content creation and a 20% boost in content efficiency.
- Led a team of 5 content professionals in producing high-quality, SEO-friendly content, increasing organic search rankings for major key terms by 30% within a year.
- Managed cross-functional collaboration with the marketing, sales, and product departments to ensure alignment of content strategy with business goals, leading to a 15% uptick in leads conversion.
- Successfully launched an influencer partnership program that amplified brand reach and contributed to a 25% rise in brand mentions on social media platforms.
- Conducted regular training sessions on content best practices and storytelling techniques that heightened the content team's skill set and performance metrics.
- Implemented rigorous content performance analysis using analytics tools, resulting in data-driven decisions that increased ROI of content campaigns by 18%.
- Oversaw the redesign of the company blog and multimedia content, which improved user experience and increased session duration by an average of 50 seconds.
- Developed crisis management content guidelines, ensuring brand voice consistency and timely response during sensitive situations, ultimately protecting brand reputation.
- Spearheaded a content rebranding project for FreshTech, leading a team of 5 content creators, increasing web traffic by 35% within six months.
- Developed and managed a content calendar that coordinated with product launches and seasonal campaigns, resulting in a 25% increase in engagement across all social media platforms.
- Implemented SEO best practices for content creation, improving the organic search ranking for key product categories by an average of 10 positions.
- Oversaw the production of digital content for StyleScape's e-commerce platform, leading to a 20% uplift in user session duration.
- Managed cross-functional team collaborations for a site-wide content overhaul that improved the UX, reducing bounce rates by 15%.
- Launched a multichannel content marketing campaign, which increased the subscriber base by 50,000 within a year.
- Coordinated the digital content lifecycle processes at GreenSolutions, increasing content production speed by 40% without sacrificing quality.
- Managed the transition to a new CMS, delivering a 50% improvement in content team workflow efficiency.
- Facilitated content partnerships resulting in a successful influencer campaign with a 300% ROI within the first quarter.
- Designed a content personalisation strategy for DigiHealth's online channels, which elevated conversion rates by 18% over a year.
- Analysed content performance metrics to inform content optimisation, increasing average page views by 45% over six months.
- Led a team to create an award-winning content marketing campaign that boosted the brand's visibility in a competitive healthcare market.
- Directed a content team at GadgetGuru, delivering weekly tech news and reviews, driving a 30% uplift in recurring visitors.
- Implemented an agile content development methodology that reduced time-to-market for new content pieces by 25%.
- Piloted a user-generated content initiative that increased community engagement by 40% and enriched the content mix.
- Championed a brand storytelling project at LuxFashion that enhanced customer loyalty, reflected in a 20% increase in membership sign-ups.
- Crafted a content strategy aligning with the company's sustainability values, leading to a 55% rise in positive social mentions.
- Curated a high-profile collaborative content series with fashion influencers, driving an average engagement rate of 5% per post.
- Established a comprehensive content metrics tracking system for EduTech Publishing, enhancing the data-driven decision-making approach for content choices.
- Launched an e-learning content initiative that increased subscription renewals by 30% through improved instructional design.
- Developed a contributor network expansion plan that brought in 20+ industry experts to add credibility and depth to educational materials.
Swapping your professional experience (when you have none) with skills and more
Never underestimate the importance of relevancе when it comes to your content manager CV. Even if you don't happen to have much or any standard (full-time contract) professional experience, this doesn't mean you shouldn't apply for the role. Instead of a bespoke CV experience section:
- Showcase more prominently any internships, part-time roles, and volunteer experience that are applicable to the role and have taught you job-crucial skills;
- Feature a strengths or achievements section with your transferrable skills or talents you've obtained thanks to your work or life experience;
- Write an objective statement that clearly outlines your values as a candidate and defines your career ambitions;
- List your education or certificates that match the job profile closer to the top of your CV.
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PRO TIP
Talk about any positive changes you helped bring about in your previous jobs, like improving a process or helping increase efficiency.
The CV skills' divide: between hard and soft skills
Of course, you may have read the job requirements plenty of times now, but it's key to note that there is a difference between technical and personal skills. Both are equally relevant to your job application. When writing about your skill set, ensure you've copy-pasted the precise skill from the job requirement. This would not only help you ensure you have the correct spelling, but also pass any Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessments.
- Hard skills show your technological capabilities. Or whether you'll be a good technical fit to the organisation. Ensure you've spotlighted your hard skills in various sections of your CV (e.g. skills section, projects, experience) by including the technology and what you've attained;
- Soft skills pinpoint your personality and people or communication skills, hinting at if you'll easily accomodate into the team or organisation. Quantify your soft skills in your CV achievements, strengths, summary/objective, and experience sections. Always support your soft skills with how they've helped you grow as a professional.
Top skills for your content manager CV:
Content Creation
Content Strategy
SEO/SEM
Data Analysis
CMS Knowledge
Marketing Automation Tools
Graphic Design
Project Management
Copywriting and Editing
Social Media Management
Creativity
Leadership
Communication
Organisational Skills
Adaptability
Teamwork
Attention to Detail
Problem-Solving
Time Management
Strategic Thinking
PRO TIP
If there's a noticeable gap in your skillset for the role you're applying for, mention any steps you're taking to acquire these skills, such as online courses or self-study.
Education and more professional qualifications to include in your content manager CV
If you want to showcase to recruiters that you're further qualified for the role, ensure you've included your relevant university diplomas. Within your education section:
- Describe your degree with your university name(-s) and start-graduation dates;
- List any awards you've received, if you deem they would be impressive or are relevant to the industry;
- Include your projects and publications, if you need to further showcase how you've used your technical know-how;
- Avoid listing your A-level marks, as your potential employers care to learn more about your university background.
Apart from your higher education, ensure that you've curated your relevant certificates or courses by listing the:
- name of the certificate or course;
- name of the institution within which you received your training;
- the date(-s) when you obtained your accreditation.
In the next section, discover some of the most relevant certificates for your content manager CV:
PRO TIP
If there's a noticeable gap in your skillset for the role you're applying for, mention any steps you're taking to acquire these skills, such as online courses or self-study.
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Key takeaways
What matters most in your content manager CV-writing process is for you to create a personalised application. One that matches the role and also showcases your unique qualities and talents.
- Use the format to supplement the actual content, to stand out, and to ensure your CV experience is easy to comprehend and follows a logic;
- Invest time in building a succinct CV top one third. One that includes a header (with your contact details and headline), a summary or an objective statement (select the one that best fits your experience), and - potentially - a dedicated skills section or achievements (to fit both hard skills and soft skills requirements);
- Prioritise your most relevant (and senior) experience closer to the top of your CV. Always ensure you're following the "power verb, skill, and achievement" format for your bullets;
- Integrate both your technical and communication background across different sections of your CV to meet the job requirements;
- List your relevant education and certificates to fill in gaps in your CV history and prove to recrutiers you have relevant technical know-how.