Crafting an engaging curriculum vitae (CV) is a significant challenge for professionals in social media marketing, as you need to succinctly encompass a broad range of digital skills and creative achievements. Our guide provides clear strategies and actionable tips to effectively showcase your expertise and make your application stand out to potential employers.
- Design and format your professional social media marketing CV;
- Curate your key contact information, skills, and achievements throughout your CV sections;
- Ensure your profile stays competitive by studying other industry-leading social media marketing CVs;
- Create a great CV even if you happen to have less professional experience, or switching fields.
When writing your social media marketing CV, you may need plenty of insights from hiring managers. We have prepared industry-leading advice in the form of our relevant CV guides.
Structuring and formatting your social media marketing CV for an excellent first impression
The experts' best advice regarding your CV format is to keep it simple and concise. Recruiters assessing your CV are foremost looking out for candidates who match their ideal job profile. Your white space, borders, and margins. You may still be wondering which format you need to export your CV in. We recommend using the PDF one, as, upon being uploaded, it never alters your information or CV design. Before we move on to the actual content of your social media marketing CV, we'd like to remind you about the Applicant Tracker System (or the ATS). The ATS is a software that is sometimes used to initially assess your profile. Here's what you need to keep in mind about the ATS:- All serif and sans-serif fonts (e.g. Rubik, Volkhov, Exo 2 etc.) are ATS-friendly;
- Many candidates invest in Arial and Times New Roman, so avoid these fonts if you want your application to stand out;
- Both single and double column CVs can be read by the ATS, so it's entirely up to you to select your CV design.
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 social media marketing CV
- Professional Summary showcases your expertise and goals.
- Social Media Skills reflect your proficiency in key platforms.
- Work Experience highlights your industry-specific contributions.
- Campaign Portfolio offers tangible proof of past successes.
- Education & Training indicates your foundational knowledge base.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight your knowledge of various social media platforms and algorithms with specific examples of successful content you have created or campaigns you have managed, demonstrating your ability to increase engagement and reach.
- Quantify your achievements in terms of analytics and social media growth, by specifying how much you increased followers, engagement rates or ROI to show your tangible impact on social media marketing objectives.
- Demonstrate your versatility by mentioning your proficiency with tools and technologies common in social media marketing, such as Hootsuite, Google Analytics, or Facebook Ads Manager, to show you can smoothly handle the technical side of social campaigns.
- Showcase your creativity and ability to craft strategic content by sharing links to an online portfolio or case studies that exhibit your innovative approaches to marketing campaigns on various social platforms.
- Emphasise your understanding of current social media trends and digital marketing best practices including knowledge of SEO, content marketing, and consumer behaviour analysis, to illustrate your ability to keep campaigns relevant and effective.
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Making a good first impression with your social media marketing CV header
Your typical CV header consists of Your typical CV header consists of contact details and a headline. Make sure to list your professional phone number, email address, and a link to your professional portfolio (or, alternatively, your LinkedIn profile). When writing your CV headline , ensure it's:
- tailored to the job you're applying for;
- highlights your unique value as a professional;
- concise, yet matches relevant job ad keywords.
You can, for examples, list your current job title or a particular skill as part of your headline. Now, if you decide on including your photo in your CV header, ensure it's a professional one, rather than one from your graduation or night out. You may happen to have plenty more questions on how to make best the use of your CV headline. We'll help you with some real-world examples, below.
Examples of good CV headlines for social media marketing:
- Head of Content Strategy | SEO & Viral Campaigns Expert | Google Analytics Certified | 10+ Years' Experience
- Social Media Manager | Brand Advocacy & Audience Engagement | CIM Diploma | 5 Years' Progressive Roles
- Digital Marketing Analyst | Data-Driven Insights | Facebook Blueprint Certified | 3 Years in Industry
- Senior Social Media Specialist | Multi-Platform Campaigns | Influencer Partnerships | 7-Year Track Record
- Content Marketing Lead | B2B Strategy | HubSpot Content Marketing Certified | 8 Years' Experience
- Junior Social Media Coordinator | Emerging Platforms Enthusiast | Hootsuite Professional | 2 Years' Practical Exposure
Your social media marketing CV introduction: selecting between a summary and an objective
social media marketing 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 social media marketing 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 social media marketing job:
- Seasoned Social Media Marketing Specialist with over 7 years of dedicated experience in elevating brand presence on various platforms. Expert in leveraging analytics tools for market research and strategy optimisation. Architected an influencer collaboration leading to a 30% increase in online engagement for a leading apparel brand.
- Digital Marketing Manager transitioning into Social Media Marketing with 5 years in digital advertising. Proficient in content creation, SEO, and Google Analytics, with a forte in crafting targeted ad campaigns that boosted conversion rates by 25% for a high-profile tech firm.
- Former Sales Executive with a knack for persuasive communication, now seeking to pivot into Social Media Marketing. Brings a decade of experience in relationship-building and a track record of surpassing sales targets by 40%, aiming to utilise these skills to enhance social media engagement and ROI.
- Accomplished Project Lead with a penchant for digital creativity, eager to apply 8 years’ project management skills to the dynamic world of Social Media Marketing. Proven success in team leadership and process optimisation, having directed cross-functional teams to deliver complex projects on time, 20% under budget.
- Aspiring Social Media Marketer eager to apply extensive knowledge of popular social media platforms and marketing principles obtained through a dedicated Bachelor's degree. Committed to learning and employing cutting-edge tactics to drive online engagement and brand awareness for forward-thinking marketing agencies.
- Recent Marketing graduate with a fresh perspective on contemporary social media trends and consumer behaviours. Seeking to harness my academic understanding of marketing strategies and digital content creation to foster meaningful connections between brands and their audiences through engaging social media campaigns.
How to meet job requirements with your social media marketing 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
- Developed a content calendar to plan and execute posts across platforms, resulting in a 20% increase in engagement and consistently meeting deadlines.
- Managed a £10k monthly budget for paid social campaigns on Facebook and Instagram, achieving a 15% rise in ROI over six months.
- Collaborated with influencers to extend brand reach, doubling the follower count on Instagram within a one-year period.
- Conducted A/B tests on social media ad copy and imagery, which led to a 25% improvement in click-through rates for targeted campaigns.
- Utilised analytics tools to track performance metrics, presenting monthly reports that informed strategic adjustments and drove sales by 30%.
- Implemented a user-generated content strategy to boost community engagement, resulting in a 40% increase in campaign hashtag usage.
- Lead a team of three social media specialists, fostering a creative environment that saw a 50% faster content development turnaround.
- Designed and coordinated virtual events streamed on multiple social media platforms, which attracted over 10,000 participants on average.
- Oversaw reputation management on social channels, addressing customer concerns within a two-hour response window and improving overall brand sentiment.
- Devised and executed a comprehensive social media strategy, increasing brand awareness and customer engagement by 120% within the first year.
- Managed a social media advertising budget of £20,000, optimising spend across platforms and achieving a 35% increase in ROI.
- Collaborated with influencers and industry experts to create and curate appealing content, leading to a 15% growth in the online community
- Expanded the company's reach by pioneering the use of emerging social platforms, attracting over 50,000 new followers.
- Directed a viral marketing campaign that resulted in over 100,000 shares and enhanced customer retention by 25%.
- Coordinated with the sales department to craft targeted promotions, increasing direct sales by 10% through social media channels.
- Implemented an employee advocacy program on social media that amplified reach by 200% and brought in 20% more qualified leads.
- Administered daily social media operations, overseeing content schedules and audience engagement on multiple channels.
- Utilized analytics tools to track performance, adjusting strategies that led to a 30% enhancement in user interaction.
- Initiated and managed paid social campaigns with a focus on Facebook and Instagram, improving click-through rates by 40% within six months.
- Developed a customer service protocol for social media, reducing response times by 50% and significantly improving customer satisfaction ratings.
- Led the content creation team in developing a content calendar that synchronized with marketing objectives and seasonal trends.
- Administered the company’s main social media accounts, which entailed posting daily content, responding to comments, and fostering a vibrant online community.
- Crafted and monitored social media analytics reports to identify opportunities for engagement, enhancing online presence by initiating strategic partnerships with key influencers.
- Streamlined cross-departmental collaboration, which enabled the development of integrated marketing campaigns, amplifying overall campaign effectiveness.
- Executed cross-channel social media marketing campaigns which correlated with a 25% increase in web traffic and a 15% uplift in conversion rates.
- Led a team of content creators, coordinating the development of multimedia content that supported strategic business objectives and drove user engagement.
- Organised a social media content series that educated customers on product use, resulting in a customer satisfaction score increase of 20%.
- Spearheaded a LinkedIn B2B marketing initiative that captured several high-value accounts, contributing to a 22% increase in overall business revenue.
- Orchestrated an Instagram visual storytelling project, which saw a 50% boost in user-generated content, thereby enriching the brand’s digital narrative.
- Implemented social listening protocols that informed customer support improvements and product adjustments, driving a 18% rise in positive brand mentions.
- Optimised the company's YouTube channel for SEO, doubling viewership and increasing subscriber count by 30% in one year.
- Collaborated on a Twitter engagement campaign that saw the brand trending regionally, significantly increasing reach to potential customers.
- Guided the social media content team in adopting a data-driven approach, leveraging analytics tools to enhance content relevance and timing.
Lacking professional expertise: how to write your CV to highlight your best talents
Don't count on your lucky stars when you're applying for a role, where you happen to have less (or almost none) professional experience. Recruiters sometimes do hire inexperienced candidates if they're able to present their unique value from the get-go. So, instead of opting for the traditional, CV experience section:
- List any applicable expertise you happen to have - no matter if it's a part-time job, internship, or volunteer work. This would hint to recruiters that your profile is relevant;
- Focus your CV on your transferrable skills or talents you've obtained thanks to your whole life and work experience. In effect, you'll be spotlighting your value as a candidate;
- Separate more space for your applicable academic background and certificates to show you have the technical know-how;
- Ensure that within your objective, you've defined why you'll like the job and how you'll be the perfect match for it. Always ensure you've tailored your CV to individual applications.
Looking for more good examples for your first job? We'll show you how other candidates, with less professional experience, have created their job-winning CVs.
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PRO TIP
If you have experience in diverse fields, highlight how this has broadened your perspective and skill set, making you a more versatile candidate.
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 social media marketing CV:
Content Creation
Content Strategy
SEO/SEM
Data Analysis
Paid Social Media Advertising
Graphic Design
Community Management
Social Media Platforms Proficiency
Copywriting
Campaign Management
Creativity
Communication
Adaptability
Collaboration
Organisation
Time Management
Critical Thinking
Problem-Solving
Attention to Detail
Empathy
PRO TIP
Focus on describing skills in the context of the outcomes they’ve helped you achieve, linking them directly to tangible results or successes in your career.
CV education and certificates: your academic background as proof of your skill set
A common misconception about your social media marketing CV education is that you only need it, if you have less professional experience. That is completely false. The CV education section serves to back up your technical (and sometimes personal) capabilities, fill in gaps in your work history, and show you have the initial industry background and know-how. When creating your education section:
- List your degrees in the reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent (and relevant) ones first;
- Include your degree and university names, start and graduation dates. It's optional to also denote you received a "First-Class Honours" for diplomas that are more relevant to the role;
- Curate your relevant university coursework, projects, or thesis work if you happen to have less professional expertise and need to integrate more job keywords and skills.
Your professional qualifications don't need to stop at your academic background. It's advisable to also select up to three of your most noteworthy (and relevant) industry certificates and feature them in a dedicated section. Once more, include the certificate name, the institution that issued it out, and the date you obtained it on. You could feature both hard skills and soft skills certificates, as in the examples below:
PRO TIP
Focus on describing skills in the context of the outcomes they’ve helped you achieve, linking them directly to tangible results or successes in your career.
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Key takeaways
Write your professional social media marketing CV by studying and understanding what the role expectations are. You should next:
- Focus on tailoring your content to answer specific requirements by integrating advert keywords through various CV sections;
- Balance your technical know-how with your personal skills to showcase what the unique value would be of working with you;
- Ensure your CV grammar and spelling (especially of your key information and contact details) is correct;
- Write a CV summary, if your experience is relevant, and an objective, if your career ambitions are more impressive;
- Use active language by including strong, action verbs across your experience, summary/objective, achievements sections.
