Jul 18, 2024
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12 min read
Craft the perfect entry-level marketing resume: Tips and tricks to get you noticed.
Rated by 348 people
Diving into the world of entry-level marketing can feel like you've been tossed into a sea of brands and strategies. While your creativity may flow freely, knowing how to write a resume is often a stumbling block. Finding a job in this field is already a challenge, but a poorly constructed resume can sink your chances before you even start. Crafting the perfect resume leaves many newbies scratching their heads. After all, how do you capture your potential and enthusiasm on a single sheet of paper? Worry not—this guide will set you on the right path.
Choosing the right resume template is crucial in making your entry-level marketing resume stand out. A good template showcases your strengths and keeps your document organized, ensuring it catches the reader's eye.
We have over 700 resume examples ready to guide you step by step in creating the perfect resume. Start now and turn those job applications into job offers!
Key Takeaways
An entry-level marketing resume should highlight your passion, educational background, and any relevant experiences, even if they are not directly related to marketing. Focus on transferable skills such as communication, creativity, and analytical thinking. Demonstrate your potential by showcasing any internships, volunteer work, or projects where you showcased marketing abilities.
To boost your resume's impact, consider including:
Creating an entry-level marketing resume can seem tricky, but focusing on key sections can help showcase your skills and potential. Make sure your resume includes:
You can also include additional sections like Certifications, Projects, and Marketing-related Extracurricular Activities to provide more insight into your capabilities.
For an entry-level marketing resume, the best format is the reverse-chronological one because it highlights your most recent experiences and education first, which is perfect if you're just starting out. Choosing modern fonts like Rubik and Montserrat will make your resume look fresh and professional, rather than sticking with the outdated Arial or Times New Roman. Always save and send your resume as a PDF to ensure your formatting stays intact. Keep your margins between 0.5 to 1 inch so your resume isn't too cramped or too sparse. Use clear section headings that are easily read by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), as this will increase your chances of passing initial screenings.
Your entry-level marketing resume should include these sections:
Resume Mentor's free resume builder can help you handle all these details flawlessly.
An education section is an important part of your entry-level marketing resume. It should be tailored to the job you are applying for—any irrelevant education should not be included. This is particularly crucial because you are entry-level and might lack work experience. When listing your degree, include the full name of the degree, institution, and graduation date. If your GPA is above 3.0, you can include it to show academic excellence. To showcase further distinction, you can write cum laude honors if you have them. Make sure your education closely aligns with the job you want, highlighting relevant courses or achievements.
The first example is not well-tailored for an entry-level marketing job. The degree in Fine Arts is not relevant to marketing, the GPA is too low to mention, and the achievements do not spotlight skills beneficial for a marketing role.
The second example is an outstanding entry-level marketing resume education section. The degree in Marketing is directly related to the job, the GPA is high and demonstrates excellence, and mentioning cum laude honor further highlights academic achievement. The dates are realistic and align well with an entry-level position.
Including a volunteering section on your entry-level marketing resume can make a big impact. Use active verbs to make your role stand out. Volunteering shows your commitment and willingness to work beyond paid opportunities. You can list volunteering in a separate section or include it as part of your experience section.
Here's an example for the experience section:
This shows your marketing skills in action, even if it wasn't a paid job. A standalone volunteering section can also be effective.
This example is effective because it highlights specific tasks like curating content and engaging with followers. It shows real skills you can bring to an entry-level marketing job. Notice the action verbs like "Curated" and "Engaged," providing concrete examples of your impact. This gives potential employers a clear idea of your abilities and dedication.
Writing the experience section of your resume can be challenging, especially if you have little to no experience. Start with the most recent roles and include relevant details even if they weren't paid positions. Use transferable skills from volunteering, academic projects, or part-time jobs. Emphasize these experiences and link them to the job you are applying for. Customize your resume for each application. Using action words like "led," "initiated," and "improved" can make your experience stand out.
This example is lacking in specifics. It merely lists job duties and doesn’t provide any achievements or context. The sections are vague, making it difficult to see how this experience is relevant to a marketing job.
This example focuses on achievements and quantifiable outcomes. It shows how tasks and skills were applied in a specific context, emphasizing impact and relevance to marketing.
Next, we’ll explore four different ways to highlight your experience in a resume, even when you're just starting out. These methods focus on skills, projects, problem-solving, and collaboration to make sure you showcase your strengths and potential effectively.
To focus on skills, list experiences that highlight your transferable abilities. This method works well for those with volunteering or academic experiences but no formal job roles.
Marketing Volunteer
Community Center
2020 - 2021
Use this method to highlight academic or freelance projects that align with the job you're applying for. Specify each project's goals, methods, and outcomes.
Marketing Project Lead
University Class Project
2021
Showcase how you identified and solved problems, ideally with measurable results. This can highlight your proactive and analytical skills.
Research Assistant
University
2019 - 2020
Highlight experiences where teamwork and collaboration led to successful outcomes. This approach works well if you've been involved in group activities or clubs.
Club President
Marketing Club, University
2020 - 2021
Each method helps you present your experiences in a way that highlights your potential. Even without formal experience, you can create a compelling resume by focusing on what you have achieved in various settings.
Creating an entry-level marketing resume means making your objective section strong to stand out. Use this section to clearly state what you want and how you'll add value. It's crucial to be concise and relevant.
Here's how you should describe yourself in your resume objective: be specific about your skills and experiences that match the job. Use action words and show confidence in your abilities. Keep it short and to the point, focusing on how you can help the company.
A resume objective focuses on your career goals and what you aim to achieve. A resume summary or profile is a brief overview of your skills and experiences, while a summary of qualifications lists specific skills or achievements.
First objective example:
This objective is too vague and doesn't show any key skills or how you'll help the company.
Second objective example:
This one is strong because it highlights specific skills and how you'll benefit the company directly. It gives a clear picture of your value.
When you're writing your entry-level marketing resume, focus on both strengths and soft skills. Think of strengths as the unique traits and talents you bring to the table, like your ability to communicate clearly or manage your time well. These are often referred to as soft skills. Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities that can be defined and measured, such as proficiency in SEO or content creation.
Your skills can either be a standalone section or incorporated into other parts of your resume, like in the experience and objective sections. Adding your skills in other places helps to reinforce their relevance to the job you're applying for. Skills and strengths also act as resume keywords, making it easier for hiring managers and automated systems to find your resume when searching for specific abilities.
Here’s an example of a standalone skills section for an entry-level marketing resume:
This list is good because it includes highly relevant skills for entry-level marketing roles. It highlights proficiency in key areas like social media and email marketing, which are essential for the job. The skills are clear and concise, making it easy for the reader to quickly understand your strengths.
As an entry-level marketer, your hard skills should demonstrate your ability to manage and execute marketing tasks. These skills should communicate your technical and analytical capabilities. Here are the most in-demand and popular entry-level marketing hard skills:
Hard Skills
As an entry-level marketer, your soft skills should show your ability to work well with others and manage your job effectively. These skills should communicate your interpersonal and organizational prowess. Here are the most in-demand and popular entry-level marketing soft skills:
Soft Skills
Starting your career in marketing with a strong entry-level resume can make all the difference in standing out to potential employers. Including various sections in your resume not only showcases your diverse skills but also paints a complete picture of you as a candidate.
Language section — Highlight your ability to communicate in multiple languages to show your diverse communication skills. List languages you speak and their proficiency levels, such as "Spanish – Fluent" or "French – Conversational". This can be especially valuable if you're applying for a position at a global company. Demonstrating language proficiency can also show your commitment to continued learning and cultural adaptability.
Hobbies and interests section — Including hobbies and interests can humanize you beyond your professional skills. Mention activities that reflect well on you, like “writing travel blogs” or “playing soccer.” These can show qualities like creativity, teamwork, and determination. This section offers a glimpse into your personality and can make you more relatable to hiring managers.
Certificates section — Display relevant certificates to show your commitment to professional development. List certificates related to marketing such as “Google Analytics Certified” or “HubSpot Content Marketing Certified.” These certificates can set you apart by showing specialized skills that are beneficial in a marketing role. It also demonstrates your dedication to keeping up with industry trends.
Books section — Share the titles of books you’ve read that are relevant to marketing to showcase your interest in the field. Mention books like "Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion" by Robert Cialdini or "Contagious: How to Build Word of Mouth in the Digital Age" by Jonah Berger. This indicates your eagerness to learn from established experts. Including this can make you appear more intellectually curious and driven.
Incorporating these sections can enrich your resume, making you a multifaceted candidate. Each section adds layers to your professional profile, increasing your chances of landing a rewarding job in marketing.
A cover letter is a one-page document you send with your resume when applying for a job. It introduces you and highlights why you are a good fit for the position. A well-crafted cover letter can set you apart from other applicants by showcasing your personality and passion for the role.
For an entry-level marketing position, your cover letter should emphasize your enthusiasm for marketing. Highlight any relevant coursework or projects from college, such as a marketing strategy class or a social media campaign you developed. Do not forget to mention any internships or part-time jobs where you gained skills relevant to marketing, even if not directly related.
Ready to create your standout cover letter? Use Resume Mentor's cover letter builder to make the process easy and stress-free. With our tool, you can export your cover letter as a PDF to ensure your content and formatting stay intact. Start your journey to landing your dream marketing job today!
Joseph White
Houston, Texas
+1-(234)-555-1234
help@resumementor.com
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