Jul 18, 2024
|
12 min read
Market your way to your next job—read our guide to get started.
Rated by 348 people
Marketing managers are expected to do it all (and then some!). You need to be a strategist, a creative visionary, a data analyst, and a people person—all in the same day.
Whether you’re launching a high-profile campaign or optimizing ad spend and tracking KPIs, the stakes are always high. Simply put, you need the gumption to get the job done.
But how can you show off all of these skills on a one or two-page resume? The answer is in positioning yourself correctly. Chances are, you’ve already done this when marketing products or services. However, you need to turn the focus onto you as a product.
In this guide, we’ll take you through the steps from finding your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) to pinpointing the right language to use.
All of the above will help you create a resume that stands out and sells your skills. Let’s take a look, shall we?
Key takeaways
Want to get the most out of this resume guide? We’ve got you covered. In the following guide, we’ll be detailing everything you need to know about creating a smart marketing manager resume. However, you need to keep up your end of the bargain, too.
Here are some expert tips to help you get started:
Guide checklist
Our introduction outlines common challenges faced in marketing—balancing creativity with data, demonstrating ROI, and staying ahead in a fast-changing industry.
The key takeaways section summarizes the most important lessons in the guide. Before diving in, skim through it to get a sense of the upcoming sections.
Each section of this guide covers a crucial part of your marketing manager resume—from crafting an attention-grabbing summary to showcasing campaign success, digital marketing skills, and leadership experience.
Use our resume examples and templates specifically tailored for marketing professionals. Whether it’s launching a multimillion-dollar campaign, optimizing PPC performance, or driving brand growth, you’ll see how to frame your achievements.
Look for pro tips and highlighted resources throughout the guide. These expert insights will help you craft compelling bullet points, and quantify your results.
Think “CTR,” “SEO optimization,” or “conversion rate improvements”—that’ll help your resume stand out.
No two marketing roles are identical. Customize your resume for specific opportunities, whether it’s a focus on digital strategy, brand storytelling, or performance marketing.
Leverage recommended tools and platforms such as Google Analytics, HubSpot, SEMrush, and LinkedIn Learning to underline your expertise.
With this guide and our resume builder, you have everything you create a great resume.
Drop your resume here or choose a file.
PDF & DOCX only. Max 2MB file size.
Every great marketing campaign starts with a hook—your resume should too. Before you put pen to paper, define your angle. What’s the key message you want to drive home? Shape your resume like you would a winning marketing campaign. That means selecting a clear focus that grabs attention and leaves a lasting impression.
Results speak louder than words
A traditional marketing rule is to “show not tell.”
Rather than simply telling the recruiter how wonderful you are, it’s far better to show them. Include solid metrics in your resume body that speak to the results you can achieve.
If you’re ready to get to work, let’s talk about the focus you can take. As a marketing manager, you may want to highlight your track record of successful marketing campaigns, eadership experience in team and project management, proficiency with marketing tools and software, and your strong analytical skills to interpret data and metrics.
Let’s break each of these down below:
The best way to show off your track record is via statistics and numbers. Be clear about the results your campaigns yielded. Pepper these throughout your resume to grab attention.
When detailing your work experience on your resume, include bullet points featuring the results you gained for that employer.
Let’s take a look at an example:
"Optimized digital marketing strategy using Google Analytics and HubSpot, refining audience targeting, campaign performance tracking, and automation workflows—resulting in a 30% increase in lead conversion rates and a 20% boost in marketing efficiency."
Are you a strategic leader with the ability to inspire and motivate others? A managerial role requires you to guide and elevate a team. Highlight your experience in leading teams, driving collaboration, and achieving results to show you have what it takes to lead effectively.
Be specific about your experience. Let the recruiter know what size team you managed and for how long. It’s these smaller details that make a big impact.
Here’s an example of how you can do that:
“Led a team of 8 marketing professionals for 3 years, overseeing campaign strategy, execution, and performance analysis, resulting in a 15% year-over-year increase in brand engagement.”
Marketers don’t do everything with pen and paper… not anymore, anyway. If you’re hoping to land the top job, prove that you’re confident using the right tools and software.
Marketing tools
You can list the following in your skills section and/or mention them in your work experience bullet points.
Here are some tools to consider:
It’s not just about using the right tools—you also need to have an analytical mind. Wherever possible, explain how you used metrics and data to empower your marketing. Did you do A/B testing? How did you adapt your practice? Show your work here for the best results.
We’ve covered what angles you might take. Now, let’s move on to the right resume format.
Before you start populating your resume, you need to decide on the correct resume format. This step matters more than you might think.
There are three main formats to consider:
As a manager, your career progression is likely a clear path to leadership. That’s why we recommend using the reverse-chronological format. It’s the most widely used structure in the US and is what recruiters typically expect to see.
Of course, there are exceptions to this approach. For instance, if you’ve hopped careers frequently, you might consider using a functional or combination format. These formats highlight your skills and accomplishments, rather than just focusing on your job history.
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer.
If you’ve had a linear career, go for a reverse-chronological format.
However, if you’re new to the sector or have switched careers, opt for either the functional or combination format instead.
No. While you want to show off your marketing accolades, a graph isn’t the answer.
Instead, include clear metrics that detail your proven track record of getting results.
Always save your resume as a PDF, not a Word document.
Not only does this look more professional, but it also means that anybody else cannot alter your resume.
Yes! White space makes your resume easier to read.
Leave room around your sections. You should also aim for the resume margins to be between 0.5 to 1 inch.
Don’t worry if you’re not a pro designer—you don’t have to be.
Our drag-and-drop resume builder makes creating a professional document a breeze.
Now that you understand how to structure your resume, let’s get down to the content.
Resume headers are functional. They share your basic contact details with the recruiter. While this may not be the most exciting part of your resume, getting it right matters.
Here’s what you need to include:
Let’s take a look at how that looks:
Next, you’ll need to write a captivating resume summary. If you want to land your marketing manager dream job, this section is vital. Take the time to craft a statement with real punch.
Action words
Bring your resume summary to life with resume action words. These words grab the recruiter’s attention and hook them in.
Here are some to consider:
If you have a case of writer’s block, don’t worry—here are some of the things you might cover:
Check the original job announcement to see what core criteria the recruiter wants. If you have these skills or talents, you can weave them into your resume summary.
Here’s an example of a great resume summary:
The summary above boasts measurable achievements that showcase the candidate's value to the employer. Plus, it provides a concise overview of their career progression.
The work experience on your resume needs to shine. When you’re up against hundreds of similar candidates, this is the thing that’ll make you look unique. Include positions that are highly relevant to the job vacancy.
PRO TIP
Want to know how far back to go on your resume? The simple answer is no more than 10-15 years. Anything before that is unlikely to be relevant to your career now. Plus, sticking to this formula, keeps you safe from things like age discrimination.
Start out with the basics. That means the company name, location, your role, and your dates of employment. Below that, use bullet points to detail the results you gained in the position.
Don’t make the mistake of simply talking about your tasks and duties. Recruiters aren’t likely to be impressed by them. Instead, focus on your achievements in the position—with metrics.
Check out our example for some inspiration:
Your work experience section must tell a clear career story. Where are your strengths? What have you worked on over the years? Make sure you have a straightforward narrative here.
Again, you need to find the right angle for this resume section. Start by creating a strategy. What are your professional strengths? What is your USP? What do you want recruiters to know?
Let’s take a look at three of the ways you can position this section:
Are you a whiz at delivering high-level results? Now is the time to shout about it. Pepper your work experience section with hard-hitting numbers that matter.
Creatives are like gold dust. If you’re a marketing manager who combines your innovation with top-level skills, that’ll catch a recruiter’s eye fast.
Awards speak volumes. Never underestimate the power of acclaim. Include your awards and any other accomplishments in your work experience section.
Marketers need a diverse range of skills on their resume. If you’ve climbed the career ladder, you likely have a whole range of talents to speak of.
Choosing the right details to include can be tricky. Start by reviewing the job posting carefully—make sure any “must-have” qualifications are clearly highlighted on your resume.
You’ll want to feature both hard and soft skills in your core competencies section. Getting the balance right is vital. While marketing is all about metrics, it’s important to also show off your soft talents, such as communication and people skills.
Here’s an example of a great skills section:
To be a successful marketing manager, you need a load of hard skills. From A/B testing to CRM knowledge, you’re sure to have picked up an array of actionable skills along the way.
Let the hiring manager know where your talents lie. Specify the hard skills you have and your proficiency level.
Check out our example section below:
Every marketing manager needs to be a people person. Not only do you have to manage your team, but you need to keep your clients happy too. It can be a tricky balance to find.
That’s where your soft skills slide into the picture. These include everything from interpersonal skills and communication skills to time-keeping and prioritization.
Here’s an example of what we mean:
When you’ve covered all of the other sections, you need to finish off by putting some education on your resume. Use the reverse chronological order when listing your formal education here.
There are two types of qualifications to include:
You don’t need a college degree to become a marketing manager. However, if you have one, it’s smart to include it on your resume. This is especially impressive if it’s in a related field, such as marketing, communications, or even journalism.
You may want to add the following details:
There are countlessprofessional certifications marketing managers can gain. If you’ve invested time, energy, and money into this aspect of your career, that’s a major selling point.
Here are some examples:
Let’s take a look at an example education section:
Want to razzle-dazzle the recruiter? Adding extra resume sections may be the answer. If you have space to spare, it’s smart to include some additional information.
This will humanize you to the recruiter and may help to set you apart from the crowd.
Second languages are invaluable—especially if you want to work at an international agency. If you speak more than one, create a language section to the bottom of your resume.
Adding hobbies to your resume can be a controversial move. However, cherry-picking interests that align with marketing will help to bolster your resume.
Volunteer work can be highly sought after. For example, you might have worked for a nonprofit or helped a charity. Be clear about these achievements in a dedicated section.
PRO TIP
Do you have a way with words? Learn how to describe yourself on your resume using powerful language and persuasive sentences that make all the difference.
Landing your next marketing manager role starts with a resume that tells your story like a winning campaign. Focus on your unique value, use metrics to demonstrate impact, and tailor each section to your strengths. With the right structure and tools, you can create a polished, professional resume that captures attention—and converts.
Ready to take the next step? Build your resume with confidence and get hired faster. Use our simple resume builder tool to get started now.
Check more recommended readings to get the job of your dreams.
Resume
Resources
Tools
© 2025. All rights reserved.
Made with love by people who care.