Getting into the marketing field promises lucrative opportunities and engaging experiences. But if you’re just starting out and don’t have the right background, creating a resume from scratch may seem daunting.
Fortunately, you can still craft an entry-level marketing resume that gets results, even if you don’t have experience. This guide will show you step-by-step how to create a standout resume that will capture the attention of hiring managers.
Add a Cover Letter to Your Application
Unless you’re a marketing guru with decades of experience, you probably won’t match every criterion listed on a marketing job description. The best way to secure an interview without meeting every requirement is to demonstrate why you’re the perfect fit. A well-written cover letter is your secret weapon.
A cover letter gives potential employers a glimpse into your personality and how you approach challenges. For the best possible outcome, make sure your cover letter meets the following criteria:
- Grammatically correct and error-free
- Succinct and to the point
- Addressed to the correct person
- Highlights your professional skills and personal qualities
- Explains why you’d be a great fit for the position
- Details how you can benefit the company
- Provides a brief overview of your experience
- Ends with a professional call to action
By effectively selling your skills and personality in your cover letter, you can improve your chances of landing an interview—even if your experience is limited.
Use the Right Keywords
When building your resume, start with a general format that you can customize for different marketing positions. Then, to give yourself an edge, look for keywords in each job description. These keywords are the terms that Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) scan for when filtering resumes.
The more keywords that align with the position, the greater the chance your resume will reach a hiring manager. Be strategic with this approach:
- Identify critical keywords from the job posting (e.g., “digital marketing,” “SEO,” “content creation”).
- Integrate keywords naturally into your resume without overstuffing.
- Ensure you understand each term and can elaborate if asked during an interview.
Avoid adding keywords just for the sake of it—hiring managers will see through this quickly. Use keywords that genuinely reflect your skills and knowledge.
List What You’ve Done for the Community
Volunteer work, event participation, and community involvement highlight your willingness to engage with causes and help others. These experiences demonstrate that you have:
- Strong communication skills
- Teamwork and collaboration abilities
- Initiative and leadership qualities
- Problem-solving skills
In marketing, understanding people’s behaviors and choices is critical. If you lack professional experience, volunteer work shows how you manage multiple elements to achieve results. For example:
- Organized a charity event that raised $5,000, demonstrating planning and promotional skills.
- Collaborated with local stakeholders to launch a community awareness campaign, showcasing your ability to influence and persuade.
Highlighting your community involvement shows that you’re proactive, resourceful, and able to think outside the box.
Expand on Your Skills
Everyone has hard and soft skills acquired through life experiences. Focus on skills that will help you in a marketing role. Be sure to list skills that are relevant and transferable:
- Hard skills (e.g., social media management, SEO, data analysis).
- Soft skills (e.g., communication, creativity, problem-solving).
For example:
- Event Planning: Organized monthly networking events that grew attendance by 25%.
- Content Creation: Wrote blog posts that increased website traffic by 40%.
Don’t just list skills—provide context and evidence of how you’ve applied them. This approach helps hiring managers see your potential, even if you lack formal experience.
Invest in Marketing Courses and Add Them to Your Resume
Taking a marketing course can significantly boost your resume. Whether it’s an online class, workshop, or certificate program, ongoing education demonstrates your commitment to the field. Benefits include:
- Staying updated on the latest marketing trends.
- Learning practical skills you can discuss during interviews.
- Adding valuable keywords to your resume.
- Building confidence in your marketing abilities.
Look for courses on platforms like Coursera, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, and HubSpot Academy. If possible, obtain a certificate of completion and attach it to your application. Examples of relevant courses include:
- Digital Marketing Fundamentals
- Content Marketing Strategies
- Social Media Marketing
The knowledge you gain will benefit you throughout your career and give you an edge over other applicants.
Consider Internships
Internships are one of the best ways to gain real-world marketing experience. They offer:
- Hands-on training in a professional environment.
- Networking opportunities with industry professionals.
- Potential job offers from the same company.
If a full-time role isn’t available after your internship, don’t worry. The experience you gain will still be valuable on your resume and can open doors at other companies. Be sure to highlight your accomplishments during your internship:
- Managed social media accounts, increasing engagement by 30%.
- Created marketing materials that contributed to a successful product launch.
Ask for References and Include Them
References can strengthen your resume by providing endorsements from people who know your work ethic and skills. Suitable references include:
- Professors who taught relevant courses.
- Supervisors from internships or volunteer work.
- Community leaders who can vouch for your character.
Include contact information for your references or have recommendation letters ready to submit upon request.
Triple Check for Mistakes
Even the smallest error can hurt your chances. Proofread your resume multiple times:
- Use tools like Grammarly for grammar and spelling checks.
- Read aloud to catch awkward phrasing.
- Ask a friend or mentor to review it.
An error-free resume shows professionalism and attention to detail.
Choose the Best Resume Format
Your resume should be clean, professional, and ATS-friendly. CV2Go offers thousands of templates designed to highlight your strengths.
With CV2Go’s intuitive tools, you can create a standout resume in minutes. Choose a format that suits your marketing goals, and rest assured that your resume will pass ATS scans with ease.
Ready to build your entry-level marketing resume? Start now and make your dream job a reality!
