Marketing is a broad field that gives you a chance to specialize in the area of your choice after graduating. However, even with this wide field of possibilities, you need an entry-level marketing resume that sets you apart from the other candidates.
Creating an exceptional resume can be a daunting task, especially when you're starting out your career. This is why we've created this guide to assist you with crafting a resume that will allow you to get your next marketing job.
Here are some of the details you'll find in this resume.
- How to add your educational qualifications to your resume.
- An entry-level marketing resume sample that's easy to follow.
- The right skills for an entry-level marketer.
- Tips to enhance your marketing resume.
Salary Range for Marketers
The average entry-level marketing salary is $41,000. The typical range is between $37,000 and $50,000, depending on your educational qualifications, professional experience, and skills.
How To Create a Resume for Entry-level Marketing
Marketing is one of the careers with excellent advancement opportunities and has some of the highest paying roles in a company. One of the challenges most graduates face when looking for an entry-level marketing position is figuring out how to write a resume without experience.The reality is that most hiring managers want a candidate with experience, but that doesn't mean you cannot get a good position. If you're an entry-level marketer, a few things can help you write a resume that gets the hiring manager's attention. Let's look at these factors you should consider as you write your resume.
The layout for this resume
When you're writing your entry-level resume, the first thing you should consider is the layout or design. Marketers are creative and would want to showcase this in their resumes. While this is okay, be careful not to use an overly complex design that takes away from your qualifications. You can use our professional resume templates, which have unique designs and present your qualifications properly.
Best resume format for an entry-level marketer
The format you choose for your resume also matters, so ensure that it's the right one. There are three different formats you can choose from.
- The first one is the reverse-chronological format. This format focuses on experience and is perfect for candidates who have many years of experience in marketing.
- The second one is the functional resume format, perfect for recent graduates and career changers. This is because it focuses on your skills and educational qualifications.
- The third one is the combination resume format. This is also known as the hybrid resume because it combines the best features of the reverse-chronological and functional resume formats.
The structure of your entry-level marketing resume should have the following sections:
- A header section
- Professional objective
- Education section
- Skills section
- Work experience section
- Additional qualifications(Computer skills and certifications, languages, interests, and awards/honors)
Start with the Header Section
This is the first section of your resume. It contains your personal information, which must be accurate. It includes:
- Your full name
- Job title
- Phone number
- Professional email address
- Location
- A link to your LinkedIn profile.
A good header
Marketing Graduate
848-004-374
melodymarks@gmail.comHamden, CT
linkedin.com/in/melodymarks
A bad header
Marketing Graduate
848-004-374
melodymarks@gmail.com1818 Colony Street
House number 88
Hamden, CT
Date of birth 02/09/1998
linkedin.com/in/melodymarks
Photo or No Photo?
You've probably heard different views about having a photo on your resume, but most recruiters advise against it. That's because it increases the chances of discrimination and unconscious bias. There are a few instances where the recruiter will ask you to add the photo to your resume. If they do, ensure that it's a professional passport-size photo.
Education: Include Your Academic Qualifications
As an entry-level marketer, your educational background is critical. Since you don't have experience, you'll use this section to show the recruiter the specific courses that have prepared you for the position.
Start with your most recent qualification, and if you have a Master's degree, you don't have to add the high school diploma.When you're listing your education, include the following details:
- The name of the degree/diploma
- The name of the school
- The year of graduation/ expected date of graduation
Under these details, add a few relevant courses that have prepared you for the position. This will allow the recruiter to see the areas you're well-versed in and help set you apart from the other candidates.
Correct example
Texas A&M University
2017
Relevant coursework- Brand communication
- Advertising account management
- Marketing Strategy
Bachelor's Degree in Marketing
The University of Texas in Austin
2015
Relevant coursework- Public relations
- Retail and sales management
- Product management
Relevant Skills for an Entry-level Marketer
Most entry-level marketing positions will have specific requirements on the skills the hiring manager is looking for. Always check the job description to find some of these skills and include them in your resume.
Hiring managers use ATS systems to check if your resume has the required skills. One way to beat the software is to use the proper wording when adding your unique abilities.The skills section should have the right blend of hard and soft skills. Hard skills require training/teaching and take time to learn, which can be done at school or through on-the-job training. Soft skills are character traits that allow you to relate well with people and don't need time to learn.
Presenting these skills using bullet points makes it easy for the hiring manager to scan them on applicant tracking systems. You can also use this section to showcase the transferable skills you have from volunteering or working at internships that will be useful in the position.
Let's look at the skills that will help your entry-level resume stand out.
Hard skills
- SEO strategy
- Google analytics
- Social media marketing
- Online marketing
- Market research
- Search Engine Marketing
- Facebook Paid Ads
- Product development
Soft skills
- Excellent writing skills
- Multi-tasking skills
- Communication skills
- Organization skills
- Analytical skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Decision-making skills
- Time management
Experience: (And How to Showcase it in Your Resume)
The experience section is not very critical for entry-level positions. However, if you've worked before and gained some marketing experience, even through volunteering, you should add it here. You can also add internship experiences but don't leave this section out.
Include the name of the workplace, your job title, and the period you've been at each place. You also need to add three to five job duties and quantify the results with figures and facts to show the recruiter what you can do.
Also, use the job description to find keywords and action verbs that will optimize your resume. This ensures that the ATS systems don't filter out your resume.
Correct example
Marketing Intern
January 2018-July 2018
- Assisted the marketing manager in designing effective marketing strategies for advertising to encourage more significant sales deals, which increased the revenue by 25%.
- Optimized marketing campaigns by monitoring metrics of systems, including redirects, click and bounce rates, and general page interaction information.
- Increased the company's brand awareness by 30% by writing material for relevant blogs, conferences, and offline and online events.
Incorrect example
Marketing Intern
February 2017-August 2017
- Arranged before and after activities at trade shows.
- Used software tools for analytics-related purposes.
- Wrote material for the company's annual report.
Professional Objective for an Entry-level Marketer
The resume objective is a short paragraph that introduces your resume. It highlights your career goals and how they align with the company goals and also expresses your interest in the position. This section comes right after the header section of your resume.
Correct example
Incorrect example
Additional Sections for Your Resume
An additional section is essential for an entry-level candidate. This section highlights the skills and extra qualifications you don't want the recruiter to miss. You can check out our resume examples to see how you can incorporate this section into your resume.
This is also a great way to set yourself apart from the other candidates to prospective employers. Here are some sections you should consider for your entry-level marketing resume.
Computing Skills & Certifications
Marketers need basic computer skills to perform various duties. However, if you have knowledge of programming languages or other advanced computer skills, don't leave them out.Certifications are vital for an entry-level position. It shows hiring managers you have additional training that will come in handy. Some of the certifications that will help your resume stand out include:
- Google Analytics IQ Certification
- HubSpot Content Marketing Certification
- YouTube Certification
Languages
If you're a bilingual candidate, you have a higher chance of getting the marketing job than your competitors, so you don't want the recruiter to miss this qualification. List your language skills here using the official language reference as follows:
- DELF for French(with a score of 60 points and above)
- SIELE for Spanish
- Goethe Zertifikat for German(with a score of 36 points and above)
Interests
The interests give the hiring manager insight into what you love doing outside of work. However, you should research the company you want to work for and determine their culture before adding your interests. Some companies are more laid back than others and don't mind if you're playful with this section. Also, avoid including job duties as hobbies/interests such as social media management or creating/attending events to represent the brand.
Tips to Enhance Your Resume
- Optimize your marketing resume with the right keywords and action verbs.
- Tailor your resume to match the job description, and don't use one resume for multiple applications.
- Keep your resume short and let it be one page long.
- Tailor the job title and optimize it with the right keywords.
- Quantify your achievements with facts and figures to ensure your resume stands out.
- Use a simple design/layout for your resume.
- Always proofread your resume to ensure there are no mistakes.
Summary: Writing a Perfect Resume for Entry-level Marketing Jobs
- Start your resume with a header and ensure all the details are accurate.
- Use a professional email address on your resume.
- Always include a work experience section on your entry-level resume and add internships and volunteering experiences.
- Include more information on the relevant coursework that prepared you for the position in the education section.
- Under the skills section, separate the hard and soft skills and list them using bullet points.
Write a Proper Cover Letter for Your Resume
A cover letter complements your resume and completes your application. The only time you won't send a cover letter is if the recruiter doesn't need one. It further describes your qualifications and allows you to showcase your writing skills and personality, which are both important in marketing. Check out our cover letter examples which will give you some great tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to Glassdoor, companies hiring for marketing coordinator jobs include:
- NBCUniversal
- Paramount
- Marriott International
- Kohl's
- Hilton
- HDR
- Walt Disney Company
- Macy's
- Social media marketing
- Email marketing
- Content marketing
- Brand management
- Event marketing
- PR/Communications