Tips for Writing a Standout Media Planner Resume
Writing a media planner resume does not need to feel overwhelming. The key is to keep it clear, measurable, and relevant to the work you do. Here are practical steps to create a resume that employers will pay attention to.
1. Start With a Strong Summary
The top section of your resume is your first impression. Use it to explain who you are and what makes you a strong media planner in two to four sentences. Mention your years of experience, the types of campaigns you’ve managed, and your areas of expertise, such as digital media buying, cross-platform planning, or ROI analysis.
This section should capture both your analytical skills and your ability to drive results.
Example summary:2. Highlight Your Professional Experience
This section is the backbone of your resume. List your media planning roles, starting with the most recent one. For each position, include:
- Job title
- Company name and location
- Dates of employment (month and year)
- Bullet points describing your responsibilities and achievements
Focus on measurable results. Instead of writing “Planned media campaigns,” use something like:
If you have worked across multiple platforms, specify them (social media, programmatic, broadcast, out-of-home, etc.). Employers want to see range as well as depth.
3. Include Your Education
Media planners often come from backgrounds in marketing, advertising, or communications. List your degree(s), certifications, or relevant coursework. If you have completed Google Ads certifications, Facebook Blueprint, or programmatic training, add those as well.
Example:Bachelor of Science in Marketing
University of California, Los Angeles
Graduated: 2016
Google Ads Display Certification
IAB Digital Media Buying & Planning Certification
4. Showcase Your Technical and Soft Skills
Media planning is data-driven, so technical proficiency is essential. Create a dedicated Skills section that lists the tools and platforms you know. Keep it focused on media and analytics, not generic workplace skills.
Examples of technical skills to include:- Google Ads Manager
- Meta Ads Manager
- Programmatic platforms (DV360, The Trade Desk)
- Nielsen ratings and audience measurement tools
- Excel and Pivot Tables
- Google Analytics
- Demand-side platforms (DSPs)
- Campaign budget forecasting
- Media plan development
Balance this with soft skills that support your role, such as negotiation, communication, and strategic thinking.
5. Keep the Format Clean and Professional
Your resume should be easy to scan. Use a clean, modern font like Arial or Calibri at size 10–12. Bold your section headings and use bullet points for responsibilities and achievements. Keep spacing consistent and margins balanced.
One page is enough if you’re early in your career. Two pages work if you have over a decade of experience with multiple campaigns.
Avoid cluttered or overly designed templates. A recruiter will focus on numbers and experience, not flashy graphics.
6. Add Optional Sections for More Impact
Want to stand out from other applicants? Add sections that highlight your achievements beyond day-to-day planning.
Ideas include:
- Campaign Results: Show specific improvements in CTR, CPM, ROI, or engagement.
- Professional Development: Workshops, certifications, or advertising seminars.
- Client Portfolio: If you worked with recognizable brands and can name them, include them.
- Languages: If you manage international campaigns, this can be a major plus.
7. Tailor Your Resume to the Role
Not every media planner position is the same. A role at a global agency may prioritize large budgets and international campaigns, while an in-house position may focus on niche markets and direct-to-consumer targeting.
Read the job description carefully and adjust your resume to match. If the listing emphasizes programmatic buying, highlight your work with DSPs. If it calls out cross-channel campaign management, make sure you include examples of that experience.
8. Bonus: Showcase Emerging Media Planning Trends
Recruiters don’t just want to see what you’ve done, they want actual proof you’re future-ready. Adding emerging trends shows you’re keeping pace with industry shifts. Highlight tools like AI-driven campaign analysis, cookieless tracking strategies, privacy compliance (GDPR/CCPA), and programmatic platforms such as DV360 or The Trade Desk. Frame them in measurable achievements, not just skills.
Example:This positions you as a forward-thinking media planner who can adapt to new tools, regulations, and evolving advertising landscapes.
Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Media Planner Resume
Even a strong background can get lost if your resume is cluttered with mistakes. Here are some common pitfalls to watch for and how to avoid them.
1. Being too vague
General statements like “Planned media campaigns” or “Worked with client's media budgets” do not tell employers much. Always back up your experience with numbers, platforms, or outcomes. Show the scale of your work and the results you delivered.
2. Overloading with buzzwords
Phrases such as “team player” or “self-starter” are not real buzzwords and do not carry much weight. Focus on skills directly tied to the media planning process, like programmatic buying, cross-channel optimization, or vendor negotiation.
3. Ignoring measurable results
Media planning is data-driven. If you leave out campaign metrics such as ROI, CTR, or CPM, your resume will sound less convincing. Numbers make your achievements tangible.
4. Poor formatting choices
A resume that is dense, messy, or overly designed can be hard to read. Stick to a clean layout with clear headings, bullet points, and consistent spacing.
5. Using the same resume for every job
Employers can tell when you send a generic application. Tailor your summary, skills, and experience to match the specific job description.
Avoiding these mistakes ensures your resume highlights your expertise and makes a professional impact.
Optimizing Your Resume for ATS and Keywords
Most companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan resumes before a human ever sees them. If your resume isn’t keyword-optimized, it may get filtered out.
Media planner keywords to include:
- Programmatic buying
- Cross-channel optimization
- Campaign budget allocation
- ROI analysis
- Audience segmentation
Weak vs strong keyword use:
- Wrong: “Worked on ad campaigns”
- Right: “Executed cross-channel campaigns using programmatic buying, optimizing $2M ad spend.”
Avoid ATS-killing mistakes:
- Don’t use tables, graphics, or unusual fonts.
- Stick to clean, simple formatting.
Media Planner Resume Examples
Need inspiration? These examples show what a clear, well-structured media planner resume can look like. Use these CV samples as a reference when creating your own.
Example 1: Experienced Agency Media Planner Resume
Name: Samantha Jones
Phone: (555) 234-7890
Email: samantha.jones@example.com
Location: New York, NY
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/samanthajones
Professional Summary
Strategic media planner with 10 years of experience managing multimillion-dollar advertising budgets for global clients. Skilled in cross-platform media planning, negotiation, and campaign optimization, with proven results in improving ROI and brand visibility.
Professional Experience
Media Planner | Ogilvy | New York, NY
Jan 2015 – Present
- Developed and executed integrated media plans for 15+ clients across digital, print, and broadcast
- Managed $12M annual media budget and reduced CPM by 20% through vendor negotiations
- Collaborated with creative teams to align media placements with messaging strategies
- Conducted post-campaign analysis to measure ROI and inform future planning
Assistant Media Planner | Grey Advertising | New York, NY
Jul 2012 – Dec 2014
- Supported senior planners in campaign execution across digital and out-of-home media
- Researched audience insights and competitive industry trends to refine targeting strategies
- Coordinated with vendors to ensure ad placements and deadlines were met
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Communications
New York University, 2012
Certifications
Google Ads Certification
IAB Digital Media Buying Certification
Skills
Cross-platform media planning | Negotiation | Google Analytics | Programmatic buying | Budget management
Example 2: Entry-Level Assistant Media Planner Resume
Name: David Chen
Phone: (555) 678-1234
Email: david.chen@example.com
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Summary
Analytical and motivated entry-level media planner with 2 years of experience in digital campaign planning. Skilled in Google Ads, social media buying, and campaign reporting. Focused on driving measurable results through data-driven strategies.
Professional Experience
Assistant Media Planner | Spark Foundry | Los Angeles, CA
Aug 2021 – Present
- Assisted in planning and buying digital campaigns for consumer goods clients
- Managed campaign performance reports and provided optimization recommendations
- Coordinated with vendors and ensured campaigns stayed within budget
Assistant Media Planner Job Intern | Horizon Media | Los Angeles, CA
Jan 2021 – Jul 2021
- Conducted competitive research and audience analysis
- Assisted in preparing media schedules and reports for senior planners
- Supported cross-functional team meetings with campaign insights
Education
Bachelor of Science in Marketing
University of Southern California, 2021
Skills
Google Ads | Meta Ads Manager | Excel and Pivot Tables | Campaign reporting | Data analysis | Team collaboration | Media Planning Tools
Choosing the Right Resume Format for Media Planners
Before you start writing, it is important to choose a resume format that highlights your strengths. The way you structure your information can make a big difference in how recruiters view your experience. For media planners, three main formats work best: chronological, functional, and combination.
1. Chronological Format
The chronological format is the most common. It lists your work history starting with the most recent role and moving backward. This option works well if you have steady experience in media planning or related advertising roles. Employers like it because they can quickly see your career progression and the scope of your responsibilities.
2. Functional Format
The functional format focuses more on skills than job history. Instead of emphasizing when or where you worked, it highlights categories like digital media strategy, vendor negotiation, or programmatic buying. This structure can be useful for career changers or professionals who have gaps in their work history. However, some recruiters prefer to see a timeline, so use it carefully.
3. Combination Format
The combination format blends both approaches. It begins with a skills summary and then lists work experience in chronological order. This is often the best fit for media planners because it allows you to highlight technical expertise (such as working with Google Ads or Nielsen data) while also showing how you applied those skills in real roles.
No matter which format you choose, keep it clear and consistent. Recruiters should be able to find your key skills, achievements, and experience within a few seconds of scanning your resume.
Final Thoughts
Your media planner resume should reflect both your professional expertise and your ability to deliver measurable results. Keep it clear, results-driven, and tailored to the role you’re applying for. Focus on achievements, tools, and skills that show you can manage campaigns effectively and maximize ROI.
Remember, a resume is not just a list of tasks. It is a proof of your ability to plan, execute, and optimize campaigns that matter. Present your experience in a straightforward way, and you’ll be far more likely to catch the attention of employers and clients.
