Marketing CV Example & Writing Guide

Marketing is all around us. When we browse through social media to check what our friends are up to, we are often oblivious that we are absorbing sponsored ads simultaneously. When we watch TV or open our emails, marketers are using many strategies in an attempt to grasp our attention.

Marketers are in demand, but to give yourself the best chance of securing your dream role, you must ensure you create an impressive CV.

Resume.io is here to help. Our collection of CV examples are designed to assist you with securing an interview for your dream marketing job. Our tried and tested CV examples have helped many candidates in a range of professions to reach their career goals.

In our marketing CV example and writing guide, you will learn more about:

• The best way to approach your CV and structure it to support your skills and experience
• Ensuring your CV is optimised and tailored to suit the role
• How to format your CV to ensure you highlight your best assets.

What does a marketing professional do?

Marketers can work in a range of specialisms. However, the fundamental purpose is to help businesses obtain and retain customers. A marketing professional will help promote a brand by understanding and relating to the target audience. They will devise marketing plans, whether digitally, offline, or both, and source advertising opportunities.

The average salary for a marketing manager in the UK is £49,901, and the average salary for a digital marketing executive is £29,000

How to write a marketing CV

Various sections encompass a marketing CV. These are:

• Header
• Summary
• Employment History
• Education
• Skills

Each of these sections serves a vital purpose which we will explore later on. One general tip, though, is to make sure the tone of your CV matches the company you are applying to. You should always tailor your writing and visual style to the employer’s image and branding – as a marketer, you know the importance of this!

Choosing the best CV format for marketing

A chronological CV is the most popular format, with reverse chronological in the experience section, for those that have followed a structured career path. This format is preferred by hiring managers and ATS alike as it focuses on an employment history section. However, if there are gaps in your CV or looking to change careers, you may decide on a function format instead. 

CV summary example: relating to the target audience

Marketing professionals need to have the ability to connect and communicate with their target audience instantly. Use your summary to build rapport with the reader by finding out about the company and the role and targeting it to suit.

Employment history sample: ability to sell

The employment history section is the place to show off your ability to sell. Creating the right content for your target audience is a form of selling, as the end goal for a marketing executive is to help a business attract and gain customers. If you don't have direct marketing experience, you can use transferable skills from a sales or customer service role to highlight your ability to grow a successful brand.

In a marketing role, you have deliverables. For instance:

• A social media marketing manager is expected to grow followers by a % each month.
• There will be an expectation that content writers and SEO experts can increase traffic.
• A paid search manager will have targets for the number of customers they acquire each month.

 Therefore, it is helpful to support your employment with measurable data. Below you’ll find the employment history section from our marketing CV sample.

Marketing CV education example

If you don't have any previous marketing experience, employers will expect you to have relevant qualifications, which may be within marketing or business. However, it is not always necessary to have a degree; they may be happy with an HND or similar. In some cases, online professional qualifications may be sufficient.

Suppose you have no marketing or relevant sales/customer service experience but essential qualifications. In that case, you may want to insert the education section below the summary and the experience section after education. Below you’ll find the education section from our marketing CV example.

Resume skills example: creative and organised

Within marketing, you need to be highly creative and constantly evolve your ideas to keep top of trends. In addition, as many companies are digitising their marketing campaigns, high knowledge of technology is also paramount for a marketing role.

Marketing professionals also need to be highly organised, as they manage a range of clients and campaigns. Success in marketing will only come with consistency, and this can be easily lost if you are unorganised.

Ensure you refer to the skills listed in the job description and focus on these when writing your resume. For example, the employer may be focused on your innovation. In contrast, another employer might have a priority on organisational skills. Tailor your skills to the job description — it will also make it easier for you to pass the ATS.

A good balance of soft and hard skills is necessary for a marketing role. Of course, you need to relate to and communicate with people, but you also need to be innovative and knowledgeable about technology. Below you’ll find the skills section from our adaptable CV sample.

CV layout and design: the first impression

As a marketer, you know just how important first impressions can be. If your CV stands out to the hiring manager from the start, you’re more likely to make the short list for an interview. Make sure to keep your layout and design easy to read and attractive. Choose a professional font style and add a splash of colour to the header if appropriate for the employer. A professionally-designed CV template can give you a head start.

Key takeaways for a marketing CV

1. Make sure you know which type of marketing role you want before creating your CV.
2. Tailor each section of your CV to suit the role.
3. Substantiate your experience where possible with quantifiable data.
4. Use keywords from the job description throughout your marketing CV.
5. Check out our marketing CV sample for more ideas on creating a great header.
6. Make sure you use a spell and grammar check, and correct any mistakes before you submit your CV.