While there is a lot of debate on whether resumes are a necessity when seeking a job, the current answer is still yes. Fortunately, there are numerous articles, videos, seminars, and classes that help an individual writing a marketing resume understand what needs to be included. Potentially, there are even options to pay people to teach you how to write a marketing resume based on the past experiences provided. With all the resources out there, there are still a lot of candidates that present bad resumes.
MarketPro, a leading marketing executive recruitment firm, has identified the trends seen in the top talent. On a day to day basis, recruiters at MarketPro screen a pool of resumes in order to determine which applicant has the best background for the client they are partnered with. The first form of contact the recruiters have with candidates are their resumes. These two to four page summaries of your career might seem out-dated but it remains mission critical. The resume’s purpose is to open the door to an interview. So it may or may not be the best applicant who gets interviewed, it might just be the person with the best resume.
Video: Top Resume Mistakes Marketers Make When Writing A Marketing Resume
MarketPro has provided tips and tricks to make sure your first impression won’t be the last. Here is what you need to consider when writing a marketing resume:
When Writing A Marketing Resumes It Should NOT Read Like a Job Description
This is one of the biggest mistakes candidates seem to forget. It is easy to write down what your functions are in your current or past roles, and hope it fits the position you are applying for. While your resume should be tailored to address the responsibilities of the role, displaying your skill set accurately in a different light will get you noticed by recruiters and the firm.
Companies want to understand what your accomplishments were, and how much value that accomplishment created within your firm. Instead of stating you “generated awareness across multi-channels”, top talent are rephrasing it with numbers. They displayed the growth of awareness, how they increased awareness, and the amount of revenue generated from the awareness. These statements not only show employers your ability to perform your job but the value you added into the company.
Why Writing A Marketing Resume With “I” Damages Your Opportunities
Ultimately, the usage of “I” should never be placed within a CV. They could be immediately thrown out of the pool of applicants. The usage of “I” shows that the candidate lacks the ability to collaborate with others and cannot work within a group. This is not the first impression you want a potential employer to have when indirectly meeting you for the first time. Regardless of the background and experience, they potentially will not be considered for the position because of this mistake.
Marketing executives should focus their resume around how they lead their team to reach the company’s goals. The usage of words like “we” and “team” demonstrates the ability to cross-functionally collaborate within the firm. The capability to recognize and display the knowledge of how teamwork affects the outcome will help anyone in the long-run.
Writing A Marketing Resume Geared Towards Being A Lifelong Learner Is Crucial
Unfortunately, many candidates believe that their learning is done after they have obtained a degree. Reality is, you are never truly done with learning. MarketPro has definitely seen a trend between candidates that have a learning mentality compared to candidates that feel they have learned everything they need to know.
Working in marketing is nothing less than fast-paced. Employees are pushed to understand the new technologies, platforms, and adapt to the changes. There is no room for slowing down. The only way to keep up with the constant change is to learn. Learning should be one of the key focuses when an employer asks you “what you are hoping to gain from this position”.
Ultimately, a well written resume should tell a story. An employer should be able to grasp what kind of value you will bring to the company and what skill set you could offer. In the end, you want the employer to ask you more questions about your background and show interest. Applying these tips will not only get your feet in the door, but set you apart from the other marketing executives.
Author: Melissa Van Rossum