Let’s face it, writing a CV can be a bit of a headache. Especially when it’s for a role as pivotal as a Marketing Manager, where your skills and experiences need to shine just as brightly on paper as they do in practice. But fret not, because we’re here to navigate through this together! In this guide, we’ll walk through the essentials of crafting a CV that doesn’t just list your achievements but tells your professional story in a way that resonates with recruiters and hiring managers alike. Whether you’re a seasoned marketing pro or stepping into the managerial arena for the first time, we’ve got tips, tricks, and examples to help your CV not just be seen, but truly stand out. So, let’s roll up our sleeves and dive into the world of impactful CV writing, ensuring your next career step is a leap forward!
Contents
Read The Job Description / Advert
The first step is, of course, to read the job description. We need to know what the firm is looking for so that we can properly highlight these characteristics in our CV. So read back over the job description and try to pinpoint the important points. A lot of times a firm will call things “required”; if you see this, you need to make sure you include that in your CV. Similarly, if certain things are repeated throughout the advert, this indicates they are of high importance, so we will want to make sure our CV shows that as well.
When performing this analysis, take care to copy the ‘exact’ words and phrases that are being used by the hiring manager. We will want to pepper these into our CV later.
Marketing Manager Job Description Example
Join Our Team: Your Next Adventure Awaits as Our Marketing Manager!
Are you a dynamic, results-driven Marketing Manager ready to spearhead innovative campaigns and drive our brand forward? We’re on the hunt for a seasoned professional who can weave strategy, creativity, and leadership into a powerhouse of brand development and market penetration.
As our Marketing Manager, you’ll dive into a role that is as challenging as it is rewarding, steering our marketing team towards new heights while crafting strategies that resonate, engage, and convert. Your knack for identifying market trends, coupled with an ability to design and implement comprehensive marketing strategies, will be pivotal in propelling our brand to new vistas.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and oversee marketing campaigns that are not only innovative but also ROI-positive.
- Lead and inspire our marketing team, fostering a culture of creativity, accountability, and collaboration.
- Analyse market trends and competitor strategies to inform and shape our marketing initiatives.
- Manage our marketing budget, ensuring that every penny is strategically spent to maximize ROI.
- Collaborate with sales, product development, and customer service teams to align strategies and drive brand consistency.
- Ensure our brand message is strong, consistent, and engaging across all channels.
- Evaluate and report on the performance of marketing campaigns, gaining insight and shaping future campaigns.
What We’re Looking For:
- Proven experience as a Marketing Manager, with a track record of designing and implementing successful marketing campaigns.
- Strong leadership skills, with an ability to motivate and guide a team towards achieving their best.
- Excellent analytical skills, with a knack for deciphering market trends and deriving actionable insights.
- Robust knowledge of various marketing and analytics tools.
- Stellar communication and interpersonal skills, with an ability to collaborate across departments and influence strategic directions.
- A creative mindset, paired with a strategic and analytical approach to problem-solving.
Why Join Us?
- Be part of a team where your insights and contributions directly shape the trajectory of our brand.
- Engage in a role that is varied, challenging, and allows you to flex your creative and strategic muscles.
- Enjoy a culture that is collaborative, forward-thinking, and places a premium on continuous learning and development.
If you’re ready to step into a role where your strategies and leadership can truly make a wave, we want to hear from you! Let’s create, innovate, and elevate our marketing endeavors, crafting campaigns that not only resonate but also drive tangible results.
Research The Company
Time to put on your detective hat and do some research on your target company. Look at their website, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms. You are looking for any piece of intel that will give you the leg up.
- Find out about recent work/projects they have undertaken or will be embarking on (highlight your experience in these areas on your CV)
- Find out what software/processes they use and make sure you include your proficiency in them in your CV
- Learn what Marketing interview questions you might expect should you make it that far
See if you know anyone who works there and/or connect (LinkedIn) with people ahead of the interview. A little nepotism could never hurt, and you might be able to glean more information about the role/hiring process in the meantime.
Find A Good CV Template
When selecting a CV template, it’s essential to opt for a simple design and structure. Not only are straightforward layouts more compatible with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), but they also make it easier for recruiters and hiring managers to quickly identify and understand key details. A clutter-free and organized CV ensures that your most important information stands out, facilitating a smoother review process for potential employers.
This is the CV template that we recommend (click here)
Write 2 Or 3 Bullet Points As A ‘Professional Summary’
A handy approach is to craft three sentences: the first highlighting your qualifications and experience, the second showcasing your biggest professional achievement, and the third detailing your most recent experience.
Marketing Manager Professional Summary Example
- Bringing 8 years of experience in marketing management and a Master’s Degree in Marketing, I offer a solid foundation in developing and executing strategic marketing plans, managing teams, and driving revenue growth, by combining theoretical knowledge with practical application in varied market scenarios.
- Successfully led a marketing campaign that achieved a 35% increase in customer engagement and a 25% uplift in sales within a 6-month timeframe, utilizing a strategic blend of data-driven decision-making, customer segmentation, and personalized content creation.
- In my most recent role as a Marketing Manager for a high-velocity e-commerce platform, I played a key role in realizing a 20% YOY growth by aligning digital marketing initiatives with customer acquisition and retention strategies, ensuring a unified and customer-focused approach across all marketing activities.
Detail Your Employment History
Begin by listing your employment history in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent role. This allows potential employers to see your recent experience upfront, which holds greater value. Keep in mind that brevity is key.
As you go further back in time, reduce the level of detail to ensure your CV doesn’t exceed two pages. Employers are less likely to read lengthy CVs.
When jotting down your responsibilities on your CV, especially as a Marketing Manager, make it a point to weave your duties and accomplishments together. Instead of simply stating “Led the marketing team,” try something like “Guided a team of 10 marketing professionals to execute campaigns that boosted lead generation by 30% in one quarter.” This not only shows you were in charge but also demonstrates the positive impact of your leadership. Remember, it’s not just about what you did, but the difference you made while doing it. So, highlight your achievements within the context of your responsibilities, showcasing not just your actions, but their successful outcomes too. This approach will give potential employers a glimpse not just into your duties, but your capabilities and successes as well.
Detail Your Education History
Keep your CV concise, aiming for a two-page limit. The education section can often be streamlined.
Highlight the most relevant qualifications. For instance, if you have a degree, your A-levels become less significant. Similarly, if you’re in the U.S., having an MBA overshadows your high school GPA.
Unless an older educational milestone is crucial for the job or highly pertinent, focus on showcasing your Bachelor’s degree, post-graduate studies, or professional certifications. If you lack these, mention your latest qualifications. Remember, having a Master’s suggests you’ve finished school, so no need to state the obvious. Only include your educational background if it’s pertinent to the job.
CV Structure
Tactically structure your CV to the ‘most wanted’ attributes of the job description. For example, if the job description values “qualified”, then place your qualifications first; if they want someone with RECENT experience, put your last job up top. If they want multiple years of experience, highlight your tenure.
We always recommend that you have a Professional Summary up top (after your name/contact info), as it will be the first thing that anyone reads. As discussed earlier, this should be tailored towards the job advert and showcase your experience and skills in what the employer is looking for.
A fairly typical structure would go:
- Name and contact info
- Professional Summary
- Current (or most recent employment)
- Education & Professional Qualifications
- Employment History
WHAT NOT TO DO
Now that we’ve discussed what you should be including in your CV, let’s look at some things that you should avoid doing.
- Do not include personal history or likes. Employers are not going to care about your hobbies, so unless you have some inside information that the hiring manager only hires people who play a particular sport, for example, then leave your extracurricular activities off your CV. This does not extend to things like volunteer or charity work. Definitely include that if you have the space.
- Do not list your skillset and the tools/applications you have experience with. It takes up valuable space and is often obvious (Skilled in Excel…?). Instead, include these in your achievements section (Example: “Used Asana to manage and coordinate tasks for a remote team of 25 members”).
- Do not include references or “references available on request”. If employers want a reference, they will ask you for them; otherwise, this is just wasted space on your CV.
- Do not include a photo of yourself unless specifically asked. In many countries, including the UK and US, you should not include a photo of yourself on your CV/resume. Companies don’t want you to do it, as it opens them up to liability, and there is absolutely nothing for you to gain by doing so – plus, you are making it easier for firms to discriminate against you, either implicitly or explicitly.
- Do not use any fancy graphic or artistic CV format. Most CVs come in a standard format, allowing Application Tracking Software, recruiters and hiring managers to easily pick out the key pieces of information they need quickly based on their experience. If you throw them a CV in an artistic format, they are more likely to get annoyed and throw your application away. This is not a situation where standing out is good. You want your skills/experience to be noted, not your CV format.
- Do not include your previous salaries. This will severely impact your negotiation abilities down the line.
Marketing Manager CV Tips – Recap
1. Start with a Strong Professional Summary ?
Your CV should begin with a concise, impactful professional summary that encapsulates your experience, skills, and achievements. Tailor it to highlight the aspects most relevant to a Marketing Manager role, such as strategic campaign management, team leadership, and revenue growth.
2. Highlight Key Achievements ?
Under each role in your employment history, don’t just list responsibilities. Be sure to spotlight specific achievements, preferably quantified with metrics. For instance, mention the percentage by which you increased sales, engagement, or market share through your strategies and campaigns.
3. Showcase Leadership and Team Management Skills ?
As a Marketing Manager, leading teams and managing projects are crucial aspects of the role. Ensure your CV reflects your leadership and team management skills, providing examples of successful team-led projects, mentorship, and any positive outcomes derived from your leadership.
4. Tailor Your CV for the Role ?
Avoid sending a generic CV for every application. Tailor your CV to align with the specific Marketing Manager role you’re applying for by emphasizing the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the job description.
5. Include Relevant Keywords ?
Ensure your CV is ATS-friendly by incorporating keywords related to marketing management. These could be related to strategic planning, digital marketing, analytics, or other relevant skills and could be derived from the job listing itself.
6. Detail Your Strategic Expertise ?
Demonstrate your ability to devise and implement marketing strategies that drive results. Provide examples of how you’ve utilized market research, data analysis, and customer insights to inform marketing strategies that enhanced brand presence and boosted sales.
7. Mention Technical and Analytical Skills ?
In the digital age, marketing managers need to be adept with various tools and platforms. Mention your proficiency with CRM software, data analytics tools, and digital marketing platforms, and provide examples of how you’ve utilized them effectively in previous roles.
8. Keep It Concise and Well-Structured ✂️
Ensure your CV is easy to read and navigate by keeping it concise and well-structured. Use clear headings, bullet points, and avoid overly dense blocks of text. Aim to communicate your value clearly and succinctly.
Marketing Manager CV Sample
Below is an example CV from someone with a number of years experience in the field. For an editable .DOCX version, click here.
