5 Best Practices for Designing a Compelling Social Media Career Resume

Digital marketing careers have evolved from an intern or part-time work over the years. New social media positions with exciting perks keep surfacing. Many enthusiasts are ready to grab these opportunities despite the fierce competition. 

That’s why you need an irresistible resume to stand out among other applicants. Implement these five best practices as you design your resume. 

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  Use data to back up your experience

Nearly everyone can create social media accounts and post content. However, creating relevant and engaging content to attract potential leads and sales is a different ball game. 

It’s safe to say that recruiters usually prioritize experience over education. Data is powerful, so use it to your advantage in your resume. Recruiters are not interested in just your skills; they also want to know how you used them to drive results. 

Infuse metrics and KPIs in your resume. For instance, illustrate how you helped brands boost their engagement rate or revenue. Ensure you list the successful campaigns you’ve handled and the number of influencers you’ve partnered with. 

A concise summary will help you tie your entire work experience together.

• Include top keywords 

Read every job description carefully to determine whether it’s the right opportunity for you. There is no need to waste your time or effort applying if it’s glaring that your chances of being hired are slim. 

Recruiters rely on applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter the most qualified applicants. Tailor your resume to each job and use relevant keywords. 

A single typo can ruin your chances. That said, double-check your resume or share it with a friend after running it through AI editing tools. 

• Showcase your skills 

Highlight soft and hard skills in your resume. Around 10 relevant keywords are enough. Some of the in-demand skills in the social media marketing industry are listed below: 

• Content marketing 
• Graphics designing
• Data analytics 
• Attention to detail
• Communication 
• Research 
• Organization 
• Creative problem solving 
• Community management
• Crisis management 

The bottom line is to keep improving your skill set to experience rapid growth. 

• Add certifications 

Social media professionals can come from different educational backgrounds. A significant percentage of them don’t even have a marketing background.  Even though having a marketing degree isn’t compulsory to kickstart most social media careers, endeavor to get certifications as you forge ahead. 

Start with free or budget-friendly courses from credible institutions. You can even complete each within three weeks to six months. Taking this step shows that you’re committed to your growth. 

• Use visuals sparingly 

It can be difficult for ATS to interpret the content of your resume if you use excess visual elements. More so, most recruiters find them distracting. The ideal thing is to use colors, icons, and the likes moderately.  Showcase your designing skills in your personal branding efforts instead. 

There have been lots of debates surrounding using photos in resumes. Your best bet is to skip them.

Final thoughts

Update your resume as you gain more experience and skills, and avoid lying in it. This also applies to your social media profiles. Recruiters hate dishonesty and won’t take it lightly. Another thing is that it can prevent you from securing good jobs in the future. 

You may be lucky to scale through the recruitment process, but what will happen when your employer discovers you can’t create or execute a successful social media strategy?