While entry-level marketing jobs are attainable for most college graduates, moving up as a marketer at any company requires experience and skills.
We can’t help you with the experience part. But we can show you key marketing skills that make your resume more marketable.
Let’s get to it
- Communication
Nothing is more important for marketers than effective communication. Whether it’s verbal or written, communication skills can help you get your point across — not only to potential customers, but also to your coworkers and manager.
Being a great communicator also means being able to explain complex ideas in simple terms. Expressing yourself clearly and in easy-to-understand ways is crucial as a marketer. If you struggle with communication, it’s a good time to improve.
- Creativity
Popular culture and technology change every day. Coming up with fresh ideas that grab (and keep) an audience’s attention is key for any marketing professional.
You never know what kind of challenges will pop up while working either. An employee who can think up creative solutions is invaluable to a marketing department, and is exactly the kind of candidate that employers want.
- Google Analytics
It’s hard for entrepreneurs and businesses to avoid the internet, especially with Covid-19 pushing many brick-and-mortar establishments online. There’s simply too much money being poured into ecommerce.
Marketing requires substantial research and analytical skills, and Google Analytics (GA) is at the heart of both for digital marketers. Being able to use and understand GA is one of the most important skills for marketing today.
The best part is that Google will teach you how to use Google Analytics (and even provide certification) for free.
Being able to use and understand GA is one of the most important skills for marketing today.
- Adaptability
If you work in email marketing, search engine optimization, or social media advertising, you understand the importance of adaptability. Your company may be on top one day, but then Google tweaks its algorithm and the whole marketing department is left scrambling.
Being able to quickly deal with unexpected problems, adopt new technology, and abandon outdated practices is essential for the modern marketing professional.
If you can demonstrate that you’re adaptable and have the digital marketing skills to handle issues as they arise, hiring managers will be scrambling to interview you.
- Organization
Marketing teams have to perform a huge range of tasks, such as juggling correspondence, maintaining relationships, analyzing data, finishing technical tasks, and addressing creative issues.
That’s why employers love candidates who are organized and never let a hectic day get the better of them. Mention the number of different tasks you regularly deal with on your resume and you can easily demonstrate your organizational skills.
- Email Writing
Writing emails well is another critical marketing skill. Whether you’re reaching customers, relaying information to coworkers, or even contacting webmasters on other websites, if you can effectively communicate via email, you’ll never be far from work.
Writing doesn’t come naturally to everyone, but it’s a skill that can be improved with practice. Where better to start than Orwell’s “Politics and the English Language” essay?
- Prioritization
Marketers work in a variety of roles. On any given day, a marketing professional could be responsible for creating strategies, assessing analytics, conducting research, writing (and/or editing) copy, and organizing efforts between teams.
Time management skills are invaluable.
Being able to quickly decide what needs attention and then acting is one of the most coveted skills for marketing, especially if you’re a manager (or an aspiring one).
- Software Competency
Most forms of marketing require familiarity with a wide range of software. For instance, understanding Google Adwords and Display Campaigns is important for paid online marketing. MailChimp and Constant Contact are powerful tools for email marketing. SEMRush, WordPress, and Ahrefs are huge for search engine optimization.
If you’re not sure what type of software skills an employer expects of you, look at the job description for hints. Most of the time, hiring managers will directly say what they want.
Still not sure what hard skills you should highlight on your resume? Try targeting computer skills since many are applicable for marketing positions.
- Technical Skills (Coding, Automation)
In addition to software knowledge, many marketing jobs require certain technical skills. Knowledge of HTML, CSS, CRM tools, and even Microsoft Excel/Google Sheets is a huge plus for your career (and your resume).
Additional Marketing Skills
The expertise you need to successfully land an interview will always depend on the job. Here’s an extensive list of valuable marketing skills that you should work on (if you haven’t mastered them yet):
- Writing advertising copy
- Soliciting feedback from customers
- Cutting costs
- Leadership skills
- Problem-solving
- Personable
- Website management
- Social media outreach
- Video production
- Data visualization
- Campaign management
- Photoshop knowledge
- Editing
- Social media publishing
- UX design
- Storytelling
- Financial analysis
- Consumer research
- Statistical analysis
How to write a marketing resume skills section
This section is primarily targeted at job seekers. But even if you have a job already, it never hurts to keep that resume updated.
To effectively demonstrate your skills for marketing on your resume, you must spread them throughout your application.
Specifically, showcasing how you used your skills and expertise in everyday situations is an effective way to strengthen your resume.
That means working your skills into your:
Experience section
Skills section
Resume introduction
To effectively demonstrate your skills for marketing on your resume, you must spread them throughout your application.
A compelling marketing resume skills section should also include a good mix of hard skills and soft skills. You want to show the hiring manager that you’re both competent and well-rounded.
If you’re unsure what specific skills the hiring manager is looking for, look at the job description. Recruiters aren’t trying to hide anything from you. Use the job description to your advantage.
Tailor your resume based on the content of the job description (just be honest), and you will get interviews.