What makes a good Marketing CV?

The first glimpse of your marketing potential that an employer will see of you is in your CV. The way that you market and sell yourself as the ideal candidate for the job in hand will mean the difference between your CV making its way to the top of the pile or languishing somewhere near the bottom.

As with all successful marketing campaigns, your CV needs to match your features and benefits with the requirements of the job being advertised.

The job advert itself will give you a clue but, in true marketing fashion this only scratches the surface. Get a copy of the full job description from the company’s human resources department or recruitment consultant so that you identify the key requirements of the role and tailor your CV so that your skills and abilities match what the employer is looking for.

With employers spending as little as 20 or 30 seconds considering your application you need to use active language that jumps out from the page and adds meaning to what you are saying. Start your sentences with a descriptive verb rather than a noun.

For example, stating that you are ‘Creative’ or ‘Analytical’ will make your CV read more like a dictionary rather than a document that is designed to sell your experience and achievements.

Being ‘creative’ may mean that you may have “assisted in developing a new re-branding campaign for a large high street bank.” And being ‘analytical’ has enabled you to “spot a gap in the market that enabled your company to penetrate and gain a 45% market-share.”

The key to writing a successful marketing CV is to always link your achievements with the requirements of the job you are applying for and demonstrate how you have used these skills in your career to date - or during your university days - and to what effect.

But don’t overdo it; keep to no more than six or seven examples.

Finally, consider who will be reading your application. Avoid using abbreviations, technical jargon or job titles that may be confusing to someone reading your CV who has little or no knowledge of the sector you are coming from.

Remember that CVs are often read at great speed so make sure it is clear and concise for the reader.

Wondering what to do now? Check out our expert career advice, find out more about the Marketing industry or search for the latest Marketing jobs.