How to write a stellar marketing and PR resume

Technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace. In order to reach the right customers, companies and brands need to be nimbler than ever. So it’s no surprise that marketing and public relations are extremely sought-after and growing fields, especially in the digital space.

A wide range of roles fit within the marketing and PR category. From brand marketing, copywriting, data analysis, paid media, or even communications, the different opportunities in marketing are endless. 

Marketing roles are critical hires for companies. But if you’re looking to land your dream role, you’ll need a resume that shows you’re the right candidate for the role.

Marketing and Brand Manager Resume Example

Hired by

Adidas Sales Representative Resume Template

Hired by

If you’re applying for a marketing role, the hiring manager is likely looking for someone who can market themselves well.

So how do you write a stand-out resume as a marketer? In this article, we’ll break down some of the key sections, do's and don'ts, and top tips for writing a great marketing and PR resume.

Still looking for a job? These 100+ resources will tell you everything you need to get hired fast.

1. How to craft an eye-catching marketing or PR resume summary

Good marketing is about effectively communicating the benefits of a product or service, and how it enhances the customer’s life. When it comes to marketers, your resume should do the same.

A well-crafted resume summary highlights your key skills, industry experience, and notable achievements, instantly conveying your ability to drive successful PR and marketing campaigns.

By emphasizing your strengths and accomplishments upfront, you captivate employers and make a strong impression. The resume summary also enables recruiters to quickly assess your fit for their organization and the specific role they are seeking to fill.

Your resume should start with a great summary that clearly communicates what value you bring to an employer.

2. How to showcase your best marketing and PR achievements in a resume

Marketing is results-driven. When putting together a list of work experience, it should be about more than just your day-to-day tasks. It’s important to highlight your accomplishments and the specific results that you’ve achieved along the way.

The results you should share depend on the role you’re searching for. For example, if you’re a social media manager, your results might focus on social media engagement. If you’re a paid acquisition specialist, your results might focus on direct conversions from ads.

Make sure to call out any specific results or achievements that you have.

If your role was more project-based, it’s also helpful to call out any projects you managed and executed.

By focusing on results, you’ll demonstrate your impact and the potential that you can bring to a new team.

Find out your resume score!

Our AI Resume checker can scan your resume for issues and give you tips on how you can improve it.

Get my resume score

3. How to effectively present your marketing and PR skills in a resume

Every resume needs a skills section, especially when you’re on the hunt for roles that require specific skill sets – like marketing! When writing your marketing resume, you should be highlighting your professional marketing skills as well as soft skills. 

Including professional skills on your resume helps the hiring manager get a better sense of your fit for a role. For example, a content marketing specialist role likely requires someone with skills in writing and SEO.

Many applicant tracking systems (ATS) also are set up to filter resumes with specific skills listed. If you miss these, there’s a good chance a human recruiter will never even get the chance to read the rest of your resume.

Soft skills are equally as important as professional skills when it comes to marketing. The consistent changes in the marketing landscape mean that employers are often looking for those who are the right fit for the role long-term. For example, a marketing manager role likely requires someone who has strong leadership and interpersonal skills.

When it comes to competencies, carefully read the job posting for keywords. This can give you a better sense of the skills that the employer is looking for, for this role.

Employers are also often looking for candidates that are easy to onboard, without needing extensive training. Making it clear that you’re familiar with tools that are used on prospective teams can help you stand out from other applicants.

While it can be tempting to add a bunch of software skills to your resume, make sure to only highlight the ones that are relevant to the role and that you’re actually familiar with.

4. Make your PR and marketing resume stand out with relevant extra sections

Including relevant extra sections in your PR and marketing resume is of utmost importance as they provide valuable insights into your qualifications, achievements, and potential contributions beyond the standard sections.

These sections allow you to showcase additional skills, experiences, and accomplishments that are directly relevant to the position you are applying for. By including specific examples, you provide concrete evidence of your expertise and demonstrate your fit for the role.

For instance, if you're applying for a project management position, including an Projects and Achievements section where you list successful projects you have led, their outcomes, and the skills you utilized, highlights your ability to deliver results and effectively manage complex initiatives. 

5. Make your PR and marketing resume format shine

Marketing roles often require a certain level of creativity. Since design and having a creative eye are desired skills in the marketing industry, adding a little flair to your resume can help you stand out in a competitive job market. 

This doesn’t mean you need to go crazy either. Unless the role you’re applying for is heavily design-focused, you don’t need to spend hours redesigning your resume. Adding a simple color palette or a few icons can help your resume stand out visually.

We all know recruiters don’t have a lot of time to review each resume in detail. A nice-looking resume is always a plus, but your goal should still be to make your resume as easy to digest as possible. In many situations, basic reformatting and design elements can actually make your resume easier to read.

If you’re not sure where to start, these recruiter-approved templates can help elevate your next resume.