Social Media Manager Resume Guide with Examples

Social media jobs are more in demand than ever, as nearly every brand needs an online platform to communicate with its customers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there will be a 6% growth in marketing managers between 2022 and 2032. Zippia reports that social media managers specifically will see a 10% growth and over 30,000 new jobs created.

Nowadays, you can spot social media pages for companies and brands wherever you go; hence, social media has become one of the fastest and easiest ways to promote products. While social media marketers have different position titles and specific focuses, they all have one thing in common: to plan and coordinate the company's account activities for further growth. 

So how do you pimp up your social media manager resume enough to win this crazy profitable position? In this article, we'll share all the essential tips to create an impressive social media resume, whether you're a social media specialist or manager. Make sure to read it thoroughly, at the end we'll also include a bunch of resume examples, plus a persuasive cover letter for you to refer to.

Social Media Manager vs. Social Media Marketer vs. Community Manager

Before we go deeper into how to create a competitive social media manager resume, we should understand what social media managers do and what the differences between social media managers, marketers, and community managers are.

Who are social media managers?

Social media managers are micro-oriented. They take care of the specific content and accounts related to social media. Social media is a rather broad term, and there are other jobs that deal with social media that are similar to a social media manager.

Social media manager vs social media marketer

"Social media manager" and "social media marketer" are often used interchangeably, yet they differ slightly in their goals and approaches. Social media managers primarily focus on creating and managing content for specific accounts on different social media channels. They are responsible for crafting tweets, YouTube videos, and Instagram posts and engaging with followers.

On the other hand, social media marketers take a more strategic, macro-oriented approach. They develop business strategies aimed at maximizing the reach and impact of social media content. This includes deciding on the optimal mix of paid advertisements versus organic content to achieve specific objectives.

Despite these distinctions, there can be overlap between these roles, where individuals may perform tasks that span both managerial and marketing functions within social media management.

Since these two roles somewhat overlap, the guidelines in this article can be applicable to both. Remember to tweak and twist the content of your resume accordingly.

Social media manager vs community manager

These two positions often work with each other, which can lead to confusion about their differences.

A social media manager is tasked with spreading brand awareness through social media platforms. The goal is to get as many people to see the product as possible - they are at the start of the marketing funnel. The Community Manager’s primary goal is creating brand loyalty and retaining customers. They also work on social media channels including Discord and similar forums.

How to write a winning social media marketing resume

Though formats of a social media manager resume vary depending on personal preference and work experience, there are seven sections that absolutely have to be included, starting with: 

Contact Info/Resume Header

Your contact information is at the top of your resume. Name, email, phone number, and location.
It is paramount that you add your portfolio (social media accounts, photography, videography, websites). The social media industry is result-oriented. Showing managers what your style looks like or what type of following you’ve acquired is perhaps the most important part of your application process.

Resume header example
Christina Marciano
555-555-5555
[email protected]
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 
ChristinaMarcianoPortfolio.com

Resume Summary or Resume Headline

Hiring managers often skim resumes due to the high volume they have to review. A punchy summary, complete with a header that clearly states your job title and experience, can entice them to delve more deeply into your resume. Promote yourself to the fullest by crafting an eye-catching resume headline using the following templates

Templates for Social Media Manager Resume Headline

Templates for Social Media Manager Resume Summary

Here are some examples of a social media manager's resume:

Career Objectives

While normally used for fresh graduates or those with little experience in the intended job field, social media manager resume objectives are a nice touch to add a bit of emphasis to your motivation for applying to that specific job. You can always sneak in a bit of flattery to your social media manager resume this way too!

Check out the following career objective examples on social media manager resumes:

Work Experience

If your resume was a burger, the work experience section is the juiciest, most tender part of your social media manager resume, where all the good stuff - and the critical opinion on whether or not you’re the perfect candidate - is formed. 

That’s because this is where you showcase the very best of your achievements in social media marketing, along with quantifiable results. This should be done in a maximum of 200 characters per bullet point, of which three to six bullet points are the ideal range per experience.

But how do you do this?

The trick is to incorporate action verbs into your social media manager resume. Action verbs are words that make you the leader of the story and the solution to any obstacles that were faced during your work experience. In other words, they are an essential addition to your resume and should be sprinkled generously throughout.

Okay, but how do you do that?

By using the following bullet point templates and table of action verbs tailored specifically for social media manager resumes to guide you, of course!

Try this formula when writing your resume:

• [Action Verb] + [Action Verb] + [Social Media Management Activity] that [Action Verb] + [Quantifiable Results]

Example:

Or you can try:

• [Action Verb] + [Social Media Management Activity] to [Action Verb] + [Quantifiable Results]

Example:

Helpful table of action verbs specifically for social media manager resumes:

(Table of verbs in this article)

Here are some extra tips for you when crafting this section:

• Provide a chronological list of your work history, starting with your most recent role and work your way back. This gives recruiters a clear picture of your career progression.

• Prioritize and highlight roles directly related to social media marketing, emphasizing relevant responsibilities and achievements. If you've worked in other areas, tailor your descriptions to showcase transferable skills like content creation, community management, or data analysis.
• Use bullet points to highlight key contributions in each role.

Using the template and the table as your sword and shield, you should be able to craft strong work experiences, like the ones below, in no time.

Remember, these are just examples. Tailor them to your specific experience and skills, and don't be afraid to get creative!

Skills

When thinking about the social media manager skills resumes usually highlight, it’s best to consider what the job description specifies. Is there an emphasis on analytical responsibilities? That calls for proficiency with management tools, communication, and research and analysis skills.

Education

In the early stages of your career, your education can be a valuable asset on your resume, showcasing your academic foundation and relevant knowledge. However, as your experience grows and your professional accomplishments become the focus, the "Education" section may become less relevant.

So when should you include and highlight your education section?

• If you are fresh out of school or have less than 10 years of experience, including your education can be beneficial. It highlights your academic achievements and demonstrates your qualifications for entry-level positions.
• If you hold a Master's degree, PhD, or any other specialized degree directly related to the field you're applying for, it's worth mentioning even with extensive experience.
• When applying for academic or research-oriented positions, your education will always be a crucial element.

If you have more than 10 years of solid experience in your field, your professional achievements likely speak for themselves. The "Education" section may take up valuable space that could be used to highlight your work experience and accomplishments.

Other sections

While your core sections are crucial, additional sections can add depth and personality to your resume. Here's how to make the most of them:

Awards:

• Don't just list every award you've ever won. Choose awards that demonstrate skills or achievements relevant to the position you're applying for.
• Did your award-winning project lead to increased sales or brand awareness? Briefly quantify the impact to make it stand out.
• Use bullet points to offer a brief description of the award, its significance, and what you learned from the experience.

Certifications:

• Include certifications that demonstrate specific skills or knowledge relevant to the job. Don't list outdated or irrelevant certifications.
• Did your certification lead to a new project or skill? Briefly mention how it's benefited your career.
• Show your commitment to continuous learning by listing ongoing certifications or training programs you're enrolled in.

Projects:

• Especially for those with limited experience or freelancers, projects can be gold. Include personal projects, volunteer work, or freelance gigs that demonstrate relevant skills.
• Did your project solve a problem or achieve a goal? Quantify results whenever possible.
• Describe your role and responsibilities in the project using action verbs to highlight your skills and contributions.

Hobbies & Interests:

• While it's okay to show personality, avoid hobbies that raise red flags or seem irrelevant to the job.
• Choose hobbies that showcase skills like leadership, communication, or problem-solving.
• If your hobby involves relevant tools or technologies, mention them to demonstrate your broader knowledge and interests.

Remember: These sections are optional, so use them strategically. Choose the ones that best complement your experience and skills, and keep them concise and relevant. A well-crafted "Other" section can be the final touch that makes your resume stand out from the crowd.

Knowing what constitutes each section of a social media manager resume, as we’ve just covered, is important, but be sure to review the following tips to make sure your resume is the very best it can be!

Tips for Writing a Winning Social Media Manager Resume

Start with the right format

Aside from the general acceptance of the Resume Profile being at the top of the resume, there are three different types of resume format that you need to consider when creating a social media manager resume. These will determine what order you arrange each section onto the page - and it’s not up to which you think looks best.

Use keywords from the job description

While you could include similar keywords and responsibilities to the JD, why not just use the keywords in the job description. This little known secret is actually the best way to write a social media manager resume as it matches you with the ideal candidate profile for the position.

Using keywords from the description also improves your chances of not being rejected by the ATS (applicant tracking system), a pesky device that filters applicant resumes based on keywords and readable formats. 

Tailor your resume

When sending off your social media manager resume, go with the logic that you wouldn’t show up to a formal interview wearing jeans (unless it’s remote). Think about that next time you just send off your uncustomized resume, because it shows that you didn’t take the time to fully understand what the employer is looking for and how you would be the best fit. Hard reject. 

Quantify your results/achievements

The most impressive social media manager resume examples are the ones that hammer home their achievements or results with concrete facts and figures. 

Luckily, social media is one of the easiest fields to collect quantifiable data from. From tools like Google Analytics, Semrush, and HubSpot, to platforms like Facebook, and Instagram, it’s easy to gather impressive information about who is interacting with who, meaning that it shouldn’t be too hard to sprinkle a few super sweet percentages into your social media manager resume. 

Social Media Managers Resume Examples

Here's a glimpse into how different social media professionals can showcase their social media marketing skills resume: 

Resume Example for Social Media Manager Intern

Resume Example for Social Media Manager With No Experience

Resume Example for Social Media Manager With Less Than 1 year of Experience

Resume Example for a Social Media Manager with 5+ Years of Experience

Resume Example for A Freelance Social Media Manager

Mid-Level Social Media Manager Resume

Senior-Level Social Media Manager Resume

Remember: These are just social media marketing resume examples, and you should tailor your resume to your specific experience and skills. Use keywords from the job description, quantifiable achievements, and action verbs to make your resume stand out.

Social Media Manager Resume Design

Resume Example for Social Media Manager Intern

Resume Example for Social Media Manager With No Experience

Resume Example for Social Media Manager With Less Than 1 year of Experience

Resume Example for a Social Media Manager with 5+ Years of Experience

Resume Example for A Freelance Social Media Manager

Mid-Level Social Media Manager Resume

Senior-Level Social Media Manager Resume

Social Media Manager Cover Letter

Cover letters are often a compulsory addition to job applications, in part because they help the employer better understand you. Unlike a social media manager resume, a cover letter also gives you the opportunity (and the space) to elaborate on your experiences and achievements, making them a great way to showcase your copywriting and storytelling skills.

When writing a cover letter for a social media manager resume, make sure to include the following 5 aspects:

• Contact information: Although it should already be on your resume, remember to include your name, email address, and mobile number to make it easy for recruiters to contact you.
• Introduction: After politely addressing the cover letter to the employer (if known), briefly introduce who you are and what social media manager position you are applying for. You may also choose to mention what platform you found the position on. 
• Motivation: So you’ve found this job, now what? Now it’s time to address why you want to apply for this position, which could be related to an interest in the company (such as alignment with company values and work culture, impact of reputation), an interest in the industry, an interest in the role in particular, etc.
• Qualification: It’s great that you have an interest, but you must also explicitly address what makes you qualified for the position. Knuckle down on self-promotion here by highlighting your social media manager resume skills and achievements and how they make you a great social media manager. 
• Closing: Close your cover letter by thanking the employer/hiring manager for their time and consideration. You should also sign your full name - no nicknames - following a formal ‘Sincerely’ or alternative.

Alternatively, you can check out this stunning social media manager resume cover letter to know what to add:

Conclusion

You've reached the end of this comprehensive guide, but your social media marketing journey is just beginning! By focusing on crafting a convincing social media resume that showcases your skills, experience, and passion, you've taken a crucial step toward landing your dream job. Remember, your resume is a living document, evolving with your career advancements and accomplishments.

As you navigate the ever-changing job-seeking landscape, stay informed and inspired by following CakeResume! We're dedicated to providing you with valuable resources, insightful articles, and expert career guidance to help you conquer every stage of your career.

Here are some key takeaways to keep in mind:

• Tailor your resume to each job application. Highlight the skills and experience most relevant to the specific position.
• Quantify your achievements whenever possible. Numbers speak volumes, so use metrics to showcase the impact you've made.
• Proofread ruthlessly. Typos and grammatical errors can be instant dealbreakers.
• Showcase your personality and passion. Let your unique voice shine through and show your enthusiasm for social media.
• Stay up-to-date with industry trends. Follow CakeResume for the latest insights and keep your skills sharp.