12 answers
Amelia
Student
Northampton, Massachusetts
1
Question
Asked
1707 views
How can I build a solid resume for social media with no formal experience, what should I emphasize?
I'm trying to apply online for these positions, but I feel like my resumé is generic and could cater better to what I'm looking for. What should I emphasize?
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12 answers
Caitlyn Johnston
Senior Technical Writer
44
Answers
Odin, IL
Updated
Caitlyn’s Answer
First, look up the job description. Then, create 3-5 of your own projects based on that description, and use those in your resume.
Maciej Tomaszewicz
5
Answers
Updated
Maciej’s Answer
Hello, Amelia!
My name is Maciej and I'm a Career Expert and a Certified Professional Resume Writer at Zety. Please, allow me to help you with that!
When building a resume for a social media position without formal experience, you can still emphasize relevant skills, accomplishments, and personal projects that demonstrate your capabilities. Here are some key points to focus on:
By focusing on these key areas and showcasing your relevant skills, experiences, and passion for social media, you can create a compelling resume that stands out to employers in the online application process.
Hope that helps! Good luck with your resume!
My name is Maciej and I'm a Career Expert and a Certified Professional Resume Writer at Zety. Please, allow me to help you with that!
When building a resume for a social media position without formal experience, you can still emphasize relevant skills, accomplishments, and personal projects that demonstrate your capabilities. Here are some key points to focus on:
- Highlight Transferable Skills: Emphasize skills such as communication, creativity, attention to detail, and ability to work under pressure.
- Showcase Relevant Experience: Include related experiences like managing personal social media accounts, contributing to blogs, or volunteering for social media projects.
- Demonstrate Technical Proficiency: Mention experience with social media platforms, analytics tools, content management systems, or graphic design software.
- Highlight Personal Projects: Showcase personal projects related to social media, such as managing a blog, YouTube channel, or organizing social media campaigns.
- Include Relevant Education: List courses or certifications related to social media management, digital marketing, or content creation.
- Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to each job application by emphasizing skills and experiences that align with the specific requirements of the position.
- Create a Strong Summary or Objective: Use the summary or objective section to highlight your passion for social media, relevant skills, and eagerness to learn and grow in the field.
By focusing on these key areas and showcasing your relevant skills, experiences, and passion for social media, you can create a compelling resume that stands out to employers in the online application process.
Hope that helps! Good luck with your resume!
Folusho Holloway
Marketing
3
Answers
Jersey City, New Jersey
Updated
Folusho’s Answer
Hi Amelia, social is really about showing how you connect with people and build community. So without formal work experience, I'd highlight your social channels, your interest and the community you have built on social.
When it comes to the technical aspects of things, I'd suggest highlighting courses you have taken (you can find some online courses on LinkedIn). Highlight projects you have worked on informally, and show that you are eager to learn and that you embrace new social technologies (everyone is learning about new social channels at the same time and employers could value your insights/experience)
When it comes to the technical aspects of things, I'd suggest highlighting courses you have taken (you can find some online courses on LinkedIn). Highlight projects you have worked on informally, and show that you are eager to learn and that you embrace new social technologies (everyone is learning about new social channels at the same time and employers could value your insights/experience)
T.J. Worthy
Mentor
202
Answers
Ypsilanti, Michigan
Updated
T.J.’s Answer
Hello Amelia!
You can check out these General Resume Tips for a complete guide to write a resume:
https://tinyurl.com/bt-resume-guide
The document is comprehensive and should provide a good starting point!
To add on to the resources, I want to emphasize important things for your resume:
➪ 𝐓𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫: Use a site called Resume Worded to find keywords related to your industry. https://www.resumeworded.com/career-profiles/
➪ 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭: Do 𝙉𝙊𝙏 add a picture. In fact, do not add any personal identity information to your resume (gender, ethnicity, religion).
Since you are living in the United States, a picture is not required and does not matter.
Employers could use pictures to create unnecessary bias against you. You may put yourself at risk of them not hiring you.
If an employer wants to know that you are a real person, they can find it later on LinkedIn or during the interview.
➪ 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 #2: Emphasize tangible skills vs soft skills. There are soft skills that are important for Marketing or Communications.
However: skills such as communication, listening, and collaboration are not optional things. They are expected of you.
Instead, write down more specific industry related skills. If you want to work marketing and get a marketing internship for example, you could emphasize SEO, Copy-writing, Social Media Management, and Photo-Editing depending on the role.
Sending you encouragement with your job searching process :)
You can check out these General Resume Tips for a complete guide to write a resume:
https://tinyurl.com/bt-resume-guide
The document is comprehensive and should provide a good starting point!
To add on to the resources, I want to emphasize important things for your resume:
➪ 𝐓𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫: Use a site called Resume Worded to find keywords related to your industry. https://www.resumeworded.com/career-profiles/
➪ 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭: Do 𝙉𝙊𝙏 add a picture. In fact, do not add any personal identity information to your resume (gender, ethnicity, religion).
Since you are living in the United States, a picture is not required and does not matter.
Employers could use pictures to create unnecessary bias against you. You may put yourself at risk of them not hiring you.
If an employer wants to know that you are a real person, they can find it later on LinkedIn or during the interview.
➪ 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 #2: Emphasize tangible skills vs soft skills. There are soft skills that are important for Marketing or Communications.
However: skills such as communication, listening, and collaboration are not optional things. They are expected of you.
Instead, write down more specific industry related skills. If you want to work marketing and get a marketing internship for example, you could emphasize SEO, Copy-writing, Social Media Management, and Photo-Editing depending on the role.
Sending you encouragement with your job searching process :)
Sophie Clissold-Lesser
project manager in Sales Enablement
36
Answers
London, England, United Kingdom
Updated
Sophie’s Answer
Your cv is an opportunity to showcase your qualities to a potential employer so that they really want to meet you... if you're early in your career and have little or no work experience look to other ways that you can evidence your positive attributes. Things that you do as a hobby or a volunteer can be a good source for your cv.
For example if you play a sport emphasise the team work and commitment and your discipline to get up early, practice, etc.
If you have a hobby you can explain how you research to increase your understanding, how you network with others who share the hobby and how you budget to buy what you need to progress the hobby.
Good luck.
For example if you play a sport emphasise the team work and commitment and your discipline to get up early, practice, etc.
If you have a hobby you can explain how you research to increase your understanding, how you network with others who share the hobby and how you budget to buy what you need to progress the hobby.
Good luck.
Fernando Carmona
Incentives Management
3
Answers
Mexico City, Mexico
Updated
Fernando’s Answer
Dear Amelia,
I'm excited to share some insights from my decade-long journey in the professional world, during which I've been fortuned to participate in numerous hiring processes, both as a candidate and as a hiring authority. With this experience, I strongly advise you to highlight any additional educational achievements you have, such as courses, accreditations, or certifications that could boost your performance in the role you're eyeing. Remember, each resume should be tailored to the job you're aiming for.
Furthermore, I encourage you to detail various experiences you've had, whether they're school-related or from your personal life. These experiences can showcase your problem-solving skills or pinpoint a particular area where you can bring added value to the position you're seeking.
I'm excited to share some insights from my decade-long journey in the professional world, during which I've been fortuned to participate in numerous hiring processes, both as a candidate and as a hiring authority. With this experience, I strongly advise you to highlight any additional educational achievements you have, such as courses, accreditations, or certifications that could boost your performance in the role you're eyeing. Remember, each resume should be tailored to the job you're aiming for.
Furthermore, I encourage you to detail various experiences you've had, whether they're school-related or from your personal life. These experiences can showcase your problem-solving skills or pinpoint a particular area where you can bring added value to the position you're seeking.
María José Rojas
Sr Talent Acquisition Specialist
2
Answers
San José, Costa Rica
Updated
María José’s Answer
Hi Amelia, creating our first resume without any experience can be challenging, but remember that you developed skills, and these are fundamental depending on the job.
The goal of a first job resume is to demonstrate your value as an employee and show employers why hiring you would benefit their company:
Review the job description: note any specific skills you have or requirements you can fulfill.
Include relevant information for the job: How do your strengths align with the employer’s needs? Which are your soft skills (character traits and interpersonal abilities that determine how well you work, collaborate and communicate with others) and technical skills (job-related, technical knowledge)
If you do not have work experience, highlight your education. You may want to put your education section at the top of your resume since it may be the most relevant experience you to highlight to employers.
Follow by internships or projects in lieu of work experience and use the STAR approach to explain relevant projects that show what, how and with what results you completed tasks and responsibilities that describe how you have the needed soft and technical skills for the position you are applying to.
I hope this helps!
The goal of a first job resume is to demonstrate your value as an employee and show employers why hiring you would benefit their company:
Review the job description: note any specific skills you have or requirements you can fulfill.
Include relevant information for the job: How do your strengths align with the employer’s needs? Which are your soft skills (character traits and interpersonal abilities that determine how well you work, collaborate and communicate with others) and technical skills (job-related, technical knowledge)
If you do not have work experience, highlight your education. You may want to put your education section at the top of your resume since it may be the most relevant experience you to highlight to employers.
Follow by internships or projects in lieu of work experience and use the STAR approach to explain relevant projects that show what, how and with what results you completed tasks and responsibilities that describe how you have the needed soft and technical skills for the position you are applying to.
I hope this helps!
Andalee Hyatt
Graphic Designer
2
Answers
Orange, California
Updated
Andalee’s Answer
I would emphasize your skillset. Any tangible skills you have. Create portfolio pieces to highlight those skills.
Dexter Arver
Senior Manager, Web Applications
232
Answers
San Jose, California
Updated
Dexter’s Answer
Hi Amelia,
Have you thought about volunteering with nonprofits to build experience in communications/social-media? I'm not sure about Massachusetts, but in California, I've seen many nonprofits looking for social-media volunteers; perhaps gaining experience through that could be a great way for you to build experience and to also make your resume standout.
Wish you the best!
--
Dexter
Have you thought about volunteering with nonprofits to build experience in communications/social-media? I'm not sure about Massachusetts, but in California, I've seen many nonprofits looking for social-media volunteers; perhaps gaining experience through that could be a great way for you to build experience and to also make your resume standout.
Wish you the best!
--
Dexter
Banny Larios
Manager, Tech Care
4
Answers
Guadalajara
Updated
Banny’s Answer
Excellent query, Amelia!
It's always crucial to stand ready to dazzle in our interviews, beginning with our resumes! Remember, a compelling resume can be both inventive and packed with pertinent details for the interviewer. As someone who also screens candidates for AT&T roles, I strongly advise you to heed the following suggestions:
1. A single page is more than sufficient for a well-crafted resume. Keep it succinct, straightforward, and sweet.
2. Incorporate a professional photo and don't forget to flash a smile.
3. Detail your career experience in reverse chronological order, focusing on those aspects relevant to the role you're pursuing.
4. Utilize bullet points to enable the interviewer to quickly identify the key aspects of your profile.
5. Steer clear of excessive elaboration. Remember, a resume should only spotlight the high points of your career.
6. Employ visually appealing colors that instill trust, like sky blue for instance.
I'd also suggest exploring pre-existing examples. Canva.com is a useful resource for viewing such resumes.
I'm cheering you on as you strive to land your dream job. You're going to excel! Best of luck!
It's always crucial to stand ready to dazzle in our interviews, beginning with our resumes! Remember, a compelling resume can be both inventive and packed with pertinent details for the interviewer. As someone who also screens candidates for AT&T roles, I strongly advise you to heed the following suggestions:
1. A single page is more than sufficient for a well-crafted resume. Keep it succinct, straightforward, and sweet.
2. Incorporate a professional photo and don't forget to flash a smile.
3. Detail your career experience in reverse chronological order, focusing on those aspects relevant to the role you're pursuing.
4. Utilize bullet points to enable the interviewer to quickly identify the key aspects of your profile.
5. Steer clear of excessive elaboration. Remember, a resume should only spotlight the high points of your career.
6. Employ visually appealing colors that instill trust, like sky blue for instance.
I'd also suggest exploring pre-existing examples. Canva.com is a useful resource for viewing such resumes.
I'm cheering you on as you strive to land your dream job. You're going to excel! Best of luck!
Asha Mixon
Consulting
1
Answer
Tallahassee, Florida
Updated
Asha’s Answer
Hello Amelia!
In crafting a powerful social media resume without formal experience, it's crucial to spotlight your pertinent skills and volunteer work. Kick off with a succinct objective statement that radiates your excitement for social media and your drive to make a significant impact on digital engagement initiatives. In the skills section, underscore crucial abilities essential to social media roles, such as content creation, community management, analytics, and basic graphic design.
Your volunteer experience serves as a cornerstone in demonstrating your hands-on skills. Highlight any volunteer roles where you took charge of managing social media accounts, be it for events, non-profit organizations, or local projects. Accentuate specific achievements, like remarkable surges in engagement metrics, triumphant campaign results, or impressive growth in follower count.
Weave your personal projects into your resume too. If you've steered your own blog or social media profiles, talk about the tangible results you've garnered, like the breadth of your audience reach and the degree of engagement you've sparked. Further, make a note of any pertinent online courses or certifications you've accomplished, as they prove your active dedication to learning and mastering effective social media strategies.
Lastly, if feasible, think about adding references from individuals who can attest to your commitment and abilities in a volunteer role. By customizing your resume for each specific job application, and casting a bright light on your volunteer experiences and directly relevant skills, you'll be able to craft a persuasive resume that displays your promise to thrive in a social media role. Best of luck!
In crafting a powerful social media resume without formal experience, it's crucial to spotlight your pertinent skills and volunteer work. Kick off with a succinct objective statement that radiates your excitement for social media and your drive to make a significant impact on digital engagement initiatives. In the skills section, underscore crucial abilities essential to social media roles, such as content creation, community management, analytics, and basic graphic design.
Your volunteer experience serves as a cornerstone in demonstrating your hands-on skills. Highlight any volunteer roles where you took charge of managing social media accounts, be it for events, non-profit organizations, or local projects. Accentuate specific achievements, like remarkable surges in engagement metrics, triumphant campaign results, or impressive growth in follower count.
Weave your personal projects into your resume too. If you've steered your own blog or social media profiles, talk about the tangible results you've garnered, like the breadth of your audience reach and the degree of engagement you've sparked. Further, make a note of any pertinent online courses or certifications you've accomplished, as they prove your active dedication to learning and mastering effective social media strategies.
Lastly, if feasible, think about adding references from individuals who can attest to your commitment and abilities in a volunteer role. By customizing your resume for each specific job application, and casting a bright light on your volunteer experiences and directly relevant skills, you'll be able to craft a persuasive resume that displays your promise to thrive in a social media role. Best of luck!
Laura Cooley
Compliance Officer
3
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Laura’s Answer
When you're starting out with limited experience, the key is to highlight your existing skills and your capacity to acquire and master new ones. I remember when I was transitioning to a new line of work, I didn't have any experience in that particular field. I spent considerable time on LinkedIn, enrolling in classes that not only equipped me with the necessary skills but also showcased them to those who visited my profile. It's crucial to remember that many industries value growth potential. At a young age, it's not so much about having experience, but more about demonstrating the ability to gain it. So, keep your spirits high and continue striving. Best of luck!
Check out free classes on Linked in.
See what certifications might be available to you for the field you are interested in
Laura recommends the following next steps: