Are you a recent graduate or someone looking to switch careers but worried about your lack of experience in social media? Don’t worry – you’re not alone! Many job seekers find themselves in the same boat. But the good news is, with a little creativity and effort, you can create a social media resume that will catch the attention of potential employers.
What do I put on my resume if I have no experience?
When creating a resume without social media experience, it’s important to focus on your transferable skills. These are skills you may have picked up through other experiences, such as school, internships, or volunteering, that can be applied to social media roles. Don’t worry if you think you don’t have any direct social media experience – you’d be surprised how valuable your transferable skills can be!
Let’s break it down. First up, excellent communication skills. Being able to communicate effectively is key in social media marketing. Whether you’re creating content, responding to messages, or collaborating with clients, clear and concise communication is essential. If you’ve got experience in public speaking, writing, or customer service, make sure to highlight it on your resume.
Next, strong writing and editing skills are essential in social media marketing. High-quality, engaging copy is a must when it comes to content creation. If you’ve got experience in writing, journalism, or content creation, be sure to highlight it on your resume.
You may not have direct social media marketing experience, but you’re probably familiar with different social media platforms. Your knowledge of these platforms can be a valuable asset. If you’re active on social media, take some time to familiarize yourself with different features, algorithms, and trends of each platform. This will demonstrate your ability to adapt to new technologies and stay up-to-date with the latest trends.
Analyzing social media data is crucial for understanding what works and what doesn’t. If you have experience in data analysis, research, or analytics, be sure to highlight it on your resume. This demonstrates your ability to use data to drive decisions and optimize your social media strategy.
Finally, creativity and the ability to think outside the box are critical in social media marketing. If you have experience in graphic design, photography, or other creative fields, be sure to showcase it on your resume. This demonstrates your ability to come up with unique ideas and solutions.
Build a portfolio to showcase your skills
One way to showcase your transferable skills and build a portfolio is by taking on a few small business clients and creating a social media management strategy for them. This will not only demonstrate your expertise but also give you practical experience working with real clients.
Start by researching small businesses in your area that could benefit from social media marketing. Reach out to them and offer your services for a reduced fee or even for free, emphasizing that you are looking to gain experience and build your portfolio. If you are unable to find someone, just pick any random business online and create a dummy plan for them.
I’d suggest getting Canva Pro and not the free version so you can really use all the pro features required to really showcase your skills.
Once you have secured a few clients, take the time to understand their business goals and target audience. Then, develop a social media strategy that aligns with their objectives and fits their brand voice.
For example, if you are working with a local coffee shop, you could create a social media strategy that focuses on promoting their daily specials and events, highlighting their unique coffee blends, and showcasing their cozy atmosphere. You could use platforms like Instagram and Facebook to post high-quality photos of their products, run social media contests and giveaways, and engage with customers through comments and direct messages.
As you work with your small business clients, track your progress and analyze your results. Use analytics tools like Facebook Insights and Google Analytics to measure your social media performance and adjust your strategy accordingly.
Finally, use your portfolio of small business social media projects to showcase your skills and experience to potential employers. Include examples of your social media strategy, content calendar, and analytics reports to demonstrate your ability to develop and execute successful social media campaigns.
When it comes to your social media resume, make sure to highlight your skills and accomplishments. Some things you could include are:
- Your social media handles and links to your profiles: Include links to your social media profiles, such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Make sure your profiles are up-to-date and professional, with a clear profile photo, bio, and relevant content.
One great tool that you can use to make it even easier for potential employers to find you is Shorby. Shorby is a website that allows you to create a landing page with links to all of your social media profiles and services. This way, you can include a link to your page in your social media bios, and anyone who clicks on it will be able to easily see all of your profiles and services in one place. - A summary of your experience and skills: Include a brief summary of your experience and skills related to social media marketing. This could include any relevant internships, volunteer work, or coursework. Highlight your transferable skills, such as excellent communication, strong writing and editing skills, and data analysis.
- Any relevant coursework or certifications: If you have completed any relevant coursework or certifications, such as a social media marketing course or certification program, be sure to include them on your resume. This shows that you are committed to learning and staying up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in social media marketing.
It’s also important to showcase your knowledge of social media tools and platforms. One tool that can be particularly valuable to small business owners and social media marketers is HubSpot. HubSpot is an all-in-one marketing platform that includes a range of tools for social media marketing, including social media monitoring, publishing, and analytics. By getting hands-on experience with HubSpot, you can demonstrate your knowledge of these important social media tools and show potential clients that you are able to manage and optimize their social media presence. I also listed additional courses and tools in my post about how to become social media manager without experience.
- Any social media campaigns you have worked on or helped to create: Include any social media campaigns you have worked on or helped to create. This could include campaigns you worked on during an internship or volunteer position, or campaigns you created for your own personal brand or a small business client. Be sure to include metrics, such as increased engagement or website traffic, to demonstrate the success of the campaign.
- Any metrics you can share, such as increased engagement or website traffic: Include any metrics you can share that demonstrate your success in social media marketing. This could include increased engagement, website traffic, or sales. Be sure to quantify your achievements wherever possible to give potential employers a clear understanding of your impact.
I also previously wrote an article on how social media management can help grow a business which you may enjoy reading next. That can help you understand different aspects of social media that are important for businesses.
Social media experience examples
If you don’t have formal social media experience, don’t worry. There are many ways to gain experience and build your portfolio in social media marketing. Here are some examples:
Start a Blog or Personal Social Media Account and Grow Your Following
Starting your own blog or personal social media account can be a great way to gain experience and showcase your skills to potential employers. You can experiment with different social media platforms, posting strategies, and content types to see what works best and gain valuable insights into social media marketing.
Make sure to create high-quality, engaging content that is relevant to your target audience. Share your posts on social media and use hashtags to reach a wider audience. Engage with your followers by responding to comments and messages and building relationships with your community.
Help a Non-Profit or Small Business with Their Social Media Presence
Volunteering your social media marketing services to a non-profit or small business can be a great way to gain experience and build your portfolio. Look for organizations that align with your values and offer to help them with their social media strategy and content creation.
By working with a non-profit or small business, you can gain valuable experience in social media marketing and demonstrate your ability to work with clients and meet their objectives. Be sure to track your progress and analyze your results to showcase your success.
Take a Social Media Marketing Course or Certification Program
Taking a social media marketing course or certification program can be a great way to gain the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the field. Look for courses or programs that cover topics such as social media strategy, content creation, analytics, and paid advertising.
Completing a course or certification program can demonstrate your commitment to learning and staying up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in social media marketing. Be sure to include your coursework or certification on your resume and portfolio.
Participate in Online Social Media Challenges or Contests
Participating in online social media challenges or contests can be a fun way to gain experience and showcase your creativity and skills. Look for challenges or contests that align with your interests and skills and participate by creating and sharing content on social media.
By participating in challenges or contests, you can gain exposure to new audiences, build your following, and demonstrate your ability to create engaging content. Be sure to track your progress and analyze your results to showcase your success.
While you may not have experience in a formal social media role, there are many things that count as social media experience. Here are some examples:
- Managing your personal social media accounts (if you’ve had great success with your own accounts, you can show your personal metrics)
- Creating content for your personal or business social media accounts
- Building a social media following
- Participating in social media communities or groups
- Analyzing social media metrics to improve your online presence
Social media skills can be very diverse and often depend on the specific role and industry. However, there are some common skills that are essential for any social media marketer or small business owner looking to build their online presence. Some of these skills include:
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Social media platform expertise: This includes knowledge of various social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and others. It is important to understand the nuances of each platform, including their audience demographics, features, and content types that perform well.
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Knowledge of social media analytics and reporting tools: It is essential to be able to analyze social media performance and track progress. This includes understanding metrics like engagement rate, reach, and impressions. Tools such as Hubspot, Canva and Fanpage Karma can be helpful in analyzing and reporting social media metrics.
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Content creation and curation: Social media marketers must have an eye for creating engaging and visually appealing content that resonates with their target audience. They should also be able to curate and repurpose content from other sources.
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Social media strategy development and execution: This involves planning, implementing, and optimizing a social media strategy to achieve specific business goals. It includes activities such as creating a content calendar, identifying target audience, and selecting the right social media platforms to reach them.
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Customer service and community management: Engaging with customers and managing online communities is a crucial aspect of social media marketing. Social media marketers should have excellent communication skills and be able to handle customer complaints and inquiries effectively.
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Creating social media ads: Another crucial skill for social media marketers is the ability to create effective social media ads. Social media ads can help businesses reach a wider audience and promote their products or services. Some popular social media ad platforms include Facebook Ads, Instagram Ads, and LinkedIn Ads.
One useful tool that can help you create engaging and effective social media ads is AdCreative.ai. This tool uses artificial intelligence to generate ad copy and visuals that are optimized for social media platforms. It can help you create ads that are attention-grabbing, visually appealing, and relevant to your target audience.
While I always recommend small business owners to avoid using jargon and complicated terms that might confuse their customers, social media managers should aim to use industry-specific language and technical terms that are commonly used in the field. This can help demonstrate your expertise and make you stand out as a knowledgeable professional.
Some of the terms and concepts that social media managers should be familiar with include ROI (return on investment), cash flow, engagement vs. reach, and the 5 C’s of social media marketing (content, context, connection, community, and commerce).
Using these terms correctly can help you communicate more effectively with clients, stakeholders, and team members. It can also help you demonstrate your expertise and credibility in the field. However, it’s important to strike a balance and avoid overusing jargon, which can make your communication harder to understand and create unnecessary confusion.
By getting familiar with industry-specific language and technical terms, you can enhance your social media marketing skills and make a positive impact on your clients and business. So, go ahead and do your research, and don’t be afraid to use the right terminology to show your expertise and knowledge in the field.
The 5 C’s of social media are a framework for effective social media marketing. They include:
- Content: Creating and sharing valuable content that engages your audience
- Context: Understanding the needs and interests of your target audience
- Connection: Building and nurturing relationships with your followers
- Community: Building and engaging with a community of like-minded individuals
- Conversion: Turning your social media efforts into tangible results, such as increased sales or website traffic
Incorporating the 5 C’s into your social media resume and demonstrating your understanding of them can show potential employers that you have a solid foundation in social media marketing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, creating a social media resume with no experience may seem daunting, but it’s definitely achievable with some effort and creativity. Highlighting your transferable skills, sharing social media experience examples, showcasing your social media skills, and incorporating the 5 C’s of social media can help you stand out from the crowd and land your dream social media job.
