Have you ever submitted hundreds of job applications, only to keep receiving ‘We regret to inform you’ emails? Your CV could be the reason you're struggling to progress in your job search.
In a competitive field like marketing, especially if you're looking for a role in London, your CV is the first impression employers have of you, making it very important that you get it right. As a global hub for commercial and international businesses, London’s job market is highly competitive, so ensuring you stand out is essential.
Here are some tips to help you make an impact and secure your next marketing job in London.
Tips for writing a stand-out CV
1. Write a strong personal profile
Did you know your CV only has a couple of minutes to get a reader's attention? In some cases, even just a few seconds. A study by CV Genius found that hiring managers in the UK spend on average 2 minutes and 17 seconds skimming through a CV. This shows the importance of capturing their attention within the first few sentences.
Tips:
Start with a brief introduction of yourself (e.g. a result-driven digital marketer with 5 years of industry experience).
Briefly outline your background – mention key skills or an experience that is relevant to the role advertised.
State what you’re looking for – tailor to the company. For example, if they are known for innovation, you could say: ‘’Looking to join an innovative marketing company that is redefining industry standard’.’
Show the hiring manager why they should want you as much as you want them!
2. Tailor your CV to match the skills of the job description
A common mistake job seekers make is sending the same generic CV for every job they apply for. However, each company and role has different requirements and skills they are looking for, so it is important your CV highlights the specific skills and experience relevant to each job.
Why it's important:
Many companies use an ATS (Application Tracking System) to filter CVs based on keywords. If your CV doesn’t include the key skills they are targeting, then it’s
likely you won't be shortlisted.
Tailoring your CV shows that you’ve read the job description carefully and truly understood what the employer is looking for.
It also helps you stand out by showing your proactive approach and attention to detail.
Tips:
Identify key skills in the job description and ensure your CV reflects them.
Align your work experience with the role without fabricating anything. Rephrase your experience so it’s a close match to what they are looking for.
Keep your CV concise and relevant – only include experiences that are relevant to the job you’re applying for and ensure your CV doesn’t exceed 2 pages.
3. Outline your key skills
Write 4-5 bullet points listing your key technical and soft skills, ensuring they match closely with the skills mentioned in the job ad. Place this under the personal profile on your CV so it’s the first thing the reader sees.
Example:
Hard skills:
SEO and SEM
Social media (LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, etc)
CRM and Email Marketing (HubSpot, Mailchimp)
Copy Writing
Soft Skills:
Communication
Storytelling
Project Management
Analytical
4. List relevant certificates you have obtained and tools you’re proficient in
Showing hiring managers/recruiters, your technical skills and certifications can help you stand out from others when seeking a marketing job in London. It demonstrates your ability to stay ahead and your eagerness to learn.
Free marketing courses that can help boost your CV:
HubSpot Academy: provides a variety of digital marketing courses, mainly covering inbound marketing strategies.
Coursera: has some free options for marketing courses from top universities and institutions.
Google Digital Garage: offers over 100 courses in different subjects, which also include digital marketing.
In addition to this, it’s crucial to highlight your technical skills on your CV. When hiring managers see that you're proficient with the same tools and technologies they use, it makes you a more attractive candidate. It shows that you can quickly adapt to the role, which increases your chances of standing out and being hired. Highlight any CRMs you used (e.g. HubSpot) and email marketing tools (e.g. Mail Chimp), etc.
If you follow all of these tips, it will increase your chances of landing a marketing job in London. Reaching out to marketing recruitment agencies like Get Recruited is also helpful, as they can help give you feedback on your CV, prepare for an interview, give you tips on industry insights and trends, and connect you with some of the most exclusive marketing jobs in London.