The world of digital marketing is constantly evolving, requiring modern marketers to continuously expand their skillset. But which of these skills are most attractive to employers in 2015? What catches their eye and makes them eager to hire? Let’s explore 14 valuable marketing skills to enhance your resume in 2015! (And if you’re on the hunt for a new opportunity, don’t miss our job postings. We’re looking for talent!)
1. Content Marketing
Content marketing is an essential aspect of today’s digital marketing landscape. Just like the Spice Girls dominated the 90s, content marketing has become equally inescapable. Brands now recognize the need to consistently produce high-quality content to engage their target audience.
We find ourselves in a whirlwind of content, with numerous blogs publishing multiple posts daily. It’s practically impossible to consume everything on the web. However, you can leverage this content surge by positioning yourself as a content expert. (If you’re in the B2B realm, our comprehensive guide to B2B content marketing is a must-read.)
2. CMS Experience
Given that almost every business utilizes a Content Management System (CMS) for content publishing, showcasing CMS experience on your resume is crucial, particularly when pursuing content marketing roles. Familiarize yourself with popular CMS platforms like WordPress and Drupal. This expertise on your resume is sure to grab attention.
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3. CRM Skills
Businesses are actively seeking professionals proficient in Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software, a vital tool for any company. CRM software streamlines the management of customer interactions, bridging the gap between sales, marketing, and customer support. Salesforce and Oracle are among the widely used CRM solutions.
4. Mobile Marketing
Mobile usage is steadily rising, and its dominance is undeniable. Ignoring mobile marketing would be like facing Godzilla – the outcome wouldn’t be pretty! It’s estimated that A staggering 60% of mobile users rely on their phones as their primary (or sole) means of internet access, and mobile devices drive over half of all e-commerce traffic! A strong grasp of mobile marketing will make you stand out to potential employers, so highlight this expertise on your resume.
5. Lead Nurturing
With companies shifting away from aggressive sales tactics and cold calling, lead nurturing has become the preferred sales approach. In the B2B world, most customer relationships originate from content offers and are nurtured through the sales process. Given the high demand for lead nurturing expertise, professionals with experience in this area should highlight it on their resumes and LinkedIn profiles. Demonstrate your understanding of the lead nurturing process and how different content formats (ebooks, webinars, etc.) can be tailored to meet specific audience requirements.
6. Email Marketing
Despite its long-standing presence, email marketing remains a highly effective strategy for promoting products and services. Newsletter subscription forms are ubiquitous on blogs, and companies are eager to find individuals who can help them expand, retain, and satisfy their email subscriber base. They seek professionals who understand open rates, A/B testing, and nurturing leads through email. Practical experience in email marketing is a valuable asset, so proudly display this skillset.
7. Proficiency in a Comprehensive Marketing Toolkit
Employers value marketers who are adept at using industry tools. You must be familiar with the right “weapons” to conquer any marketing challenge, wielding them with the same mastery as Robert Baratheon and his warhammer (the new season is just around the corner, after all!).
Time to unleash those marketing tools! [Art by Alex Maxwell] Enhance your marketing arsenal with tools like:
- Social Media Marketing Tools. These tools facilitate managing various social media accounts and tracking performance. Popular options include HootSuite, Buffer, and the built-in analytics offered by Facebook, Twitter, Google, and Pinterest. (Don’t miss our extensive list of 99 online marketing tools!)
- Productivity Tools. Proficiency in productivity tools showcases your motivation and time management skills. Some popular choices include Evernote, IFTTT, and Google Alerts. Explore our collection of impressive productivity tools for more.
- SEO Tools. Utilize these resources for effective keyword targeting and monitoring your link-building efforts. Popular tools in this category include Google Keyword Planner, Open Site Explorer, Ahrefs, and our very own keyword tools.
- Image and Design Tools. Leverage these apps and software to create captivating blog images and visual content that captures your audience’s attention. Notable tools include Canva, Piktochart, SlideShare, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator.
- Email Tools. Manage your email communications more effectively and gain insights into open rates, clicks, and conversions for different email lists with these programs. MailChimp is a popular example. Experience with these tools (or similar ones) is a must-have on your marketing resume. Employers prefer candidates who are well-versed in using their preferred tools.
8. Video Production
Video production has witnessed a significant surge in popularity. Businesses are realizing the power of video as a highly engaging and persuasive content format that can be leveraged to their advantage. Experience in video production, editing, and even animation is highly sought-after. The best part is that you can acquire some of these skills with a little dedication. Start your own YouTube channel and begin filming!
9. Paid Social Media Advertising
With the option to pay for likes and promote tweets, competition on social media is intensifying. Companies are recognizing that paid social media is the most effective (and fastest) way to stay ahead. They require experts in paid social advertising – and this demand presents an excellent opportunity for you!
So, how do you gain these skills? Experiment with your own paid social media campaigns. If you manage a blog or website, use them as testing grounds for your social advertising endeavors. Start with small-scale campaigns to familiarize yourself with the nuances of paid social advertising without breaking the bank. This experience will significantly bolster your marketing credentials.
10. UX Design
User experience design (UXD or UED) is another rapidly growing field with a constant demand for skilled professionals. Businesses understand that their products need to offer a seamless and intuitive user experience, leading them to seek out UX designers who can help them achieve this. Whether it involves apps, software, or website design, expertise in UX design is a valuable asset in your marketing toolkit!
11. Data Science
The sheer volume of data available to businesses is becoming overwhelming – from conversion tracking cookies, social media interactions, and video views to GPS data and app usage. This is where you come in – the data analysis expert who can make sense of it all. Businesses need professionals who can sort, organize, and extract meaningful, actionable insights from massive datasets. A successful data scientist possesses a deep affinity for mathematics and a natural ability to work with numbers. If this describes you, expect companies to come knocking.
Data science: where math meets opportunity!
12. Data Visualization
Complementing the work of data analysts, brands also aim to communicate their data insights effectively to target audiences. However, not everyone enjoys sifting through spreadsheets to uncover valuable information. This is where data visualizers shine – they transform complex data into easily understandable visuals like graphs, charts, and graphics. Data visualizers create impactful, data-driven content that resonates with audiences, such as infographics. Expertise in data visualization is in high demand, so be sure to emphasize your skills in this area.
Infographics courtesy of Visual.ly
13. HTML, CSS, and Other Coding Languages
Basic coding knowledge has always been beneficial, but today, even a rudimentary understanding of coding can give marketers a significant edge. Engineers and developers are in high demand and might not always be readily available for minor tasks like adjusting table padding or aligning text. Possessing basic HTML and CSS skills demonstrates your ability to handle small fixes independently. Any additional coding knowledge is a definite plus!
14. Consumer Behaviorist
Businesses recognize that purchasing decisions are often driven by emotions and feelings. This explains the success of emotionally resonant advertisements like the Budweiser Super Bowl puppy commercials. As companies strive to enhance their emotional storytelling and establish stronger connections with consumers, they seek experts who can delve into consumer behavior and understand what motivates their target audiences. What marketing skills do you believe will be most valuable in 2015? From an employer’s perspective, what specific skills are you seeking in potential candidates? Here’s a recap of the top 14 marketing skills we recommend including on your resume:
- Content marketing skills
- Content management system (CMS) experience
- Customer relationship management (CRM) skills
- Mobile marketing skills
- Lead nurturing skills
- Email marketing skills
- Experience with a variety of marketing tools
- Video production and editing skills
- Social media advertising skills
- UX design
- Data science
- Data visualization
- Coding skills
- Consumer behavior insights