Social Media Manager Resume: Examples, Skills & Template
Let's talk about what actually gets social media managers hired. It's not the pretty graphics or the viral posts—it's proving you can drive business results through social channels.
I've helped social media professionals land roles at Fortune 500 brands, agencies, and high-growth startups. The resumes that win have one thing in common: they translate social metrics into business value. "Managed Instagram account" gets ignored. "Grew Instagram from 10K to 150K followers while driving $340K in attributed revenue" gets the interview.
This guide shows you how to build a social media manager resume that demonstrates strategic thinking, content expertise, and measurable ROI.
What Hiring Managers Look for in Social Media Resumes
For comprehensive strategies on optimizing your resume language, our professional impact dictionary covers the exact verbs and metrics.
Marketing directors and hiring managers evaluate social media candidates differently than other roles. They're looking for proof of impact, not just activity.
Here's what catches their attention:
The biggest mistake? Describing social media activities instead of outcomes. "Created content for Instagram" tells them nothing. "Developed Instagram content strategy that increased engagement rate from 1.2% to 4.8% and drove 23% of e-commerce revenue" shows strategic value.
Essential Skills for Social Media Manager Resumes
Social media managers need a blend of creative, analytical, and strategic capabilities.
Platform Expertise
These are your core competencies by channel:
Tools and Technology
List specific platforms you're proficient with:
Strategic Skills
These demonstrate you think beyond posting:
If your role emphasizes writing and content creation, you might also find value in our copywriter resume guide for showcasing those skills.
Understanding ATS optimization matters even for creative roles—marketing positions use applicant tracking systems too.
How to Structure Your Social Media Resume
Professional Summary: Lead with Impact
Your summary should immediately establish your expertise and results.
Strong Example:
"Social Media Manager with 5+ years driving growth for DTC and lifestyle brands across Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest. Grew combined following from 50K to 500K while maintaining above-benchmark engagement. Expert in content strategy, paid social (managed $150K+ monthly budgets), and influencer partnerships. Drove 28% of e-commerce revenue through social channels at [Brand Name]."
Weak Example:
"Creative social media professional passionate about building communities and creating engaging content."
The strong example quantifies impact, specifies platforms, and demonstrates business value.
Skills Section: Be Comprehensive
Create a section that passes ATS and shows your full toolkit:
Social Media Skills
- Platforms: Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, X/Twitter
- Tools: Hootsuite, Sprout Social, Later, Canva, Adobe Premiere, CapCut
- Paid Social: Meta Ads Manager, TikTok Ads, Pinterest Ads ($150K+ monthly budgets)
- Analytics: Google Analytics 4, native insights, Sprout reporting, Iconosquare
- Content: Copywriting, short-form video, graphic design, UGC curation
Work Experience: Show Campaign Results
Structure bullets around specific initiatives and outcomes:
Social Media Manager
DTC Beauty Brand, Los Angeles, CA
March 2022 - Present
Each bullet connects social activity to business outcomes.
Social Media Manager Resume Template
Here's a proven structure:
Header
Sophia Martinez
Los Angeles, CA | (555) 234-5678 | sophia.martinez@email.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sophiamartinezsocial | Portfolio: sophiamartinez.com
Professional Summary
Results-driven Social Media Manager with 6+ years growing engaged communities for lifestyle and e-commerce brands. Expert in Instagram, TikTok, and paid social strategy. Grew combined following from 100K to 600K while driving 32% of total e-commerce revenue through social channels. Experienced managing $200K+ monthly paid budgets with consistent 4x+ ROAS. Skilled in content strategy, influencer partnerships, and cross-functional collaboration.
Skills
Platforms: Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube
Tools: Sprout Social, Later, Hootsuite, Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, CapCut
Paid Social: Meta Ads Manager, TikTok Ads, Pinterest Ads ($200K+ monthly budgets)
Analytics: Google Analytics 4, Sprout Analytics, Iconosquare, Triple Whale
Content: Copywriting, Short-form Video, Photography Direction, UGC Strategy
Professional Experience
Senior Social Media Manager
Lifestyle E-Commerce Brand, Los Angeles, CA
January 2022 - Present
Social Media Coordinator
Digital Marketing Agency, New York, NY
June 2019 - December 2021
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Communications
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Graduated: May 2019
Certifications
- Meta Blueprint Certified - Digital Marketing Associate (2023)
- HubSpot Social Media Marketing Certification (2022)
- Google Analytics Individual Qualification (2022)
Tips for Different Career Stages
Entry-Level Social Media Coordinators
Focus on content creation skills and any experience managing accounts—even personal projects:
Mid-Level Social Media Managers
Emphasize campaign ownership and business outcomes:
Senior/Director Level
Show leadership, strategy, and business impact:
Common Mistakes on Social Media Resumes
1. Vanity Metrics Without Context
"Gained 50K followers" means nothing without context. Growth rate? Engagement? Business impact? Always provide context: "Grew Instagram from 10K to 60K (500%) in 8 months while maintaining 4.5% engagement rate (3x industry average)."
2. Missing Business Outcomes
Don't just list activities. Connect social metrics to business value: revenue driven, leads generated, customer acquisition cost, or brand awareness lift. Numbers matter, so learn how to quantify your achievements effectively.
3. Outdated Platform Focus
Still leading with Facebook expertise? The platform mix has shifted. Ensure your resume reflects current platform relevance—TikTok expertise is increasingly valuable.
4. No Portfolio Link
Social media is visual and experiential. Include a portfolio link, case study site, or examples of campaigns. Make it easy for hiring managers to see your work.
5. Generic Content Description
"Created engaging content" is meaningless. Be specific: "Produced 15 Reels weekly averaging 45K views, including 3 videos exceeding 500K views." Show what you can do.
Salary Expectations and Career Growth
Social media management offers strong career prospects with salaries varying by company size, location, and platform expertise. Entry-level coordinators earn competitive starting salaries, with managers and senior roles commanding significantly more—especially with paid social expertise. For related content marketing roles, see our content manager resume guide.
Career advancement paths include:
- Social Media Manager → Senior Social Media Manager
- Director of Social Media
- Head of Community
- VP of Social or VP of Content
- Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)
For more on resume formatting for career progression, see chronological vs functional formats.
Specializing in a related area can also boost your career trajectory. Content creation skills translate well across marketing roles, and building a track record with writing-focused campaigns positions you for diverse opportunities.
If copywriting is your strength, check out our copywriter resume guide for targeted advice.
Building Your Social Media Portfolio
Your resume tells hiring managers what you've done. Your portfolio shows them how you do it. For social media roles, a strong portfolio can be the difference between getting hired and getting passed over.
What to Include in Your Portfolio
A compelling social media portfolio demonstrates range and results:
Portfolio Presentation Tips
Make your portfolio easy to navigate and visually compelling:
Include your portfolio URL prominently in your resume header and LinkedIn profile. When a hiring manager can see your work, they can visualize you doing the job for them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I include follower counts for accounts I've managed?
Yes, but with context. Include starting point, ending point, and timeframe: "Grew from 25K to 150K in 18 months." Raw numbers alone don't show growth trajectory.
How do I show social media work if my accounts were under NDA?
You can describe outcomes without naming clients: "Managed social for luxury fashion brand, growing engagement 200% and driving $500K in attributed revenue." Describe the category, metrics, and impact.
Is it okay to include personal social accounts I've grown?
If they're substantial and relevant, yes. "Grew personal TikTok to 50K followers creating career advice content" shows platform expertise and content creation ability.
Should I get certified in social media marketing?
Certifications from Meta Blueprint, HubSpot, or Google can help, especially early in your career or when transitioning from another field. They demonstrate commitment and baseline knowledge.
How do I address gaps in my social media career?
Focus on any relevant activities during the gap: freelance work, personal projects, courses, or certifications. Social media skills are easily maintained independently. See our guide on handling career gaps.
Do I need video editing skills as a social media manager?
Increasingly yes. Short-form video dominates most platforms. Even basic skills with CapCut, Premiere, or in-platform editors are valuable. Highlight any video production experience.
Next Steps: Build Your Social Media Resume
You now have the blueprint for a social media manager resume that demonstrates strategic value. Here's your action plan:
- Lead with metrics: Followers, engagement, revenue attribution
- Specify platforms: Match your expertise to the role requirements
- Include paid social: Budgets managed and ROAS achieved
- Show content skills: Types of content you create and results
- Add portfolio link: Make your work visible and accessible
- Quantify everything: Growth percentages, engagement rates, business outcomes
- Use marketing keywords: Match the job description precisely
Build Your Results-Driven Social Media Manager Resume Today
Your resume should demonstrate that you understand social media isn't just about likes—it's about building brands and driving business results. Show them the strategy behind the posts and the metrics that prove impact. You've got this!
