Do you feel like you’ve applied for loads of marketing roles and don’t seem to be getting anywhere? Let's have a proper chat about marketing CVs that actually convert in 2025.
At Forward Role, we've been placing brilliant marketers across the UK for years, and we've got some insider intel that could genuinely change your job search game. The marketing landscape has shifted dramatically, and your CV needs to shift with it.
We're seeing some fascinating trends emerge from our most successful placements and they may not be what you'd expect.
1. Data-Driven Storytelling is Your Secret Weapon
Gone are the days when "increased brand awareness" was an acceptable achievement. In 2025, every marketing role, from content marketing to brand management expects you to speak fluent data to highlight marketing ROI.
But here's the thing: it's not just about having numbers. It's about telling compelling stories with those numbers.
Examples of using data to boost your CV:
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Campaign narratives: 'Launched TikTok campaign that drove 2.3M impressions and 340% increase in Gen Z engagement, resulting in £180K revenue in Q4'
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Growth stories: 'Optimised email nurture sequence, improving open rates by 67% and converting 2,400 leads to customers over 6 months'
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ROI focus: 'Managed £50K paid social budget, delivering 4.2x ROAS and acquiring 1,200 new customers at 40% lower CPA'
The magic happens when you show not just what you did, but the business impact it had. Our clients are absolutely loving candidates who can connect marketing activities to bottom-line results.
2. AI and Marketing Automation Are Essential
Right, let's address the elephant in the room. AI isn't coming for marketing jobs, it's becoming the ultimate marketing sidekick. And the marketers who are landing the best roles? They're the ones embracing it.
Examples of how to present AI skills to impress hiring managers:
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Content optimisation: 'Used AI tools to A/B test 50+ email subject lines, improving open rates by 45%'
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Audience insights: 'Leveraged machine learning for customer segmentation, identifying 3 new high-value personas'
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Campaign automation: 'Built HubSpot workflows that nurtured 10,000+ leads automatically, converting 18% to SQL'
Forward Role insider tip: Don't just list AI tools, show how you've used them to solve actual marketing challenges. That's what separates the standout candidates from the pack.
3. Personal Brand is Your Professional Superpower
This one's close to our hearts because we see it in action every day. For Recruitment Marketers like me out there, recruiters ‘Personal Brand’ is a term that dominates our strategies. But the marketers who land the best roles are not just great at marketing brands, they're brilliant at marketing themselves.
Examples of ways to boost your personal brand in 2025:
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LinkedIn thought leadership: Regular posts about marketing trends, industry insights, and campaign learnings
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Content portfolio: A blog, newsletter, or podcast that showcases your expertise
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Community involvement: Speaking at marketing meetups, contributing to industry publications like Marketing Week or Campaign, or hosting Twitter Spaces
The career-changing approach: Instead of just describing your achievements, show them. Link to campaigns you've run, articles you've written, or videos you've created. Make your CV a gateway to your professional brand, not the end destination.
4. Channel Expertise Meets Full-Funnel Thinking
Here's what's fascinating: whilst specialisation is still valuable, the most sought-after marketers can think across the entire customer journey.
What we're seeing succeed:
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T-shaped skills: Deep expertise in one area (say, paid social) but understanding of how it fits into the broader marketing mix
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Customer journey mapping: e.g 'Redesigned customer onboarding flow, reducing churn by 30% and increasing lifetime value by £450 per customer'
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Cross-channel integration: e.g. 'Coordinated email, social, and content strategy that increased qualified leads by 200% over 12 months'
Forward Role’s Quick Win Tips
The marketing job market is absolutely buzzing right now. Recent insights from Statista show continued growth in digital advertising spend, creating fantastic opportunities for skilled marketers. We're seeing incredible opportunities across all levels, from marketing executives diving into their first proper role to CMOs ready to scale the next unicorn.
But here's what makes the difference: understanding what each company actually needs. A fintech startup needs different marketing skills than an e-commerce brand or a B2B SaaS company. That's where our expertise comes in.
Quick wins for your marketing CV:
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Quantify every achievement with specific metrics and business impact
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Show how you've used AI or automation tools to improve results
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Include links to your best work and demonstrate your personal brand
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Demonstrate both specialist skills and full-funnel thinking
Ready to Market Your Way to Success?
At Forward Role, we work with the UK's most innovative marketing teams and exciting high-growth brands, from ambitious startups to industry leaders. We know exactly what they're looking for because we're constantly in conversation with CMOs, marketing directors, and heads of growth.
Whether you're a content marketer ready to level up, a performance marketing specialist seeking your next challenge, or a marketing leader looking to make your next strategic move, we've got the connections and insights to help you succeed.
Fancy a chat about your next marketing move? Our marketing recruitment team would love to help you navigate the opportunities out there and find a role that truly excites you. Contact us via our website or drop us a message on LinkedIn!
Ready to accelerate your marketing career? Connect with Forward Role's marketing recruitment specialists today.
