Marketing & Creative Jobs in Canada Blog

8 Sample Resume Headings Guaranteed To Help You Stand Out

Use these sample resume headings as inspiration to craft your own, and we bet you’ll land more callbacks & interviews during your job search. Interested?

[Image Source]

Resume headings are often the first thing hiring managers read after your name.

This brief introduction to who you are can either compel them to read the rest of your resume (yay!) or move on to the next one (boo).

You want your resume heading to capture attention and convince readers to see why your career history and other qualifications make you right for the job. When they do, your chances of landing a callback or interview skyrocket. 

So have you been giving your resume headings the time and attention they deserve?

No matter your answer, we’re here to help you brainstorm some unforgettable resume headings to speed up your job search. 

You’ll find eight sample resume headings to use as inspiration and some pro tips to keep in mind. But before we get to those…

Here’s Why You Should Use a Resume Heading

Resume headings are a must-have no matter what industry you’re in because they help you stand out from the sea of top talent competing for the same role.

Think of a resume heading like the focal point in a design or the main heading in an ad or marketing piece. They’re the first thing people see, and become part of your personal brand, so they must be able to draw people into learning more.

Format-wise, your resume heading should be a succinct, impactful one-liner that sits just below your name. It should also be capitalized using Title Case (like the headline of an article).

In this example, the resume heading says, Environmentally-Focused Sourcing, Procurement, & Supply Chain Management Expert:

[Image Source]

This example does a stellar job of highlighting the candidate’s top strengths and experience, which is exactly what yours should do. 

You’ll also want to spotlight your standout features relevant to the role, so hiring managers immediately see your resume’s worth reading.

Yes, we know the space to add your resume heading is super small. And it’s challenging to come up with the perfect quick elevator pitch on top of the rest of your resume and cover letter. 

But conquering this task will be worth it.

A catchy resume heading shows hiring managers that you communicate well and understand what it takes to get the job done (because you read the ad carefully and tailored your pitch so well).

It also sets a positive tone for the rest of your resume. If your career history, qualifications, and other achievements match up, you’ll boost your chances of landing a callback or interview tremendously. 

That’s why every resume needs a personalized, captivating resume heading. And we know a tool to help you tackle this assignment without letting it overwhelm you.

The Resume Heading Formula That Makes Life Easier

The five key ingredients of an effective resume heading include:

  1. An impactful adjective that sums up your strengths relative to the position
  2. The job title
  3. Hard or soft skills the job ad calls for
  4. Noteworthy career achievements (increased sales by 25%, for example), certifications, or years of experience 

Here’s a condensed version of what that resume heading formula looks like:

Impactful adjective + the job title + your top skills + noteworthy achievements

Now all you have to do is plug in your specific adjectives, skills, and accomplishments to craft the perfect one-liner. 

The resume heading examples up next all follow this easy formula. So let’s take a peek at some of the best to use as inspiration when writing yours:

8 Sample Resume Headings To Help You Stand Out In Today’s Fierce Job Market

Using real job ads from Fresh Gigs, we came up with these sample resume headings so you can see what a good one looks like:

 

 

  • Well-Rounded Conversion Copywriter With a Keen Eye for Detail and a Knack for Converting Customers, Averaging Around 30% Sales Increases

 

 

  • Highly Ambitious, Creative Content Creator and Winner of The Best Product Video Award

 

 

 

  • Solution-Oriented Creative Design Manager and Leader With a Passion for Building Strong Brands and Powerful Marketing Campaigns

 

  • Digitally Savvy Graphic Designer Backed By 10+ Years Experience, a Strong Eye for Design, and a Never-Ending Supply of Ideas

3 Helpful Resume Heading Tips Before You Go

Keep these handy resume heading tips in mind while you craft yours:

1. Always Scan the Job Ad for Specific Keywords

You probably didn’t get a chance to click the links in each of those sample resume headings we shared. But if you did, you would have seen that we packed each heading with keywords straight from the job ad.

We chose the exact job title, verbs, and adjectives the companies hiring used to describe their ideal candidates. This helps pique the attention of applicant tracking systems (ATS) and hiring managers alike.

Hitting these exact keywords tells hiring managers that you speak their language, so to say, which makes an instant connection right off the bat. It also ensures that your resume gets picked up by ATS instead of weeded out like most applicants.

So use the job ad to your advantage and highlight any details that resonate with your skills and background. Add these keywords to your resume heading to really stand out.

2. Strive for Action Verbs

Your resume heading should be short and engaging, so it catches attention right away. Aim for a heading that’s one line long, max. It does not need to be a complete sentence. 

Grab some action verbs from the job description to add oomph to your heading while maximizing space and impact. Action verbs in a resume include those like coordinated, spearheaded, strategized, etc. 

3. Come Up with a Few Different Options

Try a few different variations of your resume heading before automatically choosing the first one.

It may be a head-scratcher to come up with more than one resume heading you like. But once you get the hang of writing them, it becomes easier — especially when the creative juices start flowing.

[Image Source]

So give it a go and have some fun! Play around with all sorts of options based on your experience and the keywords in the job ad. Your favorite will soon emerge from the list of choices.

Ready To Create Your Own Catchy Resume Heading?

Now that you know what it takes to create a winning resume heading, there’s no need to stress or panic about writing yours.

Just follow our simple resume heading formula, add key details from the job ad that match your skills/experience, and give it a few tries.

We know you’ll come up with incredible resume headings that stand out and get noticed. You got this!



Account Management Job Description: Here’s Everything You Need to Know

Want to be an account manager? We explore account management job descriptions, responsibilities, and the top skills you need to impress hiring teams now:

[Image Source]

Is an account management job description the best way to gauge whether an account manager role is right for you?

What does an account manager even do?

Job descriptions usually provide a thorough rundown of the tasks, daily duties, and responsibilities of the position. But companies don’t always supply a list of the top skills, abilities, or traits they’d like their ideal candidates to possess.

So we’re going to help fill in the gaps.

You’ll learn what hiring teams are looking for in account managers, what it takes to thrive in this position, and how to show companies what you bring to the table to land your dream gig.

Account Management Job Description: The Basics

Account managers act as liaisons between the agency they work for and the clients they serve.

For clients, account managers are their main point of contact. Any questions, concerns, ideas, important details, etc., get routed directly to the account manager for assistance and action.

Account managers then report back to their team to see how they can best serve their clients and provide value.

[Image Source]

Because account managers work with both clients and their coworkers, they tend to wear many hats and juggle different types of responsibilities.

When it comes to clients, you’ll need to act as the “face” of your company. You’ll be representing your company’s brand as the main point of contact, so you’ll need stellar customer service skills.

In this customer-facing role, account managers must build rapport with clients, keep them happy, and ensure their needs are met. 

Your clients’ goals will become your goals, which means helping them reach targets will also be one of your main focuses. As an account manager, when your clients succeed, so do you.

When it comes to your company, you’ll need to manage team members effectively to ensure they’re doing everything possible to meet your clients’ expectations.

You may need to stay on top of interns, coworkers, team leaders, or external freelancers to make sure work gets done on time and projects move along as planned.

You’ll also be responsible for unpacking campaign analytics and creating reports to show clients and your team how everything is performing.

Don’t be surprised if you also need to help cross-sell or up-sell products when it makes sense to help your clients and company both.

[Image Source]

So, as you can see, account managers need a mix of technical, sales, and social skills, which is excellent news if you have the talent and love interacting with people.

Utilizing all these skills keeps the job interesting and makes each day unique, especially if you get the chance to work with various types of clients.

Now that you have a better idea of what account managers do, let’s explore their day-to-day responsibilities and what companies expect of someone in this position.

Account Manager Job Responsibilities

While no two account manager roles are the same, the job responsibilities, work-related tasks, and daily duties are often pretty cut and dry.

Here are the most common account manager job responsibilities you’re likely to see in a job posting:

  1. Manage existing clients
  2. Dive deep into clients’ existing processes and struggles
  3. Set up, onboard, and train new clients (on your process, software, etc.)
  4. Understand the client’s industry inside and out to better problem-solve
  5. Create quarterly plans and strategies to reach targets each month
  6. Build repeatable processes to streamline efforts
  7. Facilitate design approval and make changes where necessary
  8. Coordinate meetings, schedules, and monthly deadlines
  9. Manage campaigns from start to finish
  10. Analyze results of campaigns
  11. Create reports that summarize everything that happened
  12. Oversee internal and external team members to meet deadlines and stay on schedule
  13. Regularly communicate with clients to keep them in the loop
  14. Help customers get more value from your services (up-sell and cross-sell)
  15. Meet with clients often to discuss goals, progress, hiccups, and more

Account managers must accomplish all these tasks not just for one client, but for each client they’re responsible for. Some manage a handful of clients, others over 10 at a time.

That’s why it takes someone with the right skill set to excel in this role.

Top 5 Skills Every Account Manager Should Have

Here’s a snapshot of the most sought-after skills account managers should have to do well in this role:

  1. People skills. Customer service and interpersonal skills play a huge role in account management. You must have active listening skills, empathy, and emotional intelligence to meet client demands and work well with your team.

 

  1. Stellar communication. To thrive as an account manager, you need to be a pro at verbal, written, and nonverbal communication. You’ll be communicating with your clients and your team multiple times throughout the day, every day.

 

  1. Organization. You’ll be handling multiple clients (anywhere from 2-3 “big” fish to 5-10+ smaller ones, depending on where you work), so your organizational skills must be top-notch. 

You’ll need to ensure nothing slips through the cracks and everything stays on track. This often requires high-level analytical skills, a keen eye, and sharp attention to detail.

[Image Source]

  1. Problem-solving. You must understand your clients’ goals and quickly come up with solutions to solve them and help them through issues. You may also need to uncover roadblocks in your team’s processes and strategize creative workarounds to streamline success.
  2. Time management. You’ll need excellent time management skills to create project milestone dates, meet deadlines, and manage schedules for your team. You’ll also be responsible for following up with monthly reports and recaps to ensure your team’s time is being well-spent.

So how many of these skills do you possess?

Having most (if not all) of them means you should be a shoo-in for any account manager roles you apply for. Even better? You may actually enjoy working in this position and feel like it’s tailor-made for your strengths and traits.

Make sure to highlight these skills on your resume and cover letter.

If you’re less than confident about your abilities in these five key areas, take the time now to create a game plan for improvement. You can easily level up any of these skills to become a candidate companies will fight over.

So Where Can You Find the Best Account Manager Roles?

After reading our rundown of a typical account management job description, and the responsibilities and skills you’ll need in this role, you should have a better idea of whether you want to pursue this career path.

If you’re still on the fence, start browsing open account manager positions to see if any spark your interest.

Many account managers like utilizing their unique skill set to help their organizations keep clients happy. They also dig the fact that no two days are ever the same. 

So if you check some or most of the boxes outlined in this post, you may just find an account manager role to be quite rewarding and fulfilling.

Psst! We have the best account management job listings in Canada (not to brag 😎). Go see for yourself now!

How To Add References To A Resume

[image source]

Should you add professional references in a resume?

That answer actually depends on a few different factors.

Many employers don’t require professional references, so adding them unnecessarily wastes a chunk of valuable resume real estate you can’t afford to spare.

However, more job ads are asking for resumes with references, as you might have seen during your job search. Fail to follow this request, and there’s little chance you’ll be called for an interview.

So what’s the format here? How many references do you really need? And how do you decide which of your contacts to use?  

Say no more. We’ll share everything you need to know about adding references to a resume in this guide. And we’ll start with:

Why References In a Resume are Important

A professional reference can speak to hiring teams about your job skills, qualifications, work style, ethics, personal traits, etc.

Employers contact references to get a better idea of a candidate’s prior job performance, strengths, and weaknesses from a third party with first-hand experience. They might also want to verify specific work details or understand how you like to manage or collaborate with others.

[image source]

Hiring managers expect your professional contacts to vouch for the claims you make in your resume and cover letter or share during an interview. Hearing positive feedback about you confirms that you’ll bring value as a new employee and should be hired.

When Should You Add References On a Resume?

In most cases, it’s generally best to leave references off your resume. 

Typically, hiring managers will ask for a candidate’s references after an interview goes well, and they’re seriously considering them for the position. They usually don’t contact references before reaching out for your first interview.

That’s why it’s smarter to use the limited space in your resume to get your foot in the door and snag that interview. So add relevant, job-specific keywords to your resume instead.

However, there are two cases when you should include a list of references on your resume:

When the Job Ad or Job Description Clearly Asks for References

As we mentioned earlier, it’s becoming more common to see reference requests in job ads and job descriptions on career portals. This is especially true for design, marketing, consulting, and senior-level positions.

In this case, you may be directed to add references in your resume or on a separate reference sheet, which we’ll talk more about later. Get this right, and you’ll show potential employers that you follow directions, which is always a good look.

When a Potential Employer or Hiring Team Asks for Them

Never include the phrase “References available upon request” on your resume. You can be sure that hiring teams will ask for these. And when they do, you’ll want to have an updated list of references ready to go.

[image source]

Compiling a solid reference list takes some time and preparation. You can’t scramble at the last minute to put one together. Further, you don’t want your employment offer waiting on your references.

Keep your reference sheet handy, and you can hit the ground running when hiring teams ask for them. Your attention to detail and professionalism will not go unnoticed.

How To Put Together A List of References for a Resume

Use this 6-step game plan to come up with the best reference list to impress hiring teams:

1. Decide How Many References You Need

There’s no rule about how many references a job candidate should have. Three to five references in a resume is the norm. 

Keep in mind that references are also tied to your career level. 

Recent grads and applicants for entry-level jobs can err on the lower side, with two or three references, since they might lack professional contacts and experience.

On the opposite end, senior-level candidates with decades of experience can safely add five to seven references without going overboard.

Once you know how many references to shoot for, you can start brainstorming about who to ask.

2. Choose References Relevant To Your Career Skills or Potential Role

Your references should be people who sing your praises to anyone at any time. They should be your biggest supporters and champions, celebrating your wins and shouting out kudos for your many jobs well-done. Consider these fans first. 

[image source]

Then, branch out to contacts who can specifically talk about the skills the role you’re chasing requires (and why you have the goods). Try to include a mix of references that span your career, so hiring teams capture a broader sense of your work history and growth.

Students, recent grads, and entry-level job candidates may want to consider references from:

  • Course teachers
  • Professors
  • Tutors
  • Academic advisors
  • Professional mentors
  • Doctorate supervisors 
  • Guidance counselors

All these people should be familiar with giving professional references and character testimonials, so don’t be scared to ask nicely. 

Professional job seekers should consider references from:

  • Peers in your network
  • Former colleagues and coworkers
  • Team leaders and supervisors
  • Managers and directors
  • Former clients 
  • Direct reports (for managerial roles)

Also, pay a bit of attention to clout here. Your Marketing Director has a different opinion of your work performance than your coworker in the marketing department. Hiring teams will generally favor feedback from higher-level references more.

3. Know Who Should Not Be a Reference

People who can’t say enough great things about you are obvious choices for references. But here’s who should never make your list:

Family members. Adding family members or personal acquaintances as references can be a red flag that colleagues can’t vouch for your professional skills. It may also tell hiring teams that you’ve burned too many professional bridges, neither of which make a good impression.

[image source]

People you’ve had disagreements or conflicts with. Even if you worked out how to deal with a passive aggressive coworker, there’s always a chance that person may hold a grudge or view your work bitterly. One off-handed comment could spoil a hiring team’s impression of you, so it’s definitely not worth it.

Current coworkers. If you’re keeping your job search a secret, asking a current employee to be your reference is awkward. They may not feel comfortable hiding your job search from your boss.

4. Always Ask Permission and Give Your References a Heads Up

You should never add references to a resume without asking or letting your contacts know beforehand. 

First, there’s the privacy aspect to consider. A reference list contains professional or personal contact details, such as someone’s full name, job title, phone number, and email address. You need permission to share these private details. 

Then you should also ask about your references’ preferred contact methods. This ensures they’re not waiting by their work phone and miss a call from a hiring team calling their personal phone.

Your references will always appreciate the heads up. You don’t want your contacts to get caught in a brain fart when a hiring manager calls to ask about you. Give your references advance notice, and they’ll have time to think about all the amazing things you’ve done and why you’re the perfect fit for the role.

[image source]

Make it easy for them. When your reference agrees, send over a copy of your resume and the job ad, just so they know what you’re aiming for. They’ll be able to talk more about your skills relative to the position and maybe even provide specific examples. These are all fantastic in a hiring manager’s eyes.

Don’t forget to offer to return the favor if your contacts ever need a good reference too. This also boosts their chances of saying yes to your request. 

5. Organize Your Reference List

Just because you have five references on a resume doesn’t mean hiring teams will speak with all of them. They might only contact the first one. General rule? Never save your best reference for last, as they might slip through the cracks.

So how do you organize a list of references? 

If you know a professional contact who already works at the company you’re applying to, rank them first on your list. Hiring teams prize employee referrals, and they’ll likely call them first.

Other than that, there are two ways to prioritize your reference list:

By biggest fan. If hiring managers start contacting references from the top of your list, make sure they hear from your biggest supporter first. Your reference’s glowing testimonial might be all they need to proceed with a job offer. Rank your other references similarly. 

By date (most recent first). Like organizing a resume, listing your references according to your most recent work experience gives hiring teams the most updated view of your skill set. 

6. Remember To Thank Your References for Their Help (Even If You Don’t Land the Job)

Ask your references to let you know when they’ve completed their call. Then you can send them a thank-you note, a small gift, or even take them out to lunch (especially if you get the job!) to show your gratitude and appreciation.

How To Add References To a Resume or Format a References Sheet

Your reference list should be formatted in the same way your resume and cover letter are to keep your job search documents professional and cohesive. Use the same fonts, margins, and color palette. 

[image source: zety]

Remember, your resume should be optimized for readability and engagement. A creative resume template will keep everything organized and grab attention (and save you time). 

If a job ad asks for references in a resume, follow the first version below. If you’re asked to send a list of references during the hiring process, or want to keep one on hand, go with the separate reference sheet in the next section.

To Add References In a Resume

Create a section on your resume with a clear title, like “References,” to separate this information from the rest of your intel.

Add your reference’s details in this order:

  1. First and last name
  2. Position/job title
  3. Name of company
  4. Company address
  5. Phone number
  6. Professional email address

Try to format this information according to your resume’s layout, taking up as little space as possible. Use the example below as a guide:

[image source: Novo Resume]

The biggest difference between references in a resume versus on a separate sheet is the space you’ll have to work with, as you’ll see next.

To Format a Separate Reference Sheet

A reference sheet is a one-page document that’s formatted according to your resume style. It can be included as the last page of your resume, or it can be a standalone document you send hiring teams per request.

So at the top of the page, write your:

  1. Name
  2. Address
  3. Phone number
  4. Email address 

This should be identical to how you have your contact details formatted in your resume.

Next, create a title in the center, like “References.”

Skip a line or two, then add your first reference’s details in this order:

  1. First and last name
  2. Position/job title
  3. Name of company
  4. Company address
  5. Phone number
  6. Professional email address

Include a brief sentence or two explaining your professional relationship. Mention details such as how long you’ve known each other or in what capacity you worked together.

Here’s a good example:

Jon Snow, Director of Content Marketing

Ice and Fire Agency (1234 Wall St., Frozen North, MI 12345)

555-123-4567

j.snow@iceandfireagency.com

Jon Snow was my direct manager while I was an SEO specialist at the Ice and Fire Agency between 2019 and 2021.

Skip another line or two and continue with the rest of your references. Keep this list updated throughout your career, and you’ll always have a solid reference list ready to go.

Bet You’re Feeling Pretty Confident About Adding References On a Resume Now

And you should be! Adding references in a resume isn’t difficult, but it does require a bit of upfront legwork to get right. Now you’re more than prepared to knock this task out of the park and impress every hiring team who meets you.

While you’re here, why not check out the newest roles on the Fresh Gigs job board? We only share the best tech and creative positions across Canada, and your next dream role might be one of them!

What is a Copywriter? (+ 3 Reasons Why You Need One)

[Image Source]

What is a copywriter? And do you really need one to be a successful business?

If you’ve been busy writing all the content for your brand, you may be feeling overworked and stretched thin right about now. 

After all, you’re probably already wearing too many hats as it is. And copywriting tasks aren’t something you can rush or perform haphazardly (if you expect to see results).

But why would I outsource something I can do myself? No one knows my business better than me!

We hear these concerns all the time, and they’re certainly valid. 

So in today’s guide, you’ll learn why it pays to hire a copywriter for your business and how their skills can do wonders for your brand.

But before we get to those, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page about what a copywriter does first.

What is a Copywriter?

A copywriter is someone who writes copy, or content, for businesses online.

Depending on the brand, this content might span from writing landing pages and product descriptions to email newsletters, ads, whitepapers, and other types of messages.

So the typical job duties of a copywriter include:

  1. Maintaining a brand’s voice across all its channels
  2. Brainstorming and creating campaign directions and themes
  3. Researching and gathering data
  4. Writing blog articles, press releases, web pages, social posts, and more
  5. Collaborating with other team members in marketing, sales, product development, web design, etc.
  6. Reviewing and editing company messages, both internal and external, to ensure they’re aligned an on-brand

[Image Source]

Unlike a traditional writer who only focuses on storytelling, copywriters do that and create content that persuades people to take action. 

While some copywriters specialize in sales copy specifically, many have a background in writing, marketing, or search engine optimization (SEO).  

Their creative thinking allows them to quickly come up with new ideas, find unique ways to pitch products, and keep customers engaged (both potential and existing), which is no easy feat.

In short, they’ll ensure your content ranks well in search results and drives more business your way. 

So even though it’s tempting to want to tackle these tasks yourself, we’d strongly caution against that urge. Here’s why:

The Top 3 Reasons Why You Need a Copywriter

Again, you could totally take on the role of copywriter for your brand. But you have more critical areas of your business to take care of — and they require the best skills you bring to the table.

So if you’re still on the fence, here are three good reasons why you need a copywriter on your team:

1. Copywriters Drive Leads and Sales to Your Brand (Even When Your Business is Closed)

Copywriters well-versed in SEO best practices can create optimized content that ranks high on search results pages. So your brand will finally stand out amidst the sea of other options.

[Image Source]

Once visitors land on your site, products, or social channels, they’ll see content perfectly tailored for them. 

A copywriter understands your target audience and knows exactly how to address their pain points, spurring them to take action toward a solution (your brand).

Whether that’s signing up for your email list, following you on social media, or making a purchase, copywriters drive both leads and sales to your business. And they may become your best salesperson if they know how to set up and nurture a sales funnel.

The reality is, what your copywriter produces for your business lives permanently on your channels and works for you 24/7/365. That’s like having a full-time sales team on the clock overnight, during weekends, and on holidays.

Potential customers can find and engage with your brand on their time, whenever it’s most convenient for them. Thanks to a copywriter, they can learn about your products, read informative blogs, and find value in your brand. 

And that’s not all…

2. They’ll Ensure Your Brand’s Message Remains Consistent and Relatable

Hiring a content writer can help you create a cohesive brand message that connects with customers, regardless of which medium or platform they engage with you on.

A consistent brand message is crucial for building trust with your target audience.

Consumers need to trust the brands they’re considering purchasing from. If they detect a mismatch in your tone or intentions, they may hesitate to take the next step with you.

[Image Source]

Customers also want to feel aligned with the brands they choose to support. So your messaging must always resonate with your ideal consumer, which takes a deep understanding of their lifestyle, goals, interests, etc.

Finally, content writers help you provide value to your tribe of customers and loyal followers. They’ll regularly produce high-quality pieces your audience will love and share, boosting your reach and scoring leads for your sales funnel.

Again, you could try to do this yourself, but why would you want to?

A professional copywriter can help you accomplish so much more in less time.

3. Copywriters Save You Time and Headaches

Keeping up with a blog, writing email and social media messages, building a community, etc., takes more time than most Founders and business owners have.

A solid copywriter will create content that keeps your business top-of-mind with customers. And they’ll change the messaging and tone for different mediums and platforms, which would likely take you more time to learn and do.

Plus, let’s be honest; how great can your writing and proofreading skills be if you have a million other things on your mind and zero focus or time?

[Image Source]

So stop stressing over this part of your business. Leave copywriting to the professionals and outsource this task. 

You’ll no longer have to worry about finding the right words or grammatical perfection. And you can stop focusing on the nuances of driving leads to your business and engaging with them.

Besides saving time and headaches, you’ll be free to work on big-picture tasks that help grow your brand. You’ll see what a difference this makes in no time.

How To Hire a Copywriter Today

It’s clear to see that adding a copywriter to your team will help your business reach spectacular heights. From driving leads and sales to saving you time and headaches, there’s no better time than now to hire a copywriter. 

Even luckier for you? Fresh Gigs make it a breeze to find the top creative talent you need. You can post your job ad on our site in less than 10 minutes using our quick-and-easy form.

So consider this your friendly nudge to find your dream copywriter.

We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the candidates you receive. And you’ll be thrilled by what the right one helps your brand achieve.

 

Top 10 Entry Level Designer Jobs

[image source]

What are the best entry-level designer jobs?

If you have a keen eye for design, you can thrive in almost any industry your curiosity or passions take you. Organizations are constantly hiring designers in manufacturing, marketing, web design, product engineering, and much more.

Entry-level designers typically earn between $35,000 to $45,000 per year, depending on their company, location, job title, and experience. Climb the ladder and rack up experience, and you may be on your way to a six-figure income later in your career (woo!).

But before you can earn the big bucks, you have to start your journey on the ground floor. So today, we’ll be highlighting the top 10 entry-level designer jobs you can choose from.

Learning how to hold yourself accountable for your career goals starts with an honest assessment of your abilities. Then you can flex your creative muscles in the right direction.

Are You Actually Qualified For an Entry Level Designer Job?

Employers hiring for these roles are looking for recent grads, people switching careers, and candidates without a ton of experience. You’ll make an excellent fit if:

You Know the Fundamentals of Good Design

Designers must have an innate understanding of visual design elements, such as color theory, typography, layout, and composition.

Further, you have to know when it’s most effective to use each element while incorporating traditional principles of design (i.e., unity, balance, emphasis, scale, contrast, and rhythm).

You may have learned these design principles in art school or at university, or you may be self-taught. As long as you can demonstrate your understanding of creative expression as it relates to an organization’s or client’s goals, you’ll succeed in this career path.

You’re Comfortable Working Solo and Collaborating with a Team

Design jobs are a mix of independent work and collaborative teamwork. 

Entry-level designers typically follow the lead of more experienced teammates and help out with concepts and sketches, product development, testing, and other tasks.

You may be able to work from home, but you’ll still need to brainstorm ideas, communicate your concepts and progress, and hear and implement feedback to meet your team’s objectives. 

Your collaboration and communication skills will also be called upon when working with outside departments, such as marketing, advertising, or engineering.

So if you’re not already familiar with task and project management tools (like Trello, Asana, or Basecamp) or communication apps (like Slack, Zoom, and Skype), add these to your to-do list.   

Deadlines Don’t Scare You

The world of design operates on tight deadlines. You must be capable of handling multiple projects simultaneously and know how to prioritize the most critical tasks. 

Managing all these moving parts to deliver on time takes exceptional organizational skills, time management, and strict discipline (with minimal supervision).

You’re Familiar with Creative Design Tools

In our guide on 9 Design Skills You Need Before Looking for a Career in Design, we highlighted the most in-demand talents top employers are looking for. So how many do you have?

[image source]

Candidates with the most valuable skills will stand out from the competition. It also helps to gain proficiency with creative design tools and software like:

  • Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator)
  • Adobe After Effects and Adobe Premiere
  • Canva
  • Figma
  • HTML, CSS, JavaScript
  • Keynote and PowerPoint

Want to boost your chances of receiving a call back for an interview? 

Expand your skill set to include other disciplines, such as advertising, marketing, copywriting, branding, illustration, 2D animation, or 3D rendering. The more value you can provide to employers, the higher your chances of landing your dream role. 

The Top 10 Entry Level Designer Jobs

To find designer jobs that aren’t out of your league, look for keywords in the job title or description such as:

  • Entry-level
  • Junior
  • Assistant 
  • Specialist
  • Associate 
  • Staff

These synonyms all mean the same thing: that you don’t have much experience, but you’re hoping to get your start. Any one of these top designer jobs should have entry-level positions:

1. Graphic Designer

Graphic designers use their knowledge of color, shapes, fonts, and print design to create stunning visuals. 

Your work may appear in print or digital format. And your daily tasks may include designing company brochures, corporate reports, promotional materials, digital newsletters, brand logos, and more. 

You’ll need to come up with fresh new ideas and creative designs that are scalable for various platforms and audiences.

After spending one to three years in a junior graphic designer position, your career path progresses to Graphic Designer > Senior Graphic Designer > Art Director > Creative Director. 

2. UX Designer

UX design is all about the overall feel of a product’s user experience. 

People in this role create both physical and digital products that consumers interact with. This could be anything from a new espresso machine to a smartphone app or online checkout process.

You’ll need to design, develop, and debug your work to ensure it’s not only functional, but easy and enjoyable to use. Then you must run usability tests and iterate based on feedback. 

So UX is less focused on graphic visuals and leans more on the side of thoughtful design and engineering.

[image source]

While UX designers optimize a product’s overall experience and effectiveness, UI designers work on how digital product interfaces look, feel, and function.

3. UI Designer

UI designers operate mainly in the digital product world and develop intuitive, interactive interfaces.

An interface is the point of interaction between digital devices and the users operating them. Think: a touch screen on a washing machine or new smartphone. Everything a user sees and interacts with falls under the user interface.

So UI designers consider the aesthetics and interactivity of their products, ensuring all design elements work cohesively and intuitively to guide and delight users through their interfaces.

This means you’ll need to create and iterate icons, buttons, drop-down menus, typography, color schemes, and spacing in your responsive designs.

4. Brand Designer

Brand designers help companies develop, create, and grow their public-facing brand presence. You’ll establish visual brand consistency everywhere consumers interact with the company, whether online or in-person.

So your daily tasks may include designing brand logos, websites, landing pages, presentations, trade show signs, product images, brand swag, marketing campaigns, and more. 

Your goal is to keep the visuals on-brand and evolving according to consumer trends.

5. Web Designer / Developer 

The responsibility of a web designer or web developer is pretty self-explanatory: you create and maintain awesome websites for organizations.

Web developers must create sites that showcase the brand’s aesthetic while following user-centric web design principles and best practices.

[image source]

You’ll need to convert your page mockups into functioning sites using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, JQuery, etc., to ensure your designs work on different browsers, devices, and platforms.

A typical workday in this role may include designing, monitoring, and updating site structure, wireframes, information architecture, landing pages, content areas, website analytics, site performance, compliance, and more. 

6. Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) Designer

CPG companies can range from toy manufacturers to health food purveyors. As a designer for one, you’ll develop and help produce the packages that drive consumers to take an interest and purchase these products.

Junior CPG designers work with Design Managers to communicate product features with your package art and copy. You’ll also be expected to listen to the advice/criticism from focus groups and market feedback, and update accordingly. 

7. Digital Content Creator or Digital Media Specialist

Digital media designers are responsible for creating on-brand graphics, images, and visuals in a company’s digital media campaign. 

Your goal will be maintaining visual consistency and quality across the organization’s website, social channels, marketing outreach, media and press releases, online recruiting efforts, etc.

 

[image source]

So you may be designing social media content, such as infographics, animated GIFs, memes, multi-frame carousels and stories, charts, pins, or site banners. You could also work on email designs, eBooks and whitepapers, or presentations.

8. Marketing Designer

Marketing designers are responsible for creating attention-grabbing, scroll-stopping digital advertising. Their designs must generate engagement and lead the way for companies to score high conversion rates.

In this role, you’ll mainly create content or develop ads that get clicks on Facebook, Instagram, AdWords, Bing Ads, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Snapchat, and more.

So succeeding in this role means you not only have killer design instincts, but also know the psychology of conversion, conversion design, how copywriting and design work best together, and other marketing best practices.

Psst! Learn these secrets for using your social media accounts to land a job in design next!

9. Product Designer

Staff product designers partner with product managers, tech leads, and engineering teams to generate solutions to customer problems either with physical products or software.

You’ll collaborate with UX researchers to find the best user-centric designs that combine functionality with the brand’s personality. Then you’ll journey from idea to prototype to user testing and finally production.

[image source]

However, you’ll need to be comfortable hearing and using feedback to iterate new and improved versions of your designs.

10. Interior Designer

Interior designers create physical spaces that blend function with aesthetics. You’ll look at projects in the context of what the space needs to provide for the people living or working there. 

So you may intern as a corporate interior designer creating productive workspaces. Or you could venture into healthcare design to come up with uplifting patient rooms. Many entry-level designers choose to work with residential designers and flippers.

You’ll typically need a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design or Architecture to land a role at a big design firm. Many interior designers are also proficient in creative design and modeling software such as:

  • Adobe CS Suite
  • AutoCAD
  • Revit
  • SketchUp
  • Lumion
  • Grasshopper
  • Rhino

Now that you have a better idea of the types of entry-level designer jobs out there, it’s time to get to work!

To Land an Entry-Level Designer Job…

Stop letting imposter syndrome hold you back from the design job of your dreams. Though you may not have as much experience as other candidates in your industry, you can show hiring teams you have the creativity, passion, and desire to surpass all expectations.

Most design job ads say you must submit an online portfolio along with your cover letter, resume, and job application. So learn how to create a portfolio that stands out ASAP.

Next, you’ll want to show off your inventive side with an imaginative resume. Use these 13 creative resume templates as inspiration to get rid of your boring resume today.

Finally, make sure to check Fresh Gigs for the best design positions daily. You never know when your dream role will show up on our job board. So don’t miss it when it does!

13 Creative Resume Examples That’ll Help You Land Your Dream Job

[Image Source]

Are you tired of sending out dozens of resumes and never hearing back?

The problem may not be you; it could be your resume.

With hiring teams receiving hundreds of applications per job ad, it takes more effort to stand out and get noticed these days.

So if you’re still using an outdated resume layout, your resume may not be catching the attention of hiring managers even though you have all the skills and experience they’re looking for.

Fortunately, we’ll help you fix this all-too-common situation in today’s guide. You’ll find a baker’s dozen of easy-to-customize creative resume examples to show off why you’re the perfect candidate.

13 Creative Resume Examples That’ll Help You Land Your Dream Job

Use these creative resume examples as inspiration to update yours sooner rather than later:

1. A Modern Classic

This first resume example elevates the classic resume format. 

The bold pattern on top catches your attention, while the color-blocked white and gray background helps organize what you have to offer. The end result is a clean resume that can be quickly scanned and easily read, which is exactly what you want.

You can even remove the headshot if you don’t have one, and it’ll still look like a winning resume.

2. Bold and Attention-Grabbing

For a bolder approach, this Canva resume template is so eye-catching that no one will be able to miss it even if they tried. Its unique layout is ideal for creative positions where you need to prove you think outside the box.

On top of having a standout layout, the yellow side of the page highlights everything you want potential employers to see and remember about you.

3. Clean and Balanced

This modern resume template neatly organizes everything you have to show off. It uses fun pops of bold colors, which you can customize to suit your personal brand. All those touches make it the perfect balance to help you get noticed without being too much.

4. Well-Rounded Charmer

This graphic resume twist calls for can’t-help-but-get-noticed center circles that draw people in and down the page. Once they’re hooked, they’ll eagerly check out your personal branding statement, skills, and references.

5. Soft and Strong

Don’t let the subtle pink background fool you. 

This effective, creative resume template warms up readers without distracting them. The neatly organized boxes allow you to showcase your best features, while the graphics help highlight your skills.

It has all the components of a memorable, easy-to-read design. And busy hiring managers will appreciate all of it.

6. Millennial Pink Perfection

This creative resume template looks straight out of a magazine or an online editorial. Its picture-perfect design has the right balance of compelling images, fonts, and colors.

You’ll be able to introduce yourself with a personal branding statement at the top, then present your organized list of education and experience. Having your contact info at the bottom gives hiring teams a call to action to schedule you for an interview ASAP. 

7. Keyword-Friendly Organization

This resume template makes an ideal choice when you want applicant tracking systems (ATS) to pick up your resume for specific keywords but don’t want to overstuff them in.

Each red box chunks your information into easily digestible bulleted lists, providing tons of options for cleanly adding job-ad-specific keywords. ATS will give your resume the green light, and hiring teams will quickly see you have the skills to get the job done.

8. First Impressions Are Everything

To really get noticed and make a killer first impression, there’s no better creative resume template than the one pictured above. 

Aligning your headshot and name in the top-third of your resume makes an introduction to hiring teams whose first priority is getting to know you. Your virtual handshake will then lead them to your About Me statement, bulleted list of skills, and all your stellar experience.

It’s well-designed and encourages readers to learn more about you, which definitely helps present yourself as a standout candidate.

9. Resume Or Website?

Reading this creative resume example almost feels like you’re scrolling down a webpage, not a resume. And that’s an awesome perk for web developer positions.

You can tuck away your personal details to the left in your “sidebar” and keep the focus on your education, experience, and skills in the big white section.

The bottom of this resume also has a “footer” that makes it easy for readers to see the best ways to contact you and take the next step (i.e., schedule you for an interview).

Bonus: Creating an online portfolio is one of the best ways to stand out in a crowded market. So if you choose this template, it can perform double-duty by making a fantastic standalone personal page.

10. Highlighter Happy

Another effective, creative resume example is this one with a thick yellow border and little yellow “highlights” to direct readers to each section.

The bright, happy border adds just enough of a creative touch to show off your personality without being distracting. It also subtly brings in and focuses readers on the meat of your resume. And the highlighted sections make it a breeze to jump around to the intel readers care about most. 

Anytime you make it easier for hiring teams to get to your essential details in less time, you’ll boost your chances of landing in the interview pile.

11. Freeze Frame

Using that standout yellow color again, this next resume adds warm, optimistic pops to help it stand out and command attention. It also has two sections — Work Expertise and Core Skills — where you can add in those vital job ad keywords to make the ATS and hiring teams happy. 

12. Fresh Out Of School or Looking for a Career Change

This next creative resume example may not work for everyone, but it’s super beneficial for those with less career experience or those looking to change careers.

That’s because the template emphasizes the candidate and their standout skills while focusing less on previous job duties and responsibilities.

If you’re just getting out of school or want to enter a new industry, you may not want to fill your resume with job details that don’t pertain to the position in which you’re applying.

So you can use this example to show you have work experience and then utilize your cover letter to explain your specific situation and future career goals.

Similarly, if you’ve had the same role at several noteworthy companies, you can just list their names using this format without repeating your probably-identical job duties three or four times.

So despite this template seeming bare-bones, it provides tons of options that may work for you under the right conditions (i.e., you don’t have a lot of experience to showcase).

Psst! Check out these 10 best entry-level digital marketing jobs next!

13. Dark Mode, Dark Horse

A dark horse is a candidate who seemingly comes out of nowhere and unexpectedly becomes the perfect fit for the job. This dark mode creative resume example may do just that for you.

While it may not be for everyone, similar to the last resume example, it certainly will help you get noticed in a good way. After all, how many black-background resumes do you think hiring managers see? Not many. 

So if this resume speaks to your aesthetic or one-of-a-kind personality, go for it!

Final Thoughts on Using These Creative Resume Examples

We hope you found a resume example (or two!) to use as inspiration when revamping your job search documents. Any one of these will help you leap out ahead of the (boring) stack.

And guess what? 

All the creative resume examples we shared today can be used as templates in Canva. We linked each resume template above, so you can just plug in your information and customize each option to suit your style.

Play around with some of these examples today, and you’ll have a creative resume that gets noticed in no time!

Then make sure to check Fresh Gigs for the best tech and creative positions! 

 

6 Good Reasons for Leaving a Job and How to Prepare to Get a New One

[image source]

There are plenty of good reasons for leaving a job, but they’re not all created equally.

So before you hand in that resignation letter, you have to think about how you’re going to answer the dreaded Why did you leave your last position? question during your upcoming job interviews. 

To hiring teams, some reasons may be considered red flags that you’re a “problem” employee. However, other good reasons for leaving a job may actually help you stand out in a crowded market.

Today’s guide will help you see the difference, so you can make the best move for your ultimate career goals.

After all, deciding to leave a job is never a walk in the park — especially if you don’t have a new role lined up. But at least you’ll be confident you’re making the right decision and giving yourself the best possible chance of success.

How are Good Reasons for Leaving a Job Defined?

Let’s define good reasons for leaving a job as any reason that pushes your career development and makes you an attractive candidate to potential employers.

But that’s not to say all your other feelings and motivations for leaving are any less valid.

In our guide on signs you’re ready to quit your job, we shared warning signals that your job is no longer sparking joy and may be harming your health, such as:

  • A toxic work environment
  • Nothing you do ever feeling “good” enough
  • Sunday night stress about going to work on Monday
  • Constantly hitting the snooze button because you’re exhausted 
  • Needing to vent about work issues more often than not
  • Feeling perpetually stressed, overwhelmed, sick, or burned out
  • Being bored at work, easily distracted, and unproductive
  • High levels of apathy and lack of motivation to put your ideas into action or even care what happens

Now, these feelings and thoughts don’t just spring up overnight. In fact, these reasons for leaving a job often arise because you won’t take the plunge and quit. 

You’re probably making decent money and earning stellar benefits. You may be comfortable in your role and close to your coworkers too. But you’re still unsatisfied. 

So you continue to show up to work, and over time, these negative feelings and issues just fester and get worse.

But there’s absolutely no reason for you to do this to yourself or let things get this bad.

When you learn how to clearly explain why you want to leave your job and paint that reason in the best possible light, you’ll know how to move forward successfully.

And you may even strengthen your chances of landing the role of your dreams.

Why Companies Ask Your Reasons for Leaving a Job

Why are you leaving your current job? isn’t a trick question. Hiring teams ask this to gain more intel about:

Whether candidates are parting from their previous/current employer on good terms. If you start badmouthing your boss or disparaging your last company, your potential employer may think you’re just an unprofessional complainer. 

How candidates measure job satisfaction, engagement, and professional growth. If you weren’t getting these out of your last role, will you be able to in this potential position?

[image source]

Your career goals. Hearing about where you’ve been and where you want to go in your career can help hiring teams determine if the role is the right fit for your needs. They don’t want to hire you only for you to leave a month later because the position didn’t match up. 

Whether you’re a loyal team player, or if you run at the first sign of conflict. Organizations want to know that you’ll try everything before quitting and leaving your team high and dry.

So when you really boil it all down, a good reason for leaving opens the door for you to gush about your incredible work ethic, expanding skillset, and long-term career goals. And candidates who can explain these are almost always snatched up fast.

6 Good Reasons for Leaving a Job and How to Prepare to Get a New One

Up next, we’ll outline each good reason for leaving a job, then share a few ideas for how to best explain or reframe them to an interviewer or hiring manager.

Remember, always keep your answers brief. Your reason and explanation don’t have to be any longer than one or two sentences, so resist the urge to dive into all the details.

Instead, focus on these when preparing your answer:

  • What each position/employer taught you
  • What you enjoyed about your previous employer/position 
  • Why the reason is influencing what you’re looking for in a new role
  • Why you’re the best candidate for the job
  • Why you’re excited to transition to this new employer/position 

So with these points in mind, let’s talk good reasons for leaving a job:

1. Company Downturn, Acquisition/Merger, Corporate Restructuring 

When your current employer’s going through a rough patch, the stress and uncertainty surrounding your department or position can feel overwhelming. 

Mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring, sweeping layoffs, lost clients, and things of this nature are completely out of your control.

So it only makes sense for you to reassess your place within the organization and where you’d like to be in your career. If that leads you to a new position or employer, that’s just the way the cookie crumbles.

[image source]

To reframe this reason, explain that the company is heading in a different direction than where you see yourself in the next six months, year, or five years.

You can share information about how your job duties evolved and what you enjoyed about them. You can also show off your problem-solving skills by discussing what you did to combat staff shortages, retain clients, and boost morale.

Finish by speaking about why this new company and position make a better fit for you and your long-term goals.

2. Lack of Career Advancement and Growth Opportunities 

Passed over for a promotion one too many times? Hit the growth ceiling in your position? Leaving your employer may be the only way to advance in your career.

To reframe this as a positive, show potential employers that you’re ready and looking for a new challenge.

Explain how you’ve mastered the requirements of your current position and are ready to take on more responsibilities this new role offers.

For example, you could discuss how this new position may provide the opportunity to work on your design skills, whereas your previous/current role was locked into SEO.

You want your potential employer to see that you’re constantly developing your talents and seeking new areas to improve as you grow professionally. Show them tangible reasons why this new position is better matched to your long-term career goals and aspirations.

Candidates who highlight a desire to grow within a company provide extra value to organizations. The more diverse skills they learn, the more of an asset they become.

PS: Before you use this reason to quit, follow the tips in this guide on How To Get Promoted at Work and Know Your Value.

3. You’re Seeking a Career Change to a New Industry

If the opportunities to explore a different career path or go back to school don’t exist within your organization, you may need to leave your current employer to focus on your long-term professional journey.

Learning to hold yourself accountable for your career goals starts now. If you’ve thoroughly researched this new area or profession and see yourself thriving there, go for it!

To reframe this reason, talk about how the position you want would give you the chance to develop new skills, complete digital marketing courses and certifications, or pursue higher education.

After all, you may currently lack the experience the role requires. But if you demonstrate drive, self-discipline, and a high degree of commitment, an employer may take a chance on you.

If there’s room for growth within the organization, make sure your interviewer knows you’re dedicated and keen to climb the ladder as you refine your new skillset. 

4. You Want To Work From Home or Work Flexible Hours

Did your company switch to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic? If you experienced this way of working, it might be challenging to return to the office.  

After all, you probably loved working flexible hours and sticking to your own personal schedule. Your increased productivity may have boosted your work-life balance. And remote work probably saved you a bit of cash on commuting expenses, work attire, lunches, etc.

So if you’re in this boat, first learn how to ask your boss to work from home. If you follow those tips and still receive a no, you’ll have the green light to start looking for a remote position.

In this case, there’s really no need to reframe your reason for leaving your current employer if you apply for telework. Hiring teams already know candidates are applying for a remote position specifically because they enjoy the flexibility, autonomy, productivity, and other perks of working from home.

[image source]

However, you may need to prove you can handle a fully remote job.

Remote candidates could have years of virtual work experience under their belts. And to compete with them, you’ll need to explain how you prioritized your workload, communicated and collaborated with your team, and thrived when you were working from home.

5. You’re Seeking Better Compensation and Benefits

Many employees are resigning because their salaries haven’t risen as much as their costs of living. If you recently had a child, bought a house, or started taking care of a loved one, your annual raise (if you’re eligible for one) may not be enough to cover your new expenses. 

On the bright side, a position at a different company may give you the best chance of increasing your salary (sometimes by up to 20%!). 

You may also want to look for more inclusive health benefits, unlimited vacation days, or other employee perks (such as a gym membership or childcare stipend) that more progressive companies are offering to lure and retain star employees. 

No one can judge you for these two reasons for leaving.

However, you don’t want hiring teams to think you’re only interested in their role because of the money or benefits. So it’s probably not the best idea to lead with these reasons for leaving.

If you’re in a sales or digital marketing position, for example, you could say that you’re motivated by exceeding your goals. The chance of earning a bonus or higher salary not only excites you, but compels you to go above and beyond what’s expected.

Before you leave a job for this reason, check out these tips for negotiating a higher salary next!

6. You’re No Longer Aligned with the Company Culture, Mission, or Leadership

The best employees believe in their employer’s values and strive hard to embody its company culture. So if you find that you’re no longer in tune with management or their mission/practices, you may feel as if you don’t belong or stop working to your potential.

There’s no reason to explain to hiring teams how you tried (unsuccessfully) to deal with a passive-aggressive coworker constructively. They also don’t need to know that you disliked the new manager the company promoted. 

But you should get across how much believing in company fit matters to you.

The Top 10 Best Entry Level Digital Marketing Jobs in 2021

[Image Source]

Are you trying to find the best entry level digital marketing jobs in Canada?

Or maybe you know you want to work in online marketing, but you’re not sure which specific area suits your skills and personality best.

Have no fear, because today’s guide will give you a roadmap to success!

We’re sharing the best entry level digital marketing jobs of 2021, along with a description of what each role is like, so you can discover the one that’s right for you.

You’ll also find links to job postings in some of these positions to give you a better idea of what employers are looking for in the perfect candidate.

The Top 10 Best Entry Level Digital Marketing Jobs in 2021

Check out these 10 entry level digital marketing job descriptions to narrow down your search and find the role you’ll thrive in:

1. Social Media Specialist

Be honest: do you find yourself on social media more often than not?

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing when it comes to online marketing! As it turns out, you can actually use your love of social media to your advantage.

In the role of social media specialist, you’ll be responsible for building out a company’s social media presence and growing its list of followers.

You’ll also be responsible for creating a content calendar to organize when each social post will launch. Then you’ll help drive followers to your company’s website through compelling posts with strong calls-to-action.

[Image Source]

You’ll also work with other team members in marketing to distribute their content across all their social media channels.

So you may be able to take all that time spent learning the ins and outs of social media and turn it into a job that you enjoy and pays well.

Psst! Learn what to look for when applying for social media jobs here!

2. Community Manager

A community manager overlaps some job responsibilities of a social media specialist, but it also has its own additional tasks that fall under the job description.

For example, on top of developing an editorial calendar and sharing social posts, a community manager is also responsible for engaging a company’s followers.

This means you’ll have to respond to any comments or questions left on your company’s posts. You’ll also work hard to spark conversations and make people feel as if they’re part of your community as you build it.

3. Content Writer

As the name suggests, content writers are responsible for creating written content for companies.

This can include writing blog articles, social media posts, website page content, newsletter and email messages, and even product descriptions.

If you’re someone who enjoys writing, this role could be a perfect fit for you.

4. Content Marketer

If you don’t want to write all day, but you enjoy doing that some of the time, a content marketer position could be a better fit.

In addition to writing, content marketers also manage a company’s overall content strategy.

This might include overseeing the social media and blog post editorial calendars and creating lead-generating campaigns.

[Image Source]

You might even have to manage some of the marketing team, including graphic designers, content writers, and social media specialists.

So this role may require solid leadership and teamwork skills.

5. Digital Marketing Specialist or Strategist

A digital marketing specialist and content marketer seem like similar roles, but there are some key differences.

While a content marketer is more focused on the content, digital marketers are all about the overall marketing strategy.

Not only are they responsible for creating campaigns and managing them, but they must also dive into the analytics and performance reports to see how their efforts can be improved upon.

This might include analyzing and boosting page views, click-through rates, email open rates, and other key performance indicators (KPIs).

So you can think of a digital marketing strategist as someone who optimizes marketing campaigns to improve their performance.

6. Digital Marketing Coordinator

The digital marketing coordinator role is less about optimizing campaigns or even writing them and more about organization and coordination.

So, in this position, you’ll be responsible for planning, executing, and managing all the different moving pieces in marketing to ensure everything runs smoothly and on schedule.

You may also be responsible for managing other team members’ workloads.

You’ll have to communicate the game plan to keep everyone on the same page. Then you’ll need to pay attention to whether they’re accomplishing their tasks or spreading themselves too thin.

7. SEO Specialist

Search engine optimization (SEO) specialists are focused on improving search rankings, so their company comes up first or close to the top of the page in search results.

To do this, you’ll be responsible for finding keywords to target based on market research. You also must ensure that the content on your company’s website is optimized for those keyword targets.

Then, you’ll monitor performance to see what you can improve to rank your company’s content as high up on the search results page as possible.

8. PPC Specialist

Pay-per-click (PPC) specialists are laser-focused on creating ad campaigns on Google and social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

You’ll likely be tasked with setting up and managing the ad campaigns, identifying keywords to target, creating the ads themselves, and overseeing the budget.

[Image Source]

Then, once you launch your ad campaign, you’ll monitor KPIs and make necessary tweaks to improve performance and reduce ad costs.

9. Growth Marketing Assistant

Growth marketing managers are all about helping companies quickly earn more revenue and catapult their expansion. An assistant, or the entry level position, helps support this goal and their efforts.

So you may be responsible for:

  • Collaborating with the team to keep the company’s growth on track

  • Supporting initiatives that drive sales and upsells

  • Handling marketing campaigns to ensure they’re generating sales

  • Managing lead generation programs

  • … and more!

You’ll then report your efforts to the Growth Manager, so they can see what needs to be adjusted. Then you’ll tackle their ideas to do so and report back.

10. Affiliate/Partnership Manager

If you work as an affiliate or partnership manager, you’ll be responsible for finding great people or brands to partner up with to promote your company’s product or service.

For example, if your company sells protein bars, you’ll try to work with fitness influencers, gyms, food bloggers, etc. You’ll send them free protein bar samples, and they’ll share their experience with their followers to expand your company’s reach.

Besides sourcing partnerships, you’ll also coordinate contracts and ensure that the affiliates follow your brand’s guidelines and represent it well.

You’ll keep doing this week after week to boost awareness of your company and drive sales through smart collaborations.

Final Thoughts on These Entry Level Digital Marketing Jobs

After reading the descriptions and core responsibilities for these 10 entry level digital marketing jobs, we hope you have a better idea of which ones might suit your personality and skill level best.

From here, you can work on applying to jobs in those specific categories.

Spruce up your resume to make sure you hit all the qualifications employers are looking for. You may even want to consider signing up for one of the best digital marketing courses and certifications to really stand out!

One last thing to note: Just because these jobs are technically “entry level” doesn’t mean they’re not worth your time.

They can serve as the perfect foundation to set you up for a long and successful career in digital marketing. So give one of these jobs we’ve listed today a shot, and see how far it takes you!

9 Design Skills You Need Before Looking For a Career in Design

[Image Source]

What are the top design skills employers are looking for?

Starting — or even considering starting — a career in design can be exciting and thrilling.

After all, working in this field allows you to use your creative juices every day (and get paid for it!). Building different campaigns throughout the year and partnering with different clients also means no two days are ever exactly the same, which is a refreshing change from a boring desk gig.

However, those kinds of perks mean jobs in design are incredibly competitive.

With so many people drawn to careers in graphic design, product design, UI/UX, web design, and more, you need to be at the top of your game to land your dream role.

And that requires having the right design skills under your belt.

So in this guide, we’ll run through the most in-demand skills hiring teams, recruiters, and the top employers are hoping to find on your resume.

If you have these design skills, you’ll be a step ahead of your competitors. And if you’re lacking a few, you can start working on them ASAP.

9 Design Skills You Need Before Looking For a Career in Design

These nine design skills are essential for anyone hoping to break into this field:

1. Technical Design Skills

Technical design skills refer to understanding basic design principles, such as balance, composition, contrast, etc. They also include knowing how to use modern design tools and software like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. 

Having an understanding of fonts and typesetting will also ensure that the messages in your designs are easily read and not ignored.

[Image Source]

Many companies look for candidates with a degree in art or design, which proves they’ve mastered these skills and can hit the ground running once hired. 

However, top companies like Apple and Google are doing away with college degree requirements. With the rise of online classes and YouTube tutorials, anyone can teach themselves these in-demand skills and excel in this field.

So as long as your designs are up to par, your potential boss won’t mind where you got your design skills from. But you do need these critical building blocks on your resume.

2. An Artistic Eye for Design

Even though having technical design skills is a must, you won’t get far if you don’t have an intrinsic eye for what looks good.

A quote from Pablo Picasso goes, “Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”

Someone with an artistic eye knows what works well together visually, easily identifies what looks off, and creates visuals that convey a powerful message — even if they break a few classic design rules.

So while you may not have an experienced eye for design just yet, you can hone in on this skill and develop it over time. 

Start with the foundations of design and then branch out into modern and experimental takes on these. 

Take a stroll through your local art museum or browse award-winning designs online. Keep a journal (or online collection) of designs you both admire and dislike. Think about what works/doesn’t work to refine your aesthetic. 

3. Plenty of Creativity

Creativity is all about using your design skills and artistic eye to come up with ideas for your client or employer out of thin air.

You may receive a single goal, theme, or jumping-off point to begin your process, or your boss may have minimal input and leave the direction entirely up to you. 

Then you’ll need to brainstorm ways to bring your ideas to life, either solo or during team meetings. You may need to present your thoughts or bounce dozens of ideas off your coworkers to develop the best route to take.

[Image Source]

You always need to be one step ahead of your competition by incorporating trends and creating new ones.

Many people don’t have this type of creative brainpower day in and day out, which is why it’s one of the most in-demand design skills. 

4. The Ability to Design on Demand

On top of thinking creatively quickly, you’ll also need to feel comfortable designing on demand.

Most design jobs won’t give you months to work on or tweak your creations until you think they’re perfect. You’ll need to get used to delivering high-quality work despite super fast turnaround times.

You’ll also find that changes and edits happen often, requiring you to switch gears with new design iterations or completely redesign something you loved.

So if you’re not comfortable designing on demand, a career in this field might not be a good fit. In this case, your design skills may be better used as a relaxing hobby or creative outlet.

5. Strong Communication Skills

You might not consider communication a must-have design skill, but you must effectively communicate to produce designs everyone loves.

First, you have to be a great listener. When your boss or client explains what they’re looking for in a design, you have to know how to translate those words into visuals.

You’ll also need to learn how to communicate your thoughts and articulate your ideas when you present them to clients, teammates, and higher-ups.

Your team may not have your design skills and background. So when you give them a hypothetical mock-up of what you’re thinking, you may need to convince them or provide an understanding of why you chose that direction for your work.

6. The Ability to Take Feedback and Constructive Criticism

Strong communication skills also play a big part in how well you receive constructive criticism and handle feedback — which is part of any job in design.

Maybe your team doesn’t get your vision. They may want you to scrap everything you’ve worked so hard on to go in a completely different direction. Or maybe your boss loved your ideas, but your client has a few notes and tweaks you’ll need to make. 

You can’t take this feedback personally.

Instead, you must be open to new ideas and willing to edit and adjust your designs to make everyone happy.

If you don’t like hearing criticism of your work or you’re not open to changing your original ideas, a career in design may not be for you. You may be better suited for the life of an independent artist who sells their work as-is.

7. The Ability to Quickly Pivot 

Another design skill that’s often overlooked is the ability to quickly pivot designs or direction at the drop of a hat.

Edits happen all the time, and you’ll need to not only expect them, but run with them when they land on your desk.

After you finish your initial design, for example, your client may have a better idea they want you to try. So you may need to present another option (or several) before they settle on the final concept or product.

[Image Source]

Being able to quickly and willingly pivot calls on your creativity, your ability to listen to feedback, and your design-on-demand skills.

So if you can do all this, you’ll gain a leg up on your competition and be much more attractive to employers.

8. Organizational and Time Management Skills

Finally, people in design roles must be able to manage themselves and their workloads if they’re ever going to succeed.

While you’ll have some flexibility in the role, you’ll likely find quick deadlines to be the norm. So you’ll need to learn how to keep yourself on track and prioritize tasks.

You also need to be able to keep your work organized as you go through multiple design iterations and revisions. Losing track of where you’re at will only slow you and your team down. 

The good news is that science shows creative people are also the most productive. So if you’re organized and have exceptional time management skills, hiring teams will snatch you up in a second.

Final Thoughts On The Top Design Skills

Having a career in design can be both fun and rewarding. But you need to have these nine key design skills under your belt to get there.

Checking off as many design skills as possible ensures that you attract the right attention from employers, recruiters, and hiring managers. 

Your resume, online design portfolio, and solid interview skills will then help you land a fantastic job in design you can thrive and excel in.

If you’re missing any of these design skills, spend some time building and sharpening them now, so you can snag the perfect design job when you see it.

We know you can do it!

How To Get Promoted At Work and Know Your Value

[image source]

Do you have a game plan for how to get promoted at work? 

You have to be crushing your job duties, for starters. And you have to catch the attention of higher-ups in charge of pushing candidates up the ladder.

So how do you get on their radar and prove you’re a stellar candidate for a new role, title, or position? And what do you do if you’re not getting promoted at work, despite all your hard work?

We’ll cover all these challenges and more in today’s guide. Follow our tips, and you’ll find yourself on the path of upwards success in no time.

How To Get Promoted At Work: 5 Tips To Get Noticed and Prove Your Value

You won’t find advice for how to get promoted at work that forces you to sacrifice a healthy work-life balance here. And we’re not going to tell you to grab your boss’s coffee every day either.

Instead, the following tips will help you become the best version of your professional self. So you’ll either become a prime candidate for a promotion or a leading contender for a new role elsewhere.

You can’t go wrong if you:

1. Clear and Plan Your Career Trajectory with Your Boss

Ideally, it’s best to outline your career path when you first onboard with a new company. Once you learn what’s expected of you in your current role, you can ask what will be required as you move up the hierarchy.

Have no fear if you didn’t get a chance to do this. Just set up a performance meeting with your boss or supervisor now. During this one-on-one:

Tell your boss you’d like to be considered for a promotion, but not like that. If you want to work in a specific position, express this ASAP, especially if it’s in a different department. Otherwise, simply telling your boss you’re ready for a new challenge may be enough. 

Learn what it takes to get a promotion. Find out what you can do to make yourself the best candidate for advancement. Ask your boss for clear guidelines (i.e., a specific certification, more experience, knowledge of using a particular tool, etc.) and how you can exceed expectations.

You can also request feedback about your job performance during this time. See what your boss considers your strengths/weaknesses. Ask how/where/what you can improve. Don’t leave your career up to chance; learn what needs to change to clear your way to the top.

[image source]

Create a highlight reel of your job performance. Keep a notebook or online document of all your biggest accomplishments in this position. Track each key performance indicator (KPI) you helped improve. Mark critical milestones you reached. Record anything boast-worthy.

You’ll use these points as leverage to back up why you deserve a promotion. This intel is also helpful when negotiating a higher salary and when you update your resume.

Schedule a follow-up together one, three, or six months later to discuss your performance again. Take your boss’s advice and track your progress as you work on the tasks set before you.

During your meeting, break out the information you gathered for your highlight reel that proves your value. Try to present this with easy-to-understand visuals. A colorful graph summing up all your achievements (i.e., campaign KPIs, sales revenue, etc.) gives your boss something to remember and impresses at the same time.

2. Take Your Career Skills Up a Notch

Earning a promotion means you’ll need to take on more responsibilities and move into a more vital role in your company. To boost your skill set and stand out from the rest of your peers, it pays to level up your skills.

So think about what your team, boss, and company value most. Consider what the team or company needs. Become a guru in any of these areas, and you raise the value of your own stock and help the company’s success too.

There are almost a million professional certifications you can earn (besides a college degree) to further your career development. So sign up for the best online courses and certifications and skill-up in your free time.

Don’t scoff at lateral moves. Also, shadow more. The more transferable skills you pick up on the job, the greater job mastery you display. And versatile employees become indispensable to companies. 

Learning the ins and outs of other departments gives you a more holistic understanding of your company. It also introduces you to other department heads who may want to snatch you up and promote you.

3. Always Be Up for a Challenge

You’ve proven your solid worth ethic. And you’ve mastered all the responsibilities in your current role. Now you’re ready for more. Here’s how to demonstrate that to your leaders:

Be proactive. Do you spot any inefficiencies that bottleneck your team’s progress? See things that drain productivity, add unnecessary costs, or hinder teammates from reaching their goals?

Create a strategy to solve these issues, and you’ll be a hero. You’ll also demonstrate that you’re a self-starter willing to tackle problems others didn’t even know existed.

Solve client problems ASAP. When you step up to prioritize and resolve issues for your clients, you also help your boss and make the company look good. You’ll earn mega bonus points here.

Be the first to speak up in meetings with intelligent questions and suggestions. Don’t be scared to ask questions about a project’s scope of work, the client’s needs, or the best strategy. Be confident in your creative ideas and solutions even if the rest of the team stays silent.

[image source]

Jump in as a leader. Accept leadership duties of projects, campaigns, or teams even if you weren’t asked to. Put yourself in a visible position to showcase your knowledge and executive decision-making abilities. 

Request “stretch assignments” that go beyond the scope of your current job title. You’ll have first-hand experience on these trial runs to preview what your work life may look like if you do get promoted. Acing these assignments will prove you’re ready for the tasks and workload a promotion brings.

4. Become Everyone’s Favorite Coworker

Would you rather work with someone happy to be there or someone who’s clearly miserable in their role? Happy coworkers radiate happy vibes to the rest of the team. So be easy to work with and:

Make your boss’s life easier. Take notice of little tasks and menial duties that your boss performs. These waste their valuable time and take them away from higher-level jobs. If you could do one of these occasionally, you’ll be a huge help and encourage your boss to trust you more.

Stay cool and calm under pressure. Letting your emotions get the best of you during a stressful situation shows a lack of professionalism and maturity. Leaders who let calmer heads prevail always inspire a better work environment.

So when obstacles arise, keep your mind open to new ideas rather than getting frazzled. And always stay out of office drama/gossip.

Get in the habit of recognizing your team. Leaders take credit when things go wrong and praise others when they go right. So shout-out your coworkers on Slack, via emails, or during your video calls for jobs well done. Your boss and coworkers will see you as an excellent team player.

[image source]

Mentor new team members. Take new hires under your wing and show them the ropes of how your crew collaborates, communicates, and follows internal procedures and corporate protocols. Make them feel welcome and encourage their growth and development (just like a leader would).

Add more fun to team-building. Do you have Slack channels for non-work-related chats with your coworkers? Do you have virtual happy hours or coffee breaks together? What about team retreats? 

Try to be more active in these types of team-building events. And if they’re currently non-existent, see if you can create or organize them in the future. 

Psst! Learn these secrets to improving your relationships with clients, bosses, and head honchos next!

5. Know Your Worth (and Take Your Value Elsewhere)

Finally, if you realize you’re not getting promoted at work despite your effort, it may be time to cut your losses. Not feeling valued is one of the biggest signs you’re ready to quit your job.

So if you’re truly ready to slay bigger giants, don’t stop yourself from looking for more challenging positions that will help you grow in your career and personal development. In fact, sometimes earning a promotion and a salary bump is actually easier when you switch employers. 

The time to hold yourself accountable for your career goals is now.

Create Your Plan For How To Get Promoted At Work Today 

Essentially, getting promoted at work is all about picking up new skills, demonstrating your value, and gaining the attention of higher-ups. So put together an action plan today, follow these tips, and you’ll be well on your way to a new position up the ladder.

If you can’t show your boss why you’re ready for a promotion, don’t hold yourself back from other fantastic opportunities to grow in your career. Get in the habit of checking FreshGigs.ca, a job board specializing in the best marketing, communications, tech, and design jobs in Canada. 

Your future is entirely in your own hands — and we know you got this!