In-Demand Social Media Manager Skills to Boost Your Resume in 2024

Social media managers manage an organization or brand’s social media presence. In this role, you plan, create, and monitor different types of content, from posts to blogs to videos. You also typically work as part of a larger marketing team. As a social media manager, you must also know how to analyze data and metrics to make sure the content is performing effectively. 

As more businesses try to reach their audiences online, this role is in demand and growing. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, marketing managers like social media managers can expect a 6 percent growth across the field from 2022 through 2032 [1]. 

Essential social media manager skills

Social media managers are responsible for multiple tasks and responsibilities that require dynamic skills, such as writing, research, reporting, and strategizing. While the exact skills you’ll need will be dependent on a specific employer, the following skills may help boost your resume so that you stand out among other candidates.

Technical skills

Social media managers need to have a strong background in the different elements that go into a successful digital marketing strategy. These technical skills include:

• Digital marketing: Understanding the foundations of a successful digital marketing strategy

• Social media experience: Familiarity with TikTok, Facebook, X, Instagram, and other social media platforms

• Copywriting and editing: The ability to write clear, concise, and professional content

• Graphic design: Experience with graphic design software

• Analytics: The ability to understand and distill analytics reports into usable data points

• Project management: Experience leading a team or collaborating with other marketing professionals to meet deadlines and implement strategies

Workplace skills

Workplace skills are skills you learn throughout your life through education, experience, and interactions with others. Some that are key to giving you an edge as a social media manager candidate include:

• Communication: The ability to communicate effectively and professionally, both with potential customers online and with fellow colleagues

• Creativity: Experience creating engaging, relevant, and dynamic social media content

• Flexibility: The ability to quickly problem-solve as issues arise and shift between urgent priorities as needed

• Ability to work independently: Self-motivated and driven, with the ability to monitor your own output with minimal oversight

• Time management: The ability to meet deadlines and work efficiently

The importance of data analytics for social media managers

Data analytics is key information that allows social media managers to create successful marketing campaigns. Analytics offers insight into how an audience interacts with social media content, such as through likes, comments, and shares. Analytics also show traffic, trends, and click-through rates. With this information, a social media manager can see which types of social media posts are working and which aren’t and how to adjust a marketing plan to reflect this information.

Without data analytics, social media managers wouldn’t be able to tell how effective a digital marketing campaign is. That’s why it’s so important for you to demonstrate the ability to successfully read analytics and then distill them into a marketing strategy that helps meet a business’s goals.

Benefits of social media analytics

The biggest benefit of social media analytics is that it provides insight into customer behavior. Typically, each social media platform offers its own analytics dashboard. These dashboards show you the different ways customers are engaging with your brand’s posts. With this information, you can identify high-value products and services, gauge customer satisfaction, encourage positive interaction between the brand and the audience, and establish your company as an authority that customers want to purchase from. Social media analytics allow you to create effective and efficient marketing strategies that help increase reach and profit.

How to gain or improve social media manager skills

Whether you’re starting from scratch or already have a background in social media, it’s important to continually learn about the newest platforms and techniques to be competitive in a growing field. Some methods of gaining or improving social media manager skills include the following.

Experience

Hands-on experience is a great way to develop your social media manager skills. This is achievable through employment in an entry-level position, such as a content curator or digital strategist. You can also serve an internship or work in an adjacent field like marketing or communications. You can also learn independently by participating in webinars and doing independent research.

Certifications

Certifications in specific aspects of social media management can set you apart from other candidates by demonstrating your skills as an expert. They can also help you keep your skills fresh, as social media is an ever-changing medium. Some relevant certifications to consider include:

• Hootsuite Academy Social Media Marketing Certification

• Hootsuite Academy Advanced Social Advertising Certification

• Boot Camp Institute Social Media Marketing Master Certification

• Meta Certified Digital Marketing Associate

• Meta Certified Creative Strategy Professional

• Salesforce Certified Marketing Cloud Social Specialist 

• HubSpot Academy's Social Media Marketing II Certification

• Global Communication Certification Council (GCCC) Communication Management Professional

Degrees

According to Zippia, 79 percent of social media managers have a bachelor’s degree [2]. Communication, business, marketing, and journalism are all good choices for majors to help you gain the skills you need to be successful in this role.

Professional Certificates

Companies like Google and Meta offer Professional Certificates, which you can earn online at your own pace. Professional Certificates are a smart choice because they often allow you to earn professional-level information from some of the top experts in the world. The Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate and Meta Marketing Analytics Professional Certificate on Coursera are two great examples.

How to demonstrate your skills on a resume and interview

Once you’ve brushed up on your social media management skills, the next step is to demonstrate your expertise on your resume and during your interview. The following tips can help you make a good impression on your future employer.

Resume tips

• Use a reverse chronological format so the most recent information is at the top.

• Add a personal statement or summary to your resume outlining key skills and experience.

• Highlight relevant social media experience by using action words and quantifiable achievements. 

• Further demonstrate your skills and personality by adding interesting or relevant hobbies, languages spoken, and volunteer work. 

Consider building a portfolio as well and placing a link to it in your contact information. Portfolios are key to demonstrating that you know how to put the skills you have to use.

Interview tips

• Practice answering common social media manager interview questions to feel comfortable and confident.

• Read over the job description and desired qualifications, and have concrete examples of how you meet them.

• When asked about social media experience, have hard numbers available; for example, “I increased our TikTok following by 40 percent in one quarter.”

• Focus on what you can bring to the organization rather than the skills or experience you lack.

• Research the company to tell the interviewer why you want to work for them.

• Go to bed early and get some high-quality sleep the night before your interview.

Getting started with Coursera

Social media managers are responsible for managing an organization's social media presence. The field is growing faster than jobs in many other industries. On Coursera, you’ll find courses and certificates that help you sharpen your skills, boost your resume, and be competitive in the social media management field. Start by exploring Meta’s Social Media Marketing Professional Certificate.