Media Buyer Resume Guide

Introduction

In 2025, crafting a resume that highlights the right keywords for a media buyer position in sales is essential for passing applicant tracking systems (ATS). A well-optimized resume ensures your skills and experience are recognized during initial screenings, increasing your chances of landing interviews. This guide provides practical advice for highlighting relevant keywords and structuring your resume effectively for ATS in the media buying sales niche.

Who Is This For?

This guide is designed for experienced media buyers aiming to advance their careers or switch companies within the sales domain. Whether you are based in North America, Europe, or elsewhere, the principles here apply universally. If you are a seasoned professional with a few years of dedicated media buying experience, this guide will help you optimize your resume for ATS and human reviewers alike. It’s equally valuable for those returning to the workforce after a break or transitioning from related roles such as digital marketing or advertising sales.

Resume Format for Media Buyer in Sales (2025)

Use a clear, traditional format with the following order: Summary, Skills, Experience, Projects/Portfolio (if applicable), Education, Certifications. Keep your resume to one or two pages based on your depth of experience. For more than five years in media buying, a two-page resume is acceptable; for less, stick to one page. Highlight key campaigns, client successes, or relevant projects under a dedicated section. Include links to an online portfolio or LinkedIn profile if possible, especially when showcasing campaign results or media planning work.

Role-Specific Skills & Keywords

To maximize ATS compatibility, incorporate keywords relevant to media buying in sales, such as:

• Media planning and buying
• Programmatic advertising
• Digital ad campaigns
• Cost-per-click (CPC) & Cost-per-acquisition (CPA)
• Audience targeting & segmentation
• Ad platforms (Google Ads, Facebook Ads Manager, LinkedIn Ads)
• Data analysis & attribution
• ROI optimization
• Campaign management
• Negotiation skills
• A/B testing
• Budget management
• CRM integration
• Performance metrics analysis
• Bid management tools

Use these keywords naturally within your skills section and experience descriptions. Incorporate synonyms like “ad purchasing,” “media strategy,” or “campaign optimization” to cover various ATS search variations.

Experience Bullets That Stand Out

Create concise, metric-driven bullet points emphasizing your impact:

• Managed multi-channel digital ad campaigns with budgets exceeding $X, resulting in a ~Y% increase in conversions.
• Implemented programmatic buying strategies that improved targeting accuracy, reducing cost-per-acquisition by ~15%.
• Negotiated media buys with vendors, securing discounts that saved ~20% on projected costs while maintaining campaign performance.
• Analyzed performance data across platforms to optimize bids, resulting in a ~10% uplift in ROI.
• Developed audience segmentation strategies, increasing targeted reach by ~25% and engagement rates by ~12%.
• Led A/B testing initiatives to refine ad creatives and placements, improving click-through rates by ~18%.
• Coordinated with sales teams to align media strategy with revenue goals, contributing to a ~15% growth in client conversions.

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Common Mistakes (and Fixes)

• Vague summaries: Avoid generic phrases like “responsible for media buying.” Instead, specify your scope and achievements with metrics.
• Dense paragraphs: Use bullet points for clarity; ATS favors scannable formats.
• Lack of keywords: Incorporate role-specific terms naturally throughout your professional experience.
• Overloading with graphics/tables: Keep formatting simple; ATS parsers struggle with heavy visuals or complex layouts.
• Outdated skills: Regularly review and update your skill list to include current platforms and methods, like programmatic and AI-driven ad tools.

ATS Tips You Shouldn't Skip

• Save your resume as a Word document (.docx) or PDF, depending on the employer’s preference, but ensure compatibility.
• Use clear section labels like "Skills," "Experience," and "Certifications" for easy parsing.
• Incorporate keywords and their synonyms throughout your resume, matching the job description.
• Keep spacing consistent; avoid text boxes, tables, or unusual formatting that can hinder ATS readability.
• Use past tense for previous roles and present tense for current responsibilities.
• Name your file with your full name and the role, e.g., Jane_Doe_MediaBuyer_2025.docx.

Following these guidelines will improve your chances of passing ATS filters and catching a recruiter’s eye as an experienced media buyer in sales.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What keywords should I include in my resume for a Media Buyer position?

To optimize your resume for media buying roles, incorporate keywords like 'media planning,' 'programmatic advertising,' 'digital ad campaigns,' and 'ROI optimization.' Use variations such as 'ad purchasing' or 'media strategy' to cover different ATS searches. Focus on metrics and achievements.

2. How should I structure my experience section in a Media Buyer resume to stand out?

Highlight your media buying expertise with bullet points detailing your responsibilities, achievements, and metrics like CPC/CAP or conversion rates. Use clear headings like 'Media Buying' and quantify your impact.

3. What are the most important skills for a Media Buyer role?

Key skills include programmatic ad buying, audience targeting, data analysis, budget management, and A/B testing. Emphasize how these skills drive results and improve ROI.

4. Should I tailor my resume to each job application or keep it consistent?

Tailor your resume slightly for each application by emphasizing relevant experience and achievements. Keep a consistent structure but adjust the content to reflect each job's specific requirements.

5. How can I make my resume more impactful when applying for Media Buyer roles?

Include metrics like CTR, CPC/CAP, or conversion rates to showcase your impact. Highlight achievements and results-driven strategies that align with the job description.