How to Land a Job as a Social Media Manager: A Step-by-Step Guide

The demand for social media managers is growing fast as businesses rely on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to engage customers and increase sales. If you want to start a career in social media, this guide will show you exactly how to build skills, gain experience, and get hired—even if you have no prior experience.

1. What Does a Social Media Manager Do?

A Social Media Manager handles a company’s online presence across multiple platforms. Their responsibilities include:

• Creating content – Writing captions, making images, and producing videos.
• Scheduling posts – Planning when and where content will go live.
• Engaging with followers – Responding to comments, messages, and mentions.
• Tracking performance – Analyzing post engagement, reach, and conversions.
• Running ads – Managing paid social media campaigns.
• Staying updated on trends – Keeping up with platform changes and audience behaviors.

Businesses need experts who understand how social media works to grow their brand, attract customers, and drive sales.

2. Essential Skills for Social Media Manager Jobs

You don’t need a degree to land a job in social media management, but you do need to develop key skills:

• Writing & Copywriting → Creating engaging, clear, and compelling content.
• Graphic Design & Video Editing → Using tools like Canva, Adobe Express, CapCut, and InShot to create professional posts.
• Analytics & Performance Tracking → Understanding Facebook Insights, Instagram Analytics, Google Analytics, and LinkedIn reporting.
• Advertising & Paid Promotions → Running Facebook Ads, Instagram Ads, and LinkedIn campaigns.
• SEO for Social Media → Optimizing hashtags, keywords, and post structure for better reach.
• Community Management → Interacting with audiences, managing brand reputation, and handling customer inquiries.

If you’re serious about working on social media, these skills are non-negotiable.

3. Gain Experience Without a Job

Employers want proof that you can manage social media effectively. Here’s how to gain experience before applying for jobs:

→ Manage Your Own Social Media Account

• Choose a niche (fashion, fitness, tech, travel, etc.).
• Post consistently and experiment with different types of content (images, videos, carousels).
• Track engagement and analyze what works.
• Use trending hashtags and SEO strategies to grow your account.

→ Offer Social Media Services to Small Businesses

• Reach out to local businesses, cafes, gyms, or startups and offer to manage their social media.
• Create and schedule posts, engage with followers, and monitor performance.
• Work for 2-3 months for free or at a low cost to build experience.

→ Get Freelance Gigs

• Sign up on Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, Toptal, and PeoplePerHour to find paid social media work.
• Offer services like content creation, social media management, and ad setup.
• Start with low pricing to build a client base, then increase rates as you gain experience.

→ Take Online Certifications

• Google Skillshop – Learn social media advertising.
• Meta Blueprint – Master Facebook and Instagram Ads.
• HubSpot Academy – Free courses on social media marketing.
• Coursera & Udemy – Courses on content strategy, analytics, and community management.

The goal is to show employers that you can do the job, even before you officially get hired.

4. Create a Portfolio That Stands Out

A strong portfolio increases your chances of getting hired for social media manager jobs. Include:

• Screenshots of successful posts – Show growth in engagement, likes, and comments.
• Before-and-after reports – Demonstrate how you improved an account’s performance.
• Links to accounts you have managed – Even personal accounts with good engagement count.
• Case studies – Explain how you helped a brand grow through social media strategies.

Even if you haven’t worked for a company yet, you can analyze a brand’s social media and create a mock-up improvement plan as part of your portfolio.

5. Where to Apply for Social Media Manager Jobs

Once you have a portfolio, start applying for jobs. The best platforms include:

• LinkedIn Jobs → Search for "social media manager jobs" and set up alerts.
• Indeed, Glassdoor & We Work Remotely → Updated daily with remote and full-time opportunities.
• Unojobs → AI & ML job platform that also lists social media career opportunities.
• AngelList → Find jobs at startups looking for social media managers.
• Freelance Platforms → Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, PeoplePerHour for contract-based work.

Tip: Don’t just apply randomly—tailor your resume and portfolio to match each job description.

6. How to Ace a Social Media Manager Job Interview

Once you get an interview, preparation is key. Here’s how to stand out:

→ Research the Company

• Study their social media pages and analyze their engagement and content strategy.
• Identify what they are doing well and where they can improve.
• Prepare a mini strategy idea to discuss during the interview.

→ Be Ready to Answer These Questions

• How do you handle negative comments or customer complaints?
• What are the latest social media trends and how do you use them?
• How do you measure the success of a social media campaign?

→ Showcase Real Data & Results

• Bring engagement metrics and growth examples from your own accounts or past work.
• Employers prefer numbers over generic answers.

7. Keep Learning & Stay Updated

Social media is constantly evolving, so staying updated is crucial. Here’s how:

• Follow experts like Neil Patel, Gary Vaynerchuk, and Matt Navarra.
• Read industry blogs like Social Media Examiner and HubSpot Marketing.
• Join Facebook Groups and LinkedIn Communities for social media professionals.
• Take free or low-cost courses on Coursera, Udemy, and HubSpot Academy.

The best social media managers never stop learning.

8. Find Social Media Manager Jobs on Unojobs

If you’re serious about starting a career in social media, apply today. Unojobs connects professionals with job opportunities, including Social Media Manager roles.

→ Apply for Social Media Manager Jobs on Unojobs

Final Takeaways

A career in social media management is exciting, flexible, and filled with opportunities. If you follow these steps, you can land your first job in just a few months:

• Develop the right skills – Writing, design, analytics, and paid advertising.
• Gain real experience – Run your own account, help small businesses, or freelance.
• Create a strong portfolio – Show proof of results, growth, and strategy.
• Apply for jobs smartly – Use LinkedIn, job boards, and freelance platforms.
• Keep improving – Stay updated on trends and sharpen your skills.

Start today and take the first step toward your social media career!