A sales resume is like your own personal advertisement, designed to emphasize the most compelling aspects of your career. It must demonstrate how your industry knowledge and communication skills come together to achieve sales targets. In this guide, we’ll offer tips and strategies to show potential employers you can build customer relationships and close a deal.
Key takeaways:
Often, hiring managers sift through dozens of applications to fill just one position, so you need to write a sales resume that stands out from the others. Start strong with a modern resume template. Your sales resume should include these sections:
The first thing hiring managers should see on your sales resume is your name and a few ways they can contact you. Provide your phone number, email address, and location, followed by a link to your LinkedIn profile. This ensures you can be easily reached for further questions or to continue the application process with an interview.
Your Name
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
City, State Abbreviation Zip Code
LinkedIn
Think of the profile section as the opening pitch to your resume. To grab the attention of hiring managers and make them want to know more, start strong by including key details about who you are as a sales professional. Display your job title, years of experience, and any industry expertise or specializations that set you apart.
For instance, perhaps you led a major sales campaign or have specialized knowledge of a product or service in the employer’s industry. Include these details in your profile. Consider what the employer is looking to add to their sales team, and adjust what you include here to speak to the needs of the company.
Strategic sales leader known for driving double-digit revenue growth across the technology and fintech sections. Focused on incorporating data-driven insights to inform sales methodologies and empowering sales teams of up to 50 members to perform at their peak.
Passionate sales associate and marketing professional with a three-year background in customer service. Focused on understanding customer needs, using knowledge to drive sales and increase engagement. Quick learner who prioritizes customer satisfaction through personalized service, friendly demeanor, and product expertise.
A results-driven professional experience section should include the most engaging aspects of your sales career so far. Hiring managers want to know you have the track record necessary to drive the business forward, meeting or exceeding their sales targets. Use bullet points to outline impressive career achievements and demonstrate your sales acumen.
While you’re often closing deals on your own, it takes a team of professionals to succeed. Describe times you’ve worked cross-functionally to achieve a goal. Or, perhaps you’ve taken on responsibility as a team lead. Emphasize any leadership abilities to show you have the potential for professional development.
Senior Sales Strategy Associate, Snowflake Inc., Bozeman, MT
February 2018 – present
Sales Associate, Alo Yoga, Boston, MA
May 2019 – present
Your professional experience encompasses more than the daily responsibilities listed in a job description, and employers need to see evidence of your career success. Establish your sales credibility by including specific numbers and metrics. Quantifying your accomplishments demonstrates an ability to achieve measurable results that impact the company’s bottom line.
Although your resume is about you, it should be written with your prospective employers in mind. As a sales professional, you know all about helping customers find solutions. So, apply this theory to yourself. Be the solution to a company’s problem by customizing your sales resume to meet the hiring manager’s needs.
You can do this by tailoring each resume you send out. Use keywords from job listings to feature certain skills above others and use specific company language. For example, if the job ad mentions “lead generation,” include that phrase somewhere in your resume. Provide specific examples of times you successfully implemented lead-generation campaigns.
Even if you don’t have direct sales experience yet, you likely have plenty of transferable abilities to leverage. Skills and experience gained in customer service jobs, mentorships, and school will be an asset to any sales resume. Let’s review how you can dig deeper and mine your professional history for sales-compatible experience:
While many entry-level sales positions require a high school diploma, management positions will often demand a four-year degree. However, most hiring managers are most interested in seeing that you have the necessary sales experience. No matter your level of education, start with your highest academic achievement first. Include the school name, location, and dates of attendance.
To stand out from other sales professionals, include any relevant certifications you’ve earned. An industry-related credential that shows you’re an expert in the field or proof of proficiency in a common software program can help differentiate you from other well-qualified candidates.
Template:
[Degree Name]
[School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
Example:
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Business Administration
Georgia Tech, Atlanta, GA | June 2017
Template:
[Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Example:
Certified Salesforce Sales Cloud Consultant, Trailhead, 2022
Whether you’re a sales representative or team leader, adding a key skills section to your sales resume communicates your essential abilities in a way that’s easy to read. Organize your skills into a bulleted list, highlighting the most relevant qualities required for the job. Include both hard and soft skills on your resume, as your industry know-how and interpersonal skills are equally important.
Hard Skills | Soft Skills |
---|---|
Customer relationship management (CRM) software (HubSpot, Salesforce, Zoho) | Account prioritization |
Email automation | Coachability |
Market research and buyer persona development | Consultative sales approach |
Point of sale (POS) systems | Cross-functional engagement |
Real-time sales forecasting | Emotional intelligence |
Sales call coaching | Proactive lead generation |
Sales data analysis and visualization | Storytelling |
Keep your language concise by using action verbs. Instead of using first-person language (e.g., “I was responsible for upselling…”), begin sentences that describe your accomplishments with an action verb. This will make a greater impact by strategically using your words to show your achievements. Below you’ll find examples of action verbs you can use in your sales resume:
Action Verbs | |
---|---|
Achieved | Closed |
Demonstrated | Developed |
Drove | Enhanced |
Exceeded | Expanded |
Generated | Grew |
Implemented | Increased |
Negotiated | Optimized |
Persuaded |
You need a template that will sell your skills well. A resume is your chance to make a good first impression on hiring managers, so make it count. The best resume template for a sales professional is clean and well-structured. Avoid those that look too busy, cluttered, or colorful. Well-designed templates draw the reader’s focus to what is most important — your sales accomplishments and qualifications.
Janet Lewis
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
City, State Abbreviation zip code
LinkedIn | Portfolio
Passionate sales associate and marketing professional with a three-year background in customer service. Focused on understanding customer needs, using knowledge to drive sales and increase engagement. Quick learner who prioritizes customer satisfaction through personalized service, friendly demeanor, and product expertise.
Sales Associate, Alo Yoga, Boston, MA
May 2019 – present
Marketing Intern, Google, Boston, MA
May 2019 – August 2019
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Marketing, June 2019
Emerson College, Boston, MA
You may be surprised to find out that employment for sales professionals is expected to decline over the next 10 years. Although competition will be tough for the newest positions, there will be nearly 2 million annual job openings to replace workers who leave the industry. To stand out from other applicants, align your resume with the job ad you’re responding to.
First, identify exactly what the employer is looking for in a sales professional so you can include the most relevant information. For example, suppose you’re applying to a tech company that needs someone who specializes in Software as a service (SaaS) sales. In that case, if you had SaaS experience, you would highlight how you’ve done things like optimize sales processes and improve engagement in that space.
The chronological format is often the best choice for a sales resume as it follows your progressive work history and growth in the field. Hiring managers can quickly grasp your career trajectory and observe how you’ve developed your sales skills over time. This format gives you the space to elaborate on past sales achievements and showcase your expertise in specific industries or markets.
Close the deal and increase your chances of landing an interview with a sales cover letter. Once you’ve finished your resume, craft a compelling cover letter to accompany it. Adding this personal touch to your application gives hiring managers insight into why you’re the best sales professional to help the company achieve its goals.
ResumeTemplates offers free, HR approved resume templates to help you create a professional resume in minutes. Choose from several template options and even pre-populate a resume from your profile.