How to Write a Great Resume for a Sales Job

So, you want a sales job? Awesome! It all starts with your resume. Let's be real, a basic resume just won't cut it these days. You need a sales resume that really shows what you can do. Think accomplishments, skills, and why a company needs you. This guide is packed with tips, examples, and job search secrets to help you get noticed and land that dream job.

Why a Targeted Sales Resume is a Must

Sales is all about results, right? Your resume needs to scream "results!" Don't just list your tasks. Instead, show how you helped your past companies. A targeted sales resume will let you:

Highlight the right skills: Change your skills to fit what the job wants.
Show off what you've done: Use numbers to prove your success.
Prove you know sales: Use sales words to show you're an expert.
Make a great first impression: A good resume grabs attention.

What Makes a Winning Sales Resume?

A killer sales resume usually has these parts:

Read Also:How to Improve Your Resume

Your Info: Name, phone number, email, and LinkedIn.
Quick Intro: A short summary of who you are and what you want. (More on this later!)
Skills: What you're good at, both hard and soft skills.
Work History: Details about your past sales jobs and what you achieved.
Education: Your degrees, schools, and certifications.
Awards (If You Have Them): Did you win any awards for selling?

How to Write a Great Intro (Summary or Objective)

Your intro is your chance to shine! Here's how to write it:

Summary

Best for experienced sales folks. A summary shows off your biggest wins and what you're aiming for. For example:

"Sales pro with 5+ years crushing it in B2B software. Always beats goals, builds strong relationships, and grows revenue. Looking for a challenging role to use my skills to help a company succeed."

Objective

Good for new grads or career changers. An objective tells where you want to go and why you're a good fit. For example:

"Recent grad with great people skills, eager for a sales job at a good company. Ready to learn, work hard, and grow my sales skills."

Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills

Your skills section needs both hard and soft skills that match the sales job.

Hard Skills

These are technical skills specific to sales. Like:

CRM Software (Salesforce, HubSpot, etc.)
Finding Leads
Sales Predictions
Negotiating
Closing Deals
Knowing Your Product
Market Research

Soft Skills

These are people skills for building relationships. Think:

Talking and Writing Well
Listening Closely
Solving Problems
Managing Time
Convincing People
Building Relationships
Teamwork
Adapting to Change

Make sure your skills match what the job description says. Use those same words. It's a key resume writing tip!

Prove Your Success in Your Work History

This is the most important part of your sales resume. Show what you achieved and how you helped your past employers. Don't just list tasks. Use numbers! Instead of:

"Managed key accounts."

Try:

"Managed 50+ key accounts, growing revenue by 20% in one year."

More examples:

Beat sales goals by 15% in Q3 2023.
Brought in $500,000 in new business in my first year.
Improved customer loyalty by 10%.
Cut down customer loss by 5%.
Launched a new product that boosted sales by 25%.
Trained new team members, improving their sales.

Start each bullet with a strong verb to make your achievements pop. Like:

Achieved
Generated
Increased
Reduced
Developed
Managed
Negotiated
Closed
Exceeded
Implemented

Make Your Resume Look Good

How your sales resume looks matters too! Here's what to keep in mind:

Use a clean, easy-to-read font: Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman are good choices.
Keep the font size consistent: Use 11 or 12 for the main text and 14 or 16 for headings.
Don't overcrowd the page: Use white space to make it easy to read.
Use bullet points: To make your achievements stand out.
Stick to one or two pages: Unless you have tons of experience.
Proofread carefully: No typos!

Customize Your Resume for Each Job

This is one of the best resume writing tips: Tailor your resume for each job you apply for. Don't send the same resume to everyone! Read the job description and highlight the skills and qualities they want. Then, tweak your resume to emphasize those things.

This might mean changing your intro, adding or removing skills, or rewording your work history to show the achievements that are most relevant. It'll increase your chances of getting an interview.

Use LinkedIn to Find a Sales Job

LinkedIn is a powerful tool. It gives you job search tips and is crucial for sales professionals. Make sure your profile is current and shows off your skills and experience. Use a professional photo and write a good summary that highlights your strengths. Connect with recruiters and hiring managers in your industry and join groups. You can also research companies and find open positions on LinkedIn.

Sales Resume Examples

Looking at resume examples can give you ideas. Here are some snippets:

Example Summary:

"Sales Manager with 8+ years leading sales teams in tech. Proven ability to create sales strategies, build relationships, and exceed goals. Expert in SaaS, enterprise, and channel sales."

Example Bullet Point:

"Grew sales revenue by 30% by implementing a new sales process and training the team."

Example Skills Section:

Skills: Salesforce, HubSpot, Lead Generation, Sales Forecasting, Negotiation, Closing Techniques, Presentation Skills, Communication Skills, Relationship Building, Teamwork.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don't make these mistakes on your sales resume:

Typos: Always proofread.
Generic Language: Use numbers and specifics.
Irrelevant Info: Focus on what matters for the job.
Missing Keywords: Use the words from the job description.
Bad Formatting: Keep it clean and professional.

Final Thoughts: Your Resume is Your Sales Pitch!

Your sales resume is your first impression. Make it count! By following these resume writing tips and using the resume examples, you can create a winning resume. Use these job search tips and LinkedIn to boost your chances. Good luck!