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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Create a Sales
Resume in 5 Simple Steps

  • Step 1: Add Contact Info

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  • Step 2: Include Work Experience Details

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  • Step 3: Provide Education Details

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  • Step 4: Select Your Skills

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  • Step 5: Fill in Your Background

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Get Expert Writing Recommendations for Your Sales Resume

Writing a sales resume that will get you hired is easy with LiveCareer’s Resume Builder, which provides pre-written text suggestions to help you describe your experience and skills. Written by certified resume writers, you can use our suggestions as-is or modify them to meet your needs.

Here are some suggestions our builder may recommend for your sales resume:

  • Implemented up-selling strategies such as recommending accessories and complementary purchases to boost revenue.
  • Monitored metrics and marketing investments to assess performance and implement continuous improvements.
  • Conducted financial needs analysis, reviewed current coverage and suggested products to advance the client’s goals.

6 Dos and Don’ts for Writing a Sales Resume

  • Do use descriptive language. If you want to grab the attention of a recruiter in sales, you need to write a resume that is focused on what you’ll bring to the table both for the employer and for your prospective customer. Use vivid language that clearly describes what you have done and what you can do. Describe your contributions using words like, achieved, improved, initiated, motivated and influenced to stand out.
  • Do use numbers and data. When you want to prove your value, use numbers and data to flaunt your accomplishments and the impact your work has had. For example, rather than saying that you improved efficiency, write that you “Developed a new process that improved efficiency by 15 percent.”
  • Do tailor your resume to the job description. Hiring managers look for specific skills and experience. Examine the job description, select key requirements and tailor your resume to emphasize the attributes required by the employer. Think of this like customizing a sales pitch./li>
  • Don’t be inconsistent. Keep the structure of your resume concise and consistent. For example, if you begin every bullet point with a verb, don’t switch to starting with a noun halfway through. Like a good sales presentation, consistency makes your resume message clearer and more persuasive.
  • Don’t use an objective statement. Some older resume advice suggested using an objective statement. This is ineffective because it focuses on your goals rather than what you can offer the employer. Instead, write a professional summary that highlights the significant skills you bring to the new position.
  • Don’t use passive voice.An active voice keeps your resume concise and action-oriented. For example, write that you “monitored sales metrics” instead of “sales metrics were monitored.” The former sets a more dynamic and engaging tone.

Beat the ATS with These Sales Resume Skills

Many employers are using applicant tracking systems (ATS) to evaluate applicants. An ATS scans resumes for keywords and determines how relevant they are to the role. The hiring manager will only review the highest-ranking resumes. If you are applying to a sales department at a large corporation, expect an ATS to evaluate your resume. Even some smaller operations are beginning to use this technology.

The best way to pass an ATS is to focus on industry-standard skills and keywords pulled from the job posting. LiveCareer’s Resume Builder can help you write an effective sales resume by providing helpful keyword suggestions to help your resume pass through an ATS and into the hands of a recruiter.

Here are some suggestions our builder might make for your sales resume:

  • Prospecting
  • Buyer-seller agreement
  • Objection handling
  • Product demonstrations
  • Customer relationship management
  • Salesforce
  • Business development

Sales Resumes for Every Professional Level

Entry-Level
Telemarketer Resume Example Build my Resume

Telemarketer

This job seeker has relatively little experience, so he uses a functional resume format. This choice helps highlight his skills over his experience. He includes the most detail under his proficiencies rather than prior positions. This helps to make the focal point of the resume what he can do for the prospective employer instead of what he has done in the past. In his professional summary, he mentions his career goals. This is a common practice for people just starting their careers who may have fewer professional accomplishments to list in this section. Build my Resume

Mid-Career
Senior Sales Executive Resume Example Build my Resume

Senior Sales Executive

This senior sales executive has several years of experience and has gradually worked his way up from an entry-level position. Using a combination resume format helps him showcase his career progression and accomplishments while still making skills a major focal point. He also uses data, such as his 70 percent conversion rate, to make his resume more persuasive. Additionally, he highlights a summary of qualifications to make it as easy as possible for the reader to understand why he’s a good candidate. Build my Resume

Executive-Level
Director Of Sales And Business Development Resume Example Build my Resume

Director of Sales and Business Development

This job seeker has reached the executive level and has accumulated a long work history that includes several leadership positions. He uses a chronological resume format to help make his work history the centerpiece of the resume. Although he still includes a list of skills, his prior positions and professional accomplishments take center stage. Build my Resume

More sales resume samples

Find resume examples for your desired sales career. Get access to expert writing recommendations, do’s and don’ts and everything you need to write a perfect resume.

activation specialistagency field specialistappointment setterb2b salesb2b sales representativeb2c salesbdrbeer sales repbilingual sales representativecapital equipment salescarrier sales representativecellular saleschief sales officercisco pre sales engineerclient advisorcold callingconstruction salesconstruction sales representativeconsultative salescustomer development representativecutco sales representativedealer relationship managerdemonstratordigital sales managerdirect sales managerdirect sales supervisordirector of salesdirector of sales operationsdistributor sales consultantdistrict sales leaderdrive time sales advisorenergy sales representativeenterprise account managerexecutive team leader specialty salesfield sales representativegroup sales managerinbound sales specialistincentive selectorindependent distributorindirect dealer relationship managerindustrial salesindustrial sales managerindustrial sales representativeinside sales coordinatorinside sales managerinternational sales managerinternet sales managerinternet sales manager objectiveJunior Account ExecutiveJunior Account ManagerMedical Sales RepresentativeMedicare Sales Representativemembership sales representativemillwork sales specialistmulti channel sales assistantoffice manager car dealershipoutside salespro account representativepro account sales associatequotation specialistregional account managerregional director of salesregional sales directorregional sales manager, western regionrelief sales representativeremodeling sales consultantrental sales agentrental sales associateresellerroute sales and delivery driverroute sales driversaleswomansellersr account executiveterritory account executiveterritory account managerticket sellertimeshare salestoyota team membervice president of saleswholesale account managerwholesale sales
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Recommended
Sales Cover Letter

If you find this sample helpful, we have many more sales cover letter examples.

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Resume Success Stories

Statistics and Facts About Sales Jobs

Median Pay of Sales Workers

Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives$61660 per year
Sales Managers$124220
Insurance Sales Agents$50600
Sales Engineers$101419
013K26K39K52K65K78K91K104K117K130K
Source: Salary.com

Number of Sales Jobs by Title

Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives$1732400
Sales Managers$405700
Insurance Sales Agents$475900
Sales Engineers$66700
0175K350K525K700K875K1M1M1M1M1M
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Job Growth of Sales Jobs by Title

Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives$2 (Slower than average)
Sales Managers$5 (As fast as average)
Insurance Sales Agents$10 (Faster than average)
Sales Engineers$6 (As fast as average)
036912
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Average Age of Sales Workers

Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing45.1 years
Marketing and Sales Managers42.2 years
Insurance Sales Agents45.1 years
Sales Engineers44.8 years
01020304050
Source: DataUSA

Gender Diversity of Sales Workers

Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing

Female 29.5%

Male 70.5%

Marketing and Sales Managers

Female 47.4%

Male 52.6%

Insurance Sales Agents

Female 48.6%

Male 51.4%

Sales Engineers

Female 10.3%

Male 90.7%

Top Education Majors of Sales Workers

Business38.3%
Social Sciences8.22%
Communications7.35%
0816243240
Source: DataUSA

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