DünyaEkonomiİlginç Bilgiler

Sales Resume – Example & Writing Guide for 2020

0

Sales Resume – Example & Writing Guide for 2020

You are a sales representative.

You use your skills to sell products or services to customers and companies.

But you get confused when it comes to creating a persuasive resume.

How do you provide a resume of a sales representative?

Surely it’s no different than a resume for any other profession, right?

Fortunately, this guide will answer all your questions. In fact, we take you through a simple step-by-step process to create a sales resume with a super high conversion rate.

Specifically, we will cover:

  • An example of a finished sales resume that worked
  • How to write a resume for salespeople to fill out your interview diary?
  • How you can make your sales representative highlight their resume [with the most important tips and tricks]

Before we get into the finer details, here is an example of a sales resume created with our own online resume maker:

sales resume sample
sales resume page 2

Build Yours Now

Looks good, right ?! Follow the steps below to create a sales representative resume with results like in the example above.

How to Format a Sales Representative Resume

Before you surprise the employer with your broad sales expertise, you need to choose the best format.

Basically, you need to make your resume easy to read.

You will also want to highlight your main strengths based on choosing the right format for your particular situation.

If you want to impress, the “reverse chronological” resume format is recommended. Essentially, it puts your last and most important powers at the top, which allows the recruiter to see your value instantly. We recommend that you start with this format. How do you write a sales rep on a resume?,#What should I put on my resume for sales?,#How do you write a good resume in 2020?,#How do you list sales experience on a resume?,#What are 3 characteristics of effective salespeople?,#What are good sales skills?,#How do you write a killer resume?,#What are the latest trends in resume writing?,#What is the best resume template?,#What is a good summary for a resume?,#What is a good objective to put on a resume?,#What are good keywords for a resume?,#How do you describe sales skills on a resume?,#How would you describe your sales experience?,#What would be considered sales experience?,#Is sales a hard skill?,#How do you describe sales skills?,#Are sales skills valuable?,#What is a good summary for a resume with little experience?,#What is a headline or summary on a resume?,#What is a good summary?,#What are employers looking for in 2020?,#How long is a 2020 resume?,#What is the best resume format to use in 2019?

reverse chronological format sales

The following resume formats are also getting our approval:

  • Functional Resume – This form of resume is recommended if you are confident in your sales skills but have no experience
  • Combination Resume – Use this format if you are an experienced salesperson combining both “Functional” and “Reverse Chronological” formats

After choosing your format, you need to edit your resume layout.

Use a Sales Representative Resume Template

Here’s the bitter truth –

If your CV is not formatted correctly, you will not be able to get any sales job.

It needs to be crawled by both humans and robots.

You can use Word, but the resume format is at risk of falling apart with a single change.

If you want to bypass formatting issues, use a sales representative resume template.

What to Include in a Sales Representative Resume

The main sections on a sales representative resume are:

  • Work experience
  • Contact information
  • Skills
  • Education

Would you like to go a step further? You can also add these optional sections:

  • Awards and Certificates
  • Languages
    interests and hobbies

It sounds great, but what are we writing for each of these episodes?

  • Read on to learn how.

Would you like to know more about CV sections? View our guide on What to Write on Resume.

How to Correctly Display your Contact Information

Unlike your sales presentations, this section doesn’t require skills.

But it must be true according to the facts.

A misplaced number can completely destroy your chances of getting a phone call.

The contact information section should include:

Correct Example:

  • Phillip Green – Sales Representative. 101-358-6095. philgreen@gmail.com

Incorrect Example:

  • Phillip Green – Superhero Salesman. 101-358-6095. salesmanphil@gmail.com

How to Write a Sales Representative Resume Summary or Objective

Just like a customer browsing through the products on the shelf, the hiring manager will only look at each resume for a few seconds.

Though worrying, this fact highlights the importance of a resume that makes a big impact in the first few sentences.

But how can you do that?

Using a resume summary or goal.

These are short, quick paragraphs at the top of your resume, just below your contact information.

sales resume summary

But how do the two differ and which one should you choose?

A resume summary is a 2-4-sentence summary of your professional experiences and achievements.

Sales Representative Resume Summary Example

  • Experienced salesperson with a strong track record in increasing sales for a diverse customer base. Striving to leverage solid sales skills and extensive technology knowledge to become the Random Technology Store’s senior sales representative Notable achievements include generating sales of over $ 250,000 each fiscal quarter, maintaining relationships with more than 15 major contractors and increasing gross profit by 42% from 2017 to 2019.The resume goal is a 2-4-sentence snapshot of what you want to achieve professionally.

Sales Representative Resume Objective Example

  • Motivated individual with passion and broad knowledge of game technology, aiming to become the new sales representative of Random Technology Store. The experience includes working as a sales representative to help customers find products, answer stock questions, and promote their store reward program.

So which is the best, summary or objective? How do you write a sales rep on a resume?,#What should I put on my resume for sales?,#How do you write a good resume in 2020?,#How do you list sales experience on a resume?,#What are 3 characteristics of effective salespeople?,#What are good sales skills?,#How do you write a killer resume?,#What are the latest trends in resume writing?,#What is the best resume template?,#What is a good summary for a resume?,#What is a good objective to put on a resume?,#What are good keywords for a resume?,#How do you describe sales skills on a resume?,#How would you describe your sales experience?,#What would be considered sales experience?,#Is sales a hard skill?,#How do you describe sales skills?,#Are sales skills valuable?,#What is a good summary for a resume with little experience?,#What is a headline or summary on a resume?,#What is a good summary?,#What are employers looking for in 2020?,#How long is a 2020 resume?,#What is the best resume format to use in 2019?

Whether you choose a summary or a goal will depend on your experience as a sales representative. Those with a strong background on the sales floor should go with a resume summary, while those with sales skills but lacking industry experience should pick a goal.

Pro Tip

  • As a sales representative, you know the benefits are being sold. Therefore, make clear how your experiences and skills will HELP the company.How Do You Highlight Your Sales Work Experience?The employer is looking for someone who can sell.

    And when we say sell, we mean SELL.

    The easiest way to prove that you can sell ice to Eskimos is through your work experience.

    Here’s the best way to structure your work experience section:

  • Position Name/Title
  • Company Name
  • Dates
  • Responsibilities & Achievements

Here is an example:

Functional Resume: Template, Examples, and Writing Guide

Sales Representative

WeSellCars Ltd.

03/2015 – 06/2020

  • Generated sales of over $ 250,000 each financial quarter
  • Maintained relationships with more than 15 major contractors
  • Gross profit increased by 42% from 2017 to 2019
  • Manage all company product promotions and submitted

To truly sell your value, you must focus on your best achievements rather than your daily tasks.

Instead:

“Potential sales”

Say:

“It generated sales of over $ 250,000 each financial quarter.”

Simply put, the first statement is very vague. It shows that you are responsible for the sales, but it doesn’t say if you are actually selling something.

The second statement indicates that you have managed to sell in large numbers and consistently. Difficult numbers that prove your skills – you can’t argue with this one!

What if You Don’t Have Work Experience?

Perhaps you are a graduate looking for your first sales job?

Or maybe you have experience in sales related jobs but never as a sales representative?

Do not worry –

List all previous job responsibilities most relevant to the job description.

Even if you don’t have an official sales representative job title, that doesn’t mean you don’t have relevant experience or skills.

Are you just graduated? Be sure to check out our student resume guide!

Use Action Words to Make Your Sales Resume POP!

  • “Made”
  • “Worked”
  • “Managed”

… Are common words that the recruiter sees over and over again.

However, you want to differentiate your resume from the competition, which means using strong words to make your achievements stand out:

  • Conceptualized
  • Determined
  • Formulated
  • Initiated
  • Spearheaded

How to Correctly List your Education

Next, it’s time to talk about your education.

Depending on the job you are applying for, you may need a degree or a high school diploma.

Those with impressive sales success may not need to impress with their education at all.

There is nothing too complicated in this section, just list the basics in the following format:

  • Degree Type & Major
  • University Name
  • Years Studied
  • GPA, Honours and relevant courses.

Here’s what it should look like:

B.A. in Strategies in Sales Management

University of Michigan

2012 – 2016

  • Related Courses: Creating Sales Forecasting and Budget, Developing Strategic Relationships with Large Customers, Managing Sales Change, Developing and Using Customer Insight
  • GPA: 3.8

We understand that you may have other questions. So here are the answers to some of the most common questions we come across:

What if I have not yet finished my studies?

  • Whether you’re a sales graduate or still studying, you should mention every academic year to date.

Should I include my high school education?

  • Include only your highest form of education; If you haven’t attended university you will most likely have a high school education

What is more important, my education or experience?

  • Your experience in sales is the most important, so they start first.Be sure to check out our guide on how to list training on a resume.

Top 15 Skills for a Sales Resume

A top sales rep can demonstrate their skills based on the number of sales they convert.

However –

If you don’t include the right skills in your resume, you won’t even get to that stage.

Some of the most common sales skills employers will look for include:

  • Product Knowledge
  • Rapport Building
  • Time Management
  • Product Presentation
  • Contract Negotiation
  • Closing Sales
  • Teamwork
  • Prospecting
  • Empathy
  • Public Speaking
  • Persuasion
  • Listening
  • Problem Solving
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Adaptable

Here is a more comprehensive list of over 100 must-have skills this year.

Best Resume Examples Listed by Type and Job

What Else Can You Include?

We’ve now covered every essential resume section.

But ask yourself a question –

Have you made enough to sell?

You need your resume to stand out!

Adding additional sections can actually complete you as a candidate.

Awards & Certifications

Did you win the salesperson of the month?

Have you completed any course to improve your sales skills?

If you said yes to any of the above, don’t forget to mention them in your resume!

Here is an example:

Awards & Certificates

  • “The Art of Sales” – Coursera Certificate
  • “Public Speaking Masterclass” – MadeUpUniversity

Languages

As a sales representative, you will communicate with a different customer base.

Therefore, it can be helpful to know other languages.

Either way, being able to speak a second language is always an impressive skill for a hiring manager, so feel free to add a language section if you have a place.

Sort languages by proficiency:

  • Native
  • Fluent
  • Proficient
  • Intermediate
  • Basic

Interests & Hobbies

This section requires a sentence about what you like to do while not working.

Doing this allows the hiring manager to see what type of person you are.

This section also adds a more personal touch to your resume.

Here are hobbies and interests you might want to mention.

Include a Cover Letter with Your Resume

Would you like to increase your chances of getting an interview?

Include a cover letter with your resume.

Cover letters are still an important part of the recruiting process.

A cover letter is a specific and personal piece of content.

Unlike an applicant who sends a general resume to each company, a cover letter shows the hiring manager that you care about working for his company.

Here is the winning formula:

cover letter structure sales

You should complete the following sections:

Personal Contact Information

Your full name, profession, email, phone number, location.

Hiring Manager’s Contact Information

Full name, position, location, email

Opening Paragraph

It’s no secret that recruiters review applications. Therefore, your opening paragraph should be extremely powerful. Use short language to talk about:

  • The position you are applying for
  • Your summary of experience and your best success to date

The Body

Once you have aroused the reader’s interest, you can dive deeper into the following details:

  • Why did you choose this private company?
  • What do you know about the company
  • How are your best skills relevant to the job?
  • In which similar sectors or positions have you worked before?

Closing Paragraph

  • Do not end the conversation suddenly, you should:
  • End the points specified in the body paragraph
  • Thank the hiring manager for the opportunity
  • Finish with a call to action. This is a good way to start a chat. A simple “At the first opportunity, I’d like to discuss more about how I can help company X” will work

Formal Salutations

Finish the letter professionally. Something like “Best Regards” or “Yours Respectfully”.

For more inspiration, read our step-by-step guide on how to write a cover letter.

Key Takeaways

Congratulations!

If you combined your sales skills with the above advice, you must have convinced the recruiter to interview you.

Before leaving, let’s sum it all up:

  • Correctly format your sales resume. Prioritize reverse chronological format and then follow content layout best practices
  • Start your resume with a summary or goal to get the recruiter’s attention
  • Highlight your best sales success instead of your daily tasks
  • Use your sales skills to write a compelling cover letter

Accountant Resume – Writing Guide & Example for 2020

Previous article

Best Resume File Type for 2020 – PDF vs Word [+Templates]

Next article

You may also like

Comments

Comments are closed.

More in Dünya