Sales resume example and writing tips
Sales is not confined to a specific industry. It's a versatile skill set, and a professional sales resume can open doors to top opportunities in any industry—from tech and healthcare to retail and finance. Since it is rapidly evolving with advances in technology, your resume must highlight quantifiable achievements, industry-relevant keywords, and a modern, ATS-friendly format to stand out.
Our sales resume example below and expert writing tips will help you understand how to format your own resume to land the sales job you desire.
Creating your sales resume
Build a powerful sales resume that showcases your skills, grabs attention, and opens doors to top opportunities.
Sales resume sample
Why this sample sales resume works
A winning sales resume uses a clean, easy-to-read format that puts your most impressive accomplishments front and center. Because salesperson resumes are often screened by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), it’s critical to use sales keywords and industry abbreviations relevant to your target role. Here’s what makes this sample sales resume effective:
- Contact Information is Front and Center: Make it effortless for recruiters to reach you. Always include your email, phone number, and a LinkedIn profile link.
- Uses Measurable Data: Prove your impact with numbers—percentages, revenue generated, clients acquired, or quotas exceeded. Example: “Increased territory sales by 30% YOY” or “Generated $500K in new business in 2024.”
- Uses a Concise Layout: Keeps content brief—one to two pages is ideal, packed with essential information.
- Includes Action Verbs: It’s important to avoid passive phrases and show your proactive approach. Use strong verbs like:
- Designed
- Implemented
- Managed
- Refined
- Created
Tailor your resume to the right sales industry
Your salesperson resume should be customized to the specific industry you are applying to. Here are some considerations for various sales sectors:
- Retail: Highlight experience in direct customer engagement, sales, and merchandising. Emphasize metrics such as sales growth percentages, inventory management successes, and successful upselling or cross-selling initiatives.
- B2B Sales: Focus on your ability to build and maintain strong client relationships, emphasizing lead generation and conversion strategies. Include data that showcases revenue growth, contract negotiations, and your success in increasing pipeline value.
- Technology Sales: Showcase your technical knowledge and expertise in the products or solutions you sell. Highlight your solution-selling capabilities, including metrics related to deal sizes, contract values, and effective management of the sales cycle from prospecting to closing.
- Pharmaceuticals and Medical Sales: Illustrate your experience navigating industry regulations and compliance while demonstrating your ability to educate healthcare professionals. Include metrics that showcase market share growth, new client acquisitions, and successful territory sales expansions.
Top skills for sales resumes
Include both hard and soft sales skills on your resume for sales positions to maximize your appeal:
- Lead generation & prospecting
- Negotiation & closing
- CRM software proficiency (e.g., Salesforce)
- Relationship building
- Strategic planning
- Presentation & communication
- Market research
- Time management
- Pipeline management
- Adaptability
Final tips for crafting an effective sales resume
- Use industry-specific keywords and sales jargon.
- Quantify your achievements—show, don’t just tell.
- Stick to a one-page format for clarity and impact.
- Proofread for accuracy and professionalism.
- Update your resume summary and skills for each application.
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