How To Write a Sales Account Executive Resume

As a sales account executive, your resume must demonstrate your ability to build and maintain client relationships while driving revenue growth. Showcase your background exceeding sales targets and collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams. Feature your knowledge of consultative and strategic selling techniques to drive new revenue opportunities. In this guide, we’ll show you how to craft a sales account executive resume highlighting your accomplishments, focusing on the most compelling aspects of your career in sales.

  • Entry-Level
  • Mid-Career
  • Senior-Level
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1. Write a brief summary of your sales account executive qualifications

Hiring managers don’t have enough capacity to read every resume on their desks thoroughly. Providing key qualifications early on in your profile is a great way to grab their attention. Ensure your background isn’t lost by showcasing relevant skills and experience at the top of your resume. Begin by stating your job title, years of experience, and a few skills to establish your reputation as a sales leader in your industry.

For example, suppose you played a crucial role in expanding sales territory. Mention how you identified and penetrated untapped market verticals, subsequently increasing revenue. If you have a strong history of generating new business opportunities, discuss your ability to establish strategic partnerships with key industry players.

Senior-Level Profile Example:


Sales account executive with over 10 years of professional experience, specializing in account management, business development, and consultative sales. Proven track record of building multi-million-dollar customer pipelines and driving growth for enterprise accounts. Adept at collaborating with C-level executives and cross-functional teams to develop sales strategies and drive penetration across market verticals.

Entry-Level Profile Example:


Sales professional with entry-level work experience, specializing in customer service, relationship building, retail sales, and client relations. Adept at collaborating with diverse teams to enhance customer experience and drive sales revenue.

2. Outline your sales account executive experience in a compelling list

Create an effective professional experience section using an accomplishment-driven approach, highlighting your career achievements instead of job responsibilities. Demonstrate the real impact of your contributions by incorporating quantifiable data, metrics, and monetary figures wherever possible. Show potential employers you can deliver tangible results and create value for your clients, teams, and organizations.

Remember, relationship building is central to a sales account executive role. Emphasize instances where you’ve gone above and beyond to understand client needs, provide personalized solutions, and ensure ongoing satisfaction. Provide tangible examples of you identifying opportunities to expand account growth and drive new business.

Senior-Level Professional Experience Example:


Sales Account Executive, Accelerate Software, Philadelphia, PA

June 2017 – present

  • Oversee more than 35 enterprise customer accounts generating over $20 million in yearly revenue, build strategic partnerships with Fortune 500 clients, and lead initiatives to drive business development efforts and accelerate account growth
  • Lead sales meetings with C-level executives to close new business
  • Serve as the point of contact for client accounts and identify value-added services to drive customer success, which has improved account growth by 25% on average
  • Lead a team of over 10 account executives, provide training and mentorship on sales best practices, and deliver support throughout the sales cycle

Entry-Level Professional Experience Example:


Sales Associate, Clothing Outlet Inc., Philadelphia, PA

January 2018 – present

  • Provide sales support and fashion advice to customers
  • Generate monthly sales revenue ranging from $10,000 to $15,000 by collaborating with customers to identify optimal products
  • Coordinate with senior leaders and diverse teams to manage merchandising initiatives for the store
  • Exceed weekly customer satisfaction key performance indicators (KPIs) by delivering outstanding service and evaluating client needs

3. Add your sales account executive education and certifications

Hiring managers will primarily look to your experience section to determine your suitability for the role. However, an academic background can bolster your qualifications and make you a more attractive candidate. In addition to your education, include any relevant certifications you’ve obtained as a sales professional.

If you’re a senior sales account executive, a certification like Certified Professional Sales Leader (CPSL) will establish your knowledge of the latest sales leadership strategies. For entry-level professionals, the Certified Professional Sales Person (CPSP) designation can prove you have the necessary foundational knowledge to excel in the role.

Education

Template

  • [Degree Name]
  • [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] – [Graduation Month and Year]

Example

  • Bachelor of Science in Marketing
  • Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA, September 2015 – May 2019

Certifications

Template

  • [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization] – [Completion Year]

Example

  • Salesforce Certification, Salesforce.com, 2014

4. Make a list of your sales account executive-related skills and proficiencies

Many employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) software to automate the initial stages of the hiring process. This technology helps determine which applicants stand out as the best candidates. Your skills section is a great place to incorporate ATS-friendly keywords and align your resume with the job you’re applying for. Check out the skills and keywords listed below to get familiar with common terms you may encounter as you write your sales account executive resume:

Key Skills and Proficiencies
Account management Business development
Client engagement Client relations
Cold calling Cross-functional leadership
Customer relationship management (CRM) software Customer success
Inbound sales and outbound sales Lead generation
Lead qualification Market analysis
Negotiations Pipeline development
Product knowledge Prospecting
Revenue generation Sales strategy
Strategic selling Upselling

5. Highlight your ability to collaborate

Successful sales account executives understand the importance of collaboration in modern business-to-business (B2B) sales. They recognize that closing complex deals isn’t the sole responsibility of the sales department. Show that you value collaborative sales involving product, marketing, and customer success teams.

Employers want to know you can retain customers and facilitate smooth transitions between sales and customer success. For instance, in the professional experience section of your resume, call attention to specific projects where you collaborated with other teams. Briefly describe the context, the teams involved, your role, and the outcomes achieved.

How To Pick the Best Sales Account Executive Resume Template

When choosing a resume template, it’s essential to balance professionalism and personal style. Opt for a template that reflects your industry’s standards, using a clean and easily readable font. A simple format with plenty of white space and clear sections will help recruiters quickly identify your key qualifications. Select a classic color scheme and use subtle design elements that align with your brand or the company you’re applying to.

Sales Account Executive Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples

  • Entry-Level
  • Mid-Career
  • Senior-Level

Mina Bassley
(267) 210-0293
[email protected]
9101 Apple St, Bryn Mawr, PA 12345

Profile

Sales account executive with three years of professional experience, specializing in maintaining customer accounts, supporting sales cycles, and qualifying leads. Adept at closing new business and interfacing with prospects and potential clients. A strong background in identifying process improvements to enhance the sales process.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Marketing
Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA, September 2015 – May 2019

Key Skills

  • Lead Qualification
  • Relationship Building
  • Prospecting
  • Customer Success
  • Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Professional Experience

Sales Account Executive, Marketing CRM Incorporated, Philadelphia, PA
January 2020 – Present

  • Collaborate with a team of sales account executives and management teams to review sales processes, identify gaps, and recommend improvements
  • Analyze sales data, conduct reporting, and deliver reports to leadership
  • Serve as the point of contact for customer issues, which include analyzing client business needs and identifying appropriate solutions
  • Oversaw eight client accounts generating $20K to $50K in revenue, interfaced with customers, fielded client issues, and attended meetings with the Head of Sales

Sales Representative, Customer Journeys, Philadelphia, PA
January 2019 – January 2020

  • Conducted cold calling and prospecting
  • Qualified inbound and outbound sales leads, supported the sales process, and achieved 120% of sales quota for 2019
  • Attended meetings with prospects and collaborated with Sales Manager to close new business and recommend products in alignment with client needs
  • Created sales reports using Microsoft Excel and delivered findings to the sales team during weekly, monthly, and quarterly meetings

Frequently Asked Questions: Sales Account Executive Resume Examples and Advice

What are common action verbs for sales account executive resumes?-

It can be a challenge to find the right words to explain your previous roles and responsibilities. Action verbs can help you articulate your work history more effectively, conveying a sense of proactivity and accomplishment. They help hiring managers visualize how you contributed to previous employers. Use some of the verbs below in your professional experience section:

Action Verbs
Achieved Analyzed
Closed Collaborated
Demonstrated Developed
Established Exceeded
Expanded Generated
Influenced Managed
Negotiated Presented
Prospected Resolved
Secured Strategized
Streamlined Trained
How do you align your resume with a sales account executive job description?-

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that while sales occupations are expected to decline over the next decade, over 1.8 million new jobs are opening each year. Although opportunities are readily available, aligning your resume with the job description is essential. Be sure to tailor your document towards each individual company you apply to.

As you write your resume, cross-reference your document with the job listing to ensure you've included everything the company seeks. But avoid just copying and pasting their language into your resume — capturing your unique experience is also important. For example, suppose a company was looking for a sales account executive who can interface effectively with Fortune 500 clients. In this situation, emphasizing your ability to build strategic partnerships with the C-suite could help you stand out.

What is the best sales account executive resume format?-

Both the reverse chronological and combination resume formats can work well for sales account executives. A reverse chronological resume is best for professionals with a strong, linear career progression and consistent work history. Alternatively, a combination resume can benefit those who want to lead with skills or qualifications before their prior work experience. It provides flexibility in tailoring your resume for a specific job by emphasizing the most relevant skills and experiences.

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Expert Advice
Include a cover letter with your resume
Increase your chances of landing an interview by writing a cover letter to accompany your resume. The best strategy for creating a compelling cover letter is to tailor it to the company you're applying to. Learn how to do this in our comprehensive cover letter guide. Explore our account manager and sales manager cover letter guides for more examples in related fields.
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Frank Hackett

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)

Frank Hackett is a professional resume writer and career consultant with over eight years of experience. As the lead editor at a boutique career consulting firm, Frank developed an innovative approach to resume writing that empowers job seekers to tell their professional stories. His approach involves creating accomplishment-driven documents that balance keyword optimization with personal branding. Frank is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PAWRCC).

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