How To Write a Sales Representative Resume
If you’re interested in a new position as a sales representative, you need an accomplishment-driven resume that maximizes the visibility and impact of your sales experience. Emphasize your ability to understand customers’ pain points and demonstrate how a product or service addresses them. Use our list of tips and examples to create a resume that works.
1. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your qualifications
The profile goes at the top of your resume, and it should list your years of experience and the top three to five reasons you’re a qualified candidate. For example, if the hiring manager seeks someone who can generate and qualify new leads, you could highlight your cold-calling experience. If you excel at finding new ways to sell to current customers, add a statistic or two about your cross-selling and upselling percentages.
Senior-Level Profile Example
A certified inside sales representative with five years of experience specializing in manufacturing sales, lead generation, prospecting, and cross-selling. A strong history of building business relationships and identifying opportunities to drive market penetration.
Entry-Level Profile Example
A sales professional with one year of experience within the medical sales industry, specializing in upselling, lead generation, cold calling, and sales strategy. Adept at analyzing competitive sales trends and delivering in-depth product demonstrations to client businesses.
2. Add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section
To craft an accomplishment-driven resume, you need high-impact bullet points that capture the most compelling aspects of your sales experience. After your job title, company, and dates of employment, each entry in your work history should include a list of bullet points that describe your career achievements. As a sales professional, you’ll need to quantify your accomplishments whenever possible to grab the attention of prospective employers.
For example, if you exceeded annual sales quotas, incorporate percentages for each fiscal year. If you achieved a significant increase in revenue growth by developing a sales pipeline, you may opt to feature a monetary figure instead of a percentage depending on the scale of the accomplishment. Also, be sure to highlight the sales technique or strategy you used to provide additional context for the hiring manager.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example
Inside Sales Representative, Ark Manufacturing Inc., Burlington, VT
April 2017 – Present
- Conduct over $400K in annual sales for a leading manufacturing company, support lead generation efforts, and attend meetings with client executives and the sales manager to deliver sales presentations and conduct negotiations
- Serve as the point of contact for accounts, field client issues and concerns, build long-term relationships, and deliver value-added services to improve account retention
- Provide training to seven new sales representatives on company services, internal sales processes, client relations, and sales best practices
- Conduct sales forecasts, analyze metrics and competitor trends, and generate sales reports for senior leadership using Salesforce CRM tools
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
Sales Representative, Corbin Medical Products Inc., Charleston, SC
April 2020 – Present
- Generate $140K in sales for a medical device company, exceed quotas by up to 20% each month, conduct cold calling, and execute lead generation activities
- Build relationships with the local medical community to secure referrals for new business, which includes interfacing with hospitals, physicians, and medical centers
- Deliver sales presentations and product demonstrations to prospects and recommend medical devices according to organizational and clinical needs
- Coordinate cross-functionally with sales and product marketing teams to drive promotional campaigns and execute marketing events
- Utilize Salesforce CRM to conduct sales reporting and maintain prospect database
3. Include relevant education and certifications
While an outgoing nature and people skills are helpful for a sales representative, most hiring managers will be looking for candidates with formal education and training. A marketing or business administration degree can put you at the top of the applicant pool.
Industry certifications should also be listed prominently on your resume, as they show you have taken the initiative to develop your skills and stay up to date with changes in the industry. Valued certifications in sales include Certified Professional Sales Person (CPSP) and Certified Sales Development Representative (CSDR), among others.
Education
Template:
[Degree Name]
[School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] – [Graduation Month and Year]
Example:
Bachelor of Science in Marketing
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA – May 2018
Certifications
Template:
[Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Example:
CPSP, National Association of Sales Professionals, 2019
4. List pertinent key skills
Including relevant professional skills is a big part of creating your resume. Each position is unique. But hiring managers generally seek sales representatives who can educate potential customers on the company’s products or services and handle contract negotiations. They also look for someone who can report on key performance indicators (KPIs) and objectives and key results (OKRs.)
Tailor this list to the position as much as possible. For example, if the hiring manager is looking for someone with customer relationship management (CRM) experience, include all the tools you’ve worked with instead of keeping it generic. To get started, use this list:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Account management | Business-to-business (B2B) sales |
| Business-to-consumer (B2C) sales | Business development |
| Client relations | Cold calling |
| Consultative sales | CRM |
| Cross-selling | Inside sales |
| Lead generation | Lead qualification |
| Product demonstrations | Prospecting |
| Salesforce | Sales presentations |
| Sales strategy | Solution selling |
| Strategic selling | Upselling |
How To Pick the Best Sales Representative Resume Template
Your resume is your first chance to show a hiring manager how good your sales skills are, so you need a well-designed template highlighting your accomplishments. Stick with a design that’s clean and easy to read. An accent color or flourish or two is generally fine for sales, but ensure it doesn’t distract from the content. The template should be well-organized and use headers, bolding, italics, and bullets to make it easy for hiring managers to find the information they want.
Sales Representative Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
Years of Experience
- #1
- #2
- #3
Robert Kraft
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Your Street, Charleston, SC 12345
Profile
A Sales Professional with one year of experience within the medical sales industry, specializing in upselling, lead generation, cold calling, and sales strategy. Adept at analyzing competitive sales trends and delivering in-depth product demonstrations to client businesses.
Professional Experience
Sales Representative, Corbin Medical Products Inc., Charleston, SC
April 2020 – Present
- Generate $140K in sales for a medical device company, exceed quotas by up to 20% each month, conduct cold calling, and execute lead generation activities
- Build relationships with the local medical community to secure referrals for new business, which includes interfacing with hospitals, physicians, and medical centers
- Deliver sales presentations and product demonstrations to prospects and recommend medical devices according to organizational and clinical needs
- Coordinate cross-functionally with sales and product marketing teams to drive promotional campaigns and execute marketing events
- Utilize Salesforce CRM to conduct sales reporting and maintain prospect database
Sales Associate, Salvatore Clothing, Charleston, SC
May 2019 – April 2020
- Conducted sales for a high-end clothing retailer, consistently exceeded sales goals by 30%, and collaborated with the team to develop product displays
- Interfaced with customers to provide recommendations on clothing styles and products and built relationships with clientele to drive customer retention
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Business Administration
University Of Charleston, Charleston, SC September 2015 – May 2019
Key Skills
- Upselling
- Sales Presentations
- Medical Device Sales
- Salesforce
- CRM tools
- Customer Success
- Relationship Building
Certifications
- Certified Sales Development Representative (CSDR), 2020
Xialing Chen
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Your Street, New York, NY 12345
Profile
A Sales Representative with two years of experience within the insurance industry, specializing in cross-selling, cold calling, lead generation, and client relations. A proven track record of developing customer relationships and identifying appropriate products based on client needs.
Professional Experience
Sales Representative, Allstate Insurance, New York, NY
April 2019 – Present
- Upsell and cross-sell life insurance, homeowner insurance, and travel insurance to prospects, analyze coverage needs, identify optimal insurance plans, and utilize strategic selling techniques to close new business
- Achieve 120% of quota in 2019 and 135% of quota in 2020 and generated $130K in annual revenue YOY
- Conduct cold calling, prepare quotations on insurance plans, provide education on benefits, risks, and liabilities, and attend in-person sales meetings with prospects
- Maintain a database of prospects and existing clients, create reports on sales forecasts and trends, and utilize internal CRM tools
Sales Associate, Best Buy, New York, NY
May 2018 – April 2019
- Provided customer service and sales assistance to 25-40 customers per day, fielded phone inquiries, and provided education on products, pricing, and promotions
- Achieved the Top Sales Performer of the Month award in June 2018 and November 2018 for generating 140% and 130% of quota
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Marketing
Brooklyn University, New York, NY September 2014 – May 2018
Key Skills
- Upselling
- Lead Qualification
- Client Relations
- Prospecting
- Strategic Planning
- Strategic Selling
- Insurance Sales
Certifications
- Certified Sales Development Representative (CSDR), 2019
Raphael Marquez
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Your Street, Pittsburgh, PA 12345
Profile
An Outside Sales Representative with three years of experience within the technology industry, specializing in strategic selling, B2B sales, and SaaS. A proven track record of exceeding sales quotas and collaborating with cross-functional teams to improve the sales process. Adept at managing client accounts and identifying business development opportunities.
Professional Experience
Outside Sales Representative, Vector Solutions Corp., Pittsburgh, PA
April 2019 – Present
- Exceed monthly quotas by 20%-40% MOM for a technology company delivering SaaS business solutions, execute lead generation activities, field inquiries from prospects, and achieve recognition as a top 10% sales ranking on a team of 60
- Generate over $250K in annual sales revenue and coordinate with the sales team to develop strategies to expand pipeline development efforts
- Analyze competitor trends, attend industry trade shows, and build relationships with customers and industry partners
- Manage sales data, leads, and reporting using Salesforce CRM
Sales Representative, Tech Business Solutions Inc., Pittsburgh, PA
May 2018 – April 2019
- Cross-sold and upsold technology products to small and medium-sized businesses, conducted prospecting, built client relationships, and generated $150K in annual sales
- Attended meetings with the Sales Manager and sales team to evaluate the sales process, identify gaps, and drive process improvement efforts
- Delivered sales presentations to prospects, provided education on company technology, and performed product demonstrations
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Marketing
University Of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, September 2014 – May 2018
Key Skills
- B2B Sales
- SaaS Sales
- Pipeline Development
- Lead Generation
- com
- Client Relations
- Cross-functional Leadership
Certifications
- Salesforce Certification, Udemy, 2019
- Certified Sales Development Representative (CSDR), 2019
Frequently Asked Questions: Sales Representative Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for sales representative resumes?+
Starting sentences and bullets with action verbs makes your resume more engaging and provides more places to highlight your skills. Action verbs for sales representative resumes should be focused on connecting with the lead, nurturing sales relationships, and identifying opportunities for additional deals. These verbs should be targeted to the job whenever possible.
For example, if the job description says they’re looking for a candidate who can qualify leads and contribute to lower churn, you might use verbs like “identified, “qualified,” and “reduced” in your resume. Here are some common action verbs for sales rep resumes to get you started:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Achieved | Advised |
| Analyzed | Built |
| Championed | Closed |
| Conducted | Consulted |
| Coordinated | Delivered |
| Developed | Drove |
| Educated | Generated |
| Identified | Led |
| Managed | Negotiated |
| Qualified | Sold |
How do you align your resume with a sales representative job description?+
The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects little to no change in the projected job openings across the sales industry through 2031. This means sales reps seeking new roles could face a competitive job market. To help you stand out, tailor each resume you send to that specific position. Do this by being strategic with your language and adding keywords.
For example, if a hiring manager says the position will entail converting warm leads and identifying cross-selling opportunities, use the words “converted,” “warm leads,” and “cross-selling” in your professional experience bullets, key skills list, and/or profile.
What is the best sales representative resume format?+
The right resume format depends on your skills and experience level. The reverse chronological approach is generally the best option if you’re a seasoned professional with years of sales experience. This allows you to feature your most recent and relevant achievements right away. However, if you’re at the entry level, a combination approach might be better suited for your needs, as this enables you to list your skills, certifications, and academic projects above your professional experience section.
Expert Advice: Include a cover letter with your resume
Including a cover letter with your resume allows you to sell yourself as a top candidate for the job. You can only cover so much in a resume. But the cover letter allows whole sentences and paragraphs describing your accomplishments in more detail and explaining why you want to work with this specific company. For some ideas, check out our sales cover letter examples and templates.
