A Sales's Guide to Writing a Winning Resume (With Samples)

Sales is one of the most competitive industries in the job market, and to stand out from the crowd, a well-written, compelling resume is crucial. A killer sales resume is not just about listing your skills and experience; it's about showing the employer how you can add value to their organization.

1. Start with a strong headline: The headline of your resume should be eye-catching and attractive. It can be a professional title that summarizes your expertise and experience, such as "Top Performing Sales Professional" or "Highly Skilled Sales Representative".
2. Showcase your achievements: As a sales professional, your resume should highlight your successes and achievements in your current or previous roles. Use metrics and numbers to prove your impact, such as "increased sales by 40% over two quarters," or "closed a $500,000 deal in six months."
3. Include relevant keywords: Many employers use software to scan resumes for keywords related to the job opening. To ensure that your resume makes it through these filters, review the job description and use any relevant keywords or phrases throughout your resume.
4. Highlight your soft skills: Soft skills such as communication, negotiation, and relationship-building are critical for success in sales. Use your resume to highlight these skills and provide examples of how you have demonstrated them in your previous roles.
5. Customize your resume for each job: While it may be tempting to use the same resume for every job application, tailoring your resume to each job can significantly increase your chances of getting an interview. Review the job description, identify the key requirements, and adjust your resume accordingly.

Overall, a winning sales resume should be concise, attention-grabbing, and easy to read. By highlighting your achievements, relevant skills, and tailoring your resume to the job, you can position yourself as a top candidate in the competitive field of sales.

Example Resumes

Example #1

John Smith

123 Main Street | Anytown, USA 12345 | (555) 555-5555 | johnsmith@email.com

Summary

Dynamic sales professional with 8+ years of experience in exceeding sales quotas and building strong customer relationships. Skilled in prospecting, negotiating, and closing deals. Adept at creating effective sales strategies and maintaining a thorough understanding of market trends. Proven track record of success in both B2C and B2B sales.

Professional Experience

Sales Representative

ABC Company, Anytown USA

• Sourced new business and consistently exceeded monthly and quarterly sales goals by 25%.
• Negotiated and closed contracts with key clients, resulting in a 30% increase in revenue YoY.
• Developed and implemented sales strategies that led to a 15% increase in market share within the first year.
• Collaborated with key internal stakeholders to ensure customer needs were met and exceeded.

Account Manager

XYZ Corporation, Anytown USA

• Managed a portfolio of 50 top-tier clients, resulting in a 90% retention rate and $5M in annual revenue.
• Developed and maintained strong relationships with clients through regular check-ins and on-site visits.
• Identified new business opportunities with existing clients, resulting in a 25% increase in overall revenue.
• Partnered with cross-functional teams to ensure clients’ needs were met and exceeded.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

Anytown University, Anytown USA

Graduated with honors

Example #2

John Doe

Contact Info:

• Email: john_doe@email.com
• Phone: 123-456-7890
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/john-doe

Summary:

Experienced sales professional with a proven track record of exceeding quotas and building strong relationships with clients. Skilled in consultative selling and consistently delivering exceptional customer service. Strong negotiator with excellent communication and presentation skills.

Experience:

Account Executive at XYZ Company

March 2018 - Present

• Managed a portfolio of 50+ clients and exceeded sales quotas by an average of 25% each quarter
• Developed and implemented strategic account plans for key clients resulting in a 50% increase in revenue
• Negotiated contracts and closed deals worth over $2 million in annual recurring revenue
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure successful onboarding, implementation, and ongoing support for clients

Sales Manager at ABC Corp

June 2014 - March 2018

• Managed a team of 10 sales representatives and coached them to consistently exceed quotas
• Implemented new sales strategies and processes resulting in a 30% increase in sales revenue
• Developed and delivered sales training sessions to improve product knowledge and selling skills
• Collaborated with marketing team to develop targeted campaigns and increase brand awareness

Education:

Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration

University of XYZ - Graduated May 2014

Skills:

• Consultative selling
• Negotiation and closing deals
• Strong relationship building
• Sales forecasting and planning
• Excellent communication and presentation
• Team management and coaching

Example #3

Samantha Johnson

Email: sam.johnson@email.com

Phone: (555) 555-5555

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/samanthajohnson

Summary

A dynamic and results-driven Sales Representative with over 5 years of experience in developing and executing successful sales strategies. Proven track record of exceeding sales targets and delivering exceptional customer service. Skilled in building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, negotiating contracts, and managing sales processes from start to finish. A motivated self-starter who thrives in fast-paced environments.

Professional Experience

Sales Representative, ABC Company

Date: January 2018 - Present

• Develop and implement sales strategies that led to a 45% increase in revenue in FY 2020
• Manage a sales pipeline of 50+ enterprise-level accounts, including Fortune 500 companies
• Negotiate contracts and agreements with clients, resulting in a 25% increase in average deal size
• Collaborate with marketing and product teams to create tailored presentations and proposals for potential clients, resulting in a 50% increase in lead conversions
• Consistently meet and exceed weekly and monthly sales targets

Sales Associate, XYZ Corporation

Date: August 2016 - January 2018

• Managed a high-volume sales pipeline of over 200 leads per month
• Achieved 110% of monthly sales targets for 12 consecutive months
• Developed relationships with key decision-makers at client companies to secure long-term contracts
• Implemented a new customer feedback program, resulting in a 95% satisfaction rate

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Conclusion:

Crafting a winning resume is essential when looking for a remote sales job. It takes time and effort to make sure your resume stands out from the rest. By following these helpful tips, and ensuring your resume is the best reflection of your skills and experience, you can increase your chances of landing that remote sales job you've always wanted.

1. Write a great cover letter: A winning resume needs to be accompanied by a compelling cover letter. Take the time to craft a well-written cover letter that highlights your skills and experience. For more tips on this, check out our guide to writing a great cover letter.
2. Look through our Remote Sales job board: If you're on the hunt for a new remote sales job, check out our remote sales job board. We have a wide range of remote sales job opportunities from leading companies.
3. Prepare for interviews: Once you've submitted your winning resume, it's time to prepare for interviews. Research the company, practice common interview questions, and be confident in your skills and experience.

By following these steps, you can stand out from other candidates and land your dream remote sales job. Good luck!

Looking to ace your interviews? Our team has put together a collection of detailed interview questions and answers for different sales specializations, including Channel Sales, Inside Sales, Retail Sales, and Technical Sales.