How to Write a Sales Resumé

Writing a sales resumé is somewhat different than writing an administrative or other professional resumé. When creating a sales resumé, you should emphasize achievements and results rather than merely listing previous jobs and responsibilities. In sales, the goal is profit and you need to show your potential employer how you can contribute.

As with all resumés, start with your name, mailing address, telephone number and email address at the top.

The first section of your resumé should be an objective or summary statement. The objective statement can be one or two sentences summing up the goals of your job search. You can choose to have a summary statement instead, which will basically summarize your career in sales in a few short, concise sentences.

Next, you will list your previous employment. Make a list of your previous sales jobs, including dates of employment and position held. This list should be in chronological order, starting with your most recent position.

The meat of your resumé will be in the next section entitled, "Achievements." In a bulleted list, give specifics on what you have accomplished at your prior sales jobs. If you increased company sales by 40 percent over a six month period, then state that. If you have won any sales awards or honours, list those too. Be very specific - this is the part of the resumé where you are proving your worth to a potential employer.

Add a final section under "Training" or "Certifications." In this section, you should create another bulleted list with any certifications you have received. Additionally, you should list any sales seminars, workshops or training programs that you have attended.

At the bottom of your resumé, you can list two or three references, including phone numbers. If you do not want to include references on the resumé, just make a note that "References are available upon request."

Be sure to proofread your resumé. Typographical errors turn off every employer.

Print your sales resumé and you are ready to go get that new position!

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