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Automobile Sales Resume Examples

By Silvia Angeloro

Jul 18, 2024

|

12 min read

Accelerate your career: A complete guide to writing a top-notch automobile sales resume that showcases your skills and drives results. Learn how to highlight your experience and achievements to land the perfect job.

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Starting a career in the competitive world of automobile sales can often feel like you're stuck in neutral when it comes to writing a resume. Many find it hard to highlight their skills and experience in a way that stands out. You might know the ins and outs of selling cars, but translating that into resume bullet points isn't always easy. There's constant pressure to differentiate yourself from others vying for the same job. This guide aims to be your GPS, steering you through the resume-writing process. With the right language and focus, your resume can shift into high gear, opening doors to new opportunities in automobile sales.

Choosing the right resume template is crucial. The right layout can highlight your strengths and make your resume easier to read. It can also help organize information in a way that benefits you. Don't settle for a cookie-cutter approach; make your resume a true reflection of you. Act now and elevate your career!

We have more than 700 resume examples that you can use to inspire and craft your resume!

Key Takeaways

  • Choosing the right resume template and focusing on specific achievements, such as meeting sales targets and customer satisfaction rates, are crucial for standing out in automobile sales.
  • Include essential sections like Contact Information, Professional Summary, Work Experience, Education, Skills, Certifications, and potentially Volunteer Work or Relevant Achievements to grab employers' attention.
  • Using a combination resume format for balancing skills and experience, and employing modern fonts and PDF format, ensures a professional-looking document that maintains its structure.
  • A strong experience section should focus on specific achievements using action words like "sold," "achieved," and "exceeded," rather than vague job duties.
  • Incorporate both hard skills (e.g., CRM, sales techniques) and soft skills (e.g., communication, negotiation) to demonstrate your technical abilities and interpersonal effectiveness in the automobile sales industry.

What to focus on when writing your automobile sales resume

Your automobile sales resume should showcase your ability to drive results, engage with customers, and contribute to the success of a dealership. Highlighting your achievements, such as meeting or exceeding sales targets, can set you apart. Include specific examples that demonstrate your customer service skills and product knowledge. A few impactful inclusions:

  • Achievements like "Sold 200 vehicles within six months, exceeding targets."
  • Honesty is crucial, therefore "Maintained a 90% customer satisfaction rate."
  • Experience such as "Led a team of 5 sales associates."

Must have information on your automobile sales resume

When crafting an automobile sales resume, there are essential sections you need to include to stand out.

  • Contact Information
  • Professional Summary
  • Sales Experience
  • Education
  • Skills
  • Certifications

Consider adding sections like Volunteer Work or Relevant Achievements to further highlight your qualifications. Tailoring these sections to your automobile sales background can help you grab the employer's attention and show that you're the ideal candidate.

Which resume format to choose

For an automobile sales resume, the combination resume format is ideal as it highlights both your skills and experience in a balanced way. Choose modern fonts like Rubik and Montserrat for a fresh, professional look instead of the outdated Arial and Times New Roman. Always save and send your resume as a PDF to ensure formatting stays intact. Use standard 1-inch margins to maintain a clean and organized appearance. Clear, bold section headings help Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) easily identify and categorize your qualifications.

Your automobile sales resume should include the following sections:

  • Contact Information
  • Professional Summary
  • Skills
  • Work Experience
  • Education
  • Certifications or Training
  • Achievements
  • References

Resume Mentor's free resume builder manages all of these steps for you, ensuring a polished and effective resume.

How to write a quantifiable resume experience section

Writing the experience section of your resume is crucial for making a strong impression in the competitive field of automobile sales. First, list your work history in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job. This helps employers quickly see your latest experience. You generally should go back 10-15 years in your career to keep the information relevant.

Include job titles you've held, highlighting positions in sales or customer service. Tailoring your resume to the specific job you're applying for can make a big difference. Focus on using action words such as "sold," "achieved," "exceeded," and "managed" rather than passive descriptions. Action words give your experience a sense of movement and accomplishment, making it more engaging to read.

Here's an example of a poorly written resume experience section:

Work Experience
Sales Associate
Car Dealership
New York, NY
  • Assisted customers
  • Processed transactions
  • Met sales goals
Senior Sales Associate
Luxury Car Dealership
Chicago, IL
  • Interacted with clients
  • Closed sales
  • Trained new sales associates

This example is lacking specific achievements and focuses mainly on job responsibilities, making it less impactful.

Now, here's an outstanding example, focusing on achievements with numerical data:

Work Experience
Senior Sales Associate
Luxury Car Dealership
Chicago, IL
One of the top luxury car dealerships in Chicago, specializing in high-end vehicles.
  • Increased overall sales by 30% within first year
  • Closed over $1 million in vehicle sales annually
  • Trained and mentored a team of 10 new sales associates, improving team performance by 25%
Sales Associate
Car Dealership
New York, NY
A well-known dealership in New York with a focus on customer satisfaction.
  • Exceeded monthly sales goals by 20% consistently
  • Achieved top performer status for 3 consecutive years
  • Reduced transaction processing time by 15% through improved workflows

This second example is strong because it quantifies achievements and clearly highlights specific results. Each bullet point illustrates your impact and effectiveness as a sales professional, making it much more appealing to potential employers.

Automobile sales resume experience examples

Ready to drive your way to success in automobile sales? Buckle up as we journey through top-notch resume experience sections tailored to steer your career in the right direction. Let's make sure your professional story gets the green light!

Achievement-focused

Highlight your various milestones and accolades to showcase your exceptional performance in car sales. Emphasize awards, sales targets met or exceeded, and any other notable accomplishments to rev up your resume.

Work Experience

Senior Sales Manager

Luxury Auto Group

June 2018 - Present

  • Achieved 150% of annual sales targets each year.
  • Awarded 'Salesperson of the Year' for three consecutive years.
  • Successfully sold over 500 vehicles, generating $10 million in revenue.

Skills-focused

Emphasize the key competencies and skills you’ve mastered in your career. Mention your proficiency in areas such as negotiation, customer relationship management, and financial planning to show you’ve got the full package.

Work Experience

Sales Consultant

Premium Motors

March 2016 - May 2018

  • Skilled in advanced negotiation techniques, closing high-value deals.
  • Proficient in CRM tools like Salesforce for tracking customer interactions.
  • Expertise in financial planning and loan facilitation for auto financing.

Responsibility-focused

Demonstrate your ability to handle significant responsibilities in the sales domain. Highlight your duties and management roles to underline your trustworthiness and capability.

Work Experience

Assistant Sales Manager

HighPoint Cars

January 2014 - February 2016

  • Managed a team of 10 salespeople, ensuring monthly quotas were met.
  • Oversaw inventory and updated sales strategies accordingly.
  • Conducted daily team meetings to assess progress and discuss tactics.

Project-focused

Underline specific projects you spearheaded or were part of, illustrating your project management skills and ability to generate results. Focus on the project's scope, your role, and the outcomes.

Work Experience

Sales Manager

AutoDynamic

July 2017 - December 2017

  • Led a project to revamp the sales process, reducing lead response time by 40%.
  • Implemented a new digital sales platform, increasing online sales by 25%.
  • Coordinated with marketing to create targeted campaigns.

Result-focused

Focus on the tangible outcomes you have achieved in your roles. Quantify your impact through numbers, percentages, or other measurable metrics to demonstrate your effectiveness.

Work Experience

Sales Executive

CityDrive Motors

September 2015 - June 2018

  • Increased sales revenue by 30% within the first 6 months.
  • Reduced customer acquisition costs by 20% through optimized marketing strategies.
  • Achieved highest customer satisfaction scores in the team.

Industry-Specific Focus

Specify your experience and knowledge within the automobile industry to show you’re well-versed in industry trends, challenges, and market dynamics. Highlight specialized skills pertinent to auto sales.

Work Experience

Sales Specialist

Elite Cars Ltd.

April 2012 - August 2015

  • Deep knowledge of automobile market trends and consumer preferences.
  • Specialized in luxury car sales, boosting premium segment market share by 15%.
  • Attended and spoke at industry conferences and events.

Problem-Solving focused

Focus on your ability to identify, analyze, and solve problems effectively. Provide examples where your problem-solving skills directly contributed to better sales and customer satisfaction.

Work Experience

Sales Executive

Speedy Autos

March 2017 - November 2019

  • Resolved customer objections by offering tailored financing solutions.
  • Identified and rectified a pricing error that was negatively impacting sales.
  • Developed a streamlined process for handling customer complaints, reducing resolution time by 50%.

Innovation-focused

Showcase your ability to bring innovative solutions and fresh ideas to the table. Highlight any new sales strategies or initiatives you’ve introduced that have had a positive impact on the business.

Work Experience

Sales Manager

TechDrive Auto

January 2016 - March 2019

  • Introduced a virtual showroom, increasing remote sales by 30%.
  • Implemented AI-driven customer insights tools for personalized sales pitches.
  • Launched a mobile app for easier customer engagement and lead tracking.

Leadership-focused

Illustrate your leadership abilities by pointing out any supervisory roles or mentoring activities. Emphasize how you led teams, guided new hires, or influenced decision-making processes.

Work Experience

Sales Supervisor

DriveNow Dealership

February 2014 - June 2018

  • Led a sales team of 15 members to consistently exceed monthly sales goals.
  • Mentored new hires, reducing onboarding time by 20%.
  • Coached underperforming staff to improve their sales techniques and results.

Customer-focused

Emphasize your dedication to customer satisfaction and relationship building. Showcase how your focus on customer needs and feedback has led to increased loyalty and repeat business.

Work Experience

Sales Advisor

CarHub

August 2018 - Present

  • Achieved a 95% customer satisfaction rating through excellent service.
  • Built lasting relationships with customers, leading to a 40% rate of repeat business.
  • Implemented a customer referral program, boosting new leads by 25%.

Growth-focused

Highlight your contributions to business growth, whether through increasing revenue, expanding market share, or launching new products. Emphasize tangible impacts on company growth metrics.

Work Experience

Sales Manager

Growth Motors

June 2016 - September 2019

  • Expanded market share by 20% in a highly competitive region.
  • Increased annual sales revenue by $5 million through effective sales strategies.
  • Launched a new product line that contributed to a 15% growth in sales.

Efficiency-focused

Show how you’ve optimized processes and improved efficiencies within the sales domain. Highlight specific changes you’ve made that led to quicker processes, lower costs, or higher productivity.

Work Experience

Sales Coordinator

Swift Autos

May 2017 - February 2020

  • Streamlined the sales process, reducing the sales cycle time by 25%.
  • Optimized inventory management, resulting in a 15% reduction in holding costs.
  • Enhanced customer follow-up procedures, increasing engagement rates by 30%.

Technology-focused

Elaborate on your adeptness with technology and digital tools that enhance sales processes. Mention your experience with CRM systems, sales automation, and any tech-driven initiatives you have led.

Work Experience

Sales Executive

TechAutos

September 2015 - December 2019

  • Utilized CRM tools like Salesforce for effective customer management.
  • Adopted sales automation tools that boosted productivity by 20%.
  • Implemented AR technology for virtual test drives, increasing customer interest.

Collaboration-focused

Showcase your ability to collaborate with different teams to achieve mutual goals. Emphasize how teamwork and cross-departmental efforts led to more effective sales results.

Work Experience

Sales Coordinator

Unity Motors

July 2016 - July 2019

  • Worked with marketing to develop cohesive campaigns, increasing lead quality by 30%.
  • Collaborated with finance to offer tailored financing plans, improving customer closure rates.
  • Partnered with customer service to enhance post-sale support, boosting overall satisfaction.

Training and Development focused

Highlight your role in developing and training other sales professionals. Showcase your contributions to improving team capabilities, leading to better performance and results.

Work Experience

Sales Trainer

AutoExcellence

March 2014 - March 2017

  • Developed and delivered training programs that improved team sales by 20%.
  • Mentored new hires in advanced sales techniques, reducing their ramp-up time.
  • Created a continuous education program, keeping the team updated on the latest market trends.

Write your automobile sales resume summary section

Writing your resume summary section requires a mix of your top skills, experience, and personality traits. It's a snapshot of who you are and what you offer. This section should grab the employer's attention. Describe yourself succinctly, highlighting your qualifications and what sets you apart. Use simple but effective language.

The summary should describe confidence and accomplishments. Mention relevant skills and experiences quickly. Show enthusiasm and confidence without overinflating your achievements. A well-crafted summary can make a strong first impression.

A resume summary focuses on your key strengths and experiences. A resume objective, on the other hand, states your career goals and what you hope to achieve. A resume profile is similar to a summary but focuses more on your background and top qualities. A summary of qualifications lists your main skills and accomplishments in bullet points.

SUMMARY
Hard working car salesman looking for a job at a good dealership where I can use my skills to sell cars. I have experience and am good with customers.

This summary is weak because it is vague and lacks specific details. Words like "hard working" and "good with customers" are too general. It doesn't show concrete achievements or use numbers or metrics to quantify success.

SUMMARY
Results-driven automobile sales professional with over 5 years of experience. Proven track record of exceeding monthly sales quotas by 20%. Excellent customer satisfaction ratings and strong relationship-building skills.

This summary is effective because it uses specific numbers and accomplishments. It highlights experiences directly related to the job. It shows a clear track record of success and skills valuable to employers.

Listing your automobile sales skills on your resume

When writing the skills section of your automobile sales resume, you have the option to create a standalone section or to weave your skills into your summary and experience sections. Your strengths and soft skills, such as communication and teamwork, reflect your ability to work well with others and handle various situations. Hard skills, on the other hand, are specific, teachable abilities that you have acquired through training or experience, such as proficiency in using sales software or expertise in financial planning.

Incorporating your skills and strengths into your resume can also help you include important resume keywords. Employers often scan resumes for these keywords to identify candidates with the specific qualifications they need. Including these terms can improve the chances that your resume will catch the hiring manager’s eye.

Skills
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
Sales Forecasting
Negotiation
Product Knowledge
Lead Generation
Customer Service
Automotive Financing
Closing Sales

The example above is an effective standalone skills section because it lists specific, relevant skills without excessive detail. This format is scannable, making it easy for hiring managers to quickly identify your qualifications. It includes a range of important skills that reflect both technical abilities and customer-focused competencies, which are critical in automobile sales.

Best hard skills to feature on your automobile sales resume

Hard skills for automobile sales should show that you understand the vehicles, the sales process, and the tools you use on the job. These skills communicate to the employer that you have technical expertise and can handle the operational aspects of the role effectively.

Hard Skills

  • Vehicle Knowledge
  • Sales Techniques
  • Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software
  • Inventory Management
  • Financial Analysis
  • Market Analysis
  • Account Management
  • Sales Forecasting
  • Digital Marketing
  • Trade-In Valuation
  • Leasing Programs
  • Warranty Programs
  • Sales Reporting
  • Automotive Financing
  • Lead Generation

Best soft skills to feature on your automobile sales resume

Soft skills for automobile sales indicate how you interact with colleagues and clients. These skills show that you can provide excellent customer service, work well in a team, and manage your time effectively.

Soft Skills

  • Communication
  • Negotiation
  • Problem-Solving
  • Teamwork
  • Adaptability
  • Time Management
  • Active Listening
  • Empathy
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Patience
  • Relationship Building
  • Persuasion
  • Attention to Detail
  • Self-Motivation
  • Organizational Skills

How to include your education on your resume

An education section is an important part of your resume. It helps potential employers see your academic background and if it aligns with the job you're applying for. It's crucial to tailor this section to the job. Focus on including relevant education — anything unrelated should be left out.

When including your GPA, only add it if it's impressive and relevant to the job. If you graduated with honors, such as cum laude, include that as well. To list a degree, write the full name of the degree first, followed by the institution name and the dates of attendance.

Education
Bachelor of Arts in Education
University of Phoenix

This example is poorly written because it includes a low GPA that doesn't add value for an automobile sales position. The degree is also not relevant to the job.

Education
Bachelor of Business Administration
University of Michigan
(cum laude)
3.8
/
4.0

This example is excellent because it highlights a strong GPA and relevant degree for an automobile sales position. The cum laude honor shows academic excellence, which can be appealing to employers.

How to include automobile sales certificates on your resume

A certificates section is an important part of an automobile sales resume. It highlights your relevant skills and credentials, positioning you as a qualified candidate. To include this section, list the name of each certificate. Include the date you earned it and add the issuing organization. Certificates can also be included in the header to catch the eye of potential employers.

For instance, let's consider a good example of a certificates section:

Certificates
Certified Professional Salesperson (CPSP)
National Association of Sales Professionals
Automotive Sales Certification
Automotive Dealership Institute
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Certification
Salesforce

This example is strong because it showcases certificates directly related to automobile sales. Each entry specifies the title, issuer, and shows credibility by listing well-known organizations. Such a section assures employers of your expertise and up-to-date training, making you a standout candidate in the auto sales industry.

Extra sections to include in your automobile sales resume

In today's competitive job market, crafting a strong resume is key for landing your dream role, especially in automobile sales. A well-rounded resume should highlight not only your professional experience but also your unique skills and interests.

  • Language section — Showcase any foreign languages you speak, as it can be a huge asset in a diverse customer base. Demonstrate your ability to communicate with a wider range of clients.
  • Hobbies and interests section — Include hobbies that offer transferable skills like problem-solving or teamwork. Engage potential employers by showing you have a well-rounded and active lifestyle.
  • Volunteer work section — Highlight volunteer activities to show your commitment to the community. Build a positive image by demonstrating your empathy and willingness to help others.
  • Books section — Share titles related to sales, motivation, or the automotive industry. Illustrate your commitment to self-improvement and staying informed about your field.

Including these sections can make your resume stand out, showcasing not just your professional qualifications, but also the personal qualities that make you a great fit for an automobile sales position. This multidimensional approach helps potential employers see you as a holistic candidate, making you more memorable.

Pair your automobile sales resume with a cover letter

A cover letter is a tailored document that accompanies your resume when applying for a job. It introduces you, highlights your achievements, and explains why you are the best fit for the position. Cover letters give you a chance to add a personal touch and demonstrate your communication skills, which can set you apart from other applicants.

For an automobile sales position, your cover letter should focus on your sales experience, knowledge of vehicles, and customer service skills. Mention specific instances where you exceeded sales targets or provided excellent service. Also, demonstrate your ability to build long-lasting customer relationships and stay updated with the latest automobile trends.

Creating a cover letter with Resume Mentor's cover letter builder is quick and easy. The tool guides you through each step, ensuring no detail is missed. Plus, exporting your cover letter as a PDF helps protect your content and formatting, making sure your document looks professional every time. Start building your standout cover letter with Resume Mentor today!

Sophia Brown

San Antonio, Texas

+1-(234)-555-1234

help@resumementor.com


To the Sales Department,

With over 6 years of experience in automobile sales and a solid track record at renowned companies like CarMax and AutoNation, I am compelled by the opportunity to bring my skills to your esteemed team. Having researched your company’s commitment to customer satisfaction and innovation, I am particularly drawn to it as a place where I could contribute and grow.

In my most recent role at CarMax, I implemented a new customer greeting system that reduced wait times by 25%. This achievement not only underscores my ability to improve operational efficiency but also highlights my dedication to enhancing the customer experience. My meticulous handling of sales paperwork—maintaining over 98% accuracy—and proficiency in cash management are further testaments to my fit for this role.

I would be delighted to discuss how my background, skills, and passions align with the goals of your department. I am available at your earliest convenience for an interview and look forward to the possibility of contributing to your team.

Sincerely,

Sophia Brown

Automobile Sales
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