Business Sales Resume Examples

Crafting a business sales resume can feel like trying to close a deal without a pitch. Mastering the art of summarizing your skills in a way that catches employers' eyes is no easy task. Many in sales have trouble pinpointing the right keywords to showcase their experience and achievements. Your knack for persuasion and negotiation shines in the field, but putting it on paper tends to be another story. You might find it hard to balance between sounding confident and coming off as boastful. Moreover, structuring your resume to highlight measurable successes, like meeting sales targets, demands a different set of skills.

Using the right resume template simplifies the process, making it easier to highlight your strengths and achievements effectively. The right layout helps your resume stand out, ensuring you leave a lasting impression on recruiters.

You'll be thrilled to know we have more than 700 resume examples to guide you through writing a top-notch business sales resume. Dive in and set yourself up for success.

What to focus on when writing your business sales resume

A business sales resume should showcase your ability to drive revenue, maintain client relationships, and meet or exceed sales targets. It should highlight your experience in negotiating deals, understanding customer needs, and using sales strategies effectively. Important elements to include are quantifiable achievements, like exceeding sales goals or increasing market share, and specific examples of how you've added value to past employers.

To boost its impact, your resume can include:

• Proven sales figures and key metrics
• Notable awards or recognitions in sales
• Specific examples of successful sales campaigns or strategies
• Client testimonials or references

Must have information on your business sales resume

Creating a business sales resume requires specific sections to effectively showcase your skills and experience. Essential sections to include are:

• Contact Information
• Professional Summary
• Sales Experience
• Key Achievements
• Education
• Skills

Additional sections like Certifications, Awards, and Professional Associations can further enhance your resume. Tailoring each section to your experiences in business sales will help you stand out.

Which resume format to choose

Choosing the right resume format is essential for a business sales professional. For your industry and experience, a reverse-chronological format is typically the best choice as it highlights your career progression and achievements. Opt for contemporary fonts like Rubik and Montserrat which are more modern than Arial and Times New Roman. PDFs are the preferred filetype because they preserve your layout and formatting across different devices. Keep margins at one inch to ensure readability. Clear section headings boost ATS (Applicant Tracking System) compatibility, making sure your resume gets through initial screenings.

A business sales resume should include the following sections:

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

Let Resume Mentor's free resume builder take care of all these details for you.

How to write a quantifiable resume experience section

Creating a standout resume for a career in business sales requires careful attention to how you present your work experience. Start by listing your experiences in reverse chronological order, beginning with your most recent job. This helps employers quickly see your most relevant skills.

Concerning how far back you should go, focus on the last 10-15 years. Anything older might not be as relevant. Highlight job titles that show your growth in the sales field, such as Sales Manager or Business Development Executive.

Tailor your resume to each job you apply for by focusing on the skills and experiences that match the job description. Use action words to make your achievements pop off the page. Words like "increased," "managed," and "developed" are powerful and clear.

Let's look at an example that needs improvement.

This entry is weak because it focuses on general duties rather than achievements. The phrases are vague, and there are no measurable results.

Now, here's an improved version focusing on achievements and numbers:

This entry is excellent because it highlights specific accomplishments. Increasing sales by 20% and managing client accounts worth over $1M show clear, quantifiable results. These achievements make your experience stand out and show the value you bring to a potential employer.

Business sales resume experience examples

Welcome to your ultimate resource for crafting compelling resume experience sections! These templates will help you stand out in the competitive business sales landscape. Let's turn your career journey into the main event with some resume magic—let's say, a touch of "Resume-voir Dogs!"

Achievement-focused

Highlighting your achievements can set you apart. Focus on what you did that was above and beyond your basic job duties.

Skills-focused

Emphasizing your skills is a great way to showcase your abilities. This should demonstrate your expertise in relevant areas.

Responsibility-focused

Highlighting your responsibilities can show your reliability and readiness for greater roles. It’s about showing what you were in charge of.

Project-focused

Detailing specific projects can demonstrate your ability to see things through from start to finish, highlighting your project management skills.

Result-focused

Showcasing tangible results is a powerful way to convey the impact of your work.

Industry-Specific Focus

Tailoring your experience to the industry shows your expertise and familiarity with sector-specific challenges and opportunities.

Problem-Solving focused

Illustrating problem-solving can show your critical thinking skills and your ability to overcome obstacles.

Innovation-focused

Showing innovation can highlight your ability to think outside the box and bring new ideas to your team.

Leadership-focused

Leadership experience is crucial for higher roles. Show your ability to lead and inspire teams.

Customer-focused

Customer satisfaction is key in sales. Highlight your ability to build and maintain strong customer relationships.

Growth-focused

Demonstrating growth can show your drive and success in expanding business opportunities.

Efficiency-focused

Highlighting efficiency can make you stand out as someone who improves processes and saves resources.

Technology-focused

Showcasing technological skills can demonstrate your ability to leverage tools and systems for better performance.

Collaboration-focused

Emphasizing collaboration can show your teamwork abilities and your knack for working well with others.

Training and Development focused

Training and development skills can show your ability to grow and nurture talent within the organization.

Write your business sales resume summary section

Writing your resume summary section effectively is key to grabbing an employer's attention right away. The summary should be a snapshot of your professional identity and what you bring to a business sales role. Keep it concise, relevant, and engaging.

An applicant can describe themselves best by being specific about their achievements and skills. Use numbers, metrics, or examples to showcase accomplishments. Make it clear how your experience aligns with the job you're applying for.

The difference between a summary and other resume sections lies in focus. A resume summary encapsulates your top qualifications in a few sentences. A resume objective states your career goals. A resume profile is similar but may be slightly more detailed. A summary of qualifications is often a bullet-point list of your key skills and achievements.

Here is a badly written resume summary:

This summary is bad because it lacks specifics, uses vague language, and doesn't quantify results. It tells, rather than shows, what the candidate can do.

Now, here is a well-written summary:

This summary is good because it includes specific metrics, focuses on accomplishments, and clearly aligns with the role. It shows how the candidate's experience and skills make them an ideal fit for a business sales position.

Listing your business sales skills on your resume

The skills section of your business sales resume can take on two forms. You can list your skills in a dedicated, standalone section or weave them into other parts, such as your professional summary and work experience. Highlighting your strengths and soft skills can give potential employers a sense of your interpersonal abilities and how you might fit into their team dynamics.

Hard skills are technical abilities or specialized knowledge that you have developed through training or experience. These can include things like expertise in CRM software, advanced knowledge of sales cycles, or proficiency in market analysis.

Incorporating your skills and strengths as resume keywords is crucial. Employers often use software to scan resumes for specific keywords related to the job description. Including these can increase your chances of passing through the initial filter and landing an interview.

Here's an example of a standalone skills section:

This example is effective because it clearly lists specific and relevant skills that can attract potential employers. The skills are concise and directly related to the field of business sales. Each skill highlights a crucial aspect of the sales profession, giving a well-rounded view of the applicant's capabilities.

Best hard skills to feature on your business sales resume

For a business sales role, certain hard skills are vital. These skills should show that you can efficiently handle technical tasks and specialized responsibilities. They communicate your on-the-job abilities and readiness.

Best soft skills to feature on your business sales resume

Soft skills in business sales are equally essential. They demonstrate your ability to interact positively and productively with others. These skills highlight how well you work in a team and build relationships.

How to include your education on your resume

An education section is an important part of your business sales resume. It should highlight your academic achievements and demonstrate your qualifications for the job. Tailoring this section to the job you're applying for is crucial; any irrelevant education should not be included. If you have a high GPA or graduated cum laude, these details can further boost your credibility. To list a degree, include the degree type, the institution name, and the date of completion.

Here's how to format it incorrectly and correctly:

This example is bad because it features an irrelevant degree (History) and a low GPA. It also includes unnecessary information, like the location of the institution, which distracts from your qualifications.

Now, here's an outstanding example tailored for a business sales position:

This example is good because it features a relevant degree (Business Administration) and highlights a high GPA of 3.8. The information is concise and directly relevant to the job, making your qualifications clear and focused.

How to include business sales certificates on your resume

Including a certificates section in a business sales resume is essential. Certificates show your expertise and commitment to professional growth. You can include certificates in the header of your resume to make them stand out.

List the name of the certificate. Include the date you earned it. Add the issuing organization to give it credibility. Make sure you only include relevant certificates for the job you’re applying for.

Here is an example in JSON format:

This example is good because it includes certificates that are directly relevant to business sales. Both certificates come from well-known and respected organizations. This provides credibility and shows that the candidate is dedicated to staying current in their field. The dates are also recent, indicating ongoing professional development.

Extra sections to include in your business sales resume

Crafting a successful business sales resume involves showcasing skills, experiences, and unique attributes. While traditional sections like work experience and education are crucial, adding sections like languages, hobbies and interests, volunteer work, and books can make your resume stand out. Here’s how you can include these and the benefits they offer:

• Language section — Demonstrate linguistic versatility and cultural awareness. Highlight your ability to communicate with a diverse clientele.
• Hobbies and interests section — Reveal well-rounded personality traits that show you are more than just your job. Indicate skills or traits that may indirectly benefit your role.
• Volunteer work section — Show your commitment to giving back and building communities. Reflect your work ethic and interpersonal skills outside a business setting.
• Books section — Indicate continuous learning and intellectual growth. Highlight relevant books that have influenced your sales techniques and strategies.

When you tailor these sections effectively, it gives employers a richer understanding of your capabilities and values. This holistic view can set you apart in a competitive field. Remember, your resume tells your story, so make sure every section adds value.

Pair your business sales resume with a cover letter

A cover letter is a short, written document that you send with your resume when applying for a job. It provides a chance to introduce yourself and explain why you are a good fit for the position. This letter often gives you the opportunity to highlight skills and experiences that may not be fully covered in your resume.

For a business sales position, your cover letter should focus on your ability to meet sales targets, build relationships with clients, and close deals. You should emphasize your experience in sales, including specific achievements like exceeding sales goals or bringing in new customers. Mention any relevant skills like communication, negotiation, and customer service that make you stand out.

Creating a strong cover letter doesn't have to be difficult. Use Resume Mentor's cover letter builder to easily craft a professional document. The tool helps maintain your content and formatting by exporting your finished cover letter as a secure PDF. Start making your cover letter today and make a great first impression!