Industrial Sales Resume Examples

Crafting the perfect industrial sales resume can be as tough as closing a big deal. Many professionals in this field face challenges like showcasing their technical know-how and highlighting their sales achievements effectively. Often, the biggest hurdle is knowing which skills and experiences to feature. Without the right resume, your impressive sales numbers and industry expertise might go unnoticed. A well-crafted resume not only grabs attention but also clearly communicates your value. In this guide, we will address these common pain points and provide actionable steps to help you build a standout resume.

Choosing the right resume template is crucial. It sets the stage for how your skills and experiences are presented. A tailored template ensures that your resume is organized and highlights the most relevant aspects of your career in an accessible way. Don't underestimate the importance of a structured and visually appealing resume; it's your first impression, after all.

We have over 700 resume examples that you can use to get started on writing your resume today!

What to focus on when writing your industrial sales resume

An industrial sales resume should clearly convey your ability to build relationships, meet targets, and understand technical products. Highlight your proven track record of boosting sales and your skills in customer service and negotiation. Recruiters need to see your knack for problem-solving and understanding client needs.

To boost the impact of your resume, you can include:

• Specific sales metrics, such as revenue growth or client acquisition.
• Evidence of long-term client relationships and repeat business.
• Training and certifications relevant to industry sales.
• Experience with CRM software and data analytics tools.

Must have information on your industrial sales resume

Creating an effective industrial sales resume involves including key sections that highlight your skills, experience, and achievements in the field. Essential resume sections for this role are:

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

Additional sections like Technical Proficiencies or Awards and Honors can further strengthen your resume. Including these can make you stand out to hiring managers and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

Which resume format to choose

Choosing the right resume format for your industrial sales resume is crucial. The reverse-chronological format works best, showcasing your most recent experiences first. Opt for modern, clean fonts like Rubik and Montserrat instead of the outdated Arial and Times New Roman. Save your resume as a PDF to ensure it retains its formatting and is easily readable by any device. Stick to 1-inch margins on all sides to keep your resume neat and allow for easy readability. Use clear section headings such as “Professional Experience,” "Skills," and "Education" which are ATS-friendly, enhancing your chances of passing initial screenings.

A strong industrial sales resume should include the following sections:

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

Resume Mentor's free resume builder takes care of all these details for you, so you can focus on landing the job.

How to write a quantifiable resume experience section

Writing the experience section for your industrial sales resume can be straightforward and effective if you follow some key guidelines. Start by listing your work experiences in reverse chronological order, meaning the most recent job comes first. Generally, it's best to go back about 10 years unless you have older experience that's highly relevant. Include job titles that are directly connected to industrial sales, even if they have different names like Sales Engineer or Account Manager. Tailor each resume you create to match the job description you're applying for, emphasizing your most relevant achievements.

Choose powerful action words to describe your achievements. Words like "boosted," "generated," "secured," and "leveraged" can make your accomplishments stand out. Being specific and including numbers makes your claims more compelling.

Here is a poorly written experience section. It lacks numbers and focuses more on duties rather than achievements:

This example is considered bad because it doesn’t quantify achievements. It’s generic and doesn’t highlight specific results or unique contributions. The duties described are basic and do not showcase any specific skills or successes.

Now, here is a strong example of an industrial sales resume experience section:

This exceptional example focuses on accomplishments and uses strong action words. The achievements are quantified—35% sales increase, $1.5 million contract—which makes the impact clear. This approach clearly demonstrates your unique value and effectiveness in industrial sales.

Industrial sales resume experience examples

Are you ready to elevate your industrial sales resume from good to un-beaker-lievable? Whether you're aiming to showcase achievements, problem-solving, or innovative skills, we've got 15 sections to help you stand out and seal the deal!

Achievement-focused

Highlighting your key achievements can make your resume shine. Keep it relevant and specific to industrial sales to grab attention.

Skills-focused

This section focuses on specific skills that are crucial for industrial sales. Make sure to include both soft and technical skills.

Responsibility-focused

Showcase your primary responsibilities to give potential employers a clear understanding of your role and areas of expertise.

Project-focused

Emphasizing projects demonstrates your capacity to handle complex tasks. Point out key projects that had a significant impact.

Result-focused

Results are the proof in the pudding. Highlight quantifiable results you've achieved to show your effectiveness in the role.

Industry-Specific Focus

Tailoring your experience to the industry shows your specialized knowledge in the field, which is invaluable to employers.

Problem-Solving focused

Highlighting your problem-solving skills can make you more appealing, especially in challenging sales environments.

Innovation-focused

Innovation is key to staying ahead in industrial sales. Demonstrate how your ideas led to improved processes or products.

Leadership-focused

Commanding a team shows you're a natural leader. Mention your skills in guiding teams to success.

Customer-focused

Customer satisfaction is essential for repeat business. Highlight how you excel at meeting client needs.

Growth-focused

Growth-focused experience indicates your ability to scale revenue and client base. Mention specific tactics you used.

Efficiency-focused

Improving efficiency saves time and money. Point out how you've made processes better and faster.

Technology-focused

Tech proficiency is a big plus. Mention your skills in using tech tools to improve sales performance.

Collaboration-focused

Collaboration shows you're a team player. Highlight your ability to work effectively with others in sales projects.

Training and Development focused

Mentoring and training capabilities show you can help others succeed. Detail your experience in helping your team grow.

Write your industrial sales resume summary section

Creating a resume summary section for an industrial sales position can make or break your job application. This brief statement serves as your first impression to potential employers, encapsulating your most compelling skills and experiences. Succinctly describing your best traits and unique qualifications is key.

Why is this example ineffective? It offers overly general statements and lacks specifics. The phrases "cold calling" and "lead generation" are very common, giving no insight into unique competencies. Moreover, phrases like "the betterment of any company" are vague and non-committal. It neither highlights previous achievements nor explains what sets you apart from other candidates.

Now, observe a more effective example:

This example stands out for several reasons. It is specific and quantifiable, showcasing a "10+ years" background and a "20% annually" sales improvement. Important skills such as "market analysis," "trend forecasting," and "presenting complex solutions" offer precise insights into the applicant's capabilities. This summary shows expertise, achievements, and a clear value proposition to potential employers.

A resume summary differs from other sections in targeted ways. Unlike a resume objective, which states your career goals, a summary focuses on your professional achievements. A resume profile is similar to a summary but often includes more personal attributes. Meanwhile, a summary of qualifications is more of a bulleted list highlighting your best skills. Each serves a specific purpose and can be chosen based on what best fits your career narrative.

Listing your industrial sales skills on your resume

You can write your skills section for an industrial sales resume as a standalone part and incorporate it into sections like experience and summary.

Your strengths and soft skills are behaviors and traits that reflect your ability to interact effectively with others, solve problems, and adapt to different situations. Hard skills are the specific, teachable abilities or knowledge you've acquired and are necessary for your job performance.

Skills and strengths on a resume act as keywords which enhance the chances of your resume getting noticed by applicant tracking systems (ATS) and recruiters.

Including skills like Project Management, Sales Forecasting, Client Relationship Management, and Contract Negotiation in your resume is advantageous because these skills demonstrate your competence and versatility in industrial sales. You show a mix of analytical abilities and people-oriented skills. This combination not only makes you a strong candidate for the job but also highlights your capability to meet various sales-related targets and handle complex sales processes effectively.

Best hard skills to feature on your industrial sales resume

Hard skills for an industrial sales role should show your proficiency in specific technical areas. They must communicate your expertise in selling industrial products and services along with your ability to navigate complex sales processes.

Best soft skills to feature on your industrial sales resume

Soft skills in an industrial sales role should reflect your ability to communicate, collaborate, and solve problems effectively. They must show that you can work well with a variety of stakeholders and adapt smoothly to diverse situations and client needs.

How to include your education on your resume

An education section is an important part of your industrial sales resume. It gives potential employers a quick snapshot of your academic background. This section should be tailored to the job you are applying for, so avoid including any irrelevant education.

When listing your degree, start with your highest level first. Mention the degree obtained, the name of the institution, its location, and the graduation dates. If your GPA is above 3.5, it can be a good idea to include it, as well as any honors like cum laude.

Here is a bad example of a resume's education section. It lacks focus and includes unnecessary information.

The bad example is unfocused, including degrees irrelevant to industrial sales. Potential employers might not see how a Bachelor's in History or a Master's in Creative Writing applies to the job.

Now let's take a look at a good example of a resume's education section for an industrial sales position. It focuses on relevant qualifications and includes a commendable GPA, showing strong academic performance.

The good example is focused and relevant. It demonstrates a direct correlation between education and the desired job. The cum laude honors and a solid GPA enhance credibility, making it an excellent fit for an industrial sales resume.

How to include industrial sales certificates on your resume

Including a certificates section in your industrial sales resume is crucial. Certificates showcase your specialized skills and qualifications, making you stand out to employers. To create this section, list the name of each certificate, include the date obtained, and add the issuing organization.

You can also feature your certificates in the header for immediate impact. For example, “Certified Industrial Sales Professional, ABC Institute.”

Here is a good certificates section:

This example is strong because it lists relevant certifications, showing that you have industry-specific knowledge. Each certification includes the name and issuing body, adding credibility. These certificates are directly related to your job in industrial sales, making your resume more compelling to potential employers.

Extra sections to include in your industrial sales resume

Creating a compelling industrial sales resume involves more than just listing your work experience and educational background. Incorporating additional sections can significantly enhance your resume, making you a standout candidate.

• Language section — Highlight your bilingual or multilingual abilities to show your versatility and ability to connect with diverse clients.
• Hobbies and interests section — Include hobbies like networking events or industry-related clubs to demonstrate your passion for the field and your proactive approach to staying current.
• Volunteer work section — Show your commitment to the community and leadership skills by listing relevant volunteer experiences, such as organizing fundraisers or mentoring programs.
• Books section — Add a list of relevant industry books you’ve read to underscore your dedication to continuous learning and staying updated with market trends.

Pair your industrial sales resume with a cover letter

A cover letter is a one-page document that accompanies your resume when applying for a job. It introduces you to the employer, highlights your skills, and explains why you are the right fit for the position. A well-crafted cover letter can set you apart from other candidates by giving you the chance to showcase your personality and provide context to your resume.

For an industrial sales position, your cover letter should focus on your ability to build relationships with clients, meet sales targets, and understand the technical aspects of the products you sell. Highlight any previous sales achievements, customer retention rates, and your familiarity with the industry's products or services. Mentioning specific instances where you successfully closed significant deals can also make a strong impression.

Create your cover letter effortlessly using Resume Mentor's cover letter builder. It's designed for ease of use, letting you export your final document as a PDF to protect your content and formatting. Get started now to make a lasting impact!