Outside Sales Resume Examples

Writing an outside sales resume can feel like trying to close a deal without a product in hand. You face unique challenges, from showcasing your numbers to proving your rapport-building skills. Making your resume stand out to hiring managers often feels like a daunting task. Many outside sales professionals struggle to find the right language to emphasize their achievements. It's common to see candidates underselling their talents, and that doesn't help land jobs. In this guide, you'll learn how to overcome these obstacles. With the right approach, your resume can speak volumes about your success.

The template you choose sets the stage for your success. A targeted resume template helps outline your skills and achievements in a clear, concise manner. Proper alignment, headings, and sections ensure your information is easy to read. This gives your application a professional look and increases your chances of making it past the initial screening.

With over 700 resume examples, we've got the resources to help you create a standout resume.

What to focus on when writing your outside sales resume

An outside sales resume should clearly convey your ability to build strong client relationships, meet sales targets, and navigate various markets. It must highlight your exceptional communication and negotiation skills, along with your proven track record of generating revenue. Make sure to showcase any awards or recognition that underscore your sales acumen.

To boost your resume's impact, consider including:

• Specific sales figures and achievements
• Notable clients or accounts you've managed
• Skills in CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software
• Sales strategies you've successfully implemented

Must have information on your outside sales resume

Creating an effective outside sales resume involves highlighting your key skills and achievements in a clear, structured format. Essential sections for your resume include:

• Contact Information
• Professional Summary
• Core Competencies
• Professional Experience
• Education
• Certifications

Additional sections such as Awards, Professional Affiliations, and Volunteer Work can further enhance your resume. Tailor each section to showcase your ability to drive sales, build client relationships, and achieve business targets.

Which resume format to choose

For an outside sales resume, the combination format is typically the best choice, as it highlights both your skills and experience effectively. Opt for modern fonts like Rubik and Montserrat, as they offer a fresh look compared to conventional choices like Arial or Times New Roman. Always save your resume as a PDF to ensure the formatting stays intact and looks professional across different devices. Keep your margins at around one inch to maintain a clean and readable layout. Clear and concise section headings improve your resume's chances with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), making it easier for employers to find key information.

For an outside sales resume, your resume should include the following sections:

• Contact Information
• Summary or Objective
• Skills
• Professional Experience
• Education
• Certifications
• Achievements and Awards

Resume Mentor's free resume builder handles all of this, making the process seamless for you.

How to write a quantifiable resume experience section

Writing the experience section of your outside sales resume can make or break your job application. This part of your resume gives potential employers a chance to see your past job roles, achievements, and how you've grown in your career. Let's go through some practical tips to craft an effective resume.

First, pay attention to the order of your resume. Start with your most recent job and move backward. This is called a reverse-chronological order. It helps employers see your current skills and accomplishments first.

About how far back to go in your resume, it's generally best to include the last 10-15 years of experience. Going further back might show a long career path but could also suggest outdated skills.

Only include job titles relevant to outside sales. Think about roles where you had direct customer interaction, sales targets, or managed client relationships. This keeps your resume focused and highlights your experience in the field you’re aiming for.

Resume tailoring is crucial. This means adjusting your resume for each specific job application. Look at the job description and reflect those key points in your resume. Use terminology the company uses, as it can help during the initial screening process.

Action words bring your resume to life. Words like "achieved," "generated," "led," and "closed" are impactful and convey your accomplishments. A good resume shows what you accomplished in your job, not just what your duties were.

Here are two examples. The first is poorly written, and the second is a standout example for an outside sales resume experience section.

This example is problematic for several reasons. It lacks specific achievements, uses vague descriptions, and doesn't show the impact of the salesperson’s work. It also fails to quantify any accomplishments, making it hard for a hiring manager to gauge the candidate's success.

Now, let’s see an outstanding example:

This example shines because it focuses on specific achievements. The candidate quantified their accomplishments, which shows their impact on the company clearly. Instead of telling the employer what they did, they showed how well they did it. This focus on concrete numbers and growth is exactly what employers look for in outside sales candidates. Each role is described clearly, highlighting the candidate's success and ability to deliver measurable results.

By following these best practices, you can make your resume stand out and increase your chances of landing that outside sales position.

Outside sales resume experience examples

Let's make your resume sparkle like a diamond in the rough! Here are some sparkling and shiny resume experience sections for various focuses to help you sell yourself like hotcakes.

Achievement-focused

Highlight your significant accomplishments in outside sales. This shows employers what you're capable of achieving based on your past performance.

Skills-focused

Center on the key skills you possess that make you an outstanding outside sales professional. Emphasizing skills can demonstrate your suitability for the job.

Responsibility-focused

Illustrate the key responsibilities you held in your sales roles. This helps potential employers understand your past duties and how you tackled them.

Project-focused

Detail specific projects you led or contributed to in your sales roles. Focus on projects that had a significant impact or required specific expertise.

Result-focused

Showcase the impressive results of your work. Potential employers want to see tangible outcomes from your efforts.

Industry-Specific Focus

Highlight your experience within a particular industry. This can make you stand out to employers in that field.

Problem-Solving focused

Detail situations where you identified a problem and successfully solved it. This shows your critical thinking and problem-solving ability.

Innovation-focused

Focus on your ability to innovate within the sales process or products. Show how you've brought new ideas to your roles.

Leadership-focused

Highlight your leadership qualities and experience managing or guiding teams. This shows your ability to lead and inspire others.

Customer-focused

Show your dedication to your customers and how you go above and beyond to keep them satisfied. Happy customers make happy businesses.

Growth-focused

Show ways you’ve driven growth, be it in sales numbers, customer base, or expanding product lines. Growth is essential for any business.

Efficiency-focused

Focus on how you improved efficiency in your sales processes. Emphasize how these changes saved time or resources without sacrificing quality.

Technology-focused

Highlight how you’ve used technology to improve your sales efficiency or effectiveness. This shows you’re keeping up with the times.

Collaboration-focused

Show the importance of teamwork in your sales roles. Focus on how collaboration improved outcomes and led to successful projects.

Training and Development focused

Emphasize your role in training and developing others. This highlights your ability to share knowledge and improve team skills.

Write your outside sales resume summary section

When crafting a resume summary for an outside sales role, create a brief yet compelling introduction that highlights your key qualifications, experience, and unique skills. Keep it concise and relevant to the job you're applying for. Use strong action words and focus on your achievements to make a notable impression.

Describing yourself effectively in a resume summary involves showcasing your top traits and experiences. Reflect on your professional background, emphasize your ability to meet sales targets, build relationships, and demonstrate strong communication skills. Be specific about your accomplishments using numbers and concrete examples.

A resume summary is a brief statement that captures your career highlights and skills, while a resume objective states your career goals. A resume profile is a mix of the two, detailing your skills and goals. The summary of qualifications is a bullet-point list of top skills and achievements.

Below is an example of a poorly written resume summary:

This summary is vague and lacks specific details. It does not highlight key successes or use metrics to quantify accomplishments. It sounds generic and does not make a strong case for why you would be an ideal candidate.

Now, consider this outstanding outside sales resume summary:

This summary is effective because it provides specific experiences, achievements, and quantifiable metrics. It clearly shows why you are a top candidate for an outside sales position. The use of industry-specific terms and evidence of success enhances credibility.

Listing your outside sales skills on your resume

Writing your skills section for an outside sales resume is important for effectively showcasing your abilities. Skills can be a standalone section, or they can be incorporated into other parts like your experience and summary sections.

Strengths and soft skills are personal attributes that enable you to excel in your role, such as communication or teamwork. Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities like proficiency in CRM software or negotiation techniques.

By listing these skills and strengths, you're using them as resume keywords. This can make your resume more attractive to employers and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which often scan for these keywords.

Providing a standalone skills section allows recruiters to quickly see your key skills relevant to the job. This listing emphasizes vital abilities for outside sales, showing a balance of technical and interpersonal skills needed to succeed. It's straightforward and easy for employers to scan quickly.

Best hard skills to feature on your outside sales resume

Hard skills for outside sales are specific abilities you can learn and measure. They should communicate your expertise and capability to perform the job effectively.

Best soft skills to feature on your outside sales resume

Soft skills for outside sales are interpersonal qualities that can help you succeed. They should communicate your ability to work well with others and adapt to changing situations.

How to include your education on your resume

Your education section is a key part of your outside sales resume. This section should be tailored to the job you are applying for. Any education that is not relevant should be left out. Including your GPA can highlight your academic achievements, especially if it is impressive. Cum laude honors can also enhance your credibility. Listing your degree should be done clearly and concisely to ensure it stands out.

Here is an example of a poorly written education section:

This example is bad because the degree in Biology is irrelevant for an outside sales position. The GPA is not highlighted, and there is no mention of any honors. Also, the university and location are undefined, which can reduce credibility.

Here's an outstanding outside sales resume education section:

This example is good because the degree in Business Administration is directly related to the outside sales position. The high GPA of 3.8 is highlighted, and the institution is well-defined. The straightforward format and relevant details make it compelling and easy to read.

How to include outside sales certificates on your resume

Including a certificates section in your outside sales resume is crucial. It can highlight your expertise and credibility. List the name of the certificate to inform your potential employer of your qualifications. Include the date received to show when you obtained it. Add the issuing organization to provide authenticity to your credentials.

Place certificates at the top of your resume near your contact information for visibility. For example, your header could read: "John Doe | Outside Sales Professional | Certified Sales Expert." Ensure the certificates are relevant to the sales field.

Here's a strong example of a standalone certificates section:

This example works well because it lists certificates specific to sales, making them relevant and valuable. The organizations are respected in the field, and the inclusion of dates can show your recent commitment to professional development. This boosts your credibility and attractiveness to employers.

Extra sections to include in your outside sales resume

In the competitive world of outside sales, a well-structured resume can make all the difference. Including diverse sections can help you stand out and demonstrate a range of skills and experiences beyond just your sales capabilities. Here’s how to effectively incorporate and benefit from various sections in your outside sales resume:

• Language section — Highlight any additional languages you speak to show that you can communicate with a broader client base. This can be particularly beneficial in areas with diverse populations.

• Hobbies and interests section — Showcase your hobbies to present yourself as a well-rounded individual. This can help potential employers see a more personal side and understand how you stay motivated outside of work.

• Volunteer work section — Include details of volunteer work to demonstrate your commitment to community and teamwork. This reflects positively on your character and shows you value giving back.

• Books section — List books you’ve read related to sales or personal development to show your commitment to continuous learning. This can demonstrate your proactive attitude towards improving your sales techniques and staying updated in your field.

Pair your outside sales resume with a cover letter

A cover letter is a document sent with your resume to provide additional information on your skills and experience. It offers a chance to explain why you’re the best fit for the job and how your career goals align with the company's objectives. Cover letters help applicants highlight their most relevant experiences and demonstrate their enthusiasm for the job.

For an outside sales position, your cover letter should focus on your ability to build relationships, meet sales targets, and manage a diverse client base. Emphasize your communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and any notable achievements or metrics that showcase your success in sales. Highlight experiences where you successfully navigated challenges and exceeded goals.

Use Resume Mentor's cover letter builder to craft your cover letter effortlessly. Its user-friendly interface allows for quick edits and the PDF export feature ensures that your content and formatting stay intact. Start your cover letter creation process today and give your application the professional edge it deserves!