How to Write a Resume for Sales that Communicates Passion and Purpose

You think you have what it takes to enter the world of sales? Being a sales associate or a sales executive can be an exciting and rewarding job as it allows you to interact with people regularly, and provide solutions to their needs by giving them information on your products.

Anyone working in sales is usually required to work with certain quotas and provide excellent customer service. A sales executive is usually in charge of training a team of sales associates, who are tasked to sell products and answer customer inquiries. As a sales executive, you will also be tasked to identify and locate new business opportunities, set monthly or quarterly sales targets, and maintain good relationships with clients.

The field of sales can be a good fit for people who thrive on interaction, are career-driven, and are passionate about providing solutions to others. In addition to excellent communication skills, problem-solving, leadership abilities, and customer service skills are a huge plus in this environment. Sales executives or managers are also required to travel on occasion, another advantage of the job for those who enjoy work with a regularly changing routine.

Think you are a good fit for sales? Get started into a potentially rewarding career and explore #JobsThatMatter with a resume that will dazzle hirers.

Resume writing tips for this position

Career summary/objective

When hirers have a mountain of applications to field, the career summary or objective on the first page tells them what they need to know before they decide to read the rest of your resume, or toss it in the reject bin. Show off your aptitude in sales by selling your first product: yourself. 

In two or three sentences, highlight your character and qualities that demonstrates why you would be great for a position in sales. You may mention relevant experiences, your best traits, and your purpose for getting into the field.

Here is an example:

"A driven and dynamic professional looking to leverage 3 years of area sales experience with XYZ Corporation to meet its business goals. Exceeded quarterly target sales by 10% and was named Area Sales Representative of the Year."

Key skills

Whether you have previous experiences in sales or not, a great way to capture the hirer's attention is through a list of key transferable skills you possess. Transferable skills are those that you have learned throughout your career, even if you came from a different field, or in your personal life. These skills prove to be useful even as you move to a new industry.

Some of the most relevant transferable skills that could play to your advantage in sales include:

• Interpersonal skills
• Written and oral communication skills
• Foresight and planning
• Analytical skills
• Customer service skills
• Leadership abilities
• Flexibility in changing situations

Education

While graduates of degree programs such as Business Management, Marketing, and Psychology may have some leverage when it comes to knowledge in selling, there is no prescribed degree or qualification when it comes to sale.

Instead, showcase your inclination towards this field or any transferable skills you may have acquired through previous experiences in your student life. Fund-raising activities for your student organization or volunteer group is a good place to start.

For example:

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

[Name of University], 2012-2016

• Sold 300 concert tickets and raised funds for the Student Council as Marketing Committee Head, with a profit of P35,000.
• Raised a total of P100,000 for the Student Council fund for year 2014-2015

Work experience 

A resume is effectively a sales presentation on yourself: as you have already piqued their interest with your pitch, it is time to show evidence and results based on your experiences.

For example:

Area Sales Representative

XYZ Corporation, 2017-2020

• Serviced client accounts in the Region 3 area, consistently meeting quarterly and yearly sales targets
• Exceeded sales targets for Q3 2019 by 10%, named Area Sales Representative of the Year

While relevant experiences are preferable, your previous positions in other fields are not a disadvantage if you know how to package them. Using the transferable skills you identified above, describe how your previous job experiences have allowed you to learn these skills, and provide solutions and results. This is how you can show hirers that you can solve similar problems that may arise in their company.

Resume Sample for Sales Professionals

The field of sales can be challenging, with the pressure of reaching targets in addition to constantly adjusting to new people and environments. However, a rewarding career can be in store for the fitting candidate, especially individuals who do well in a results-oriented and dynamic work environment.

Ready to find #JobsThatMatter? The right job can help you find meaning and purpose in your career, in addition to making the most out of the skills and abilities you are passionate about. Update your JobStreet profile and search for openings at JobStreet, where hirers from the most respected companies in the Philippines can find you for your next fitting role. And if you're ready to hop on board, remember to add #WorkNow to your profile.

For more expert insights and helpful tips on growing your career, visit the Career Advice.

At JobStreet, we believe in bringing you #JobsThatMatter. As a Career Partner, we are committed to helping all jobseekers find passion and purpose in every career choice. And as the number 1 Talent Partner in Asia, we connect employers with the right candidates who truly make a positive and lasting impact on the organisation. 

Discover Jobs That Matter. Visit JobStreet today.

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