Creating a WINNING Sales Resume
In today's challenging economic climate, the unfortunate reality is that unemployment rates are on the rise. This surge in joblessness has resulted in an even more fiercely competitive job market, particularly for coveted positions in sales. This post is specifically tailored to guide you through the intricate process of crafting a winning resume, a powerful tool that can serve as your ticket to standing out in a crowded field of applicants.
Recruiters, with our keen eye for talent and expertise in resume evaluation, play a pivotal role in identifying candidates who stand out on paper and in person. With a million resume templates and articles with all the tips, it's baffling that we are still reading through resume's that don't quite hit the mark or leave us asking too many questions.
UNEMPLOYMENT ON THE RISE
As of November 2023, unemployment has risen to 3.9%. This is due to a lack of job vacancies, and that number is expected to keep rising.
“the continued decline in job vacancies suggests that the unemployment rate will rise to well above 4 per cent by early-2024” - Marcel Thieliant, Capital Economics.
With these stats, the competition will get heated. If you're considering a job move, now's the time to harness our expertise and reevaluate your CV. The lack of vacancies coupled with a surge of applicants means you need to stand out more than ever.
How to create the perfect resume
The art of crafting the perfect resume is easy to master. You must remember that the aim is to put your best foot forward and in two pages, show someone why YOU should get the job as opposed to the 100 other applicants.
The perfect sales resume layout:
Keep it simple
You don't need to stand out with an overly creative resume layout.
The hiring managers and recruiters who are perusing through hundreds a day want to see clean, crisp documents that are easy to read.
- Make sure the font is large enough - 10 is probably the smallest, but stick to 12 if you can.
- You can add personal flair with some colour, but make sure the background is light coloured and the text is dark and clearly visible.
- Photo is optional. But really, not necessary.
- Make sure to keep your sentences concise. Bullet points in your work experience are great!
How to write a sales resume profile (executive summary)
This is the first thing that a HM or recruiter will be reading about you.
It needs to be short and sweet. To the point and display your experience, strengths and ambition.
- A sales pitch of your abilities.
- Can include cumulative experience in the industry ("Boasting 7+ years in inside sales..")
- Include a sentence outlining your objective in seeking new work.
What skills to include in your sales resume
Highlight your capabilities from all of your experience.
- Professional skill/soft skills are unique to your roles, these can also be included in your work experience to highlight your day-to-day.
- In sales, the technical skill will come from the CRM software and any other systems you may use or are beneficial for your role and industry.
- You MUST outline the CRM systems that you are proficient in.
- Don't underestimate the power of showcasing your unique selling propositions and emphasising your ability to build lasting client relationships. ๏ปฟ
Your work experience
First, let's look at the basics.
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Aside from your role title and the company you worked at, there are some basics to your experience section that you should not be forgetting.
The Order
Reverse chronological order is classic CV etiquette.
Your first junior role 10 years ago isn't exactly first page material.
The Company
They don't have to be a cool company. But you do need to sell your skills. Give a brief outline of what they do and what they sell.
ie. Your expertise , what you sell.
The Results
This is where you'll really shine!
- Use active verbs (spearheaded, championed)
- Its about ACTUAL figures - don't be shy, SHOW OFF!
- Include all your personal wins (billings, percentage growth in your tender, clients you brought on, awards
- Highlight instances where you effectively collaborated with cross-functional teams, resolved customer challenges, or played a pivotal role in maintaining long-term client relationships.
The Reason
Pretty self explanatory.
A short and sweet reason why you are leaving or left a company is good practice. Particularly if you've moved around a lot. You will be asked anyway so may as well just pop it in!
Crafting a winning resume for a sales professional requires meticulous attention to detail and a strategic approach. By incorporating the essential elements discussed above, such as a compelling summary, quantifiable achievements, and tailored language, you can significantly enhance your chances of standing out in the competitive job market. Armed with a polished and targeted resume, you're not only likely to secure interviews but also to demonstrate your value as a sales professional who is well-prepared, results-driven, and ready to contribute to the success of any company!
Good Luck!
