How to Write a Sales Resume That Reflects Your Personal Brand
Publié le 10 June 2024
Find a career in an exciting field by knowing how to write a sales resume that reflects your personal brand.
In sales, there are lots of ups (think hefty commission checks) and downs (hello, demanding quotas and difficult customers). But if you’re into the thrill of the chase, the finesse of negotiation, and the satisfaction of sealing a deal, then sales might just be the perfect fit for you.
Sales jobs come in all shapes and sizes. They offer endless opportunities to highlight your unique strengths and personal brand. Whether you’re selling products or services to consumers or large corporations, over the phone or face-to-face, your sales resume can set you apart from the rest.
So how can you write a resume that not only showcases your hard and soft skills and experiences but also reflects your unique personal brand? We’re here to help. In this complete guide, we’re giving you the lowdown on how to write a sales resume that reflects your personal brand.
We’ll show you why, whether you’re an experienced salesperson or just starting out, having a great sales resume is super important. Plus, we’ll share some tips to make sure your resume stands out in the hiring process.
Let’s get started.
Why salespeople need to focus on personal branding
Before we get into our resume tips and tricks, it’s important to know why personal branding is important for a salesperson like yourself. Here are the main benefits.
Building trust
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Think about the last time you made a big purchase. Chances are, you went with the brand you trusted, right? Well, the same goes for sales. When clients and prospects trust you, they’re more likely to buy from you. And that trust starts with your personal brand.
Establishing credibility
As more and more scams and deceptive practices make headlines, people are becoming less trusting of what they see and hear due to a constant barrage of scams, suspicious messages, scam likely phone numbers, and “too good to be true” offers. That’s why it’s important for salespeople to establish a solid personal brand built on honesty, integrity, and reliability.
Standing out
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Statista found that there were millions of salespeople employed in the US alone, with 1.56 million sales reps working in wholesale and manufacturing and around 1.08 million workers selling services. With such fierce competition, it’s never been more important to know how to craft a standout sales resume that reflects your personal brand and grabs employers’ attention. Your personal brand is what makes you memorable and makes people want to work with you specifically.
Forging connections
In sales, relationships are everything. Your personal brand is what makes those connections stronger, more meaningful, and ultimately more profitable. When clients and prospects trust and resonate with you, they’ll be more likely to choose you over the competition. So, by developing a personal brand that reflects your values, expertise, and commitment to excellence, you’re building lasting connections that drive success for both you and your clients.
Writing a sales resume: The basics
So now on to how to write a sales resume. We mentioned before that there are many different sales roles you can choose from and that’s true! However, while the sales industry is vast and varied, there are a few elements that every standout sales resume should feature and ones a hiring manager will definitely be on the lookout for.
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What should you include?
- Where you have sold/regions you’ve managed: Highlight the specific regions or territories you have experience selling in. Maybe you’re used to working with clients in New York City, managing accounts in the Midwest, or have experience selling to international markets like Asia-Pacific.
- The types of products you’ve sold: Let’s get specific here. Have you been slinging SaaS (Software as a Service), helping businesses manage their risks with enterprise risk management framework software, or maybe even selling everything from office supplies to beauty products? Add in what you’ve been selling and how you’ve been doing it. Be sure to look at the job description to help tailor this accordingly.
- Brand partnerships: Highlight any brand partnerships you’ve developed or managed, demonstrating your ability to collaborate effectively with other brands to boost sales and expand market reach. This experience shows your strategic and relationship-building skills, crucial for driving business success.
- The types of customers you’ve sold to: Outline the types of customers you’ve worked with, whether they’re consumers, emerging businesses, or healthcare organizations, for instance.
- Deal sizes: Employers want to hear about your wins. Whether it’s landing a $20K deal, expanding to 10 new locations, or boosting user numbers to 125, share the details of your successes.
- Length of an average sales cycle: Provide insights into the typical duration of your sales cycles, whether it’s four weeks, six months, or any other timeframe.
- Quota achievement: Add in your track record of meeting or exceeding sales quotas, such as achieving 104% quota attainment for Q3 or how many qualified leads you converted.
- Training & Development Programs: Highlight any training and development programs you have participated in that are relevant to sales. These programs show your commitment to continuous learning and skill enhancement, essential in the fast-paced sales industry.
Recruiters will, of course, be interested in your work history, career progression, education and training, technical skills, and achievements too, but your resume will be strengthened immensely by including the above details first and foremost for each of your past sales positions.
5 ways to represent your personal brand on your sales resume
Your resume is basically your digital first-impression. It’s your first (and sometimes only) chance to showcase your personal brand as a sales professional. In this section we’ll give you tips for how to write a sales resume and some key ways to make sure it reflects who you are:
Choose the right resume format
Your resume is your sales pitch on paper, and just like in sales, how you present yourself matters. It’s your first chance to make an impression on potential employers and show off your hard and soft skills (like time management, good relationships with customers, active listening and emotional intelligence) and relevant experience in the best light possible.
Utilizing a skill assessment platform to verify these skills can be a powerful addition to your resume, providing concrete evidence of your capabilities. So, be for sure to choose the right resume format for your sales career. You could opt for:
- Chronological format: This format tells your sales story from start to finish, highlighting your career journey and growth over time. It’s perfect if you have a solid track record in sales and want to show how your experience has shaped your personal brand.
- Functional format: If you want to emphasize your sales skills and achievements, the functional format is your best bet. It puts your abilities front and center, making it ideal for showcasing your strengths and what sets you apart in the sales world.
- Combination format: This format gives you the best of both worlds—it lets you flaunt your career progression while also highlighting your key transferable skills and accomplishments.
When choosing the right resume format, think about how it aligns with your personal brand and the story you want to tell.
Write a compelling objective/summary/profile
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Your resume objective, summary, or profile is your chance to show off your personal brand as a sales professional. It’s like the opening chapter of your sales story in your resume, giving a glimpse into your journey and aspirations while reinforcing your unique identity.
Now, this section should be written last (even though it’ll be shown at the top of your resume), carefully crafted based on everything else. Keep it short, usually under 50 words, and focus on your skills and career goals in line with your personal brand.
Tips to ace this section
- Use strong action verbs and numbers to describe your past successes, reinforcing your personal brand as someone who gets results.
- Consider the company’s preferences. If they value objectives, include one that aligns with your personal brand. However, some companies may not value or appreciate career objectives and want a prospective employer to have product knowledge skills or notable achievements here. It’s essential to research and understand the preferences of the company you’re applying to. If unsure, err on the side of caution and consider omitting this section if it’s not likely to be well-received.
Highlight key achievements and experiences
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Your resume is your chance to display the milestones and achievements that have shaped your career lattices, demonstrating your growth and expertise in the sales field. Your accomplishments and experiences are arguably the most important parts of your resume. They’re the stories that reveal your strengths and successes.
Now, you may be asking yourself: How should I write my achievements in my resume? Well, instead of merely listing tasks, utilize storytelling.
For example, if you have effectively implemented virtual assistant technology to streamline client communications and increase sales efficiency, this is worth mentioning. When you can, add in numbers and metrics to show how well you did. Perhaps you utilized a virtual assistant to manage customer queries, which led to a 30% increase in customer satisfaction ratings. Pick experiences that fit the sales job you want and show off your skills best.
You can also stand out by talking about what makes you different from other salespeople. Maybe you’re great at connecting with clients or solving problems. Maybe you have brilliant leadership skills and adore taking charge. Make sure that shines through by mentioning specific examples of these strengths in your resume.
Finally, use strong words to talk about your achievements. Change this part for each job you apply to, so it fits what the company wants. If you see specific words or phrases in the job listing that you feel match your personal brand, be sure to include them in your resume to show you’re a good fit.
Align your sales resume to your online presence
Personal branding is all about consistency. You want your brand to shine through no matter where someone encounters it. This could be on paper or online. So, take a moment to compare your resume with what’s out there about you on the web.
Your online image should echo the message you’re conveying on your resume. If your resume paints you as a top-tier sales performer, but your LinkedIn profile lacks any evidence of your sales achievements, it might raise some eyebrows. Employers want to see that you’re the real deal, both on paper and online.
Utilizing LinkedIn automation tools can help keep your profile active and engaging, showcasing your achievements and ensuring your personal brand is consistently presented across all platforms.
So, take a peek at your online profiles. Make sure they’re telling the same story as your sales resume. Show off your sales skills, share your successes, share insights into your industry expertise, and engage with relevant content, use your online presence to bolster your personal brand as a savvy sales professional. That way, when employers look you up after reading your sales resume, they’ll see the real deal.
Include your personal interests and pursuits
Don’t forget to mention your hobbies and interests. After all it’s a small detail that can make a big difference.
Why does it matter? Because it gives hiring managers a glimpse into your life beyond the sales floor. Whether you’re passionate about photography, cooking, or hiking, sharing a bit about your personal pursuits shows you’re a well-rounded individual with interests outside of work.
Plus, it can speak volumes about your character and what you bring to the table. Maybe you’re a sales team player who organizes weekend hikes, or a creative problem solver who loves experimenting in the kitchen. These traits can enhance the workplace culture and make you stand out as more than just a sales professional.
So, don’t be shy about sharing a bit of your personality on your resume. It’s all about painting a complete picture of who you are and what you bring to the table.
Final thoughts
In the competitive world of sales, where every interaction counts, your personal brand is your most potent asset. It’s what sets you apart, builds trust with clients, and ultimately drives your success. By writing a sales resume that authentically shows your unique strengths, experiences, and personality, you’re positioning yourself for success in the dynamic and fast-paced world of sales.
Remember, your sales resume is more than just a document. It’s your ticket to new opportunities, your chance to make a lasting impression, and your gateway to a successful career in sales. So, whether you’re a sales manager, a sales associate, or a new job seeker, take the insights and tips we’ve shared, tailor them to fit your personal brand, and go forth with confidence as you embark on your sales journey.
Now that you know how to write a sales resume that reflects your personal brand, here’s to landing those lucrative deals, forging lasting relationships, and making your mark as a standout sales professional.
