How to craft an effective sales manager resume
Sales managers oversee entire sales departments, holding key responsibilities such as recruiting, hiring, training, and supervising sales staff members.
In order to close the deal with your qualifications and excel in the competitive sales arena, you'll need a well-crafted resume that highlights your top qualifications for the position.
From highlighting your killer instincts to demonstrating your pipeline prowess, this guide will equip you with the sales ammo needed to land your dream role.
In this guide, we cover 6 easy steps on how to write a resume as a sales manager. Keep reading to learn all about:
- How to choose a format for your sales manager resume
- What to write in your sales manager resume summary
- Which key sales manager skills to include in a resume
- Ways to describe your work experience as a sales manager
- How to list your educational credentials as a sales manager
- How to include relevant extra sections in your sales manager resume
1. How to choose the best format for your sales manager resume
The first essential step when writing a sales manager resume is to choose the best resume format to fit your specific needs.
There are three main resume formats to choose between:
- Reverse-chronological: An RC resume emphasizes work experience, listing your most recent job first and working backward from there. This type of resume focuses almost exclusively on work experience, leaving only small side sections for other information, like skills and education.
- Functional: A functional resume shifts the emphasis of the document from work experience to skills, education, and unpaid experience (internships, volunteering, etc.). This can be a good option for applicants with limited work history.
- Hybrid: A hybrid resume removes emphasis altogether, spreading the focus of the document out more evenly between all sections. This can work well for applicants who have large gaps in their work history or those who are making a career change.
Regardless of which format you ultimately choose, you will always begin your resume with a well-crafted header that contains your name, professional title, and contact information.
Here is an example of a well-formated sales manager resume header
Michael Byers, Sales Manager
(123) 456-7890 | mikebyers@email.com | linked.com/in/mike-byers
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2. How to craft an eye-catching sales manager resume summary
When it comes to your sales manager resume, the summary section is your golden ticket to captivate recruiters and make them say, "This candidate means business!"
A great resume summary for a sales manager should be a strategic blend of personality, achievements, and a sprinkle of charm.
In addition to clearly stating information such as your years of experience or specializations, a summary may also include a statement on what you are looking for in a job. This can help employers to determine right away whether or not you are a good fit for their company — saving both their time and yours in the long run.
Here is an example of a well-written sales manager resume summary
Dedicated sales manager with 8+ years of experience and a proven track record at effectively managing retail sales teams and leading teams in raising quarterly sales by 10% or more. In search of a position with opportunities for professional growth and development, with an emphasis on mentorship.
Why is this correct?
In this summary, the job applicant clearly states how long they have worked in this career, what type of sales they specialize in (retail), and what they are hoping to find in a job opportunity.
3. What are the best sales manager skills to include in a resume
Next on your resume to-do list, it is time to decide what sales manager skills you want to include.
When choosing skills to include on a resume, you should brainstorm both technical and interpersonal skills to highlight. Including both these types of skills shows employers you have a strong understanding of the importance of both technical know-how and the ability to collaborate with others.
Here are 5 examples of technical skills to include on a sales manager resume
- Hiring, recruiting, and onboarding processes
- Team coaching
- Conducting performance evaluations
- Developing sales presentations
- Researching current sales trends
Here are 5 examples of interpersonal skills to include on a sales manager resume
- Active listening
- Leadership (always describe an exact leadership style when possible!)
- Customer service
- Excellent written and verbal communication
- Delegation
Find out your resume score!
4. How to effectively describe your work experience as a sales manager
Once you know which skills you plan on including in your sales manager resume, you can move on to creating your work experience section.
Your work experience section is your stage to showcase your sales prowess and demonstrate your ability to drive revenue like a sales rockstar.
Picture this section as a thrilling highlight reel of your career accomplishments. Flaunt your sales achievements like trophies, from smashing sales targets to building lucrative client relationships that stood the test of time.
Keep in mind that most employers won’t read your resume word-for-word, so make sure to make it as skimmable as possible so an employer can glean the most important information from it at a glance.
Here is an example of a well-worded work experience entry from a sales manager's resume
Sales Manager
Kohl’s Department Store
Raleigh, NC
May 2016 to June 2021
- Led 7 marketing campaigns with budgets of roughly $2 million each, implementing marketing strategies that led to an average 45% increase in revenue across all 7 campaigns.
- Revamped training processes to achieve a faster onboarding system, improving staff training efficiency by more than 20%.
- Supervised a staff of more than 200 sales representatives, including sales reps on the floor of the department store dealing with face-to-face customer interactions.
5. How to properly list your educational credentials as a sales manager
Another important step for writing a sales manager resume is to properly list your educational credentials.
In general, you should always list your highest level of education, including what you studied (if it was a degree or trade program), where you attended, and when you graduated or completed your training.
Here is an example of a well-crafted education section on a sales manager’s resume
B.A. in Business Administration
Boston University, Boston, MA
- Majors: Business Administration & Hospitality
- Graduated: 2018
6. How to pick relevant extra sections for your sales manager resume
As a sales manager, your resume should sparkle with extra sections that go beyond the numbers and quotas, showcasing your well-rounded skills and passions.
When selecting relevant extra sections, think outside the sales box and consider activities that demonstrate your versatility and leadership.
One excellent choice is a section highlighting your volunteering experiences. For instance, you may have dedicated your time to organizing fundraising events for a local charity, demonstrating your ability to build relationships, manage projects, and inspire a team—all vital skills for a successful sales manager.
Volunteering activities reveal your commitment to making a positive impact beyond the sales world, while also showcasing your leadership, teamwork, and organizational abilities. So, seize the opportunity to impress with your multifaceted talents and let your sales manager resume shine like a beacon of success!
Here's an example of how to properly list an extra section in your sales manager resume
Volunteering Experience
- Fundraising Committee Member, ABC Nonprofit Organization (2018-Present)
- Actively participate in planning and executing fundraising events to support the organization's mission.
- Collaborate with a diverse team of volunteers to develop innovative fundraising strategies and campaigns.
- Cultivate relationships with potential donors, sponsors, and community partners to secure financial support.
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