How to write an effective sales manager resume in 5 easy steps

Sales managers oversee entire sales departments, holding key responsibilities such as recruiting, hiring, training, and supervising sales staff members. To win a job as a sales manager, you need a well-crafted resume that highlights your top qualifications for the position.

In this guide, we cover 5 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

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

2. How to craft an eye-catching sales manager resume summary

A resume summary serves a key purpose on a sales manager's resume by helping to hook the attention of the employer by showcasing your very top credentials.

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

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.

In this section, each job entry you include should utilize bullet points for organization. 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

Finally, your last 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

Published on Nov. 23, 2022

Nikoleta Žišková

Resume Writer & Editor

A journalist by trade, a writer by fate. Nikoleta went from writing for media outlets to exploring the world of content creation with Kickresume and helping people get closer to the job of their dreams. Her insights and career guides have been published by The Female Lead, College Recruiter, and ISIC, among others. When she’s not writing or (enthusiastically) pestering people with questions, you can find her traveling or sipping on a cup of coffee.

Are you thinking of applying for a sales manager position? Then you've come to the right place. Our ultimate sales manager resume guide and samples will help you tailor your CV sections to a specific position without a hitch.