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Sales Manager Resume Examples
Related resume samples
Sales manager resume sample [to copy-and-paste]
Choose the right resume format for your sales manager resume
How to write a sales manager resume in 5 simple steps
Add a cover letter
Key takeaways for your sales manager resume
Commonly asked question about resume writing

You could sell water to a fish but does your resume do a good enough job of selling your skills and experience to potential employers?

To learn how to write a sales manager resume that showcases your expertise, study our resume examples for sales managers. Written by professional resume writers, they show you how to showcase the marketing, people and organizational skills that help you steer your sales teams toward success.

With the help of some easy-to-follow instructions on how to write a resume, tips on which sales manager skills to use and examples of sales manager resumes for reference, the task of writing a standout resume can be much simpler than you think. Here, you’ll learn exactly what you need to know to write an impressive sales manager resume in a matter of minutes.

Keep reading to learn more about:

Sales manager resume examples for applicants with and without experience.
Tips and tricks for writing sales manager resumes, including how to study a sales manager job description for resume keywords.
What to include in every section of your sales manager resume.
How to choose the right resume template and format for the role.

Ready to write your sales manager resume now? Use our professional Resume Maker for step-by-step help writing every section.

Sales Manager Resume Examples

Experienced Sales Manager Resume Examples

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What makes this a great sales manager resume sample?

It’s an industry-appropriate resume template.
This resume features a relatively conservative design with a pop of subdued color to add a little personality. This template will be appropriate to use for most sales manager roles.
Packs in valuable information.
This sales manager resume sample is well organized and uses each of the five resume sections to its fullest.
Utilizes the right resume format.
Since this applicant is applying for a senior-level role, he has chosen a chronological resume format which puts the emphasis on his impressive work history. The addition of data and metrics further adds to the impact of his professional history.

Sales manager resume sample [to copy-and-paste]

Stephen Lopez

West Lafayette, IN 47906 | 555-555-5555 | example@example.com

Professional Summary

Customer-oriented, strategic-thinking sales management professional successful in cultivating partnerships, retaining top accounts and growing profit channels. Multitasking and self-motivated leader with expertise in expanding network connections and persuasively introducing products. Well-versed in implementing pricing models, managing vendor relations and expanding territory.

Work Experience

September 2018 – Current
Connect Sales Group – West Lafayette, IN
Sales Manager

Manage performance and salary reviews of 25+ employees.
Increase company profit by approximately 35% through practical employee training and workshops each quarter.
Spearhead sales meetings with staff, division president, closing coordinator and construction manager to share best process improvements.

August 2014 – September 2018
Connect Sales Group – West Lafayette, IN
Inside Sales Representative

Managed prospective customer relationships by partnering with customers to understand their business, industry and competition and presenting solutions with a consultative selling approach.
Leveraged digital and telephone techniques to generate sales leads.
Delivered superior customer support resulting in a 35% client account retention rate.

July 2010 – August 2014
United – West Lafayette, IN
Sales Representative

Exceeded 2013 quota by 20% with over $10K in sales.
Assessesed competitors by analyzing and summarizing competitor information and trends and identifying sales opportunities.
Filled orders by transferring orders to fulfillment, communicating the expected delivery date and explaining stock-outs.

Skills

Sales tracking
Database management
Construction and technology expert
Financial records analysis
Pipedrive expertise
Multidisciplinary team leadership
Detail-oriented
Consultative and relationship selling
Operational records review

Education

Purdue University West Lafayette, IN
MBA Business Administration And Management

Purdue University West Lafayette, IN
Bachelor of Science Accounting

Certifications

CSP – Certified Sales Professional
CPSP – Certified Professional Sales Person

Choose the right resume format for your sales manager resume

To land the sales manager job you want, you need to get the right information in front of a recruiter. How do you accomplish that? By selecting the right resume format.

Here’s how to decide which one is right for you:

Applicants with no related experience should consider using a functional resume format which puts transferable skills front and center.
Midlevel applicants with a few years of related experience should consider using a combination resume format, which is ideal for showing employers both your skills and work experience.
Experienced applicants who have five or more years of relevant experience should consider a chronological resume format to highlight work experience and a strong career progression.

Visit our guide to learn more about how to format a resume for more information on how to best showcase your skills, training and experience.

Select an appropriate sales manager resume template

Create your resume

While every sales manager resume template will have the same basic sections — a professional summary or resume objective, skills, work history and education — you can customize the look and feel of your resume by selecting the right template.

Since sales managers are hired in all kinds of fields — from car sales to clothing sales — choose your template based on the culture of the employer. For sales jobs in a creative industry — like advertising — choosing a creative resume template with some flair might be appropriate. However, for sales manager roles in more conservative fields, like insurance, consider one of our more understated modern resume templates or simple resume templates.

How to write a sales manager resume in 5 simple steps

While there are some basic rules for writing a great resume, top candidates for competitive sales manager jobs know that the key to getting noticed is to write a resume that is specific to the industry and the role they seek. Let’s break down how to accomplish this, step by step.

Step 1

1. Study the sales manager job description

The most effective sales manager resumes are customized to include keywords that show employers that you have the skills and experience it takes to perform the role.

To understand why customization is important, consider this: Many employers run resumes through applicant tracking systems (ATS) that screen out unqualified candidates based on preset keywords. If your resume doesn’t contain the right keywords, you’ll be eliminated before a human ever sees your resume. To make your resume ATS-friendly, you’ll need to customize it to the job description. That’s why if you’re able to successfully incorporate the right keywords, you’ll improve your chances of landing a job interview.

But how do you know which keywords to use? Study the sales manager job description.

While every role will be a little different, a good job ad should tell you everything you need to know about which keywords to add to your sales manager resume. The key to success is to study the job description and make a list of critical keywords.

For example, if the job description for the sales manager role you seek asks for “sales planning,” “hiring and recruiting experience” and “time management and communication skills,” you’ll want to be sure to use those exact words in your sales manager resume. Look for opportunities in your professional summary, skills section and work experience section to add the keywords you’ve identified. Then, go through your resume and make sure what you wrote matches the wording in the job description so that the ATS recognizes it.

It may sound like a lot, but once you get used to the process, it should only take you a few minutes to do and will get your sales manager resume better results than if you don’t tailor it.

Step 2

2. Write a professional summary or resume objective

Depending on your level of experience, your sales manager resume should include either a professional summary or a resume objective to start. Think of this section as your resume profile, where you provide potential employers with a summary of your most relevant skills and experience and some professional highlights.

Candidates with less experience should choose a resume objective, which states your transferable skills and your career goals. Applicants with more direct experience should use a professional summary, which outlines your skills and experience and highlights some of your most notable professional accomplishments.

Here are some strong examples for your sales manager resume:

Sales manager professional summary example:

Dynamic sales manager with eight years of proven experience in driving revenue growth and leading high-performing sales teams. Skilled in building and maintaining strong client relationships, leading to a 25% boost in customer retention rates. Adept at crafting and executing strategic sales plans that consistently exceed targets, resulting in a 30% increase in annual sales over the past three years. Known for fostering a collaborative and motivated team environment, resulting in a 15% improvement in team productivity. Proficient in data-driven decision-making and leveraging CRM systems to optimize sales processes. Exceptional communication skills and a track record of mentoring and developing sales talents to achieve exceptional results.

Sales manager objective example:

Recent graduate with a bachelor’s degree in business administration from UT Austin (Class of 2022), seeking to leverage academic foundation in a role as a sales manager. Proficient in analyzing market trends and customer behavior to identify growth opportunities and tailor effective sales strategies. Strong verbal and written communication skills honed through academic presentations and collaborative projects help convey value propositions persuasively. Eager to apply fresh insights and knowledge to drive sales strategies and foster lasting client relationships.

Step 3

3. Highlight your most relevant sales manager skills

Regardless of your experience level, hiring managers will be looking closely at the sales manager skills you list. Skills for a sales manager resume should be added to your resume skills section and peppered into your professional summary (or resume objective) and your work experience section.

It’s critical that you provide employers with a solid mix of hard and soft skills. Hard skills are the measurable skills needed to perform a job, like using CRM systems and doing performance reviews. These skills are easily taught in a classroom. Soft skills, like communication, empathy and time management, are behaviors and personality traits, which make them difficult to measure. Below, we provide a side-by-side list of hard and soft skills to help you see the difference between the two.

Hard and soft skills for a sales manager resume

Hard Skills

Hiring
Performance management
Strong math skills
CRM software
Sales planning
Data analysis

Soft Skills

Communication
Time management
People management
Attention to detail
Empathy
Deadline-driven

Here is an example of a strong sales manager skills section:

Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch and Figma
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Deadline-driven with stellar time management skills
High attention to detail

Pro tip

When writing your skills section, adding computer skills and other technical abilities are great. However, soft skills count, too. Try to find a mix of hard and soft skills to show that you are a well balanced applicant.

Step 4

4. Write a strong sales manager work experience section

While the required background and experience will be different for each role, the key to getting noticed is writing a work experience section that demonstrates what you will bring to the table.

The most effective way to highlight your previous achievements is by detailing your work experience on your resume. List your roles in reverse-chronological order, starting with the most recent, with bullet points that highlight your responsibilities and achievements using compelling language and metrics wherever possible to show the impact of your work.

Here is an example of a great sales manager work experience entry:

Sales manager, Big O Tires
Massapequa, NY
January 2019 – Present

Lead a team of 12 sales representatives, consistently surpassing quarterly revenue targets by an average of 20%.
Implemented a data-driven approach, analyzing sales metrics to identify areas for improvement, resulting in a 15% increase in conversion rates.
Developed and executed strategic sales plans, contributing to a 25% growth in the client base within a single fiscal year.
Mentor and coach junior team members, resulting in a 10% improvement in their individual sales performance in 2020.
Collaborate cross-functionally with marketing and product teams to align online and in-store sales strategies, launch promotions and introduce new products.

Pro tip

Make your sales manager credentials pop by using action words, data and metrics to capture the attention of a hiring manager.

Step 5

5. Showcase your education and training on your sales manager resume

To be hired as a sales manager, you’ll need to show employers that you have the required education and training. Top candidates for this role often list a bachelor’s degree in business administration and certifications or special training in sales. There is no need to list your year of graduation unless you’re a very recent grad.

How to list your sales manager education:

Education:

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
University of Texas at Austin – McCombs School of Business
Austin, TX

Certifications:

Certified Sales Professional (CSP)
Sales Management Association
Issued: November 2021

Pro tip

Don’t add graduation dates to your sales manager resume unless you graduated in the last two years. Otherwise, you could be introducing age bias into the hiring process.

Optional sections for your sales manager resume

Awards and honors

Adding honors and awards on your resume is a smart way to show off your abilities, achievements and qualifications. Being a successful sales manager is all about numbers and volume so including awards for exceptional performance can be a real boon to your resume by showing the employer you’re truly dedicated to your field and capable of making significant contributions to their organization, which ultimately will increase your chances of landing the job.

How to list awards on your sales manager resume:

2020 Strategic Sales Award Midas
2018 Salesperson of the Year Big O Tires

Projects

Projects are a great addition to your resume because they show you’re capable of using theoretical knowledge in real-world situations. It’s one thing to learn something in class — it’s another thing to put the ideas into practice.

Projects are also a tangible demonstration of the types of skills — from problem-solving and time management to teamwork and leadership — that are valuable to employers. Not only that but also a relevant project can highlight your long-standing passion and expertise in a given subject.

How to list projects on your sales manager resume:

Sales incentive programs: Designed and implemented incentive programs to motivate the sales team, aligning compensation with company goals and individual performance.
Sales process optimization: Reviewed and refined the sales process to make it more efficient and customer-centric. Identified bottlenecks, streamline stages and incorporate automation tools to enhance the overall sales cycle.
Sales training and development: Developed and implemented training programs to enhance the skills and knowledge of the sales team. This included product training, objection handling, negotiation techniques and customer relationship management.
Sales forecasting and analytics: Created models and tools for accurate sales forecasting, helping the organization plan resources, set goals and make informed decisions based on data analysis.

Languages

In sales, where communication is key, speaking multiple languages expands your communication abilities, giving you access to a wider variety of clients, customers and vendors, and opening the door to international opportunities.

All else being equal, if a job opening comes down to two candidates and one of them lists multiple languages on their resume, the multilingual candidate will often be more attractive to the employer.

How to list languages on your sales manager resume:

Fluent in Spanish and English
Proficient in German

Interests and hobbies

Adding hobbies to your resume is appropriate as long as they’re relevant to the job or not overly political or religious in nature. They offer an opportunity to show your personality and emphasize your transferable skills, like creativity or leadership.

Finally, hobbies and interests can demonstrate whether you’re the right culture fit for a company. They enrich your overall profile, showing the employer how you spend your time outside of work.

How to list interests and hobbies on your sales manager resume:

Parent Teacher Association – Volunteer
Running
Ceramics

Add a cover letter

Create your cover letter

Adding a sales manager cover letter to your application can help you stand out. Why? Because it gives you extra space to convince the employer that you’re the right person for the job.

Condensing all your experience into a two-page resume might feel constricting when you have so many accomplishments to show the employer. Use the cover letter to touch upon points from your resume that you glazed over, didn’t have the space to include or would like to expand upon.

It’s also where you can show some of your personality and explain why you want that particular job or how your values align with the company’s.

Writing a well-crafted and tailored cover letter can help make your application more complete and impress recruiters. Why not give it a shot?

Learning how to write a cover letter for a sales manager job starts with studying our cover letter examples to learn how to express your unique candidacy in a compelling way and how to format your cover letter for success.

Or, if you want a job-specific cover letter in a matter of minutes, use our professional Cover Letter Generator, which offers professionally written text suggestions for every section. Use the wording as-is or customize it to suit your needs.

Key takeaways for your sales manager resume

Follow our steps for a standout sales manager resume:
Take care to write all five sections of your resume in a way that is specific to the job you seek. Your professional summary, skills, work experience and education section should all contain information that is targeted to the job ad.
Select the appropriate resume format:
Decide what you’d like to emphasize the most on your sales manager resume – such as strong skills, an impressive work history or both — and then select the format that will help you put your best foot forward.
Be specific to the role:
Use specific information from the job ad rather than generic resume filler when crafting your document. Again, a well-written job description will tell you the critical credentials you must emphasize on your resume.
Include both hard and soft skills:
Being a sales manager requires a mix of technical and personal skills to do the job well. Study our list of hard and soft skills to be sure that you include a balance of both types in your resume.
Make your work experience section shine:
Accomplish this by using action verbs, data and metrics to show the impact of your work.
Choose an appropriate resume template:
Sales managers exist in creative environments and conservative workplaces alike. If you’re applying for a job at a conservative organization, you’ll want to choose a conservative resume design. For creative fields, your sales resume can be more colorful and creative.
Go the extra mile:
Including a well-written sales manager cover letter can increase your chances of landing a job interview, so don’t skip the opportunity to include one with your application.

Commonly asked question about resume writing

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Heather is the Content Strategy Manager for Resume Now and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with more than ten years of experience writing about job search and career topics. She is based in San Francisco.