Key Musts for a Sales Resume

A sales professional's resume needs to succinctly demonstrate achievements and results that immediately state to employers: "I can beat your goals."

Sales is very measurable and your resume must highlight both your quantifiable accomplishments as well as certain soft skills.

There are different metrics that you can use to quantify results and demonstrate sales success on a resume to impress employers. Consider the following:

Meet and/or Exceed Sales Quota
Professionals in a sales position are given a quota to meet. Demonstrate on your resume your ability to meet your sales quota consistently, or even go beyond it, by providing the percentage of your achievements within the most recent years. If you have a strong track record, you will shine.
Many sales resumes go wrong by stating such things as "grew business $250K over previous year". Very nice, but is this good or bad, meaning how did this compare against your goal? Better to say "Delivered 121% of quota". You may want to add "by growing business $250K over previous year" but remember that in some companies, $250K may not be considered very much.
Your Rank Against Your Peers
Companieswant to hire top performers so demonstrate that you are one by indicating your rank: "Consistently ranked in the Top 5 out of 150 peers nationwide". You can also put in percentages: "Ranked in Top 10%".
Drive New Business
There are other ways to make your sales resume stand out and this includes your ability to drive new business and increase the customer base. Demonstrate on your resume your ability to deliver new accounts by quantifying how much new business you brought in and how this compared to others in the company. For instance, "increased client base by 45% versus a company average of 15%".
Strong Customer Retention and Account Penetration
Getting a big customer is great and you show how you were able to drive greater year-over year sales by expanding the company's presence into other areas of the account. Also highlight your strong account management skills by indicating your retention rate. Use phrases like "Increased sales at existing customers by over 15% each year and earned a 100% retention rate". Even better if you can add what the average retention rate is for others in the company.
Closing Rate
Employers value sales professionals who can close deals. Again try to compare yourself against your peers by stating "Noted for 72% closing rate versus company average of 45%".
Awards
If you have been ranked and awarded for your effectiveness and success on the job, include it as a highlight on your resume. It can help further support the points you make to demonstrate you are a standout sales professional.
Training and Certifications
Informing an employer that you have received up-to-date training or have been certified can be another impressive mark on the resume. It reinforces your personal character and shows how you continue to seek education and knowledge to improve yourself and your effectiveness in your career. Also highlight if you were selected to train others in your personal sales practices.
Highlight Your Relationships
If you have built loyal relationships with companies that the employer would like to get into, then make sure you stress this. This shows that you can gain an introduction to key accounts much faster than other sales reps, so don't forget to show your experience in dealing with the type of customer or client base the employer handles. Whether your experience is with start-ups, companies that are overseas or large corporations, plug these relevant details in with your quantified results to make an even more impressive mark.

Your resume can be viewed as a direct reflection of your sales abilities. Market yourself effectively on the resume by demonstrating results in all aspects of the sales profession to show you have contributed to the success of revenue growth for your former employers.

Don Goodman, President of About Jobs (http://www.gotthejob.com/) is a nationally recognized Career Coach and Resume Writer. A graduate of the Wharton School of Business and Stanford University's Executive Program, Don has helped thousands of people secure their next job. Read his blog at www.GotTheJob.com/blog/ or contact him at 800-909-0109 or by e-mail at dgoodman@GotTheJob.com.

Read more ...

How to Write Great Sales Resumes: What You Need to Know to Stand Out From the Crowd

Sales professionals have a significant advantage over other job seekers, in that they have a terrific opportunity to display their value on resumes through quantifiable results. Whereas most other professionals have difficulty expressing their achievements tangibly, sales professionals can use hard numbers to demonstrate how well they have performed in their jobs.

Statistics are very effective on sales resumes. Since there are so many ways that sales professionals are measured, they are able to pick and choose the numbers that work to their advantages. When creating your resume, choose only the metrics that work to your advantage. If you did not hit your sales goal but you were able to increase your market share, highlight only the latter statistic.

Here are a few key performance measurements you can use to show off your accomplishments:

* Percentage-to-plan: Out of all categories, this is often the clearest indication of superior performance. If you have consistently exceeded your quotas, provide the specific data on your resume. Phase the achievement as a percentage (e.g., "Achieved 121% of sales plan."), and use data for entire years whenever possible. If the length of employment is brief or if you are writing the resume well into a year, you can use quarters or half-years.

* Ranking: Your standing among your peers is a great way to illustrate your worth. You can list your ranking by team, office, level, district, region, nation, or other geographic grouping. You can also include ranking by product, service, or division if those numbers work to your advantage. If you excel in one specific category, then focus on that statistic when you list your ranking. Categories can include sales volume, units sold, units-per-transaction, and percentage-to-plan. Take a close look at your performance numbers and see where you rank among the top.

* Growth: Your percentage of growth is a good performance indicator, especially when the growth is consistent or when you compare the growth to a predecessor's numbers. If you can show a significant year-over-year increase in volume, market share, or goal attainment, you can make a powerful point on your resume. This statistic is helpful in cases where there has been impressive growth, but the sales goal is unattainable or has been elevated due to your excellent performance the year before.

Sales resumes without quantifiable results lack impact and often fall to the bottom of the stack. Simply listing your job responsibilities is an outdated approach and will not impress a prospective employer. Instead, show hiring managers how well you've performed your job by providing accurate statistics that portray you as the superstar you are. Don't sell yourself short!

Robert Mandelberg is the owner of http://greatsalesresumes.com/. For more than 20 years, he has helped thousands of clients reach their career goals. Rob is a published author, a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW), and a Certified Employment Interview Professional (CEIP). He is a member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers/Career Coaches and the Career Directors Institute. He is also the founder of the Job-Search Summit, a career education program featuring national industry thought leaders.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Mandelberg

Read more ...

How to Write a Powerful Sales Associate Resume - Get the Job of Your Dreams

Are you stuck trying to write a great sales associate resume that will help you get a lucrative job? There is a lot of competition out there and a good resume is essential to help you grab the attention of recruiters. Once you do get the job your skill and talent will help you succeed. However, you need to be able to showcase your talents so that potential recruiters have a good idea about what your potential is.

There is a skill behind writing a powerful and compelling sales associate resume. If you do not possess it then you should take immediate steps to acquire it. There are a few things that your resume has to contain. You need to write down all your achievements, including educational qualifications and job experience. You should also list any job specific training you have received. If there were any sales accounts that you have managed to make profitable then you should certainly include that information. It goes without saying that you need to include accurate contact details.

A powerful sales associate resume is one that is result-oriented. You should always work under the assumption that the person reading it will be thinking, "What's in it for me (the organization)?" As a result, you have to highlight ways in which you can be of value to the particular organization you have applied to. You should always customize your sales associate resume to the needs of a particular company instead of sending out the identical one to all companies you apply to. You will have to do some research about the company you are applying to so that you know what their requirements are and how you can specify you can be of value to them.

You should be very specific when you list out your prior sales experience. However, you should never divulge any confidential information about your previous employers because this will reduce your credibility. No one will hire you because you will then be considered a potential security risk and a person with no loyalty.

While you will undoubtedly have lots of sales related experience to write about in great detail, you should also include information about any special projects you have participated in. This will indicate that you have a well-rounded personality and will be able to contribute to the company in a big way. Finally, make sure that the resume is concise so that you don't waste the reader's time.

Learn how to write the best possible sales associate resume so that your resume is always at the top of the heap on a recruiter's desk. Find out what information you should include and what you should leave out so that your resume is attention grabbing and hard to resist.

Read more ...

How to Write a Powerful Sales Associate Resume - Get the Job of Your Dreams

Are you stuck trying to write a great sales associate resume that will help you get a lucrative job? There is a lot of competition out there and a good resume is essential to help you grab the attention of recruiters. Once you do get the job your skill and talent will help you succeed. However, you need to be able to showcase your talents so that potential recruiters have a good idea about what your potential is.

There is a skill behind writing a powerful and compelling sales associate resume. If you do not possess it then you should take immediate steps to acquire it. There are a few things that your resume has to contain. You need to write down all your achievements, including educational qualifications and job experience. You should also list any job specific training you have received. If there were any sales accounts that you have managed to make profitable then you should certainly include that information. It goes without saying that you need to include accurate contact details.

A powerful sales associate resume is one that is result-oriented. You should always work under the assumption that the person reading it will be thinking, "What's in it for me (the organization)?" As a result, you have to highlight ways in which you can be of value to the particular organization you have applied to. You should always customize your sales associate resume to the needs of a particular company instead of sending out the identical one to all companies you apply to. You will have to do some research about the company you are applying to so that you know what their requirements are and how you can specify you can be of value to them.

You should be very specific when you list out your prior sales experience. However, you should never divulge any confidential information about your previous employers because this will reduce your credibility. No one will hire you because you will then be considered a potential security risk and a person with no loyalty.

While you will undoubtedly have lots of sales related experience to write about in great detail, you should also include information about any special projects you have participated in. This will indicate that you have a well-rounded personality and will be able to contribute to the company in a big way. Finally, make sure that the resume is concise so that you don't waste the reader's time.

Learn how to write the best possible sales associate resume so that your resume is always at the top of the heap on a recruiter's desk. Find out what information you should include and what you should leave out so that your resume is attention grabbing and hard to resist.

Read more ...

How to Write Great Sales Resumes: What You Need to Know to Stand Out From the Crowd

Sales professionals have a significant advantage over other job seekers, in that they have a terrific opportunity to display their value on resumes through quantifiable results. Whereas most other professionals have difficulty expressing their achievements tangibly, sales professionals can use hard numbers to demonstrate how well they have performed in their jobs.

Statistics are very effective on sales resumes. Since there are so many ways that sales professionals are measured, they are able to pick and choose the numbers that work to their advantages. When creating your resume, choose only the metrics that work to your advantage. If you did not hit your sales goal but you were able to increase your market share, highlight only the latter statistic.

Here are a few key performance measurements you can use to show off your accomplishments:

* Percentage-to-plan: Out of all categories, this is often the clearest indication of superior performance. If you have consistently exceeded your quotas, provide the specific data on your resume. Phase the achievement as a percentage (e.g., "Achieved 121% of sales plan."), and use data for entire years whenever possible. If the length of employment is brief or if you are writing the resume well into a year, you can use quarters or half-years.

* Ranking: Your standing among your peers is a great way to illustrate your worth. You can list your ranking by team, office, level, district, region, nation, or other geographic grouping. You can also include ranking by product, service, or division if those numbers work to your advantage. If you excel in one specific category, then focus on that statistic when you list your ranking. Categories can include sales volume, units sold, units-per-transaction, and percentage-to-plan. Take a close look at your performance numbers and see where you rank among the top.

* Growth: Your percentage of growth is a good performance indicator, especially when the growth is consistent or when you compare the growth to a predecessor's numbers. If you can show a significant year-over-year increase in volume, market share, or goal attainment, you can make a powerful point on your resume. This statistic is helpful in cases where there has been impressive growth, but the sales goal is unattainable or has been elevated due to your excellent performance the year before.

Sales resumes without quantifiable results lack impact and often fall to the bottom of the stack. Simply listing your job responsibilities is an outdated approach and will not impress a prospective employer. Instead, show hiring managers how well you've performed your job by providing accurate statistics that portray you as the superstar you are. Don't sell yourself short!

Robert Mandelberg is the owner of http://greatsalesresumes.com/. For more than 20 years, he has helped thousands of clients reach their career goals. Rob is a published author, a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW), and a Certified Employment Interview Professional (CEIP). He is a member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers/Career Coaches and the Career Directors Institute. He is also the founder of the Job-Search Summit, a career education program featuring national industry thought leaders.

Read more ...

How to Write Great Sales Resumes: What You Need to Know to Stand Out From the Crowd

Sales professionals have a significant advantage over other job seekers, in that they have a terrific opportunity to display their value on resumes through quantifiable results. Whereas most other professionals have difficulty expressing their achievements tangibly, sales professionals can use hard numbers to demonstrate how well they have performed in their jobs.

Statistics are very effective on sales resumes. Since there are so many ways that sales professionals are measured, they are able to pick and choose the numbers that work to their advantages. When creating your resume, choose only the metrics that work to your advantage. If you did not hit your sales goal but you were able to increase your market share, highlight only the latter statistic.

Here are a few key performance measurements you can use to show off your accomplishments:

* Percentage-to-plan: Out of all categories, this is often the clearest indication of superior performance. If you have consistently exceeded your quotas, provide the specific data on your resume. Phase the achievement as a percentage (e.g., "Achieved 121% of sales plan."), and use data for entire years whenever possible. If the length of employment is brief or if you are writing the resume well into a year, you can use quarters or half-years.

* Ranking: Your standing among your peers is a great way to illustrate your worth. You can list your ranking by team, office, level, district, region, nation, or other geographic grouping. You can also include ranking by product, service, or division if those numbers work to your advantage. If you excel in one specific category, then focus on that statistic when you list your ranking. Categories can include sales volume, units sold, units-per-transaction, and percentage-to-plan. Take a close look at your performance numbers and see where you rank among the top.

* Growth: Your percentage of growth is a good performance indicator, especially when the growth is consistent or when you compare the growth to a predecessor's numbers. If you can show a significant year-over-year increase in volume, market share, or goal attainment, you can make a powerful point on your resume. This statistic is helpful in cases where there has been impressive growth, but the sales goal is unattainable or has been elevated due to your excellent performance the year before.

Sales resumes without quantifiable results lack impact and often fall to the bottom of the stack. Simply listing your job responsibilities is an outdated approach and will not impress a prospective employer. Instead, show hiring managers how well you've performed your job by providing accurate statistics that portray you as the superstar you are. Don't sell yourself short!

Robert Mandelberg is the owner of http://greatsalesresumes.com/. For more than 20 years, he has helped thousands of clients reach their career goals. Rob is a published author, a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW), and a Certified Employment Interview Professional (CEIP). He is a member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers/Career Coaches and the Career Directors Institute. He is also the founder of the Job-Search Summit, a career education program featuring national industry thought leaders.

Read more ...

How to Write Great Sales Resumes: What You Need to Know to Stand Out From the Crowd

Sales professionals have a significant advantage over other job seekers, in that they have a terrific opportunity to display their value on resumes through quantifiable results. Whereas most other professionals have difficulty expressing their achievements tangibly, sales professionals can use hard numbers to demonstrate how well they have performed in their jobs.

Statistics are very effective on sales resumes. Since there are so many ways that sales professionals are measured, they are able to pick and choose the numbers that work to their advantages. When creating your resume, choose only the metrics that work to your advantage. If you did not hit your sales goal but you were able to increase your market share, highlight only the latter statistic.

Here are a few key performance measurements you can use to show off your accomplishments:

* Percentage-to-plan: Out of all categories, this is often the clearest indication of superior performance. If you have consistently exceeded your quotas, provide the specific data on your resume. Phase the achievement as a percentage (e.g., "Achieved 121% of sales plan."), and use data for entire years whenever possible. If the length of employment is brief or if you are writing the resume well into a year, you can use quarters or half-years.

* Ranking: Your standing among your peers is a great way to illustrate your worth. You can list your ranking by team, office, level, district, region, nation, or other geographic grouping. You can also include ranking by product, service, or division if those numbers work to your advantage. If you excel in one specific category, then focus on that statistic when you list your ranking. Categories can include sales volume, units sold, units-per-transaction, and percentage-to-plan. Take a close look at your performance numbers and see where you rank among the top.

* Growth: Your percentage of growth is a good performance indicator, especially when the growth is consistent or when you compare the growth to a predecessor's numbers. If you can show a significant year-over-year increase in volume, market share, or goal attainment, you can make a powerful point on your resume. This statistic is helpful in cases where there has been impressive growth, but the sales goal is unattainable or has been elevated due to your excellent performance the year before.

Sales resumes without quantifiable results lack impact and often fall to the bottom of the stack. Simply listing your job responsibilities is an outdated approach and will not impress a prospective employer. Instead, show hiring managers how well you've performed your job by providing accurate statistics that portray you as the superstar you are. Don't sell yourself short!

Robert Mandelberg is the owner of http://greatsalesresumes.com/. For more than 20 years, he has helped thousands of clients reach their career goals. Rob is a published author, a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW), and a Certified Employment Interview Professional (CEIP). He is a member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers/Career Coaches and the Career Directors Institute. He is also the founder of the Job-Search Summit, a career education program featuring national industry thought leaders.

Read more ...

The Best Resume Tip for Medical Sales Jobs

What's the best way to show recruiters and hiring managers why they should consider you for a position? It has nothing to do with the interview...go back a step. It's your resume. But many sales reps fail to understand exactly what recruiters and hiring managers are looking for when they scan resumes.

As a medical sales recruiter, I frequently see resumes cross my desk from candidates who've had experience in selling roles, but fail to include numbers, dollars, or percentages on their resumes. It's a common mistake that can really hurt you in the job search.

What do I mean by numbers, dollars, or percentages? Here are some examples: revenue in the territory, percent-to-budget, average selling price, largest account, largest sale, rank among sales reps, how many sales reps in their company, etc. There are many factors they could use to show their productivity.

Why? If you don't include these statistics on your resume, it sends the message that you aren't clear on what your role as a sales rep is supposed to be.

If you do understand your role as a sales rep, you understand that your job is to drive revenue. You must include evidence that supports your success in that role on your resume - in the form of dollars, numbers and percentages. That's what will attract the attention of recruiters and sales managers.

Remember, your resume is your marketing brochure. Use it to show potential employers that they need you because you know how to drive revenue for their company-and you've done it before for others.

Read more ...

Experts Are Smart to Sell Themselves on Professional Sales Resumes

Why does a sales person need a professional resume? A person who has become an expert at selling cars was able to attain this through years of experience. Professional resume writers are the same but what they sell are people. They can identify the approach that works. A sales person would have to rely on trial and error. This experimentation might cost a lucrative account because the wrong technique can be fatal. The professional has an arsenal of proven methods that have been tested as effective.

Resume-Writing Fantasies

Most people who already make a living through selling occasionally do not believe they need the services of a professional resume writer. They are already good at sales so they consider their expertise sufficient to the task. Unfortunately, one type of expertise does not ensure another. For instance, a person great at sales talk might not be as effective when it comes to the written variety of selling. A professional resume writer will definitely do a better simply because it is his or her field of expertise.

There is much "How To" literature on resume writing so how it is supposed to be done is available. Is knowledge gained this way sufficient? The truth is, many people know how to sell but only a few really sell. Knowing what to include in a resume and how to package it or present it does not immediately make what is produced an effective advertisement. Unless one is seriously planning to enter professional resume writing, the time spent developing this skill would have been better spent selling what one already sells best.

What Should a Resume Look Like?

One area that can challenge the sales or marketing experts is proving their contribution to a successful sales initiative. It may be true that they already know how to focus a customer on the benefits one can get instead of going on and on about the features. When it comes to presenting their own value or contribution, they have difficulty quantifying their impact. A professional will be able to do this for their clients, creating a professional sales resume based on input from the client. Moreover, the visual presentation of the resume will be appropriate and contribute to closing the sale.

In today's competitive world, standing out matters. Since people emulate what works, what was once unique rapidly becomes the norm, and at times an obsolete method when newer ways come along. By necessity, professional resume writers keep an eye on these trends. They keep up on the most effective way to make a resume stand out from the rest.
Even expert marketers or great salesmen can benefit from the services of a good professional writer. At the very least, a professional sales resume will free them to pursue their own expertise.

Paul Freiberger is President of Shimmering Resumes, a resume-writing, interview preparation, and career counseling service based in San Mateo, California. Paul is the author of several books and the winner of the Los Angeles Times book award. He offers resume writing services, job interview and job search campaign coaching nationwide. He can be reached at: Paul@shimmeringresumes.com, or, by phone at 877-796-9737. You can see resume and cover letter samples of his work at http://www.shimmeringresumes.com/.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_A._Freiberger

Read more ...

Cover Letter Sample of Sales Executive

You need to be personable, have an easy going attitude with customers and an excellent communication skill to be a qualified sales executive. Besides this basic skill, computer skills that specialized in accounting and spreadsheets can be very useful as well. You also will be asked to present products to the clients and be a good leader for your teammates. Though there is no specific educational requirement to be a sales executive but you need at least a bachelor’s degree to get this job. As a sales executive you need to maintain great connection between the company and clients and create a positive value of the company. If you are interested to join this job, you can use the below cover letter sample.

Sales Executive Cover Letter

Jason Smith,

12 East 34 Streets,
New Jersey, MA 56789,
(098)-765 4321.

Date: 1st September, 2010

Mr. Richard Anderson,
ABC Company,
98 West 56 Streets,
New Jersey, MA 56789,
(098)-765 4321

Dear Mr. Anderson,

I found your advertisement for sales executive position on vacancy.info. I believe that I have matching experience and skills as per your qualifications. I have attached my resume for your consideration.

As per my resume showed, I have more than five years of experience as an assistant coordinator of sales and marketing in ABC Company. During my professional career I learned to develop marketing strategies and sales policies which help in promoting the awareness of the product within the corresponding computing society, and developing efficient sales.

Please contact me for the possibility of arranging an interview as per your convenience. I am looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Thank for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Jason Smith

Read more ...

Sales Rep Resume Writing

As a sales rep your most important skill, is of course, your ability to sell. To convince people that the product you are suggesting is the best thing they can acquire. So why is a resume that sells you any different?

Treat your resume as you would expect any other sales brochure to describe its product. Make the reader see the features and benefits of the product, make them want to view the product in person.

In other words make them want to call you in for an interview.

So how can you do this?

Actually it is easier than you may think. First of all you are obviously going to list all the typical things that are on a resume.

Name.
Previous Employment.
Education.
Etc.

But what you can to really make your resume stand out as a sales rep resume is to add features and benefits.

Include things such as your outside hobbies and interests that are related to your career field. Sure, people may be impressed that you run marathons or snowboard. But what will really impress them is if you are a member of a club that is related to your product market or you take it upon yourself to immerse yourself in your chosen industry.

For example you may be a sales rep for an art gallery. Would it not be better to state that you spend some of your spare time visiting exhibits and galleries around your city? The benefits of this feature to your "product" is that you are passionate about the art world and take time to learn more outside of work.

Does that sound better than "I go snowboarding at the weekend after my shift at my previous job"?

Exactly.

You may should also mention any and all training you have received from vendors and brands.

Listing your degree or high school diploma is not a bad thing, but listing your training courses within your industry is far better.

The benefits of this are obvious. You have extensive knowledge that other applicants may not be able to match purely down to the opportunities their previous employer did or did not give them.

As you can see, just those two simple tips can go a long way to making your resume into a brochure rather than just a typical cover letter of experience.

To learn more tips be sure to read my Sales Rep Resume page.

Read more ...

Your Resume Is Your Sales Brochure in the Job Market

Some people go about their job hunting without any idea of who they are competing against. If not handled properly rejection can induce resentment which will inevitably play against you at an interview.

Gone are the days where you would stand in the town square waiting for someone to hire you for the day.

Applying for jobs is a blind endeavour for candidates who have no clue about the number and calibre of other applicants. For employers it can be a daunting task which explains why so many recruitment agencies have sprung up everywhere.

Are you looking at doing more of the same of what you have done in the past or are you trying to switch careers? Do you have any idea how you come across when you respond to a job post? Is there any way to spare yourself the hassle of being treated like a commodity and get in early on a new opening?

The answer to all these questions depend on how you treat you job hunting activities. If it is a casual past time you will get average results. If you treat it like a full time work you will get the outcome your commitment deserves hopefully.

We are all tainted by our past experience and it is so easy to assume that what worked in the past will continue to work for us - it's just a matter of trying harder...

The way you see yourself is not necessary the way others see you - especially on the employment scene. Employers are lazy and greedy. If they can get it done in India they will. If they can find a clever monkey they will pay peanuts.

So go for the jobs where an Indian accent or a primate approach is not good for the corporate image. Talk to as many people as you can. Check out blogs and forums. Don't waste what money you have left in dubious courses and certifications. Instead train yourself in passing the relevant aptitude tests. See what jobs are in demand even if it means eating some humble pie for a while. If you have lots of time on your hands offer your services as a volunteer and get some credentials that way.

If migration has eroded some opportunities in your area you might have to re-locate but do it only as a measure of last resort. It is very expensive to set new roots if a family depends on you. Some people work in another city and only come home for the weekend.

Read more ...