As an international sales manager, distilling a wide range of cross-cultural communication skills and diverse market experience into a concise resume can be challenging. Our guide provides tailored strategies and examples to effectively showcase your global expertise, ensuring your resume stands out in the competitive international sales arena.
- Defining the highlights of your international sales manager career through your resume summary, objective, and experience.
- Real-world international sales manager resume samples with best practices on how to stand out amongst the endless pile of candidate resumes.
- Most in-demand international sales manager resume skills and certifications across the industry.
- Standardizing your resume layout, while maintaining your creativity and individuality.
If the international sales manager resume isn't the right one for you, take a look at other related guides we have:
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The ultimate formula for your international sales manager resume format
Our best advice on how to style your international sales manager resume is this - first, take the time to study the job advert requirements.
The resume format you select should ultimately help you better align how your experience matches the specific role.
There are four crucial elements you need to thus take into consideration:
- How you present your experience. If you happen to have plenty of relevant expertise, select the reverse-chronological resume format to organize your experience by dates, starting with the latest.
- Don't go over the top with writing your resume. Instead, stick with a maximum of two-page format to feature what matters most about your profile.
- Headers aren't just for "decoration". The header of your resume helps recruiters allocate your contact details, portfolio, and so much more.
- The PDF format rules. It's the most common practice to submit your international sales manager resume as a PDF so that your resume doesn't lose its layout. However, make sure the read the job well - in some instances, they might require a doc file.
Align your resume with the market’s standards – Canadian resumes may have unique layout guidelines.
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PRO TIP
If you failed to obtain one of the certificates, as listed in the requirements, but decide to include it on your resume, make sure to include a note somewhere that you have the "relevant training, but are planning to re-take the exams". Support this statement with the actual date you're planning to be re-examined. Always be honest on your resume.
International sales manager resume sections to answer recruiters' checklists:
- Header to help recruiters quickly allocate your contact details and have a glimpse over your most recent portfolio of work
- Summary or objective to provide an overview of your career highlights, dreams, and goals
- Experience to align with job requirements and showcase your measurable impact and accomplishments
- Skills section/-s to pinpoint your full breadth of expertise and talents as a candidate for the international sales manager role
- Education and certifications sections to potentially fill in any gaps in your experience and show your commitment to the industry
What recruiters want to see on your resume:
- Demonstrated ability to develop and execute successful international sales strategies in diverse markets
- Fluency in multiple languages relevant to key markets for the business
- Proven track record of meeting or exceeding sales targets and KPIs in international contexts
- Extensive experience in building and maintaining relationships with international clients and partners
- Solid understanding of international trade laws, regulations, and customs procedures
Writing your international sales manager resume experience
Within the body of your international sales manager resume is perhaps one of the most important sections - the resume experience one. Here are five quick tips on how to curate your international sales manager professional experience:
- Include your expertise that aligns to the job requirements;
- Always ensure that you qualify your achievements by including a skill, what you did, and the results your responsibility led to;
- When writing each experience bullet, ensure you're using active language;
- If you can include a personal skill you've grown, thanks to your experience, this would help you stand out;
- Be specific about your professional experience - it's not enough that you can "communicate", but rather what's your communication track record?
Wondering how other professionals in the industry are presenting their job-winning international sales manager resumes? Check out how these international sales manager professionals put some of our best practices into action:
- Developed and expanded the customer base in the EMEA region by identifying and pursuing new business opportunities, leading to a 25% increase in customer acquisition.
- Negotiated and closed deals with key accounts, growing the annual sales volume by $4.5 million in the industrial machinery sector.
- Led a multicultural sales team to exceed sales targets through improved sales strategies and comprehensive product training, achieving a 150% sales target fulfillment.
- Implemented a technology-driven sales approach, using CRM and data analytics to track sales performance, which improved lead conversion rates by 40%.
- Coordinated with marketing and product teams to develop tailored solutions for the Asian market, leading to a 20% increase in regional sales.
- Managed channel partner relationships throughout Asia-Pacific, enhancing channel network efficacy and boosting indirect sales by 30%.
- Orchestrated a strategic sales initiative targeting Latin American markets, which increased market penetration by 35% within pharmaceutical industries.
- Spearheaded a cross-functional team to improve the customer experience, resulting in a 15% uplift in customer retention rates.
- Identified and mitigated risks in the sales pipeline, which reduced lead loss by 25% and ensured the achievement of quarterly sales goals.
- Led a digital transformation process for the global sales team, introducing AI-powered sales tools that enhanced forecasting accuracy by 50%.
- Drove a customer-centric sales strategy which was instrumental in securing five high-value contracts with Fortune 500 companies in the technology sector.
- Implemented rigorous sales training programs that fostered a high-performance culture, with my team achieving top sales rankings consecutively for 2 years.
- Pioneered entry into the Middle Eastern marketplace, achieving a foothold for the company in a competitive landscape by securing 20 key client accounts.
- Managed sales negotiations for large-scale projects, consistently achieving above 95% of the projected profit margins and enhancing the company's financial performance.
- Built and led a dedicated international sales team to focus on renewable energy sectors, growing the division’s revenue by an average of 22% year-on-year.
- Masterminded a revamp of the European sales strategy, centering on customer relationship management and tailoring offerings to local markets, which bolstered sales by 18% across the region.
- Participated in international trade shows and exhibitions, leveraging networking opportunities to generate leads and long-term partnerships with major European distributors.
- Designed sales incentive programs that motivated the team and significantly improved the quarterly performance metrics by fostering a competitive yet cooperative environment.
- Championed the use of an innovative SaaS sales model in the software industry, leading to a remarkable tripling of cloud product sales in the span of two years.
- Cultivated key partnerships with software giants, securing an average deal size increase of 35%, which contributed substantially to the divisional revenue.
- Executed strategic account management plans that effectively addressed customer business needs and enhanced the sales cycle efficiency.
- Spearheading the expansion into new geographic markets, specifically targeting developing regions, resulting in the successful establishment of three regional offices.
- Overseeing complex multi-currency transactions and reducing financial exposure to currency fluctuations through effective financial strategies, saving the company an estimated $1 million annually.
- Launching a comprehensive training program that equips the global sales force with advanced negotiation skills, contributing to a 45% decrease in sales cycle time.
Quantifying impact on your resume
- Specify the percentage increase in sales revenue you achieved for your international markets during your tenure.
- Include the exact number of countries you expanded the company's operations to, showcasing your global reach.
- List the dollar value of contracts you have negotiated and closed with international clients.
- Mention any cost-reduction strategies you've implemented and quantify the savings in percentage or dollar terms.
- Detail the number of new distribution channels you established and their contribution to sales growth.
- Present the number of cross-functional teams you've led on international projects, indicating the scope of your management skills.
- Highlight the year-on-year growth of international market share you have contributed to, providing specific figures.
- Quantify the improvement in customer satisfaction scores for international clients under your management, if applicable.
Action verbs for your international sales manager resume
No experience, no problem: writing your international sales manager resume
You're quite set on the international sales manager role of your dreams and think your application may add further value to your potential employers. Yet, you have no work experience . Here's how you can curate your resume to substitute your lack of experience:
- Don't list every single role you've had so far, but focus on ones that would align with the job you're applying for
- Include any valid experience in the field - whether it's at research or intern level
- Highlight the soft skills you'd bring about - those personality traits that have an added value to your application
- Focus on your education and certifications, if they make sense for the role.
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
List all your relevant higher education degrees within your resume in reverse chronological order (starting with the latest). There are cases when your PhD in a particular field could help you stand apart from other candidates.
The right balance between hard skills and soft skills for your international sales manager resume
Wondering what the perfect international sales manager resume looks like? The candidate's profile meets job requirements by balancing both hard skills and soft skills across their resume.
- Hard skills are all the technologies you're apt at using . Prove you have the right technical background by listing key industry hardware/software in your international sales manager resume skills section and noteworthy certifications.
- Soft skills are both your personal, mindset, communication, analytical, and problem-solving talents . Use your international sales manager resume achievements section to show how you've used a particular soft skill to reach a tangible outcome.
When writing about your unique skill set, always make sure to refer back to the job advert to see what are the key requirements. This ensures you've tailored your resume so that it matches closer to what the ideal candidate profile is.
Top skills for your international sales manager resume:
CRM Software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
Market Research Tools
Data Analysis Tools (e.g., Excel, Tableau)
E-commerce Platforms
Export Documentation Software
Sales Forecasting Tools
Contract Management Software
Communication Tools (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams)
Trade Compliance Software
ERP Systems
Negotiation
Cross-Cultural Communication
Relationship Building
Strategic Thinking
Problem Solving
Adaptability
Time Management
Team Leadership
Emotional Intelligence
Persuasion
PRO TIP
The more trusted the organization you've attained your certificate (or degree) from, the more credible your skill set would be.
The basics of your international sales manager resume certifications and education sections
Improve the education and certification sections of your international sales manager resume by:
- Dedicating more prominent space to certificates that are more recent and have helped you update your skill set
- Keeping all the information you list to the basics: certificate/degree name, institution, and graduation dates
- Writing supplementary information in the details of your certification or education section, only if you lack experience or want to show further skill alignment
- Including your credential or license number, only if the information is valid to your application or certification
Within international sales manager job adverts, relevant education, and certification are always listed within the key prerequisite for the role.
Ensure you meet all job requirements with some of the leading certificates in the industry:
The top 5 certifications for your international sales manager resume:
- Certified international sales manager (CISM) - Management and Strategy Institute
- International Trade Specialist Accreditation (ITS) - eBSI Export Academy
- Certified Exporter (CE) - International Import-Export Institute
- Global Business Professional (CGBP) - National Association of Small Business International Trade Educators (NASBITE)
- Certified Professional Sales Person (CPSP) - National Association of Sales Professionals (NASP)
PRO TIP
Mention specific courses or projects that are pertinent to the job you're applying for.
Recommended reads:
The summary or objective: focusing on the top one-third of your resume
It's a well-known fact that the top one-third of your international sales manager resume is the make-it-or-break-it moment of your application. The resume summary and objective could help you further build up your professional profile.
- If you have plenty of career highlights behind your back, use the resume summary . The international sales manager summary immediately focuses recruiters' attention on what matters most within your experience.
- The resume objective is the perfect choice for balancing your career achievements with your vision. Use it to state precisely how you see yourself in a couple of years' time - as part of the company you're applying for.
Both the resume summary and resume objective can be your value pitch to potential employers: answering what makes your application unique and the top choice for the international sales manager role. They both have to be specific and tailored - as there's no one-size-fits-all approach to writing your international sales manager summary or objective. Use the international sales manager examples below as a starting point:
Resume summaries for a international sales manager job
- Seasoned international sales manager with 15 years of experience in leading cross-cultural teams, fluent in three languages. Skilled in developing relationships and driving revenue growth in the EMEA region, achieving a 40% increase in sales in the last two years. Proven track record in strategic planning and market penetration across diverse industries.
- Dynamic professional with a decade of expertise in pharmaceutical sales transitioning to international sales management. Known for building robust client portfolios in North America and pioneering innovative sales strategies. Excelled in cross-functional collaboration, resulting in a groundbreaking drug launch with a 55% market share within the first year.
- Former military officer with strategic planning and leadership experience, embarking on a career in international sales management. Demonstrated excellence in negotiating and logistics coordination while overseeing multimillion-dollar defense contracts. Committed to leveraging negotiation skills and an analytical mindset to drive international sales success.
- Passionate about entering the realm of international sales management, bringing 5 years of top-tier consultancy experience where masterful client relationship management led to a 30% account growth annually. Eager to apply this client-centric approach to forge lasting partnerships and expand market share on a global scale for a progressive organization.
- With over two decades in international sales management, this candidate has a history of exceeding sales targets in technology sectors, growing the APAC territory by 70%. Expertise in Salesforce CRM and bilingual proficiency in English and Mandarin underpin success in cultivating key relationships and executing multi-million-dollar deals.
- Eager to drive international market expansion with solid analytical prowess and a penchant for forging strategic alliances. As an accomplished educator transitioning into sales management, my dedication lies in employing communication excellence and an adaptive strategy mindset to meet ambitious sales objectives and foster global partnerships.
Optimize your resume summary and objective for ATS
Drop your resume here or choose a file.
PDF & DOCX only. Max 2MB file size.
Bonus sections for your international sales manager resume
Looking to show more personality on your international sales manager resume? Then consider including a couple of extra sections.
They'd benefit your application by highlighting your most prominent:
Key takeaways
We trust that this Enhancv guide has been informative and useful. To summarize the essential points:
- Opt for a simple and readable format, focusing more on your international sales manager achievements rather than just duties;
- Emphasize your accomplishments in the international sales manager experience section over mere responsibilities;
- If lacking relevant experience, utilize various resume sections like education and volunteering to demonstrate your suitable skill set;
- Never overlook the significance of pertinent higher education, training, and certifications;
- Incorporate diverse sections in your resume to highlight not just your skills expertise but also your personality.
