You are a sales person superstar and a multitasking marvel.
You relax customers and transform smiles into sales with your positive attitude and upselling skills.
You go above and beyond the call of duty to make sure customer needs are taken care of, and they have the best possible shopping experience.
But how do you include all of that in your sales person resume?
Don’t worry we’ll let you in on the secret.
When selecting the perfect sales person, hiring managers want to know:
- You have the technical skills (Cash register operations, Computer Literacy, Infusion Soft CEM)
- You have the right personality and attitude to work
- You have experience providing excellent customer service
- You have the drive to increase sales
Read on to find out how to secure the sales person job you’ve been looking for…
To get anywhere in sales, you must play to your strengths without being crippled by your weaknesses. Find out what you are best at and where you need to improve.
– Chris Gillespie, Software Salesman & Founder of Find A Way Media
This sales person resume guide will include:
- 8+ samples and examples of sales person resumes
- Advice on how to write a convincing summary and header
- Examples of the experience you need to include
- Layout suggestions that go against the grain
- Technical skills you need to include
- The soft skills that show your abilities
- Sales person qualifications and certifications
Your goal is to get the reviewer to:
- Be interested
- Read past your summary
- Be convinced of your suitability
- Get in contact with you
- Give you an interview
- Hire you!
Looking for related resumes?
How to write a sales person resume
As a sales person you fulfill many roles.
You act as a liaison between the customer and company. You are a brand representative and promoter. You are an excellent product seller. You cater to customer’s needs.
Sales person resumes that get noticed mix excellent customer service skills with selling skills.
Use your resume to show that you have the right personality and skill set for the job.
Include examples that show you can:
- Drive product sales through demonstrating advanced product knowledge to customers and clients.
- Upsell through informing customers about current sales and promotions.
- Demonstrate the functionality of a company’s products.
- Answer customer’s questions and queries, and provide solutions to any problems.
Here's what a hiring manager will look for in your resume.
- Do you have the ability to successfully interact with customers and staff?
- Do you have proven knowledge of sales approaches and techniques?
- Are you a highly skilled communicator?
- Are you able to perform arithmetic calculations?
- Can you operate a computer and other automated office machines?
The most important aspects of a sales person resume:
- How to write a summary and header that sells you as much as you sell products
- Experience you need to convey yourself as an experienced sales person who can get results
- Layout suggestions that are different and interesting
- Technical skills you need to include that show your adaptability
- The soft skills that show your ability to sell and persuade
- Sales person qualifications and certifications
How to create a striking sales person intern resume header
Your sales person resume header is the first thing an employer or hiring manager is going to see.
This is why it has to be specific and informative. If you miss out vital information, your application will be instantly overlooked.
You’re applying to work as a sales person for a luxury retail store.
Your header looks like this:
This needs a couple changes. Here’s why:
- The title is vague. Tell the hiring manager exactly what you do.
- It doesn’t stand out as unique – remember you’re competing against hundreds of other candidates.
Make an impression with your header. Let’s give it another try:
This is much better:
- It shows what industry you are hoping to enter.
- It provides a professional link, where the reviewer can get a better idea of your personality and achievements.
How to choose the right layout your sales person resume
Use your resume layout and format as opportunities to show your uniqueness as a candidate.
Work in colour and experiment with fonts.
As long as you make sure the design does not confuse the message of your resume, why not get as creative as possible.
Get imaginative. Be different.
Below are some layouts that will make the employer say ‘Whoa’:
3 Ideas to Make Your Resume Layout Pop
- Establish yourself as a brand and a strong personality by including a personal logo. Coordinate your colour scheme with the logo.
- Invert the traditional resume colour scheme by using a lighter text on a darker background – mix dark grey with a light blue for example.
- If you’re creatively talented why not use visual references to supplement your resume. Accompany your skills section with icons for example.
Take into consideration your audience when picking out a layout. For a clothes company, focus on style. For a technology company focus on geometric shapes and linear presentation.
Excellent interpersonal skills are essential on a sales person resume
When a company takes a chance on you, they need to know that you have the potential to really benefit them.
How does one do this in sales?
Its mainly through the gift of the gab.
And through really listening to the customer.
Make sure you show your excellent interpersonal skills throughout your resume. Show how they have benefited companies through sales in the past.
In your resume you can do this by:
- Writing about your practice of active listening.
- Demonstrate your ability to speak in specifics. Explain how you can do this through your product knowledge and industry expertise.
- Explain your ability to achieve results through persistence without being pushy.
Elaborate on these examples within your summary and experience sections. There you can apply these skills to real life situations.
We’ll have a look at these two sections now…
Writing an effective sales person resume summary
Although sometimes overlooked, your resume summary section is one of the most important parts of your resume.
This is because, depending on its quality, a hiring manager might put your resume straight into the no pile.
This is your first introduction to the company. And first impressions count. If you can’t make it past this stage, you won’t be making it to work.
In a few sentences, tell the hiring manager who you are, what you specialise in, and your qualifications and certifications.
This is a lot. We understand. But be concise. A hiring manager doesn’t want to read an essay.
Optimize your resume summary and objective for ATS
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3 sales person Resume Samples - Summary
Here are some samples of sales person resume summary sections:
This summary isn’t up to scratch. Here’s why:
- It’s incredibly vague. It’s missing key details that tell the hiring manager who you are, and how much experience you have
- It uses a lot of words, without really saying anything.
Instead, tell more of a story with your summary. Make an impact:
This is much better. This is because:
- It specifies what area of sales you specialise in
- It demonstrates your soft skills
- It discusses your certifications
Let’s try this again but from experienced perspective:
Again, this may seem sufficient, but when you bear in mind how many applicants apply to one sales person job, you realise it’s not quite there. Here’s why:
- It says your experienced, but doesn’t specify how many years, or in what area.
- It does not showcase your skills or certifications.
- It is not results based.
This summary section is much better:
This summary is massively improved. This is because:
- It identifies your experience level, and area of expertise.
- It notes the training the candidate has undergone and the certifications they have been awarded.
- It shows a results driven individual who excels in their interpersonal skills.
Pro tip
Your summary section is your first chance towowthe hiring manager. Use it as a quick introduction to your skills, experience and achievements. Make it a snapshot of you. You can develop on these details in your experience section.
How to frame your experience on your sales person resume
In your experience section on your sales person resume, you should focus on:
- Your experience responding to the needs of customers. Explain how you can provide them with guidance and recommendations.
- Your experience keeping up to date with product knowledge. Explain how you do this through training and industry publications.
- Your proven experience meeting/exceeding corporate performance standards for team advancement.
- Your experience providing excellent customer service through your advanced communication and interpersonal skills.
It is important to go into detail in this section. Talk about achievements and results. This is your chance to really show the employer what you can do.
Instead of listing duties, explain how you did them, what you used to do them, and what they achieved.
An easy way to make sure you’re hitting all of these points is to split them up:
Tell the hiring manager:
- What you’ve done.
- How you managed to do this? What informed your ability to do this (certification/training).
- What were the effects of your actions?
- How did you impact the company/organisation?
If you’re struggling for work experience, here you can reference any volunteer work on your resume, or internships you have undertaken.
Below are some experience section samples:
2 sales person resume experience samples
02/2011 - 11/2022 
- •Provided excellent customer service advice through my advanced interpersonal skills.
- •Acquired good knowledge of products sold, and used this to increase sales.
- •Kept a clean and aesthetically attractive merchandise stand.
- •Performed stock work and merchandise transfers.
These entries aren’t too great. This is why:
- They are not results-driven or enthusiastic examples.
- The experience doesn’t explain how you made a difference to the company.
- They don’t showcase your skills - you’re leaving the hiring manager in the dark.
This following example much better:
02/2011 - 11/2022 - •Consistently exceeded target goals by 40% through upselling and catering to the specific needs of clients which lead to being awarded ‘Employee of the Year.
- •Provided specific information about new releases by reviewing the product’s characteristics and features and then relating this information to competitor’s products to reveal its superiority.
- •Created and maintained an attractive merchandise stand which effectively promoted the product and brand, and won the 'Luxury Retail Merchandise Stand' award in 2017.
This is much better:
- It shows that you are a capable salesperson with a proven track record in surpassing sales goals.
- It shows your passion for the job and effectiveness in your role through using action words.
- It shows you’re award winning and will enhance the company’s performance.
Cater your experience section in response to the job description. Make sure you’re hitting all of the points you need to hit and cover the specific duties they want covering.
How to describe the duties and responsibilities of a sales person
Below are some of the responsibilities of a sales person. Integrate them into your experience, education and skills sections to really touch all bases:
- Identified, developed and maintained successful customer relationships.
- Used company’s upselling process with every customer. (Approach, interview, demonstration, validation, negotiation, close and follow up).
- Used the company’s computer database to research availability, options, stock information, and e-mail for customers.
- Demonstrated use of equipment and furnishings in feature and benefit production presentation.
A good way to jazz up the content of your sales person resume is to:
- Discuss any volunteer work, mentorships or internships. Explain how they have equipped you with the necessary skills required for the job.
- Discuss any previous on the job training you have undergone.
- Write about any awards you have won for your sales performance.
What to include in your sales person education section?
There are no formal education requirements for this job. Hiring managers do usually however prefer if the candidate has a high school diploma or GCSE’s.
If you have any relevant degree, it won't hurt to include it in an education section, alongside training you passed in other companies, or certifications.
For more specialist roles, such as a car sales person, a higher level of education may be preferred. This includes an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in business or communications.
To make sure you secure this kind of job, you could also take a course in automotive technology for example.
This is also relevant if you wish to advance into a more senior, managerial position later on.
On the job training is always provided. Training often covers topics such as customer service (crafting a script), how to operate the cash register and the company’s policies and security procedures.
Again, depending on the type of product you are selling, you may be given specialist training to get you up to date with the intricacies and details.
Skills to highlight in your sales person intern resume
You can have the best sales presentation in the world, but if the customer doesn’t believe your proposition, then you don’t have a chance. Take the time to engage with the customer.
– Mark Hunter, Sales Speaker and Author of High-Profit Prospecting
Your skills section should show the employer that you can use your strong communication skills to sell.
It should demonstrate that you have the people skills and intuition to identify customer needs. It should show you have the confidence and knowledge to deliver on this.
Be sure to integrate keywords from the job description to beat the ATS robots.
Here are some of the essential soft skills and technical skills to include in your sales person resume:
Top soft skills and technical skills for a sales person resume
- Teamwork skills
- Problem solving
- Multitasking
- Communication skills
- Customer-service skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Selling skills
- Adaptability
- Product knowledge and demonstration skills
- Cash register operations
- Computer Literacy
- Infusion Soft CEM
- Basic maths skills
Elaborate on these skills in your experience section. Provide examples when you actively demonstrated these skills.
How to include your certifications on your resume
Integrating certifications into your sales person resume will make you stand out.
Employers won't necessarily include these certifications as a requirement within the job description. This subsequently shows your dedication to the job and willingness to learn.
Sales person certifications cover store operations, sales and customer service and inventory control.
This kind of job may also require a valid driver’s license.
Below are some certifications to include in your sales person resume:
Top 5 sales person certifications to include
What to take to take away from this guide:
When writing your sales person resume remember the following things:
- Create a header and summary that establishes you as a serious sales professional, make sure to show off your skills and abilities. Let the employer know that by hiring you they will enhance their team and see an increase in profits and customer loyalty.
- In your experience section write about previous jobs that show you have the relevant experience. If they know that you have successfully done the job before and achieved results, they will instantly be swayed in your favour. Sell yourself as an asset.
- Tell them about your excellent interpersonal skills, your ability to persuade and drive sales. Let them know you are customer focused and adaptable based on the customer
- Include certifications that reveal your self-motivation and ambition.
Sales Person resume examples
By Experience
Entry-Level Sales Person
- Emotion-driven storytelling captivates attention – A standout entry-level sales resume hooks the reader by weaving genuine enthusiasm for customer engagement and persuasive communication throughout the document, conveying energy and eagerness that can’t be overlooked.
- Pertinent experiences directly underpin sales potential – Highlighting volunteer work, group projects, or part-time roles that demonstrate negotiation, client interaction, or goal achievement clearly shows how these foundational experiences naturally support key sales competencies.
- Concrete accomplishments provide tangible evidence – Showcasing quantifiable outcomes, such as surpassing fundraising goals or winning recognition for exceptional service, translates abstract skills into real results, convincing employers of an applicant’s readiness to deliver value from day one.
Senior Sales Person
- Demonstrating resilience through varied sales environments – Successful senior sales professionals often highlight achievements across different sectors, regions, or product categories, showcasing their ability to quickly adapt strategies in response to shifting markets and customer needs.
- Captivating attention right from the beginning – A compelling opening line that immediately communicates the candidate’s years of expertise, sales leadership, and record of exceeding ambitious targets positions the resume as both credible and directly relevant to the employer's needs.
- Drawing clear parallels between previous roles and new challenges – By detailing responsibilities and successes that are directly transferable, such as mentoring teams or expanding key accounts, the resume clearly establishes a well-aligned pathway between the candidate’s experience and the requirements of a senior sales position.
By Role
Sales Professional
- Instantly conveys impact and relevance – A standout Sales Professional resume immediately communicates the candidate’s proven track record by clearly outlining quantifiable achievements, such as exceeding quotas or developing profitable client relationships, ensuring the hiring manager quickly recognizes their potential fit for the role.
- Demonstrates flexibility across multiple sales environments – Showcasing instances where the candidate has effectively navigated changes—like adapting sales strategies for different industries or mastering new technologies—highlights an ability to thrive in dynamic markets and handle diverse client needs.
- Creates a lasting and persuasive impression – The document draws readers in by weaving in narratives of personal drive, resilience in the face of setbacks, and genuine enthusiasm for building connections, resulting in an application that feels both authentic and compelling.
Sales Specialist
- Captivating the reviewer through authentic passion – A standout Sales Specialist resume instantly connects with its reader by conveying genuine enthusiasm for building relationships and driving results. When professional achievements are paired with personal motivation—for example, by highlighting a long-standing interest in helping clients succeed or a persistent drive to exceed targets—the narrative becomes both memorable and compelling, making the candidate's dedication impossible to overlook.
- Direct link between prior roles and sales responsibilities – Exceptional resumes clearly map previous experiences to the demands of a Sales Specialist role. By outlining responsibilities that mirror those in the target job—like negotiating complex deals, managing sales pipelines, or consistently meeting ambitious quotas—the applicant demonstrates not only relevant expertise but also readiness to excel, making the transition to the new opportunity appear seamless and logical.
- Demonstrates expertise with data-driven sales strategies – The strongest applications showcase a command of contemporary sales methodologies and technologies. Detailing proficiency with CRM platforms, sales analytics, or lead qualification tools not only conveys technical depth, but also reinforces an ability to optimize processes and deliver measurable growth, setting the candidate apart as both knowledgeable and adaptable within the rapidly evolving sales landscape.
Salesman
- Impactful final statements encourage employer engagement – An outstanding Salesman resume wraps up with a persuasive close that not only summarizes the candidate’s core strengths but also prompts the hiring manager to make contact. Phrases such as "I welcome the opportunity to accelerate your sales goals" or "Let’s connect to discuss driving measurable growth" turn passive endings into active calls to action, leaving a memorable impression.
- Industry jargon signals deep familiarity – The use of sector-specific terms like “pipeline management,” “CRM optimization,” “lead nurturing,” and “B2B consultative selling” demonstrates real industry knowledge. This precise vocabulary reassures employers that the candidate speaks the same language as the company and its clients, showing they are equipped to seamlessly integrate and contribute.
- Tailored content shows research into the employer’s vision – Customizing the resume with nods to the target company’s products, markets, or values reveals both effort and cultural alignment. When a candidate mentions recent company achievements or references the employer’s mission statement, it sends a strong signal that they have seriously explored the organization and are genuinely interested in playing a role within its growth story.
Saleswoman
- Immediate clarity and impact grab recruiters’ attention – A standout Saleswoman resume is immediately engaging, presenting key qualifications and experiences up front. Clean, professional formatting paired with a confident profile summary communicates a candidate’s drive and suitability for sales environments, making it clear they can excel in client-focused and target-driven roles.
- Recognizable results link personal performance to business growth – Showcasing concrete sales results, such as surpassing quotas, acquiring major clients, or increasing revenue, demonstrates direct relevance to the employer’s needs. Numbers and percentages underscore real-world impact, allowing hiring managers to assess the applicant’s ability to deliver measurable outcomes in similar sales positions.
- Industry-centric language signals expertise – The use of sector-specific vocabulary—like “pipeline development,” “B2B relationship management,” or “account penetration strategies”—reflects deep familiarity with the trade. Incorporating these terms ensures the resume not only passes automated screenings but also resonates with hiring leads looking for well-versed professionals.
Technical Sales Person
- Directly linking professional history to technical sales demands – A winning resume for a technical sales position draws a clear line between prior roles and the core requirements of the job. For example, explicit references to previous experience selling complex or technology-driven products help reinforce a candidate’s credibility. Detailing outcomes such as exceeding targets or facilitating solution-based conversations with enterprise clients further solidifies this connection.
- Opening strong with relevant skill emphasis – An impactful first sentence goes beyond generics by immediately pinpointing specific technical sales competencies or achievements. Mentioning a proven record in negotiating enterprise deals or rapidly mastering new products ensures the reader instantly sees alignment with the targeted role and captures attention right from the outset.
- Concluding with a results-oriented call to move forward – A resume that closes by expressing eagerness to contribute tangible value, coupled with a confident invitation for discussion, leaves a memorable impression. Phrases highlighting enthusiasm to drive sales growth or expand key accounts, tied to measurable past successes, convey both readiness and ambition, prompting hiring managers to initiate next steps.
Inside Sales Person
- Highlighting quantifiable outcomes and measurable impacts – Showcasing concrete achievements, such as exceeding sales quotas, increasing lead conversion rates, or driving significant revenue growth, instantly resonates with hiring managers. When Inside Sales resumes include specific figures and percentages tied directly to business metrics, they demonstrate both competency and direct relevance to the sales-driven environment employers seek.
- Balancing confident communication with approachable energy – A standout Inside Sales Person resume strikes a perfect equilibrium between professionalism and engaging enthusiasm. The language should convey assurance in sales abilities while remaining personable, reflecting the candidate’s ability to build rapport with clients and collaborate with internal teams.
- Crafting a compelling opening that conveys clear intent – The introductory section immediately grabs a recruiter’s attention with a crisp summary of experience, tailored skills, and genuine motivation for the role. By customizing this opening to align with the company’s values and highlighting alignment with the sales team’s goals, candidates establish a strong initial connection and set the stage for the rest of their application.
Automotive Sales Person
- Distinctive sales approach and expertise – A standout automotive sales professional showcases specialized industry knowledge and a refined personal selling style, differentiating themselves from the competition. By highlighting unique methods for identifying customer needs, delivering tailored solutions, and consistently exceeding sales targets, the candidate demonstrates an impressive value proposition that appeals to dealerships looking for truly effective talent.
- Proven ability to thrive across diverse environments – Versatility is clearly illustrated through concrete examples of thriving in varied dealership settings, adapting to shifting market trends, and engaging with a broad client base. By referencing experience with new and used vehicles, digital retail platforms, and multicultural customer interactions, the resume reflects a flexible candidate ready to succeed in any automotive landscape.
- Engaging narrative that builds genuine connection – The resume is crafted with vivid, personal language and authentic achievement stories, inviting readers to connect with the candidate’s passion for customer service. This emotional resonance turns accomplishments into relatable moments, leaving a memorable impression that builds trust and makes the reader eager to learn more.