Sales Manager Resume: How to Write

Crafting a compelling resume is crucial for any job seeker, but for a sales manager, it's especially vital. Their ability to analyze market trends and achieve targets is essential for a company's success.

This guide will walk you through creating a standout sales manager resume. From structuring your resume to highlighting key accomplishments, we'll cover everything you need to make a strong impression on potential employers.

Sales manager resume examples

I like to think of sales as the ability to gracefully persuade, not manipulate, a person or persons into a win-win situation.

Bo Bennett

Sample regional sales manager resume

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Automotive sales manager resume example

Automotive Sales Manager

Kevin E. Arnott

1365 Davis Street, Atlanta, GA 30303
Email: kevin.arnott@email.com
Phone: (678) 123-4567

Professional Summary

Dynamic and results-oriented Automotive Sales Manager with experience in orienting sales teams, developing effective sales strategies, and achieving substantial revenue growth in the automotive industry. Proven track record of increasing market share, and delivering exceptional customer satisfaction.

Professional Experience

Automotive Sales Manager

Ford Company, Atlanta, GA, January 2021 – Present

• Develop and implement comprehensive sales strategies that resulted in a 35% growth in market share over four years.
• Conduct training and development programs to improve team performance.
• Analyze customer feedback to refine sales approaches and enhance satisfaction.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key clients and partners, leading to a 20% increase in repeat business.

Senior Sales Representative

Ford Company, Atlanta, GA, March 2018 – December 2020

• Exceeded targets by an average of 25% annually, earning top sales performer recognition for three consecutive years.
• Collaborated with the marketing team to develop and execute successful promotional campaigns, boosting product visibility and sales.
• Provided excellent service, resulting in a 15% increase in customer retention and satisfaction rates.
• Mentored junior sales representatives, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.

Sales Representative

Honda Co., Atlanta, GA, June 2016 – February 2018

• Managed a diverse portfolio of clients, consistently meeting and surpassing sales targets.
• Identified and pursued new business opportunities, expanding the client base by 25%.
• Delivered engaging presentations and demonstrations, effectively communicating product benefits to potential customers.
• Developed strong client relationships, contributing to increased customer loyalty.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Marketing

Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA

Graduated: May 2016

Skills

• Dealership Operations
• Inventory Management
• Automotive Finance and Insurance (F&I)
• Customer Relationship Management
• Vehicle Appraisal and Pricing
• Automotive Market Analysis and Trend Identification
• Proficient in Dealer Management Systems (DMS)

Certifications

• Automotive Sales Professional (CASP), NADA, renewed in 2023
• Commercial Driver License (CDL), FMCSA, renewed in 2022

Professional Affiliations

• Member, National Automobile Dealers Association, from 2018

References

Available upon request.

Resume layout

When it comes to writing a successful sales manager resume, formatting is key. A well-organized and visually appealing resume can make all the difference in catching the attention of potential employers.

• Maintain brevity in your resume, limiting it to one or two pages at most.
• Implement bullet points to underscore your achievements and duties.
• Avoid long paragraphs that can be overwhelming and tedious to read.
• Opt for a fitting font (Arial or Times New Roman) and size (10-12 points) that is effortless to comprehend.
• Consider using bold or italicized text to mark important information such as job titles or company names.
• Refrain from overcrowding your sales manager resume with content. Use ample white space between sections.
• Employ horizontal lines, shading, or icons sparingly to divide blocks and draw attention to the main points.
• Incorporate industry-specific keywords and buzzwords related to sales management.

Contact information

When writing your contact information on a sales management resume, it's essential to ensure clarity and accuracy.

Here's how to format this section effectively:

• Start with your full name at the top of the resume, using a slightly larger font size. Avoid using nicknames or informal variations of your name.
• Below it, include your complete mailing address. This typically means the city, state, and ZIP code. You can format it in a single line or multiple lines.
• Provide an active phone number. Add the appropriate area code and ensure that the voicemail is set up with a professional greeting.
• List an email that has your name or initials, preferably on a domain like Gmail or Outlook.
• If you have a well-maintained LinkedIn profile that adds value to your application, you can attach the URL in this section.
• Depending on your preferences and the industry norms in your field, you may also include a personal website/portfolio URL.

Experience

Sales managers may go by various job titles, including sales director, sales supervisor, regional sales manager, or vice president of sales, depending on the size and structure of the organization.

Start by listing your work experience in reverse-chronological order, beginning with your most recent or current position first.

Include the following details for each position:

• Clearly mention your job title, making sure it accurately reflects your role and responsibilities.
• Provide the full name of the company or organization where you worked.
• Write the city and state of the firm's location, along with the dates of your employment (month and year).
• Under each position, list 3-5 bullet points outlining your key duties. Focus on quantifiable accomplishments, such as exceeding sales targets, implementing successful strategies, or leading impactful projects.
• Use action verbs to start each bullet point and keep them concise.
• Customize your experience section for each job application.

Even if your previous roles were not in sales management specifically, highlight transferable skills that are relevant to the position.

Example:

Online Sales Manager

Amazon.com, Seattle, WA, June 2018 – Present

• Manage and optimize the sales platform for a diverse range of products, overseeing order listings, pricing plans, and promotional campaigns.
• Develop and execute comprehensive strategies to drive revenue growth and increase market share in competitive segments.
• Analyze websites and sales data to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for improvement, resulting in a 30% increase in conversion rates.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including marketing, product management, and customer service, to provide a seamless shopping experience for customers.
• Lead a team of online specialists, providing coaching and guidance to achieve sales targets and deliver exceptional customer service.

Education

Sales managers must stay updated on industry trends, new technologies, and techniques to remain competitive. Continuous learning and professional development are essential for success in this role.

For an effective sales professional resume, it is necessary to arrange educational background in chronological order.

Here's how to effectively structure this section:

• Specify the type of degree earned (e.g., Bachelor of Arts, Master of Business Administration).
• List your major or field of study, emphasizing any concentrations or specializations, if applicable.
• Underline the name of the institution where you earned the credential.
• Write the city (country, if outside the United States) where the university is located, dates of your enrollment and graduation (month and year).

If you received any academic honors, awards, or scholarships during your studies, consider including them in this section.

You may choose to include your GPA (Grade Point Average) if it is particularly high. However, if your GPA is below 3.0 or if you have several years of work experience, it may be best to leave it off.

Example:

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

University of California, Los Angeles, CA

• Major: Marketing
• Minor: Economics
• Graduated: May 2016
• GPA: 3.8/4.0
• Honors: Dean's List (all semesters)

Sales manager resume skills

Sales is an outcome, not a goal. It is a function of doing numerous things right, starting from the moment you target a potential prospect until you finalise the deal.

Jill Konrath

A resume for sales manager should not only highlight the candidate's experience, but also showcase their soft and hard skills. This is because both types of abilities are vital for a prosperous sales supervisor.

Hard skills are teachable abilities that can be quantified and measured. They are typically technical or job-specific capacities that are acquired through education, training, or experience.

Soft skills refer to personal characteristics that enable someone to work well with others, communicate effectively, and adapt to different situations. These skills are more difficult to measure and quantify but they are equally important for success in the workplace.

Sales manager resume summary

Writing a resume summary is essential as it provides a concise overview of your qualifications and skills at the beginning of your document. It serves as a snapshot of your professional background and acts as a hook to capture the attention of HRs.

Unlike a resume objective, which focuses on your career goals, a summary emphasizes your relevant experience and how you can add value to the employer. It should be tailored to each job application, highlighting the most relevant skills and experiences.

• Begin your summary with a brief statement that reinforces your expertise and value proposition as a sales manager.
• Focus on quantifiable results and contributions you've made to previous employers.
• Briefly mention your approach to sales strategy development and execution.
• Incorporate words and phrases from the job description to ensure your resume gets noticed by ATS.
• A sales manager resume summary should be brief, typically consisting of 3-4 sentences.

Example:

Dynamic and results-driven Sales Manager with over 8 years of experience developing and executing strategic sales initiatives that drive business growth and increase market share. Skilled in building and nurturing client relationships, identifying new business opportunities, and implementing effective strategies. Adept at analyzing market trends, identifying customer needs, and delivering innovative solutions to drive sales success.

Additional information

Incorporating optional sections to your sales management resume beyond the standard work experience and education can significantly enhance your candidacy.

These data provide valuable insights into your professional profile, demonstrating qualities that may not be immediately evident from your job titles and duties alone.

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How to write a cover letter?

A cover letter introduces you to the recruiter and provides an opportunity to express your interest in the position and company. It serves as your first impression and sets the tone for the resume for sales manager.

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Here's a step-by-step guide on how to craft a sales manage cover letter:

1. Include your contact data at the top of the cover letter, followed by the date and the recipient's contact details (if known).
2. Start with a professional greeting, such as "Dear Hiring Team/Manager", if you're unsure of the individual's name.
3. Follow by stating the position you're applying for and where you found the job posting.
4. Use the first paragraph to pitch yourself as the ideal candidate for the sales manager role.
5. Signal your eagerness to discuss how you can contribute to the company.
6. Thank the recruiter for considering your application and provide your availability for an interview.
7. End the cover letter with a polite closing, such as "Sincerely", followed by your name.

This cover letter example effectively showcases the candidate's qualifications. It adheres to the rules by addressing the hiring manager directly, expressing enthusiasm for the role and company, and providing specific examples of relevant experience.

The job seeker's clear and concise writing style, coupled with their focus on how their skills align with the company's goals, makes this draft compelling and impactful.

This cover letter example lacks personalization, detail, and any indication of the applicant's qualifications or duties. It uses vague language and clichés without providing any concrete evidence of the individual's suitability for the position.

Entry-level cover letter

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am excited to apply for the entry-level sales manager position at Toshiba Corporation, as advertised on your company's website. As a recent graduate from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, I am eager to kick-start my career in sales and contribute to a dynamic team.

During my academic tenure, I honed my communication and negotiation skills through various projects and internships, including a role as a sales intern at Walmart. These experiences have equipped me with a solid understanding of sales techniques, customer relationship management, and the importance of driving results.

I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to leverage my skills and passion for sales to contribute to your team's success. While I may lack extensive professional experience, I am highly motivated to learn and grow in a sales management role.

Thank you for considering my application. I wish to bring my energy and enthusiasm to the sales team at Toshiba Corporation.

Sincerely,

Norman Wilkinson

Proofreading

Revising a sales manager resume involves several steps to ensure accuracy, clarity, and professionalism.

Here's a guide:

• Review the entire document carefully for spelling mistakes, typos, and grammatical errors.
• Use spell check tools, but also read the resume aloud to catch any errors that might be missed by automated apps.
• Pay attention to fonts, sizes, spacing, and alignment. Ensure that bullet points, headers, and section titles are formatted consistently.
• Examine the content of each section to determine if it is clear, concise, and relevant. Remove any unnecessary words or information that does not directly support your qualifications.
• Look through to punctuation marks such as commas, periods, and apostrophes. Verify that capitalization is used correctly for proper nouns, job titles, and section headings.
• Step back and read the resume as a whole to assess its overall readability and flow.
• Consider asking a trusted friend, family member, or colleague to critique your resume. A fresh pair of eyes can often catch errors or inconsistencies that you might have overlooked.

Conclusion

Sales is not about selling anymore, but about building trust and educating.

Siva Devaki

In conclusion, crafting a compelling sales manager resume requires careful attention to detail and a strategic approach. By emphasizing relevant skills, quantifying achievements, and tailoring the resume to the job and company, candidates can effectively showcase their qualifications.

To simplify the process, consider using the online resume builder that offers templates specifically designed for sales manager positions. This will not only save you time but also guarantee a polished and professional appearance for your resume.

If you're looking to advance your career in sales management, don't wait any longer - start writing your resume now! By utilizing these pointers and a user-friendly online platform, you can create an exceptional resume.