The First Impression Matters: Avoid Common Pitfalls

The most common mistake Haley sees? Outdated resumes. "They're not updated," she emphasizes. "Many resumes will have names that are not capitalized and missing positions from the applicant’s experience." In sales, where presentation is key, a disorganized resume signals a lack of attention to detail.

Misspellings and outdated information also raise red flags. "Taking extra time to go through your resume, making sure it's updated to give that first great impression, I think, is the most important thing," Haley advises.

Another crucial point for those with contract roles is to clearly delineate each contract. "Calling out that this was a contract position shows that you worked on this project, then you were asked to work on another." This clarity avoids confusion around role hopping and highlights your diverse experience.

Showcase Your Success: Brag About Your Achievements

Sales is about results, and your resume should reflect exactly that. "Successful sales applicants are not humble in describing their experience and qualifications," Haley says of the best sales resumes. "These applicants know they're applying for a sales position, so they brag about themselves."

Quantify your achievements whenever possible. "A candidate once took a company's sales from two per day to over ten by implementing key changes. That's the type of quantifiable result that makes a sales resume stand out," Haley illustrates.

Even seemingly small accomplishments should be highlighted. "Even something that you may do every day and think it's expected, still put it into your resume," she advises.

“A candidate once took a company's sales from two per day to over ten by implementing key changes. That's the type of quantifiable result that makes a sales resume stand out. When you have achievements like that, make sure to emphasize them.”

— Haley Rein, Senior Talent Acquisition Associate

Structure for Success: Layout and Content

Haley recommends a clear and concise layout. Start with a brief summary at the top, highlighting your key skills and achievements. As an example, Haley suggests, "I'm used to high volume sales calls, my metrics are high and I'm always in the top percentile."

Follow the summary with your current or most recent role. "Sometimes I will see resumes where it starts from ten years ago and it is in the opposite order of oldest experience to most recent experience," Haley notes. She suggests always leading with your most recent role and continuing your experience section in order of recency. Specifically, focus on your most recent five years of experience, especially considering potential gaps due to events like the COVID-19 pandemic. For such gaps, Haley recommends including an explanation of the circumstances to provide your recruiter more context around your specific experience.

Highlight Relevant Skills: Tailor to the Job Description

For entry-level sales roles, emphasize transferable skills. "I think already coming in with some de-escalation and some people skills is a bonus. But maybe this will be your first job, in that case you should highlight what you did through high school or college that aligns with this role," Haley suggests.

Connect your skills to the job description. "Being able to match your experience to the job description details is essential,” she says. Avoiding simply stuffing your resume with keywords is also important according to Haley. Instead, she recommends selecting one or two key skills that align with your experience and the role's requirements.

"Being able to match your experience to the job description details is essential. You want to help the recruiter understand that you are a match for the position. By catering your resume to the requirements and skills listed in the job description, you make it easier for the recruiter to move your application onto the interview stage."

— Haley Rein, Senior Talent Acquisition Associate

Beyond the Resume: The Next Steps

While a cover letter is optional, "references upon request" is a valuable addition. "That just tells the recruiter that you are already prepared and providing them with references in advance speaks to your preparation," Haley explains.

Once your resume lands you an interview, preparation is key. "Be prepared," Haley advises. "Be early. Whether you're meeting with someone virtually or you're going to interview in person, just keep in mind that first impression."

Show your enthusiasm for the role. "You want to show that you want the job and highlight your interest in the specific role,'" she says.

Ultimately, your resume is your first sales pitch. By following these tips, you can create a compelling document that opens doors to exciting sales opportunities.