Best Sales Manager Resume Examples for 2024 (Template & Guide)

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Sales Manager Resume: Choose a Format

Choosing the right format for a sales manager resume is essential to effectively showcasing your skills and experience. Picking the format best suited to your skills and experience level will help highlight your strengths in the most impactful way.

There are three formats to consider for a sales manager resume: chronological, functional or combination.

Chronological Resumes for Sales Managers

A chronological resume format lists your work experience in a timeline, starting with your most recent job. This format is ideal for sales managers with a solid work history in sales or management roles, as it highlights your career progression. It’s easy for hiring managers to follow and shows your growth in the industry.

This format is also compatible with applicant tracking systems (ATS), making it an excellent choice for job seekers at all levels. However, a different format may work better if you have gaps in your employment history or are transitioning into sales management from a different field.

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Functional Resumes for Sales Managers

A functional resume focuses on your skills and qualifications rather than your work history. This format is best for someone with a diverse skill set but who may need more direct experience as a sales manager or have significant employment gaps. It allows you to highlight your leadership, communication and sales skills without emphasizing your career timeline.

However, functional resumes are not ATS-friendly and can sometimes be seen as an attempt to mask a lack of experience, so be cautious if you have the necessary background but are considering this format. It’s essential to present your abilities clearly and confidently.

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Combination Resumes for Sales Managers

A combination resume format blends the best of both chronological and functional resumes. It allows you to showcase your skills and qualifications while providing a clear work experience timeline. This format is perfect for sales managers who want to showcase a robust skill set and a solid work history.

Using a combination resume, you can balance your experience and accomplishments, making it easier for potential employers to see your strengths. However, it can be tricky to organize, which could make your resume longer than ideal. Focusing on the information most relevant to the sales manager position is essential when using this format.

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Choosing a Resume Format

When choosing a resume format, the chronological option is the safest bet for most sales managers. Even if you’re early in your sales career, this format clearly shows your work history and progression. It’s also the most ATS-friendly format, ensuring your resume reaches hiring managers.

If you’re new to sales management or transitioning from another role, you can still make a chronological format work well. Focus on highlighting relevant sales experience, leadership roles or other transferable skills.

Even if your experience isn’t directly in sales management, you can emphasize your ability to lead a team, drive revenue or achieve significant results in previous positions.

For example, if you managed a customer service team, highlight how many employees you supervised or how you achieved better customer satisfaction scores by coaching your team members. Tailoring your resume this way showcases your potential as a sales manager, even if you haven’t held that job title before.

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How to Write a Sales Manager Resume

Once you have chosen your resume format, the resume-writing process is straightforward. This step-by-step guide will walk you through writing each section of your resume.

Start by creating a resume outline that includes these essential sections:

• Contact information
• Resume Summary or Objective
• Work History
• Skills
• Education

Once you have nailed down that essential information, there are also some optional sections to consider. Let’s dive in!

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Contact Information

Start with the basics. Place your contact information at the top of your resume so hiring managers can find it easily. Your contact information should be clear and professional. Include your full name, city and state, phone number, email address and LinkedIn profile if you have one. Make sure your email is professional — avoid using anything too casual.

The contact information on a sales manager resume should look something like this:

Sabrina Smith
SabrinaSmith@example.com
(123) 456-7890
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sabrinasmith

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Summary or Objective

Next, you will write a brief two or three sentences overviewing your qualifications and interest in the sales management job. This introduction can be in the form of a resume summary or an objective statement.

A resume summary is an excellent option if you have several years of sales management experience. It provides a quick overview of your career achievements and shows how your skills will benefit the company.

For example, a resume summary for a sales manager’s resume might say:

Results-driven sales manager with 10+ years of experience leading sales teams to exceed targets. Proven success in developing strategies that boost revenue and customer satisfaction. Adept at coaching teams, building strong client relationships and implementing innovative sales techniques.

However, an objective statement is better if you’re new to sales management or transitioning from another field. It focuses on your goals and how you plan to bring value to the role.

For example, an objective statement on a resume for a sales manager might say:

Motivated sales professional with five years of experience in retail sales, seeking to leverage leadership and client relationship skills as a sales manager at XYZ Company. Dedicated to exceeding sales targets and driving team performance.

No matter which one you choose, tailor it to the job you’re applying for and use keywords from the job description to optimize your resume for ATS and catch the eye of hiring managers.

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Work History

The work history section is one of the most critical parts of a sales manager resume. This section should detail your previous roles, responsibilities and achievements to demonstrate your ability to excel in sales management.

Start by listing your previous jobs, starting with your most recent position and then work backward. Include the job title, company name, location and dates of employment. Under each entry, provide bullet points describing your most relevant responsibilities and accomplishments in the role.

Use action verbs and quantify your achievements to make your work history more compelling. By using action verbs like “led,” “developed,” and “mentored,” you demonstrate your proactive role in driving results. Quantifying your achievements with numbers, such as sales growth percentages, adds credibility and makes your accomplishments more impactful.

To stand out from other candidates, focus on achievements beyond daily responsibilities. Consider what you did that made a difference — like implementing a new strategy, growing a client base or boosting team performance. Emphasizing these successes will help you catch the attention of hiring managers.

To help you get started, here’s an example of a job entry for a sales manager resume:

Sales Manager | ABC Company | Denver, CO
May 2018 – Present

• Led a sales team of 15 representatives, increasing sales revenue by 25% over two years.
• Developed and implemented new sales strategies, resulting in 10% market share growth.
• Mentored and trained sales staff, improving overall team performance and customer satisfaction.

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Skills

A dedicated skills section is essential for a sales manager resume. This section gives employers a quick overview of your most relevant abilities and shows you have the qualifications they want in a sales manager. Including a mix of hard and soft skills is essential for demonstrating your versatility as a sales leader.

Start by listing hard skills — these are technical, job-specific abilities like CRM software proficiency or sales forecasting. Next, highlight soft skills like leadership and communication that are equally important in a sales management role.

For inspiration, we have compiled a list of the top skills for a sales manager resume:

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Top 5 Hard Skills for Sales Manager Resumes

1. Sales forecasting: Accurate sales forecasting helps companies plan for the future and set realistic sales goals. This skill is essential for sales managers who must predict revenue and align their team’s efforts with company objectives.
2. CRM software proficiency: Familiarity with customer relationship management (CRM) software is key to managing sales processes and client relationships. Sales managers use CRM tools to track sales pipelines, monitor customer interactions and optimize sales strategies.
3. Budget management: Sales managers often oversee the sales budget. Allocating resources efficiently while staying within budget is a critical skill for success.
4. Negotiation: Negotiation skills are vital for closing deals, maintaining client relationships and ensuring that both parties reach a mutually beneficial agreement.
5. Data analysis: Sales managers use data to make informed decisions about sales strategies, customer trends and team performance. Strong analytical skills allow you to turn data into actionable insights that drive results.

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Top 5 Soft Skills for Sales Manager Resumes

1. Leadership: As a sales manager, you must inspire and motivate your team. Strong leadership skills help you guide your team to meet sales goals and develop professionally.
2. Communication: Effective communication is crucial in managing a sales team, collaborating with other departments, and maintaining client relationships. Clear communication ensures everyone is aligned on goals and expectations.
3. Problem-solving: Sales managers often encounter challenges in meeting targets, managing client expectations or resolving team conflicts. Thinking critically and solving problems is a valuable asset in this role.
4. Team building: Creating a cohesive and motivated team is integral to being a successful sales manager. Strong team-building skills help create a positive and productive work environment.
5. Adaptability: The sales landscape is constantly changing, and being adaptable allows you to stay ahead of trends and adjust your strategies to meet new challenges.

You can format a skills section on a sales manager’s resume like this:

Skills

• Sales forecasting
• Proficient in SalesForce, Zoominfo and Pipedrive CRMs
• Negotiation
• Team building
• Negotiation

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Education

The education section of your sales manager resume should demonstrate that you have the foundational knowledge to lead a sales team and meet your company’s goals.

Simply list your highest level of education, including your degree, the name of the institution and its location. There’s no need to include a graduation date; career experts warn that doing so can introduce bias into the hiring process.

Here’s how to format your education section on a resume for a sales manager:

Education

Bachelor of Business Administration
University of Colorado, Boulder, CO

Additional Sections

Once you have covered the most essential information, including additional sections on your sales manager resume can help set you apart from other candidates. These sections provide a deeper look into your experience and qualifications, showing that you bring more to the table than just your work history and education.

Some optional sections to consider are:

• Certifications: Include professional credentials that validate your expertise.
• Languages: Fluency in multiple languages can be beneficial, especially in international sales.
• Awards: Any sales-related awards or recognitions can demonstrate your sales abilities.
• Professional affiliations: Membership in relevant industry groups shows potential employers that you have a robust professional network, essential for success as a sales manager.
• Volunteer experience: Volunteering showcases your leadership and community involvement.

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Top Certifications for Sales Managers

Including certifications on your resume is a great way to demonstrate your expertise and commitment to professional development. Here are five top certifications that will enhance your sales manager resume:

1. Certified Sales Leadership Professional (CSLP): This certification focuses on the leadership and strategy skills needed to manage a sales team effectively.
2. Certified Professional Sales Leader (CPSL): Earning this credential proves your ability to drive sales success and lead high-performing teams.
3. Salesforce Administrator Certification: Salesforce is a widely used CRM platform. This certification demonstrates your proficiency in managing and optimizing CRM systems.
4. HubSpot Sales Certification: This certification is valuable for sales managers who want to develop skills in inbound sales techniques and CRM management.
5. Certified Sales Executive (CSE): This certification is ideal for sales managers looking to demonstrate their expertise in strategic sales management.

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10 Tips for Writing a Sales Manager Resume

1. Tailor your resume to each job. Think of your resume as a marketing tool. Each job application is unique, so customize your resume to highlight the specific skills and experience the employer seeks. For a sales manager position, emphasize your leadership, sales achievements and any industry-specific experience that aligns with the job description.
2. Start with strong action verbs. When describing your work experience, begin each bullet point with powerful action verbs like “led,” “developed” or “achieved.” These words instantly convey that you’re proactive and results-driven — key qualities for a sales manager. For example, instead of saying, “Responsible for managing a team,” say, “Led a team of 15 sales representatives.”
3. Quantify your achievements. Numbers speak louder than words in a sales manager resume. Quantify your achievements to give hiring managers a clear picture of your impact. Instead of stating that you increased sales, say, “Increased sales revenue by 30% in the first quarter.” Whether it’s percentage growth, revenue figures or team size, numbers help to substantiate your successes.\
4. Highlight your leadership skills. As a sales manager, your leadership abilities are crucial. Showcase how you’ve successfully managed and motivated your sales teams. Describe situations where you’ve led your team to exceed targets or implemented strategies that boosted team performance. This demonstrates your ability to inspire and drive results.\
5. Include both hard and soft skills. Sales management requires a balance of interpersonal and technical skills. Make sure your resume includes both. For example, list hard skills like CRM software proficiency alongside soft skills like communication and team building. This shows you’re well-rounded and capable of handling the role’s technical and human aspects.
6. Optimize your resume for ATS. Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes, so it’s important to include keywords from the job description. Look for terms related to sales management, such as “sales strategy,” “team leadership,” or “revenue growth,” and incorporate them naturally into your resume. This increases the chances that your resume will reach a human reviewer.\
7. Show your career progression. Employers want to see how you’ve grown in your career. Use a chronological format to clearly outline your work history, showing promotions, increased responsibilities and career milestones. Even if you’ve held different titles, highlight the skills and achievements that contributed to your growth as a sales professional.
8. Keep your resume professional and clean. First impressions count, so ensure your resume is visually appealing and easy to read. Use a clean, professional layout with consistent formatting. Avoid clutter and stick to a simple design that lets your achievements stand out. A polished resume reflects your professionalism and attention to detail.
9. Include relevant certifications. Certifications can set you apart from other candidates. If you have any relevant certifications, such as a Salesforce Administrator Certification or a Certified Sales Leadership Professional credential, be sure to include them. These demonstrate your commitment to professional development and add credibility to your expertise.
10. Proofread carefully. Before you submit your resume, take the time to proofread it thoroughly. Look for typos, grammatical errors or inconsistent formatting. A well-polished resume shows that you pay attention to detail — a crucial trait for a sales manager who needs to ensure accuracy in contracts, reports and communication.