What successful sales CVs have in common

Businesses are placing greater emphasis on sales to combat economic downturn. At the same time, the sales industry is growing at a slower rate than average. Essentially, this tells us that there is a demand for sales workers but that demand is not being met. One reason for this is a lack of convincing applicants in the recruitment pool. Although there are many reasons why it’s a good idea to jump start your career in sales as a graduate. Most of the time, this can come down to applicants’ poor CV quality rather than their poor skill or ability.

Reviewing top CV and resume examples from people who have gotten hired in B2B sales, B2C sales, and more, I’ve noticed five characteristics common to successful sales CVs.

Quantifying your achievements

Recruiters want more than a simple description of your duties – it is essential to attach a significant metric alongside any achievements. For example, doubling conversion rates in two months. This shows the recruiter your potential impact. More than that, quantifying your achievements proves to the recruiter that you do more than simply carry out your duties, you’re dedicated to the success of your firm.

Balance professionality and personality

Long gone are the days of an impersonal CV. While this topic is still up for debate, recruiters are concerned with more than your ability. You need to show who you are alongside with what you can do. You can do this by introducing your CV with a short life philosophy. This will convey to the recruiter the ideals that drive you and will give insight into your approach to work. There are two main reasons personality is important in sales.

Building rapport

The sales industry is built upon rapport. Without the ability to relate to your clients, sales representatives will struggle to close the big deals. Giving insight into your personality shows the recruiter the avenues you have to build conversations and relationships with potential clients. For example, you can include your passion for hiking or environmental sustainability.

Demonstrating culture fit

Culture fit describes your ability to mesh with the values and people of your potential employer. Culture fit can affect your motivation to work, your team-building with fellow employees, and your drive to improve. Recruiters look to your CV to see elements of your personality that indicate whether or not you fit with the company. For example, you can include a Most Proud Of section to show your personality. A Most Proud Of moment you can mention an achievement in your most recent role that has special meaning to you.

Addresses the recruiter

An important aspect of any CV – but especially in sales – is to address the recruiter. This doesn’t mean to open your CV with “To sir/madam”, but it does mean your CV should tell a clear story with defined sections. Your CV is your ice-breaker with the recruiter, if it reads as a mash of different parts of information with no clear-connection between sections or logical flow, it’s bound to deter the recruiter from following up.

You can open your CV effectively using a personal summary. “My background is extensive, unique, and global…”. This frames everything else that follows on. Later, you can finish your CV with a “Thank you for your time” section. Taken together, these construct a narrative that is easy to follow and pleasing to read.

Take responsibility for your strengths

The recruiter should not be left wondering what you’re good at – take responsibility for your own presentation. Take the time to describe your “Core Strengths”. In here, you can pinpoint strengths such as relationship building, door-to-door sales and marketing. As an added bonus, you can include a quote from a former colleague to back up those up.

Think carefully on how you present your strengths, too. Adding simple icons alongside each strength can be very impactful. Overall, taking responsibility for your strengths shows the recruiter you’re both self-aware and knowledgeable of your skill set.

Do something different

Recruiters can reviews hundreds of CVs in a day. Taking the time to plot your CV out and craft a section that sets you apart from all other applicants is necessary to gain a competitive advantage. This can be particularly true for sales CVs as applicants may mention the same top skills and have accomplished similar goals across their positions.

For example, a Most Proud Of section. A section such as this can set you apart as it merges your professionality and personality seamlessly. You can also package traditional sections in different ways to bring your uniqueness across. In your skills section, you can use a visual pie chart to divide your overall skill set into specific parts. Using this, recruiters can quickly see what you’re the best at, what you do well, and what you have some competence in.

Writing a successful sales CV

Overall, the key to writing a successful sales CV is to be specific to two things: yourself and the position you’re applying to. Without being specific to the role you’re applying for, you will fail to highlight the most necessary skills and quantify your achievements.

Continuing, if you fail to reference elements of your personality and self, the recruiter will struggle to determine your culture fit and build a rapport with you. Including passions and interests can give the recruiter real topics to ask you about in your interview beyond the generic questions we’re all used to. Inevitably, incorporating these traits into your own sales resume will give you a greater advantage in your own job hunt.