Writing a CV for a Sales Manager position might seem a bit tricky, but it doesn’t have to be. Think of it as selling the most important thing: you. Your CV needs to show off your skills, your wins, and your experiences in a clear and straightforward way. Whether you’re new to management or you’ve been leading teams for years, a good CV is key to landing your next job. In this article, we’re going to talk about how to write a CV that shows off your best qualities, with some examples to make things super clear. Let’s get started and make sure your next employer sees just how valuable you are.
Contents
Read The Job Description / Advert
The first step is, of course, to read the job description. We need to know what the firm is looking for so that we can properly highlight these characteristics in our CV. So read back over the job description and try to pinpoint the important points. A lot of times a firm will call things “required”; if you see this, you need to make sure you include that in your CV. Similarly, if certain things are repeated throughout the advert, this indicates they are of high importance, so we will want to make sure our CV shows that as well.
When performing this analysis, take care to copy the ‘exact’ words and phrases that are being used by the hiring manager. We will want to pepper these into our CV later.
Sales Manager Job Description Example
Join Our Team: Sales Manager Wanted!
We’re on the hunt for a dynamic Sales Manager to lead our vibrant sales team to new heights! If you’re someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, has a knack for identifying opportunities, and possesses a proven track record in driving sales success, we want to hear from you!
As our Sales Manager, you’ll be the driving force behind our sales team, steering them towards achieving and exceeding our sales objectives. Your day-to-day will involve crafting and implementing robust sales strategies, identifying lucrative sales opportunities, and providing your team with the guidance they need to shine. You’ll be their go-to for advice, support, and training, ensuring they have the skills and knowledge to surpass their targets.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement strategic sales plans tailored to company goals
- Lead, motivate, and support the sales team to exceed their sales targets
- Identify and target new sales opportunities to drive business growth
- Forge and nurture relationships with key clients and stakeholders
- Analyze sales data and trends to inform decision-making and strategy development
- Ensure the sales team is equipped with the skills and knowledge to perform at their best
What We’re Looking For:
- Proven experience in a sales management role, with a history of exceeding sales targets
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and inspire a team
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to analyze sales data and use it to inform strategy development
- A customer-focused approach with the ability to forge strong client relationships
- Experience in developing and implementing sales strategies that drive success
In return, we offer a competitive salary (based on experience and skills), a generous bonus scheme, and a range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing and professional development.
Ready to lead our sales team to success? We can’t wait to hear from you!
Note: [Your Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Research The Company
Time to put on your detective hat and do some research on your target company. Look at their website, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms. You are looking for any piece of intel that will give you the leg up.
- Find out about recent work/projects they have undertaken or will be embarking on (highlight your experience in these areas on your CV)
- Find out what software/processes they use and make sure you include your proficiency in them in your CV
- Learn what interview questions you might expect should you make it that far
See if you know anyone who works there and/or connect (LinkedIn) with people ahead of the interview. A little nepotism could never hurt, and you might be able to glean more information about the role/hiring process in the meantime.
Find A Good CV Template
When selecting a CV template, it’s essential to opt for a simple design and structure. Not only are straightforward layouts more compatible with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), but they also make it easier for recruiters and hiring managers to quickly identify and understand key details. A clutter-free and organized CV ensures that your most important information stands out, facilitating a smoother review process for potential employers.
This is the CV template that we recommend (click here)
Write 2 Or 3 Bullet Points As A ‘Professional Summary’
A handy approach is to craft three sentences: the first highlighting your qualifications and experience, the second showcasing your biggest professional achievement, and the third detailing your most recent experience.
Sales Manager Professional Summary Example
- Bringing to the table 12 years of robust experience in sales management, underpinned by a Master’s in Business Administration and a certification in Strategic Sales Management, with a rich background in leading sales teams, driving revenue growth, and developing impactful sales strategies in the technology sector.
- Notably led the sales team at TechInnovate to achieve a 40% increase in annual revenue by pioneering the implementation of a new sales methodology and leveraging data analytics through tools like Salesforce and Tableau, which optimized sales processes and significantly enhanced customer acquisition and retention.
- Recently managed a high-stakes project at CyberNet Solutions, where the focus was on penetrating a new market segment, which, through strategic planning, meticulous market analysis, and the execution of targeted marketing campaigns, resulted in a successful entry and an additional $4M in revenue within the first year.
Detail Your Employment History
Begin by listing your employment history in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent role. This allows potential employers to see your recent experience upfront, which holds greater value. Keep in mind that brevity is key.
As you go further back in time, reduce the level of detail to ensure your CV doesn’t exceed two pages. Employers are less likely to read lengthy CVs.
When you’re jotting down your responsibilities on your CV, don’t just make a list of tasks you did. Use those tasks to highlight your wins. So, instead of writing “Led the sales team,” you might say “Guided the sales team to exceed annual targets by 20%, securing a company record in annual revenue.” This way, you’re not just saying what you did, but you’re showing how well you did it. For a Sales Manager, it’s not just about saying you managed a team or developed strategies. It’s about showing how your leadership and strategies drove success and brought in profits. So, always talk about your responsibilities in a way that showcases your achievements and gives a clear picture of your skills and experience.
Detail Your Education History
Keep your CV concise, aiming for a two-page limit. The education section can often be streamlined.
Highlight the most relevant qualifications. For instance, if you have a degree, your A-levels become less significant. Similarly, if you’re in the U.S., having an MBA overshadows your high school GPA.
Unless an older educational milestone is crucial for the job or highly pertinent, focus on showcasing your Bachelor’s degree, post-graduate studies, or professional certifications. If you lack these, mention your latest qualifications. Remember, having a Master’s suggests you’ve finished school, so no need to state the obvious. Only include your educational background if it’s pertinent to the job.
CV Structure
Tactically structure your CV to the ‘most wanted’ attributes of the job description. For example, if the job description values “qualified”, then place your qualifications first; if they want someone with RECENT experience, put your last job up top. If they want multiple years of experience, highlight your tenure.
We always recommend that you have a Professional Summary up top (after your name/contact info), as it will be the first thing that anyone reads. As discussed earlier, this should be tailored towards the job advert and showcase your experience and skills in what the employer is looking for.
A fairly typical structure would go:
- Name and contact info
- Professional Summary
- Current (or most recent employment)
- Education & Professional Qualifications
- Employment History
WHAT NOT TO DO
Now that we’ve discussed what you should be including in your CV, let’s look at some things that you should avoid doing.
- Do not include personal history or likes. Employers are not going to care about your hobbies, so unless you have some inside information that the hiring manager only hires people who play a particular sport, for example, then leave your extracurricular activities off your CV. This does not extend to things like volunteer or charity work. Definitely include that if you have the space.
- Do not list your skillset and the tools/applications you have experience with. It takes up valuable space and is often obvious (Skilled in Excel…?). Instead, include these in your achievements section (Example: “Used Asana to manage and coordinate tasks for a remote team of 25 members”).
- Do not include references or “references available on request”. If employers want a reference, they will ask you for them; otherwise, this is just wasted space on your CV.
- Do not include a photo of yourself unless specifically asked. In many countries, including the UK and US, you should not include a photo of yourself on your CV/resume. Companies don’t want you to do it, as it opens them up to liability, and there is absolutely nothing for you to gain by doing so – plus, you are making it easier for firms to discriminate against you, either implicitly or explicitly.
- Do not use any fancy graphic or artistic CV format. Most CVs come in a standard format, allowing Application Tracking Software, recruiters and hiring managers to easily pick out the key pieces of information they need quickly based on their experience. If you throw them a CV in an artistic format, they are more likely to get annoyed and throw your application away. This is not a situation where standing out is good. You want your skills/experience to be noted, not your CV format.
- Do not include your previous salaries. This will severely impact your negotiation abilities down the line.
Sales Manager CV Tips – Recap
Highlight Your Achievements ?
When writing your CV, make sure to spotlight your achievements, not just your duties. Use quantifiable data, like percentages and revenue figures, to illustrate your impact on the business. For example, instead of saying “Managed sales team,” say “Led a sales team that exceeded annual sales targets by 25%.”
Use Relevant Keywords ?
Ensure your CV gets noticed by using keywords relevant to sales management. These might include “sales growth,” “team leadership,” or “revenue generation.” Look at the job description and use similar language in your CV to help it get through any Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
Showcase Leadership Skills ?
Demonstrate your leadership capabilities by providing examples of managing teams, implementing new sales strategies, or improving sales processes. Mention any training or development programs you’ve led and describe their impact on the team or company.
Include Specific Sales Strategies ?
Discuss the sales strategies you have implemented and how they positively affected the company. This could involve introducing a new CRM system, developing new sales territories, or implementing a new sales methodology.
Tailor Your CV to the Role ?
Make sure your CV is tailored for the role you’re applying for. Highlight the experiences and achievements that are most relevant to the job description, and ensure your most relevant skills are easy to see.
Add Any Relevant Certifications ?
If you have certifications that are relevant to the role, such as Certified Sales Leadership Professional (CSLP) or Strategic Sales Management Certification, make sure they are visible and mentioned in your CV to showcase your commitment to professional development.
Sales Manager CV Sample
Below is an example CV from someone with a number of years experience in the field. For an editable .DOCX version, click here.