resume skills examples for sales

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Best Sales Skills to Put on a Resume

Highlighting the right sales skills on your resume can make a significant impact on your job search. Sales professionals need to have a unique set of skills to succeed in their role, including communication, negotiation, and problem-solving. Knowing which sales skills to emphasize on your resume can help you stand out to potential employers and showcase your expertise in the field.

In this article, we’ll discuss some of the best sales skills to put on a resume, providing examples and tips on how to highlight them effectively.

Table of Contents

What are Sales Skills?

Sales skills are a set of abilities and competencies that are necessary for effectively selling products or services. These skills include both technical and interpersonal skills that are essential for building rapport with customers, understanding their needs, and persuading them to make a purchase. Here are some examples of sales skills:

Jobs That Require Sales Skills

Sales skills are highly valued in many industries, as they are essential for driving revenue growth and building strong customer relationships. Here are some examples of jobs that require such skills:

• Sales Representative
• Account Manager
• Business Development Manager
• Customer Service Representative
• Marketing Manager
• Real Estate Agent
• Financial Advisor
• Insurance Agent
• Retail Sales Associate
• Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
• Advertising Sales Representative
• Event Planner
• Travel Agent
• Car Salesperson
• Business Owner
• Stockbroker
• Freelance Writer
• Public Relations Specialist

Top Sales Skills for a Resume

Hard sales skills, prospecting.

Prospecting is a critical sales skill that involves identifying and qualifying potential customers or clients. Successful prospecting involves a combination of research, communication, and relationship-building skills. Employees must be able to identify potential prospects through various channels, such as social media, industry events, and referrals.

Example: Consistently exceeded monthly sales targets by generating 50+ new leads per week through cold calling and networking events.

Google Analytics

Google Analytics is a valuable sales skill that involves the ability to analyze complex data and use it to improve customer experience and boost revenue. Hiring managers often value applicants who have strong Google Analytics skills as it can give businesses a competitive edge in understanding customer behavior, identifying trends, and making informed decisions.

Example: “Leveraged insights gained from data analysis to develop targeted sales strategies, resulting in a 25% increase in conversion rates and a 30% increase in revenue.”

CRM Systems

Recruiters value Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems such as Salesforce, Hubspot, Monday, Zendesk, Sendinblue, Pipedrive, and others because they are powerful tools for storing and managing customer data. Essentially, these systems function like a digital diary, containing all the information needed to ensure high levels of customer satisfaction. By leveraging the data stored in CRM systems, sales professionals can identify opportunities to increase revenues. Additionally, to streamline this process further, sales professionals can utilize sales pipeline software , enabling them to manage leads and conversions efficiently, ultimately maximizing revenue potential.

Example: “Expertly utilized CRM systems such as Salesforce and Hubspot to manage customer data, track leads, and improve customer satisfaction.

Microsoft Office Skills

While some people may think that showcasing MS Office proficiency is uninteresting and discouraged by recruiters, and instead advocate for emphasizing less apparent abilities — but this viewpoint may not be entirely accurate.

This is because many firms employ applicant tracking systems (ATS) that filter resumes based on specific keywords. Thus, neglecting to include MS Office on your resume may sometimes decrease your chances of being invited for an interview.

Example: “Developed and delivered sales pitches and presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint, resulting in a 20% revenue increase”.

Product Knowledge

Product knowledge is a crucial sales skill that allows the team to understand the features, benefits, and competitive positioning of the products or services they are selling. By possessing in-depth knowledge of the products, employees can provide accurate information to customers, answer questions, and address any concerns or objections.

Example: “Leveraged product knowledge to create customized pitches and presentations that addressed the unique needs and preferences of each customer, resulting in increased customer satisfaction and sales.”

Lead Generation and Nurturing

Generating and nurturing leads to convert potential customers into loyal clients requires more than just a simple approach. It can be a challenging task to undertake, and it’s important to showcase your exceptional skills in this area to potential recruiters.

Example: “Successfully closed a high number of deals by utilizing effective lead generation and nurturing techniques, resulting in consistent financial growth and revenue targets achieved.”

Soft Skills

Emotional intelligence.

Emotional intelligence is an important sales skill that allows people to understand and manage their emotions and those of others to build stronger relationships with customers. By leveraging emotional intelligence, sales professionals can communicate more effectively with customers, address their needs and concerns, and provide personalized solutions.

Example: “Demonstrated emotional intelligence by developing a deep understanding of customer needs and effectively managing challenging customer situations, resulting in increased customer satisfaction and retention.”

Negotiation Skills

Negotiation skills are crucial for finding mutually beneficial solutions for both the customer and the company. By effectively negotiating, salesmen can build strong relationships with customers, establish trust, and close more deals.

Example: “Leveraged negotiation skills to establish and maintain strong relationships with partners and internal stakeholders, resulting in effective collaboration and partnership development.”

Active Listening

Active listening is an essential skill that allows the team to understand their customers’ needs, concerns, and preferences effectively. By actively listening to their customers, sales professionals can build trust, establish rapport, and provide personalized solutions.

Example: “Effectively clarified information and addressed customer concerns by actively listening and asking probing questions, resulting in increased sales and customer retention.”

Problem Solving

Problem-solving is a valuable skill that enables sales professionals to identify and analyze complex problems and develop effective solutions that meet customers’ needs. Effective problem solving lets the team understand and address customer pain points, develop unique value propositions, and tailor their sales approach to meet specific customer needs.

Example: “Identified and addressed customer pain points through the use of problem-solving skills, resulting in increased customer satisfaction and retention.”

Leadership is an essential sales skill that empowers the team to inspire and motivate teams towards achieving target revenue and creating an environment of constant improvement. By leveraging leadership skills, sales professionals can mentor and guide team members, devise effective merchant strategies, and provide direction and counsel in a dynamic trade landscape.

Example: “Developed and implemented effective sales strategies by leveraging leadership skills to foster collaboration, innovation, and accountability among team members.”

How to List Sales Skills on a Resume

When listing sales skills on a resume, it’s important to customize the skills section to the specific job description and requirements of the role you’re applying for. Here are some tips on how and where to list these skills on a resume:

• Create a separate skills section: Start your resume by creating a separate section that lists your sales skills, highlighting the most relevant and important ones that match the job description.
• Use bullet points: Use bullet points to organize your skills section, making it easy for recruiters to scan and identify the skills they are looking for.
• Order your skills by importance: List your most important skills first, based on the job description and requirements of the role you’re applying for.
• Be specific: Be specific when describing your sales skills. Use numbers, percentages, or examples to demonstrate your achievements and impact.
• Use keywords: Use keywords from the job description in your sales skills section, as many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes for specific keywords.
• Include sales skills in your experience section: In addition to your skills section, highlight your skills and accomplishments in your experience section, describing how you applied them to achieve specific goals and results.

Overall, by highlighting your sales skills on your resume, you can demonstrate your expertise and stand out to potential employers, ultimately increasing your chances of getting hired.

Example of a Sales Resume

John Doe 123 Main St., Anytown USA | 555-555-5555 | [email protected] Objective: Results-driven sales professional with over 5 years of experience in B2B and B2C sales seeking a challenging position in a dynamic company. Skills: – Strategic account management – New business development – Relationship building – Consultative selling – Sales forecasting – Lead generation and nurturing – Negotiation skills – Active listening – Emotional intelligence – Problem-solving skills – Leadership and team management Experience: Senior Sales Representative XYZ Corp, Anytown USA March 2018 – Present – Utilized strategic account management skills to maintain and grow relationships with key clients, resulting in a 20% increase in revenue. – Developed and implemented effective lead generation and nurturing strategies, resulting in a 35% increase in qualified leads and a boost in sales revenue. – Demonstrated expert negotiation skills in closing complex deals with key customers, resulting in increased revenue and customer satisfaction. – Utilized active listening skills to understand and address customer concerns, resulting in increased customer loyalty and retention. – Led a team of 5 sales representatives, providing mentorship and guidance in achieving revenue targets and cultivating a positive and productive work culture. Sales Representative ABC Inc, Anytown USA January 2016 – March 2018 – Prospected and developed new business opportunities through cold calling, networking, and referral programs, resulting in a 25% increase in revenue. – Demonstrated consultative selling skills by understanding customer needs and providing personalized solutions, resulting in increased customer satisfaction and retention. – Effectively utilized forecasting skills to predict and plan for future sales opportunities and trends, resulting in improved financial performance and revenue growth. – Collaborated with marketing teams to develop and execute lead generation campaigns, resulting in a significant increase in leads and conversions. Education : Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Anytown University, Anytown USA Graduated May 2015

How to Improve Sales Skills

Improving sales skills is an ongoing process that requires continuous learning, practice, and feedback. Here are some tips on how to improve such skills:

• Learn from others: Observe successful sales professionals and learn from their techniques and strategies.
• Attend sales training: Attend training courses, seminars, and workshops to improve your skills and gain new insights and ideas.
• Read sales books: Read books, blogs, and articles to gain knowledge and stay up-to-date on sales trends and techniques.
• Practice active listening: Develop your active listening skills to understand your customer’s needs and preferences, and provide tailored solutions.
• Seek feedback: Seek feedback from customers, colleagues, and mentors to identify areas for improvement and develop an action plan.
• Role-play scenarios: Practice role-playing different sales scenarios to build confidence and develop effective communication and persuasion skills.
• Utilize technology: Utilize technology to track and analyze your sales performance, identify areas for improvement, and automate manual tasks.
• Stay motivated: Stay motivated and focused on your goals, and maintain a positive attitude even in the face of rejection or failure.

What Skills Can I Add to a Sales Resume With No Experience?

If you have no experience in sales, you can still add relevant skills to your sales resume that demonstrates your ability to succeed in a sales role.

For example, you can highlight your strong communication skills, ability to work in a team, problem-solving abilities, and customer service experience . You can also showcase any relevant coursework, certifications, or extracurricular activities that demonstrate your interest in sales or develop skills relevant to the field.

Additionally, you can highlight any transferable skills from other jobs or experiences, such as leadership or project management skills. By emphasizing your skills and potential, you can show potential employers that you have what it takes to succeed in a sales role, even without prior experience.

What Are Some Good Resume Skills to Add for Different Sales Positions?

Tailoring your resume skills section to the specific job description and requirements of the position you’re applying for is important. Some good resume skills to add for different sales positions include consultative selling, strategic account management, new business development, lead generation and nurturing, sales forecasting and analysis, negotiation skills, relationship building and management, active listening, emotional intelligence, problem-solving skills, leadership and team management, product knowledge, time management and organization, communication and presentation skills, and technical skills such as proficiency in CRM software or other tools.

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Sales Resume - Example & Writing Guide for 2024

You’re a sales rep.

You use your skills to sell products or services to customers and companies.

But when it comes to creating a convincing resume, you’re left confused.

How do you make a sales representative resume, anyway?

Surely it’s no different than a resume for any other profession, right?

Fortunately, this guide will answer all of your questions. In fact, we take you through a simple step-by-step process to creating a sales resume with a super-high conversion rate . 

• An example of a finished sales resume that works
• How to write a sales representative resume that’ll fill up your interview diary
• How to make your sales representative resume stand out [with top tips & tricks]

Before we look at the finer details, here’s a sales resume example , created with our very own online resume builder :

Looks good, right?! Follow the steps below to create a sales representative resume that get results, just like the above example.

Applying for a different job position? Feel free to check out our related resume examples here:

• Sales Associate Resume
• Marketing Executive Resume
• Marketing Resume

How to Format a Sales Representative Resume

Before you can wow the recruiter with your vast sales expertise, you need to pick the best format.

Basically, you need to make your resume easy to read.

You will also want to highlight your core strengths, which rely on choosing the correct format for your specific situation.

If you want to impress, the “ reverse-chronological ” resume format is recommended. Essentially, it puts your most recent and most notable strengths at the top, which allows the recruiter to see your value in an instant. We recommend starting with this format .

The following resume formats also get our approval:

• Functional Resume – If you’re confident about your sales skills, but lack the experience, this resume format is recommended
• Combination Resume – Combining both “Functional” and “Reverse-Chronological” formats, use this format if you’re an experienced sales representative

Once you’ve chosen your format, you need to organize your resume layout .

Use a Sales Representative Resume Template

Here’s the harsh truth –

You won’t get any sales job if your resume isn’t formatted correctly.  

It needs to be scanned by humans and robots alike. 

You could use Word, but the resume format is at risk of falling apart with a single change.

If you want to skip formatting issues, use a sales rep resume template .

What to Include in a Sales Representative Resume

The main sections in a sales representative resume are:

• Work Experience
• Contact Information

Want to go a step further? You can also add these optional sections:

• Awards & Certification

Interests & Hobbies

That sounds great, but what do we write for each of these sections? 

Read on to learn how.

Want to know more about resume sections? View our guide on What to Put on a Resume .

How to Correctly Display your Contact Information

Unlike your sales presentations, this section doesn’t require flair.

But it must be factually correct. 

One misplaced digit can completely destroy your chances of receiving a phone call.

The contact information section must include:

• Title – Align this to the job description. In this case, “Sales Representative”
• Phone Number – Check this multiple times
• Email Address – Use a professional email address ([email protected]), not your childhood email ([email protected])
• (Optional) Location – Applying for a job abroad? Mention your location and if you are open to relocate.
• Phillip Green - Sales Representative. 101-358-6095. [email protected]
• Phillip Green - Superhero Salesman. 101-358-6095. [email protected]

How to Write a Sales Representative Resume Summary or Objective

Just like a customer glancing over products on the shelf, the hiring manager will only spend just a few seconds looking at each resume.

Although worrying, this fact highlights the importance of a resume that makes a big impact within the first few sentences.

But how can you do this?

Well, by using a resume summary or objective.

These are short, snappy paragraphs that sit at the top of your resume, just under your contact information.

But how do the two differ and which one should you pick?

A resume summary is a 2-4 sentence summary of your professional experiences and achievements.

• Experienced sales representative with a strong background in boosting sales for a diverse clientele. Seeking to leverage solid sales skills and extensive technology knowledge to be the senior sales rep for Random Technology Store. Notable achievements include achieving over $250,000 in sales for every fiscal quarter, maintaining relationships with 15+ large contractor companies, and increasing gross profit by 42% from 2017 to 2019.

A resume objective is a 2-4 sentence snapshot of what you want to achieve professionally.

• Motivated individual with passion and vast knowledge of gaming technology, seeking to become the new sales representative for Random Technology Store. Experience includes working as a sales associate to help customers find products, answer stock questions, and promote store awards program.

So, which one is best, summary or objective?

Whether you choose a summary or objective will depend on your experience as a sales representative. Those with a strong history on the sales floor should go with a resume summar y, whereas those who have sales skills, but lack the industry experience, should choose an objective.  

• As a sales representative, you know that benefits sell. As such, make it clear how your experiences and skills will HELP the company.

How to Make Your Sales Work Experience Stand Out

The recruiter is looking for someone that can sell.

And when we say sell, we mean SELL .

The easiest way to prove that you can sell ice to the Eskimos is with your work experience .

Here’s the best way to structure your work experience section:

• Position Name/Title
• Company Name
• Responsibilities & Achievements

Sales Representative

WeSellCars Ltd.

03/2015 - 06/2020

• Achieved over $250,000 in sales for every fiscal quarter 
• Maintained relationships with 15+ large contractor companies
• Increased gross profit by 42% from 2017 to 2019
• Lead and presented all company product promotions

To really sell your value, you should focus on your best achievements, rather than your daily tasks.

Instead of saying:

“Sales lead”

“Achieved over $250,000 in sales for every fiscal quarter.”

Simply put, the first statement is way too vague. It shows you were in charge of sales, but it doesn’t say whether you actually sold anything or not. 

The second statement shows that you managed to sell A LOT , and consistently too. Hard numbers that prove your skills – can’t argue with that!

What if You Don’t Have Work Experience?

Maybe you’re a graduate looking for your first sales job?

Or maybe, you have experience in sales-related jobs, but never as a sales representative?

Don’t worry –

Simply list all previous job responsibilities that are most relevant to the job description.

Even though you haven’t held an official sales representative job title , it doesn’t mean you don’t have relevant experience or skills.

Are you recent graduate? Make sure to check out our student resume guide !

Use Action Words to Make Your Sales Resume POP!

…are all common words that the recruiter sees time and time again.

However, you want to separate your resume from the competition, which means using power words to make your achievements stand out:

• Conceptualized
• Spearheaded

How to Correctly List your Education

Next, it’s time to talk about your education.

Depending on the job you apply for, you may require a degree or high school diploma. 

Those with impressive sales achievements may not need to impress with their education at all.

There’s nothing too complicated with this section, just list the basics in the following format:

• Degree Type & Major
• University Name
• Years Studied
• GPA, Honours and relevant courses.

B.A. in Strategies in Sales Management

University of Michigan

2012 - 2016

• Relevant Courses: Sales Forecasting & Budgeting, Developing Strategic Relationships with Major Customers, Managing Sales-Related Change, Developing and Using Customer Insight

We understand that you may have further questions. If so, here are the answers to some of the most frequent questions that we get:

What if I have not yet finished my studies?

• Regardless of whether you’re a sales graduate or still studying, you should still mention every year of education to date

Should I include my high school education?

• Just include your highest form of education, which will likely be your high school education if you didn’t go to college 

What is more important, my education or experience?

• In the sales field, your experiences are the most important, so those go first.

Be sure to check out our guide on how to list education on a resume .

Top 15 Skills for a Sales Resume

A top sales representative is able to show their talents through the number of sales they convert.

You won’t even get to that stage if don’t include the correct skills on your resume.

Here are some of the most common sales skills that the recruiter will be looking for:

• Product Knowledge
• Rapport Building
• Time Management
• Product Presentation
• Contract Negotiation
• Closing Sales
• Prospecting
• Public Speaking
• Problem Solving
• Conflict Resolution

Here’s a more comprehensive list of 100+ must-have skills this year .

What Else Can You Include?

We’ve now covered every essential resume section .

But ask yourself one question –

Have you done enough to make the sale ?

You need your resume to stand out !

Adding additional sections can really round you out as a candidate.

Awards & Certifications

Have you won salesperson of the month?

Have you completed any courses to improve your sales skills?

If you said yes to any of the above, make sure to mention them in your resume!

Here’s an example:

Awards & Certificates

• “The Art of Sales” - Coursera Certificate
• “Public Speaking Masterclass” - MadeUpUniversity

As a sales representative, you will be communicating with a diverse clientele. 

As such, it can be useful to know other languages.

Either way, being able to speak a second language is always an impressive skill to a hiring manager, so feel free to add a language section if you have space.

Rank the languages by proficiency:

• Intermediate

This section simply requires a sentence about what you like to do when you aren’t working. 

Doing this allows the hiring manager to see what kind of person you are. 

This section also adds a more personal touch to your resume.

Here’s which hobbies & interests you may want to mention.

Include a Cover Letter with Your Resume

Want to increase your chances of getting the interview call?

Attach a cover letter with your resume.

Cover letters are still an important part of the hiring process.

You see, a cover letter is a specific and personal piece of content. 

Unlike an applicant that sends a generic resume to every company, a cover letter shows the hiring manager that you care about working for their company.

Here’s the winning formula:

You should complete the following sections:

Personal Contact Information

Your full name, profession, email, phone number, location.

Hiring Manager’s Contact Information

Full name, position, location, email

Opening Paragraph

It’s no secret that recruiters skim through applications. As such, your opening paragraph must be immensely powerful. Use concise language to mention:

• The position you’re applying for
• Your experience summary and best achievement to date

Once you’ve sparked the reader’s interest, you can get deeper into the following specifics:

• Why you chose this specific company
• What you know about the company
• How are your top skills relevant for the job
• Which similar industries or positions have you worked in before

Closing Paragraph

• Don’t just end the conversation abruptly, you should:
• Conclude the points made in the body paragraph
• Thank the hiring manager for the opportunity
• Finish with a call to action. This is a good way to start a conversation. A simple “At your earliest opportunity, I’d love to discuss more about how I can help company X” will work

Formal Salutations

End the letter in a professional manner. Something like, “ Kind regards ” or “ Sincerely. ”

For more inspiration, read our step-by-step guide on how to write a cover letter .

Key Takeaways

If you combined your sales skills with the advice above, you should have successfully convinced the recruiter to give you an interview. 

Before leaving, let’s sum it all up:

• Format your sales resume correctly. Prioritize the reverse-chronological format, and then follow the best practices on content layout
• Start your resume with a summary or objective to hook the recruiter
• Highlight your top sales achievements, rather than your daily duties
• Use your sales skills to write a convincing cover letter

Suggested Reading:

• The One-Page Resume of Richard Branson
• What Is Your Greatest Accomplishment? [3 Proven Answers]
• 101 Career Paths for Every Personality [2024 Guide]

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18 Key Skills to Include on a Sales Resume (with Examples)

By Status.net Editorial Team on February 4, 2024 — 13 minutes to read

A strong resume is important for landing a job in sales: with competition often fierce for sales roles, candidates need to showcase the right mix of hard and soft skills to stand out. This article will discuss the most important sales-related skills and abilities to emphasize on your resume to catch a hiring manager’s eye and help land an interview.

Advanced Sales Techniques

1. consultative selling.

Consultative selling is about becoming a trusted advisor to your customers. You listen attentively to their challenges and tailor your approach to offer personalized solutions. For instance, if you’re selling software, you might spend time understanding the client’s workflow, then demonstrate how your product can integrate smoothly and improve efficiency.

1. “Expert in building rapport and establishing trust, leading to a 30% increase in repeat business through consultative selling techniques.” 2. “Skilled in identifying client pain points and providing bespoke solutions, resulting in a 25% uptick in customer satisfaction scores.” 3. “Leveraged consultative selling to deepen customer relationships and upsell additional products, growing account revenue by 20%.” 4. “Conducted thorough needs analysis to tailor presentations and demos, successfully closing deals with a 15% higher average order value.” 5. “Facilitated customer decision-making processes by providing expert advice and personalized consultations, achieving a 95% customer retention rate.”

2. Strategic Prospecting

Strategic prospecting goes beyond just finding new leads; it’s about identifying high-quality prospects who are more likely to become valuable customers. This means analyzing potential clients’ business size, market position, and even their recent news or organizational changes to approach them with a compelling and relevant pitch.

1. “Implemented a strategic prospecting plan that increased the qualified lead pipeline by 40% within six months.” 2. “Utilized advanced market analysis to target and convert high-potential prospects into loyal customers, boosting sales by 18%.” 3. “Developed a systematic approach to prospecting that prioritized outreach to expanding businesses, resulting in a 22% increase in B2B sales.” 4. “Crafted personalized outreach campaigns based on in-depth research of prospects’ recent developments, achieving a 35% response rate.” 5. “Focused on strategic prospecting to identify and engage with key decision-makers, shortening the sales cycle by an average of 10 days.”

3. Value-Based Selling

Value-based selling puts the spotlight on the benefits and outcomes that your solution provides, rather than just the features or price. You highlight how your product or service can solve a specific problem or improve the customer’s situation. Imagine selling a project management tool; you would emphasize how it can streamline a client’s operations and save time, which translates to cost savings, rather than simply listing its features.

1. “Drove a 30% revenue growth by articulating the value and ROI of products to key stakeholders, utilizing value-based selling techniques.” 2. “Excelled in communicating the strategic value of solutions, leading to a 50% improvement in deal closure rates.” 3. “Transformed customer perceptions by shifting the focus from price to value, resulting in a 20% increase in average deal size.” 4. “Employed value-based selling to differentiate offerings in a crowded market, capturing a 15% larger market share.” 5. “Consistently exceeded sales targets by presenting tailored value propositions that aligned with customer objectives, achieving a 120% quota attainment.”

Technology Proficiency

4. crm software.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software is the backbone of sales technology. You should be adept at managing customer interactions, tracking sales leads, and maintaining client information. Examples of popular CRM systems include Salesforce, HubSpot, and Zoho CRM. Proficiency in these tools demonstrates your organizational skills and your dedication to maintaining detailed customer records.

1. “Proficient in Salesforce for end-to-end customer lifecycle management, resulting in a 20% improvement in customer follow-up efficiency.” 2. “Managed a 500+ client portfolio using HubSpot, enhancing customer engagement through targeted communication strategies.” 3. “Streamlined lead tracking process with Zoho CRM, increasing lead conversion rates by 15% within one fiscal quarter.” 4. “Utilized advanced CRM analytics to refine sales tactics, contributing to a 10% year-over-year sales growth.” 5. “Developed and maintained an accurate sales pipeline in CRM software, ensuring a 98% data integrity score and reliable forecasting.”

5. Sales Data Analysis Tools

Being able to analyze sales data helps you identify trends, forecast outcomes, and make informed decisions. Familiarize yourself with tools like Tableau, Excel, or Google Sheets for data visualization and analysis. Your competence with these tools can show how you transform raw data into actionable insights.

1. “Leveraged Tableau to create intuitive sales dashboards, providing the team with real-time insights that drove a 25% increase in productivity.” 2. “Advanced proficiency in Excel for complex sales data analysis, identifying key performance drivers that led to a 5% reduction in sales cycle duration.” 3. “Utilized Google Sheets for collaborative sales forecasting, resulting in a 90% accuracy rate for quarterly revenue projections.” 4. “Conducted a comprehensive market analysis using data visualization tools, enabling the launch of a successful product line expansion.” 5. “Implemented data-driven sales strategies based on in-depth analysis with Excel, contributing to a 12% uplift in cross-selling opportunities.”

6. Virtual Communication Platforms

In an increasingly remote working world, your proficiency in virtual communication platforms indicates how well you can maintain client relationships and collaborate with your team from anywhere. Tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Slack are common in sales environments. Your familiarity with these platforms ensures you can connect with clients and colleagues clearly and effectively.

1. “Facilitated seamless remote sales presentations and product demos via Zoom, maintaining a 95% client engagement rate.” 2. “Collaborated with cross-functional teams using Microsoft Teams, driving a 20% faster project completion rate for sales initiatives.” 3. “Mastered Slack for internal communication, streamlining the sales process and reducing email volume by 30%.” 4. “Conducted virtual sales training sessions through Zoom, enhancing team knowledge and contributing to a 10% increase in sales performance.” 5. “Adopted Microsoft Teams for daily sales huddles and pipeline reviews, fostering a culture of transparency and accountability in a remote work environment.”

Communication Skills

7. active listening.

You show respect and build trust by actively listening to potential clients. This means paying attention to their needs and responding appropriately. Example: “Listened to customer concerns to tailor product demonstrations effectively, resulting in a 20% increase in sales.”

8. Effective Presentation

Conveying information clearly and engagingly is a must. Your presentations should capture attention and make a persuasive case for your product or service. Example: “Crafted and delivered compelling product presentations, leading to a 30% uptick in client engagement.”

9. Negotiation and Persuasion

Being able to negotiate terms and persuade customers to close a deal are key facets of your role. You should highlight situations where you have successfully done so. Example: “Persuaded hesitant clients through targeted negotiation, improving contract closure rate by 15%.”

Personal Attributes

10. resilience.

In sales, you’re bound to face rejection and setbacks. Demonstrating resilience means you bounce back from challenges and maintain a positive attitude. For example, if you’ve consistently met or exceeded sales targets despite market downturns, this showcases your resilience.

1. “Overcame a significant industry slump by refocusing sales strategies, ultimately exceeding quarterly targets by 15%.” 2. “Maintained top sales performer status despite a highly competitive and evolving market, showcasing exceptional resilience.” 3. “Recovered from a lost key account by rapidly building a new client base, increasing overall sales volume by 20%.” 4. “Persistently pursued leads and closed deals in the face of increased market rejection rates, growing personal sales by 10%.” 5. “Demonstrated resilience by consistently achieving sales goals, even through organizational restructuring and market shifts.”

11. Adaptability

The ability to adapt is key in sales as products, markets, and technologies are always evolving. You adjust quickly to new sales methods or changes within your industry. You might share how you successfully shifted strategies to remote selling during unexpected situations.

1. “Swiftly transitioned to remote selling techniques during the pandemic, resulting in a 12% increase in customer engagement.” 2. “Adapted to new CRM software within weeks, minimizing downtime and maintaining a 100% client retention rate during the transition.” 3. “Revised sales messaging to align with shifting market demands, contributing to a 25% boost in lead conversion rates.” 4. “Embraced new product lines and quickly became proficient, leading to a 30% increase in cross-selling revenue.” 5. “Adapted sales approaches in response to real-time market feedback, allowing for a 15% faster sales cycle and increased customer satisfaction.”

12. Self-Motivation

Being self-motivated means you have the drive to set goals and achieve them without external prompting. A good indicator of this trait is when you’ve initiated projects or tasks beyond your sales role’s typical requirements, such as creating a new client outreach program that resulted in increased sales.

1. “Initiated and led a targeted outreach campaign for a niche market segment, resulting in a 35% increase in qualified leads.” 2. “Independently developed a comprehensive sales training manual, improving new hire ramp-up efficiency by 25%.” 3. “Proactively sought out advanced sales certifications, enhancing product knowledge and contributing to a 20% sales increase year-over-year.” 4. “Designed and implemented a customer referral program that generated a 40% uptick in lead generation through self-directed efforts.” 5. “Voluntarily took on additional market research tasks, uncovering untapped opportunities that led to a 10% revenue growth.”

Achievement and Metrics

13. sales targets.

Meeting or exceeding sales targets consistently is a testament to your selling skills. For example, you might highlight that you achieved 150% of your quarterly sales target, showcasing a strong ability to convert leads into sales.

14. Revenue Growth

Your ability to contribute to your company’s bottom line can be shown by detailing percentage increases in revenue. An example could be, “Drove a 20% increase in total revenue over a six-month period by acquiring new accounts and expanding existing ones.”

15. Client Acquisition Metrics

The number of new clients you acquire is a direct reflection of your networking and negotiation skills. Illustrate your effectiveness with specifics, like “Signed 30+ new client contracts in a single fiscal year, exceeding the team average by 40%.”

Additional Skills

16. time management.

Your ability to efficiently allocate your time affects productivity and sales outcomes. For instance, you might prioritize high-value clients or segment your day for different sales activities. Tools like digital calendars can improve your time management skills.

1. “Optimized daily schedule using digital calendars, increasing time dedicated to high-potential clients by 20%.” 2. “Implemented a time-management strategy to allocate specific hours for prospecting, follow-ups, and administrative tasks, boosting overall productivity by 30%.” 3. “Prioritized tasks based on revenue impact, which led to consistently meeting or exceeding monthly sales targets.” 4. “Reduced time spent on low-value activities by 25% through effective delegation and automation, redirecting focus to strategic sales initiatives.” 5. “Balanced multiple client accounts and projects by mastering time management tools, ensuring all monthly deliverables were met ahead of deadlines.”

17. Teamwork

Sales often require collaborative efforts, and your teamwork skills showcase your capacity to work alongside others. A key example could be strategizing with the marketing department to align sales goals with promotional campaigns.

1. “Collaborated with the marketing team to align sales strategies with promotional activities, resulting in a 15% increase in campaign-driven sales.” 2. “Participated in cross-functional teams to develop new product bundles, enhancing team synergy and increasing bundle sales by 20%.” 3. “Worked alongside customer service representatives to resolve complex client issues, improving team efficiency and customer retention rates.” 4. “Contributed to a team-driven approach for a major product launch, which successfully penetrated a new market segment and exceeded sales expectations by 25%.” 5. “Coordinated with the product development team to relay customer feedback, leading to product improvements and a 10% increase in customer satisfaction.”

18. Problem-Solving

When facing challenges, your problem-solving skills help you navigate through objections and find creative solutions. Whether it’s addressing customer concerns or adapting to market changes, you need to demonstrate how you’ve overcome obstacles, like developing a new pitch after identifying a common customer hesitation.

1. “Identified and addressed a recurring customer objection, redesigning the sales pitch and increasing close rates by 18%.” 2. “Developed a new lead qualification process to solve the issue of low conversion, resulting in a 40% improvement in lead-to-sale conversion.” 3. “Solved logistical challenges for a key client by coordinating with the operations team, securing the account and a 15% increase in order volume.” 4. “Crafted customized solutions for unique client needs, overcoming competitive pressures and enhancing customer loyalty.” 5. “Implemented a feedback loop between sales and product teams to quickly resolve product issues, reducing customer complaints by 30%.”

Industry-Specific Knowledge

When crafting your sales resume, grounding your expertise in the industry you’re applying to can give you a competitive edge. Showcasing your familiarity with relevant products, market trends, and customer profiles indicates your ability to hit the ground running.

For example, if you’re applying for a sales position in the pharmaceuticals industry, having an understanding of drug regulations, medical terminology, and the healthcare system will speak volumes. In tech sales, knowledge of software development processes, the latest gadgets, or cybersecurity can set you apart.

Here are types of industry-specific knowledge you might include:

• Product knowledge: Understand features, benefits, and applications of what you’re selling.
• Customer demographics: Know who buys the products and why.
• Regulatory environment: Stay updated on laws and regulations affecting your industry.
• Competitor insights: Be aware of what similar companies are doing.

You can demonstrate your industry knowledge through various experiences, such as:

• Hands-on sales experience with industry-related products or services.
• Relevant coursework or certifications.
• Membership in industry-specific professional organizations.
• Attendance at trade shows, workshops, or seminars.

Educational Background

When listing your educational qualifications, including the highest degree you’ve attained, like a Bachelor’s in Marketing, can be beneficial. If you hold a degree related to sales or communication, highlight your major and any coursework relevant to understanding consumer behavior or the art of persuasion.

Providing details of any sales certifications or specialized training courses you’ve completed demonstrates your commitment to the field and continued learning. For example, a Certified Professional Sales Person (CPSP) or a Strategic Sales Management certification can make your resume stand out.

Don’t forget to mention any sales-related workshops or seminars you’ve attended. These experiences show an employer that you stay updated on industry trends and best practices.

If you were active in extracurricular activities, like a marketing club or a role in student government, it’s helpful to note these as well. They can serve as proof of your leadership skills and ability to work within a team, both of which are valuable in sales positions.

Lastly, if your GPA is particularly high or you’ve received academic honors and awards, including these can shed light on your work ethic and achievement drive.

• Degree : ‘Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Sales Management’
• Certifications : ‘Certified Professional Sales Person (CPSP)’
• Workshops/Seminars : ‘Advanced Sales Techniques Workshop – 2023’
• Extracurricular Activities : ‘Vice President – University Sales Club’
• Awards : ‘Dean’s List – Fall 2020, Spring 2021’

Professional Development

When crafting your sales resume, enriching the Professional Development section with relevant qualifications can set you apart. These can showcase your commitment to the industry and your proactive approach to improving your skill set.

Workshops and Seminars

Participation in workshops and seminars is a vivid testament to your dedication to staying current with sales trends and skillsets.

• Negotiation and Closing Techniques : A workshop on this topic might help you master the art of deal-making.
• Advanced Sales Strategy Seminar : Attending seminars that focus on novel sales strategies can arm you with cutting-edge tactics to outperform competitors.

Online Courses

Online courses offer you the flexibility to learn at your own pace while keeping up with the latest sales methodologies and tools.

• Inbound Sales Course : An online course like this from an established platform can polish your skills in attracting and engaging prospects effectively.
• Salesforce Certification : Familiarizing yourself with popular customer relationship management (CRM) systems through certification courses can be highly beneficial.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can i effectively showcase my sales skills in a resume.

To showcase your sales skills, quantify your achievements with concrete numbers and awards. Highlight situations where you’ve successfully met sales targets or grown customer bases, and be succinct in describing these accomplishments.

What are the top sales representative skills to highlight on a resume?

The top sales representative skills to highlight include persuasive communication, customer relationship management (CRM), negotiation, lead qualification, and time management. Emphasize your proficiency in these areas with results-driven examples, like expanding a customer base by a certain percentage.

Which three adjectives best capture essential sales skills for a resume?

The three adjectives that best capture essential sales skills for a resume are ‘adaptable,’ ‘persuasive,’ and ‘results-oriented.’ Using these adjectives conveys your ability to adjust to client needs, convince prospects, and consistently meet sales goals.

How should I list technical and hard sales skills on my resume?

List technical and hard sales skills in a dedicated ‘Skills’ section using bullet points for clarity. Include items like proficiency in specific sales software, data analysis, and fluency in foreign languages if applicable.

Can you provide examples of soft skills that are valuable for a sales resume?

Valuable soft skills for a sales resume include emotional intelligence, teamwork, problem-solving, and the ability to handle rejection.

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Sales Resume Examples from Successful HubSpot Representatives

Published: August 29, 2023

Putting together a sales resume is never a fun task, especially when you’re putting one together for the first time or just starting your sales career . What work experience is relevant? What buzzwords should you include? How will you set yourself apart?

Luckily, sales is a job in which diverse work backgrounds are welcomed and useful. In addition to providing a few sales resume examples, we’ll show you how to write a good one.

This guide will show you:

• Sales representatives with resumes that landed them jobs .
• Sales representative job descriptions on resumes .
• How to write your sales representative resume to get the interview .
• Expert hints and examples to increase your chances of landing sales representative jobs .

Sales Resume Objective

Start your resume for a sales representative with a summary or career objective. Then add experience and education. Draw the recruiters in by using this formula from Resume Lab .

• An objective
• Years of experience
• What you can offer and how it will help
• Your biggest achievement

And as for what else sets you apart? I asked HubSpot reps and recruiters for the resumes they used to get hired and the advice for others hoping to land a gig in sales. Here’s what they had to say.

When it comes to creating a resume, providing value rather than crafting a long list of duties is important.

“Highlight promotions and career progression, and always include numbers (metrics, quota attainment, business impact, territory expansion, etc.).” The bottom line? When in doubt, add numbers, says Devon Brown , Director, Global Executive Recruiting at HubSpot.

When crafting your resume, make sure the skills listed in the resume align with the sales position and the company’s goals.

Here are some top skills to help your sales resume stand out:

Sales Resume Skills & Core Competencies

• Knowledge of Software
• Verbal Communication
• Goal Setting
• Organization
• Time Management
• Strategic Thinking
• Demonstration Skills
• Growth-Mindset
• Flexibility
• Cold Calling
• Customer Retention
• Researching
• Data Analysis
• Territory Management
• Objection Management
• Customer Relationship Management
• Sales Pitch Development

1. Knowledge of Software

Highlight your sales experience with software programs, whether or not the company you are applying for uses that software. Proficiency in programs can show that you can learn various techniques fast.

2. Listening

Salespeople who are active listeners comprehend how to approach customers. If customers feel understood by a sales representative, it can increase their chances of making a purchase.

3. Verbal Communication

Verbal communication involves effectively sending messages to customers in a way they can easily understand. As a salesperson, landing sales and securing deals begins by engaging conversations with potential customers.

4. Goal Setting

Setting goals is a way for salespeople to track their success and it also shows a keenness to grow within their company. Being intentional in goal setting shows you recognize how your work influences your employer.

5. Organization

Managing several accounts reflects the organizational skills of a salesperson. Your ability to swiftly find and share information with clients can make the difference between landing a sale and losing not only leads but customers.

6. Time Management

It’s important to be mindful of how your work is distributed and being efficient with how that time is spent is an invaluable skill.

7. Strategic Thinking

Strategic thinking helps salespeople create strategies that will help their customers achieve their goals. This skill can also help you create a customized approach for individual customers.

8. Demonstration Skills

As a sales representative, you may be required to show how a product operates. Showcasing your demonstration skills involves creating a presentation, understanding the details of a product, and showing how that product can be beneficial to the customer.

9. Leadership

Having highly devoted leadership skills are helpful in the sales industry, especially if you want to be a team player. Companies often hire people who show leadership potential and can take initiative.

10. Motivation

Companies seek out highly motivated salespeople to find clients to help grow their business. Salespeople that are driven building strong relationships with clients that lead to more revenue for their employers.

11. Growth-Mindset

An essential skill in the sales profession is having a growth mindset. Embracing this kind of mindset leads to several opportunities for salespeople to develop new skills.

12. Initiative

Salespeople must possess the ability to independently cultivate plans and follow leads. They actively seek out prospects and can craft innovative sales techniques.

13. Flexibility

Adaption is extremely important in the sales industry. Salespeople have to react to situations as they happen. This requires both flexibility and being ready to modify a plan immediately.

14. Persuasion

In sales, convincing potential customers of your viewpoint helps land sales. Persuasive tactics help salespeople deal with clients that may need extra coaxing before buying

15. Cold Calling

Businesses use cold calling to contact potential customers. Affluent cold calling skills make sales candidates appealing for jobs.

16. Customer Retention

A business does everything to make sure they can maintain its customers. Sales representatives who are highly skilled in using strategies to persuade customers to make repeat purchases should highlight their customer retention skills on their resumes.

17. Networking

Creating and maintaining relationships helps companies expand their network to build strong connections. Showcasing this skill will make you an invaluable addition to the team.

18. Researching

Employers gravitate toward job seekers with research ways to improve their company’s sales process. Not to mention, good research skills can help you find information on your prospects to use during a sale.

19. Data Analysis

Creating a data-driven sales process helps salespeople decide on the most profitable techniques.

20. Territory Management

Companies take their time when selecting territories for their salespeople to engage with various markets. For salespeople who want to become team leaders, territory management is an important skill to increase their job duties.

21. Objection Management

Salespeople are tasked with solving various problems that may be reasons a customer decided not to buy a product or service. This skill identifies you as a qualified candidate.

22. Customer Relationship Management

Customer relationship management, or CRM, involves your ability to guide a customer throughout the sales process. Success in CRM closes deals and has the potential for customers to make repeated purchases.

23. Sales Pitch Development

Creating a good sales pitch is a skill that leans on the quality of its imaginative approach. The more skilled you are in persuading customers to purchase items, the more valuable you will be to companies.

Best Sales Resume Examples

Appealing descriptions, selecting job-specific keywords, and the ability to explain how to use tools are all things that can make resumes grab the attention of recruiters. Here are some examples of resumes that go beyond explaining their job duties.

Professional Sales Resume Examples

1. caroline atwood, inbound sales coordinator, hubspot cambridge, highlight your strengths.

Atwood wanted to turn her background in education into a lucrative career in sales. To position herself positively to potential employers, she highlighted transferable skills from her previous positions.

She says, “I created this resume for HubSpot when I switched industries from outdoor and environmental education to sales. I wanted to condense my hydrology fieldwork in Massachusetts and my teaching in coastal Alaska into relevant skills I could use to pitch myself as a salesperson."

What We Like:

Instead of viewing her non-sales background as a weakness, Atwood used it to strengthen her resume. "I wanted to represent myself as a multidimensional and curious person who enjoys learning about the world and connecting with others – a crucial part of the sales profession.” HubSpot felt the same.

2. Chris Moore, Channel Account Manager, HubSpot Cambridge

Demonstrate your skills.

Moore already had impressive sales and business experience, but he wanted to put in extra effort to set himself apart. He says, “I recommend doing something that stands out – like I did here . My resume is straightforward, but the delivery is different than most others. My website is a conversation starter and the gateway to my resume."

What we like:

By building his own website, Moore demonstrated his willingness and ability to overachieve. He was also able to customize the site with a personalized headline and message to his hiring manager.

He explains, "It showed HubSpot I'd put in the time to be noticed and stand out. There are so many free services available to make one-page sites like these."

Moore isn't the only one who sees the value of creating a website. He says, "I’ve even done it for several of my friends, and they’ve all been hired by one of the first two companies they interviewed with. I’m sure most of it was because they were highly qualified for the position, but some of it must have been because of the presentation, right?”

3. Paul Rios, Manager, International Sales and Strategy, HubSpot Cambridge

Quantify your successes.

Rios is a longtime HubSpotter who has successfully shifted roles within the company several times. He says, "Quantify everything. Sales – unlike many other jobs – is black and white. Vague sales resumes are a red flag for me. If you are an over-performer, this is your chance to showcase your accomplishments."

Rios also recommends having several different resumes on deck. “It's alright to have three or four different versions of your resume, each targeted at different companies or positions. For example, I have extensive direct and channel sales experience. If I were to apply to a new role, I'd highlight more strongly and/or reorder my bullets so my most relevant experience jumps out."

Use Action Words to Stand Out

We mentioned earlier to focus on including accomplishments and the impact you’ve had in each role rather than just listing tasks and responsibilities. Adding the right action words to your resume can do just that. Instead of saying “responsible for [insert task]” try substituting action words like “spearheaded” or “Implemented.”

Other worthy action words to use include:

• Conceptualized
• Strengthened

Using action words like the ones listed below will better highlight your accomplishments and skills. Next, let's consult some expert advice from HubSpotters on how to make your resume stand out for all the right reasons. 

Job Hunt Pep Talks From Sales Pros

Entry level tips.

No matter how long someone has been in sales, everyone has to start somewhere. For salespeople just starting out, Kelsey Freedman , sales recruiter, HubSpot Cambridge gives this advice: “For an entry-level resume, consider the characteristics and skills needed for a sales role. For example, hiring teams often look for someone competitive. Always include experiences you've had in a competitive environment.”

Also, don't shy away from using school or athletic goals as proof of your drive. She says, “Another example would be to explain a time you accomplished a goal. The hiring team wants to see you’re motivated by goals and can actually accomplish them, even if that means overcoming failure at times."

In the end, it's all about hard work and framing. "Ultimately, we want to see you're passionate and eager to generate revenue for the business. Even if it's a job at a retail store, you should phrase your responsibilities in a way that most closely relates to a sales position."

Resume Magic

Former HubSpotter, Mary Burbridge , offers this advice: Is your resume built of buzzwords? Mary recommends including plenty of data to back up your claims. “Always include metrics that indicate a track record of success. If you were an over performer, by what percentage? If you had the highest MRR recorded all year, how much?”

Kelsey Freedman also warns a resume can get too data-driven. She says, “Buzzwords can be detrimental, but when it comes to a resume, recruiters and hiring managers like to see them!"

So what buzzwords does this recruiter most like to see from candidates? "Words like 'quota,' 'attainment,' 'closing,' 'negotiation,' and 'cold-calling' catch the hiring team's eye,” Freeman says. But don't think you can leave those numbers out entirely. She explains, "Don't be afraid to add numbers in there, either. The hiring team wants to know how you performed in previous roles. So, why not include it in your resume?"

LinkedIn Best Practices

Who better to learn from than sought-after career mentor and HubSpot Executive, Dan Tyre ? He doesn't beat around the bush, saying, “Spend five times more effort on your LinkedIn profile than on your resume. And limit your resume to no more than two pages long. Oh, and if you have a Hotmail or AOL email address, don’t blame me if you don’t get the job.”

Trust the Process

Applying for a sales job should take time, but it shouldn’t cause you stress. Do the work, put in the effort to customize your resume for the sales job and company you’re applying to, and heed the advice provided above to submit a resume that employers can’t overlook. Good luck!

Editor's note: This post was originally published in April 2018 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

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How to Write an Outstanding Sales Resume

Persuasive language, industry-relevant skills, and measurable results are key to drawing the eyes of recruiters and hiring managers.

Laura Slingo

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As a sales professional, you know how important first impressions are. When you’re looking for a new sales role in a top firm, your resume is often the first glance potential employers see of you. It needs to be persuasive, professional, and on point. The following resume skills for sales jobs will help you create an outstanding CV, one sure to impress prospective employers.

Craft your pitch

At the top of your sales resume, you should include a career objective. This is a short, sharp, punchy summary of the key skills and abilities you have to offer.

Treat your objective as your personal sales pitch. If it’s weak, not only will hiring managers doubt your abilities, they’ll also stop reading your resume altogether. Craft something outstanding and you’ll be on your way to making the sell.

To ensure your objective statement is as persuasive as possible, treat it like a sales pitch to a potential client, highlighting features and benefits. The features are your skills, knowledge, and abilities, and the benefits are the results and achievements you can accomplish if you get hired.

You also want to keep this section of your resume tailored to the job description. The skills you reference in your objective should incorporate the keywords from the job description and be related to the job posting to ensure your resume lands at or near the top of search results on application tracking systems (ATSs) and search engines.

Reference essential sales skills

The benefits of referencing essential sales skills in your resume are twofold. As mentioned, keywords from the job description will optimize your resume to pass ATSs. But at the next stage, your resume will be read by recruiters. By referencing skills in the recruiters’ own language, you make it obvious that you’re a great fit, helping you progress to the interview stage.

Here are some common essential skills and abilities you might include in your sales resume:

• Product knowledge
• Client acquisition and retention
• Goal setting and forecasting
• Closing sales
• Written and verbal communication
• Self-motivation
• Organization
• Time management
• Attention to detail

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Showcase your results.

While it’s easy to say you have certain skills, such as the ability to close sales, this won’t necessarily convince the hiring manager that your skills are genuine. To remove all doubt, support your skills with examples, achievements, and, where possible, actual numbers.

As a sales professional, you need to focus on your results, targets, and other industry metrics. For example, you might reference generated revenue, unit sales, or targets achieved.

Try to be as specific as possible, and quantify your results with stats and facts. Recruiters will digest them better than words because they’re so to-the-point.

• Here are some examples of ways to phrase your skills and achievements on your resume:
• Strong product knowledge in chemical and pharmaceutical ingredient sales
• Averaged more than $3 million in annual sales
• Met or exceeded all quotas, resulting in 80% revenue increase over 12 months

Showcasing your results in this way will prove to hiring managers that you’re a talented salesperson worth short-listing for an interview

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Perfect and polish.

The last step is to perfect and polish your resume to ensure it’s flawless. In any sales role, the requirement for effective, professional communication is paramount. Your resume must reflect these characteristics.

Take some time to carefully proofread your resume. You can get quite far with Word’s own spell-checker and tools like Grammarly. However, a more human approach is likely to catch all your typos, grammatical errors, and awkward phrasings. For example, writing “our” instead of “out” might be wrong in context, but to a spell-checker it’s correct.

Reading your resume aloud is a great way to quickly identify errors. Also, make sure your resume is proofread by at least two other people to catch every mistake.

In addition to reading well, your resume must also look the part to ensure clean, clear communication. Start by using an easy-to-read font such as Arial or Calibri and signal each section of your resume with a bold heading. Keep your formatting consistent throughout to maintain a professional appearance.

Ultimately, your sales resume is no different than pitching to prospective leads, so it should come as second nature. If you keep your resume up to date with the latest metrics, punchy and persuasive content, and an immaculate finish, there’s no reason it won’t impress your prospective employers.

Keep honing your resume skills for sales

As you progress in your career — and as your field changes — you’ll learn new skills critical to your success. Highlight these on your resume, and showcase the work you’re doing to advance professionally. Then, share your resume with a colleague and get their feedback. The more perspectives you have, the more polished your resume will be.

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Laura Slingo is an accomplished PR writer, editor, and strategist. She brings a decade of experience to the table, with several awards and national nominations for good measure. She prides herself on producing quality, innovative content for various industries and publications across the globe, including CV-Library and Resume-Library. If you’re a word nerd like Laura, connect with her on LinkedIn.

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Listing Sales Skills on Your Resume: Tips and Examples for 2024

Here are the top ways to show your Sales skills on your resume. Find out relevant Sales keywords and phrases and build your resume today.

Is your resume ATS-friendly?

Drop your resume here or upload a file to find out if the skills in your resume are readable by an ATS.

In This Guide:

Top sales skills for your resume, most popular sales & retail hard skills for your resume in 2022, how to list sales skills on resume, where to include sales & retail skills on your resume, how to match your skills to the job position, related resume examples with sales resume skills, key takeaways.

Regardless of whether you want to sell a product, a service, an idea, or even yourself as the best candidate for a job, you’d need strong sales skills. And although it might sound complicated, choosing the right sales skills for your resume is actually pretty straightforward.

Together, we’ll go through a comprehensive list of the most in-demand sales skills for 2022. In this article you’ll also learn:

• How to choose the right sales skills for your job
• What the difference between soft and hard sales skills is
• How to demonstrate strong soft skills in different sections of your resume
• Whether you need to add sales skills if you’re applying for a non-sales position

… and more! Read on!

If you’re applying for a sales position, the hiring manager will probably have listed some of the sales skills you need in order to get the job.

Many times, however, you need to guess what sales skills the recruiter is looking for, especially when it comes to non-sales positions. You can do this by looking at the job description and your future daily tasks.

But what are the top sales skills recruiters just love seeing on resumes? Let’ see…

Top sales skills to have in 2022

• Negotiation
• Microsoft Office
• Relationship Building
• Communication
• Forecasting
• Cold Calling
• Business Development
• Customer Service

Most popular hard sales skills for your resume

Although you’d be required to work with people, for the most part, being tech-savvy and having the right hard skills will help you do your job better.

Let’s dive deep into some of the best hard sales skills that will help you stand out in front of other applicants!

Google Analytics

Hiring managers value applicants with strong Google Analytics skills. They’re well aware this means knowing how to analyze complex data and use it to improve customer experience and boost sales.

If you’re applying for a job that requires strong Google Analytics skills, add them to your resume header. Here’s one example:

Account Executive / Google Analytics Wizard

But in case you want to get into a bit more detail about how you’ve used your Google Analytics skills in the past, mention them in the experience section. For instance:

Used Google Analytics to analyze customers’ online behavior, shorten their decision journey, and boost sales by 23%.

CRM systems

Customer Relationship Management systems like Salesforce, Hubspot, Monday, Zendesk, Sendinblue, Pipedrive, and others are used to keep customer data. This means they’re similar to a huge digital diary with all the information you need to ensure high levels of customer satisfaction.

Essentially, CRM Systems are valued by recruiters because they have the potential to drive sales (and revenues!) up.

And while the skills section is generally considered the right place to list all CRM systems you’re proficient in, we advise you to go for a less traditional approach.

Use the experience section of your resume to share how you’ve used CRM systems in the past. Here’s one example:

Monitored customer satisfaction levels in Salesforce and suggested ways to increase them by at least 50%.

Read this: Must-have customer service skills for your resume !

Microsoft office

Some people argue that listing MS Office skills is boring and frowned upon by recruiters and that you should focus on highlighting less obvious skills.

Here’s why these people are wrong: most companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) that screen resumes for certain keywords.

That’s why not adding MS Office to your resume might actually lower your chances of landing an interview.

Use the skills section or drop a line or two about how you’ve used MS Office to succeed in the past in your experience section. It’s up to you!

Presentation software

Having strong presentation skills benefits professionals from all industries – be they business, hospitality, marketing, or in your case – sales.

And good presentations are often based on engaging the public with impressive visuals. This is where different types of presentation software come in handy.

If you’re a real presentation master, make sure to mention this in your resume summary. You can follow the example below or come up with something more relevant to your specific case:

Created 17 sales pitch decks for various new and returning B2B and B2C customers and achieved a 70% retention rate.

Lead generation and nurturing

Finding potential customers, building strong relationships with them and making them choose your product/service is not as easy as it sounds. You know it.

That’s why you need to put a bit more effort into highlighting your amazing lead generation and nurturing skills to recruiters. The accomplishments and awards sections are great for that!

Won the company ‘2022 Star’ award for increasing the number of new customers by 89% YoY.

Market research & analysis

What’s a salesperson who has not done their market research but is still managing to secure large numbers of customers? Lucky!

It doesn’t matter whether you need a full market analysis or just a tiny bit of information on what the current specifics of the market are. Being an independent worker means you’re able to do both without supervision and assistance. And this is exactly what recruiters look for when it comes to sales positions!

Your resume’s experience section is a great place to showcase your market research and analysis skills:

Made thorough research on the Canadian baby food market that helped me secure 50% more sales QoQ.

Top soft skills for sales industry positions

Although hard sales skills are considered essential by many industry outsiders, you know too well that soft skills make the magic happen.

But is there a definite list of soft sales skills worth including in your resume? Yes, there is.

Interpersonal communication

Oh, the good old interpersonal communication. If you’re currently working in sales, you’re familiar with the level of talking, chatting, and even texting required for success.

And we get it – sometimes talking to people can feel exhausting. Recruiters also get it. That’s why they’re looking for someone who can handle all kinds of interpersonal communication and make the best of it.

You can highlight your ability to work with different people on your resume by mentioning the number of (potential) customers you’ve been responsible for, or even by sharing a tiny bit about how you deal with getting ‘no’ for an answer. It’s up to you!

For more ideas, check out our guide on how to highlight your interpersonal skills on resume.

Cold calling

Cold calling , or the art of turning people who haven’t yet expressed interest in the product/service you’re offering into clients, is essential for many sales jobs. However, it requires additional training.

For this reason, applicants with cold calling skills are often sought by recruiters. Make a strong first impression by adding a bullet or two about your cold calling experience in the experience section. Here’s an example from a real Enhancv user’s resume:

Generated $30,000 monthly worth of sales by cold calling potential customers

Organizational skills

Planning, critical thinking, managing your time efficiently – these are all extremely important for success in sales.

What’s more, recruiters consider highly organized individuals to be more suitable for just about any position than candidates who lack organizational skills (yes, even when the latter have years of experience and the former don’t).

But how do you highlight your organizational skills? Surely you don’t just list them in the skills section, right?

Right! We advise you to add a word or two about them in your resume’s summary. For instance:

A highly organized sales manager with over 4 years of experience in the field. Proficient in negotiation, staff training, and lead nurturing. Achieved a 135% increase in returning customers in 2021.

Looking for more ways to present your organizational skills on your resume? Check out this article!

Presentation skills

There are two kinds of presentations - the one where you give a presentation in front of an audience and the other where you present a product or a service aiming to close a deal.

You probably do both in your sales career. But how do you prove that to recruiters?

Well, you can either mention your strong presentation skills in your experience section or list a related award or recognition you’ve earned in the awards section. Here’s one example:

Earned the ‘Presentation Star’ award for a presentation I gave during a company-wide employee training session

You’re great at making PowerPoint presentations, but don’t know how to mention this on your resume? Read this article to find out!

Negotiation skills

Pursuing the best interest of the company is key for those working in the sales industry. And the most straightforward way to do that is by negotiating and reaching a beneficial outcome for all parties.

Negotiation requires a great deal of conflict management skills and also the ability to keep your calm in challenging moments.

This means that the best way to add your strong negotiation skills to your resume is by sharing how they’ve helped you in your previous jobs. You can talk about the ways you avoid and resolve conflict in the experience section.

Achieved a 0% client conflict rate in Q3 of 2020 thanks to my strong negotiation skills.

Problem-solving

Problems arise all the time. It’s impossible to prevent them, and most times they’re not even our fault. Recruiters get it, which is why saying you’re a problem avoider wouldn’t work in your favor.

However, proving you’re a problem solver would! So mention your problem-solving skills in your resume summary or experience section. If you’re feeling extra brave, you can even share what the biggest problem you’ve faced in your career is and then demonstrate how you’ve solved it.

Just make sure to focus on the benefits that your problem-solving skills have brought to you and your previous employer.

Read this: How to demonstrate strong problem-solving skills on your resume

Persuasion skills

After negotiating the terms and solving any potential problems, it’s persuasion time!

Influencing other people’s behavior and decisions is crucial for all sales-related jobs out there. After all, one of your goals is to influence the potential client’s decision and help them turn into an actual client, right?

But what’s the best way to highlight your persuasion skills on your resume ? Well, definitely not by listing ‘persuasion’ in your skills section.

Rather, use your resume’s experience section to show how your persuasion skills have helped you convert contacts into clients. Here’s one example:

Built a network of over 500 business contacts in 2021 and turned 27% of them into actual clients using Blaise Pascal’s methods of persuasion

Networking skills

Building a network of like-minded professionals could actually be one of the keys to success when it comes to the sales industry.

Employers are well aware of this fact, and that’s why they value individuals with strong networking skills highly.

But should you just put ‘networking’ or ‘strong networking skills’ on your resume? No!

Instead, share the link to your LinkedIn profile to show you’re actively developing your professional network. You can put in your resume or in your email signature – you decide!

Self-motivation

Staying motivated in difficult times has proven to be quite challenging if you’re low on self-motivation.

In fact, being able to keep yourself motivated to pursue various goals and tasks is also crucial for facing setbacks successfully.

In the context of the sales industry, this means not taking ‘no’ for an answer and keeping going until you reach your targets.

A great way to highlight your self-motivation in your resume is by adding it to your resume summary. Here’s one example:

A self-motivated sales specialist with over 5 years of experience in the field. Doubling targets and smashing goals have proven to be my specialty! Achieved a 191% increase in sales in Q1 of 2022, looking for the next challenge.

Active listening

Contrary to popular belief, speaking is not the only main skill you need to be good at sales. Just the opposite – active listening is at least as important (if not more).

In the context of sales skills, active listening is the art of listening attentively, reflecting on what’s being said, and formulating your answer accordingly.

That way, you’d be prepared for every potential client’s argument why they’re not willing to become a customer. Something more – you’d be able to respond in a way that gets you a step closer to success.

You can share a bit more about how your active listening skills have helped you generate more leads in your resume’s experience or summary section. In addition, be prepared to get into a bit more detail about this during the interview.

Looking for other ways to demonstrate your active listening skills on your resume? Read this article!

Teamwork makes the dream work! And although you might find it a bit difficult to work in a team, that’s still one of the most popular skills recruiters want you to have.

You can share a bit more about your teamwork skills in the experience section of your sales resume.

For instance – talk about the size of the teams you’ve worked in or the number of people you’ve managed. It’s entirely up to your individual situation and preference. Just make sure to highlight your ability to work with different people and still achieve your goals!

Maximizing sales

Although maximizing skills is not a skill per se but rather a combination of skills, it’s still important to point recruiters to the fact that you’re a real sale maximizer.

This can be done in various ways. Why? Because there are infinite combinations of skills that can be called ‘sales maximizing skills’. And the essence of this combination depends on the nature of the product/service, the individual profile of every client, and your personality.

The accomplishments and awards sections of your resume are ideal for sharing a bit more about your own ways to maximize sales and how they’ve helped you receive recognition from others.

Increased sales by 78% thanks to my own sales maximizing strategy that consists of identifying my ideal customer and coming up with a suitable approach

Make sure the skills you list are relevant to the position

Although listing all your sales skills might sound tempting, it can make you appear less experienced than you actually are.

In fact, recruiters prefer applicants with fewer skills that are relevant to the position over applicants with tens of irrelevant skills.

So if you’re wondering whether you should add your programming skills to your resume, it’s a no from us. Rather, focus on stuff like your strong communication skills or your ability to close a deal with even the toughest clients over there.

Provide concrete examples with numbers

You can’t really prove your strong sales skills without mentioning some hard data. Otherwise, you risk sounding shallow and as if you were making your expertise up.

That’s why we advise you to focus on all kinds of quantitative data – the highest number of leads you’ve generated, the number of deals you’ve secured, the percentage increase in customer satisfaction that’s followed by your work, etc.

This will point the hiring manager to the fact that having you on the team will lead to tangible results and real benefits for the whole company. And that’s exactly what every employer out there dreams of!

Be specific

Getting into as much detail as possible when listing your sales skills on your resume works in your favor for two reasons: it shows you’re a true professional and also provides room for discussion during the interview.

So instead of just listing ‘cold calling’ in your skills section, share more about the ways your cold calling skills have led to a steady increase in new customers over several months. This information will definitely be of value to the hiring manager!

In the header section of your resume

If there’s a specific sales skill you wish to highlight in your resume, do it in the header section .

After all, it’s the first thing the hiring manager learns about you (after your name). So go for something really eye-catching and put it next to the position you’re applying for. For example:

Communicating your sales skills in the summary section

Think of the resume summary as of a guided walk around your whole career. Mentioning your top achievements is a great way to put an emphasis on your strongest sales skills.

Here’s a great example from one of our Enhancv users:

Showcasing your sales resume skills in your experience bullet points

Rumor has it, most applicants don’t like the experience section . They either see it as a place to show off or don’t give it the credit and importance it deserves.

Don’t be one of those people.

And when we say that, we really mean it. Give the experience section the attention it deserves, and you’ll become one of the top applicants for the job.

So instead of just listing responsibilities, mention how your strong sales skills have helped you smash your goals. See the example below:

• • Exceeded sales targets by at least 20% QoQ
• • Grew the potential customers database by over 500% by coming up with an innovative social media lead generation approach
• • Helped train a total of 520 junior colleagues and interns
• • Was personally responsible for 30 corporate clients

You’ve probably come to realize that there are tens of different sales skills for your resume. Which ones do you include? Only those relevant to the job you’re applying for.

And if you’re willing to go the extra mile (which surely won’t go unnoticed by recruiters), match your resume and sales skills to the job position.

Usually, the sales skills you definitely need to include in your resume are those present in the requirements section of the job description. This will help you pass applicant tracking systems (ATS) and will also increase your chances of landing an interview.

We also advise you to check the company’s LinkedIn profile and website or find some employee reviews online. This will help you get a better grasp of what skills the ideal applicant is expected to have.

Want to see all these ideas put into practice?

Check out some of the top sales resumes crafted by real Enhancv users below!

• Sales Resume: Examples & How-To Guide ( 5+ Templates)
• Entry Level Sales Resume: Examples, Template & 10+ Writing Tips
• Sales Manager: Resume Examples [Guide for 2022]
• Inside Sales Resume Examples & Guide
• Sales Professional Resume Examples & Guide
• Sales Director Resume Examples & Guide
• Sales Associate Resume Examples Guide & Pro Tips
• TOP Outside Sales Resume Examples & Samples
• Sales Executive Resume Examples & Guide
• Sales Agent Resume Examples & Guide
• List both hard and soft sales skills in your resume;
• Focus on actions and results rather than on responsibilities;
• Tailor your resume to each job you apply for;
• Make sure you pass ATS by adding some of the keywords mentioned in the job advert to your resume’s skills section;
• Being good at sales essentially requires you to orient all your efforts around your customers and their habits, but also around the market itself. Make sure to highlight your market research and analysis skills.

Wondering what the best template for your sales resume is? Check out our resume builder and choose the perfect one for you in seconds!

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7 Sales Representative Resume Examples for 2024

Sales Representative

Best for professionals eager to make a mark.

Looking for one of the best resume templates? Your accomplishments are sure to stand out with these bold lines and distinct resume sections.

Resume Builder

Like this template? Customize this resume and make it your own with the help of our Al-powered suggestions, accent colors, and modern fonts.

Sales Representative Resume

• Sales Representative Resumes Experience
• Sales Representative Resumes by Role

As a sales representative, you’re a people person who knows how to close a deal. To sell successfully, you must be an exceptional communicator with top-level product knowledge.

Figuring out how to include these skills on a resume can be a headache, but these seven sales representative resume samples highlight the very best, so they’re a great place to start building or  outlining your resume  before taking advantage of a cover letter AI generator to land your dream sales job in 2024.

or download as PDF

Why this resume works

• As a sales representative, it pays to display your expertise in numbers, including net profits, revenue generated, lead conversions, and customer service scores.
• List 6 to 10 skills, as laundry lists aren’t believable; if you’re unsure you’ve included the right things, check your sales representative resume with our  free resume checker tool .
• Use the reverse-chronological format because it allows the employer to read your most recent and likely relevant experience first.
• Customize your summary by weaving in any specializations you’ve honed and mentioning the target business by name.

Beginner Sales Representative Resume

• Things to consider mentioning include running campaigns and identifying trends that directly increased revenues and profitability margins.

Entry-Level Sales Representative Resume

• For example, if you were a restaurant server or hostess, you worked directly with customers. This is hyper-relevant to sales roles!
• Suppose the sales role you’re applying to mentions they need someone customer-focused. In that case, include that keyword in your resume skills (provided it’s true) and in one of your work experience bullet point sections, demonstrating this skill. 

Route Sales Representative Resume

• Therefore, competencies in Google Maps and Routific would come in handy. Don’t stop there; go further to show impressive results (hint: reducing travel and fuel costs) for your efforts.

Customer Sales Representative Resume

• Use numbers in your resume and  sales representative cover letter  to show how you directly impacted the company with your exceptional customer service skills.
• Cite specific data-driven examples on your customer sales representative resume , including marketing initiatives and customer-centric sales techniques that increased sales and improved customer service ratings.
• These metrics you list can be rough estimates. The goal is to show that you’re focused on the numbers that matter to businesses.

Inside Sales Representative Resume

• This sets you up for success because the employer can quickly see you’re the “right fit” for the role.
• Be sure to include a nice balance of responsibilities with results-oriented data highlighting your accomplishments, and don’t forget to include your customer service scores.

Real Estate Sales Representative Resume

• This appeals to hiring managers because they can see your keen ability to collaborate and meet (or exceed) sales targets.
• However, an objective is only helpful if customized for each position to which you apply.
• Power-pack your objective by including applicable keywords from the job description, and don’t forget to mention the company by name!

Related resume guides

• Sales Manager
• Sales Associate

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The 12 Best Skills to Put on Your Resume (Plus Examples)

S kills can make or break your resume. They should match the jobs you're applying for and show recruiters that you can succeed at their companies.

Sometimes companies will use applicant tracking systems (ATS) that automatically scan resumes and forward the best matches to hiring managers. Whether a human or a computer is looking over your resume, it pays to have a robust set of skills.

Below, we'll cover some skills to put on your resume, the difference between soft and hard skills and the best ways to highlight skills when communicating about your work experience:

The 12 Best Skills to Put on a Resume

Putting the right skills on your resume signals your readiness for the jobs you apply for. Almost anyone can develop these, regardless of professional background—they're huge green flags for recruiters.

1. Adaptability

Change is the only constant in business, according to Mark Cuban . The skills you develop when you start a job may not be relevant in five years, even if you're still in the same position.

Companies want employees who can adapt to changing times. Demonstrating that on your resume shows employers that you're a good long-term investment.

2. Attention to Detail

Anyone can do sloppy work. Having attention to detail means spotting the little mistakes before they become big problems.

Calling out your attention to detail on your resume sets you apart as someone who will sweat the small stuff and pursue excellence in every part of your job.

3. Communication

Virtually every job involves some amount of communication . Are you a software engineer who just wants to code? You still have to talk to clients about their needs.

Eyeballing a management role ? You'll need to successfully communicate with direct reports to give feedback and achieve team goals.

Talking about your communication skills on your resume, including listening, presentation and writing skills, shows you know how to work with others. You can also mention your communication style to make sure you're a good fit for a company's culture.

4. Creativity

The best employees are not just cogs in a machine. They stand out by thinking outside the box and offering creative new solutions to their company's problems.

But creativity doesn't necessarily mean you're artistic. If you're an analyst, it could mean drawing novel conclusions from data. If you're a manager, it could mean finding interesting new ways to engage your team.

Including creativity as a skill on your resume shows employers that you can offer value beyond the job description.

5. Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is your ability to find solutions beyond the obvious. Good critical thinkers can get to the "why" behind a problem, anticipate future problems and elevate the quality of work their teams produce.

Putting critical thinking on your resume takes your skills to the next level. It also speaks to your independence—you come up with solutions on your own, rather than relying on others.

6. Customer Service

Many jobs require some sort of customer service element. Salespeople or project managers talk to customers, helping them get exactly what they're looking for. Other workers, like copywriters or data engineers, may still meet with customers to speak to their area of expertise and demonstrate the viability of their company's work.

Don't take customer service skills for granted. They're valuable in almost any position.

7. Digital Skills

Most office jobs require basic computer literacy. Employers expect employees to know how to open computer and phone applications, send emails and sometimes use video call tools like Teams or Zoom . Being digitally literate can mean knowing when to send a quick chat vs. a long email .

These skills are absolutely worth listing on your resume, especially if you have experience with specific software or tools common in your industry.

8. Leadership

Leadership is your ability to get your team to work together toward a shared goal. It's not just important for managers—individual contributors can communicate better if they have strong leadership skills. ICs can also use leadership skills to take charge when their teams are confused and get the job done.

Putting leadership skills on your resume identifies you as someone who can bring order to a complicated workplace. It also sets you up as potential management material —someone worthy of future internal promotions at a company.

9. Organization

Many jobs require you to juggle several tasks. Organization is your ability to keep everything together, even when you have multiple deadlines or you're working for clients with very different expectations.

Highlighting your organizational skills puts you forward as a candidate who can perform the full range of job responsibilities without getting lost.

10. Problem-Solving

Good problem solvers can take projects from point A to point B in the most efficient way possible. They can also spot solutions that aren't obvious, making them invaluable to their employers.

Setting yourself up as a problem-solver makes you an excellent candidate for almost any job since this skill is so widely used.

11. Teamwork

Teamwork is your ability to function well with your immediate coworkers, but also with other teams you may encounter. It's more than just good communication; it includes good social skills and compassion for others.

Listing teamwork as a skill on your resume shows that you're ready to work in a bustling company where you're one part of a bigger whole.

12. Time Management

Many employers want things done yesterday. That's not always possible, but good time managers offer the next best thing: work that's done well and finished as soon as possible.

Introducing yourself as a good time manager shows that you'll finish tasks before they're due. That's something hiring managers love to see.

Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills on Your Resume

Hard skills are what you do. Soft skills are how you get it done. Good resumes include both.

Soft Skills for Your Resume

Soft skills are non-technical aspects of work, like being a good communicator or managing your time wisely. They're relevant everywhere.

According to data from LinkedIn, 92 percent of professionals say soft skills matter as much or more than hard skills.

"Soft skills are often what set one candidate apart from another with similar technical qualifications," Dan Schawbel, Managing Partner of Workplace Intelligence, told Newsweek . "Employers look for candidates who not only have the required hard skills but also possess the interpersonal and communication skills necessary to work well with others and fit into the company culture."

The introduction of artificial intelligence in the workplace may only improve the value of soft skills.

"While AI will automate certain tasks and change the nature of work, it will also place a premium on soft skills that are uniquely human," Schawbel said. "Soft skills related to creativity, emotional intelligence, ethics, collaboration, and adaptability will continue to be highly valuable in the AI-augmented workplace, enabling individuals to work alongside AI systems effectively and ethically."

Hard Skills for Your Resume

Hard skills refer to technical knowledge that you can spend months or even years developing. These are the things you learn in specialized degree programs and job training. Connecting a website to a database, operating a complex piece of machinery and balancing a quarterly budget are all hard skills.

Most jobs require certain hard skills. You wouldn't apply to be a video editor without some knowledge of editing software and techniques.

Companies may teach some hard skills on the job. For example, teaching new salespeople how to use their unique customer relationship management (CRM) software. However, most careers require hard skills that you learn elsewhere, either in school, training or an entry-level job .

How to List Skills on Your Resume

There are two sides to listing skills on your resume: the skills you include and how you express them.

Schawbel recommends creating a dedicated "Skills" section on your resume. List hard and soft skills there.

Next, Schawbel says to back up your soft skills with specific examples from your work experience. Did you demonstrate leadership when you took command of a flailing project at your last job? Write that down, using keywords that highlight those skills like "leadership" or "teamwork." Your work experience is evidence of your skills.

Remember that recruiters and hiring managers read hundreds of resumes. You want to present your highlights without going on and on about yourself. Schawbel recommends starting each bullet point in your resume with action verbs to quickly demonstrate your skills to an employer. Use language like:

• "Collaborated with internal and external stakeholders to deliver budget analyses."
• "Wrote marketing emails that increased product engagement by 130 percent over six months."
• "Managed construction projects across multiple sites with 15 direct reports."

Stand out by presenting a different version of your resume for each new job you apply for. Tailor your skill list for each new position by looking at the job's duties and responsibilities.

If you're applying for a management position, include your leadership skills and the times you used them. Otherwise, consider leaving those off the resume and highlighting other skills.

Skills Section Examples by Job Type

Here are some examples of possible skill sections for jobs in multiple industries and experience levels. Use these as starting points to think about skills on your resume. However, you should always look at job descriptions to see exactly what skills to include.

Copywriters write content for videos, emails and other marketing collateral. They try to persuade readers or listeners to buy the product or service they're highlighting.

Hard Skills:

• Copywriting
• Search engine optimization (SEO)
• Social media marketing

Soft Skills:

• Attention to detail

Data Scientist

Data scientists explore massive data sets with advanced mathematics and computer models. They work with business managers to produce actionable insights from raw data.

• Data analysis
• Data visualization
• Machine learning
• Communication
• Critical thinking
• Organization

Nurses perform a range of tasks in hospitals and other health care settings. The exact skills they need depend on their medical subfield and the type of institution they work for.

• Medical knowledge
• Medical technology
• Nursing ethics
• Patient education
• Workplace safety
• Adaptability
• Time management

Project Manager

Project managers organize work across multiple teams. They often bridge the gap between individual contributors and clients or other stakeholders. They keep projects on time and within budget.

• Negotiation
• Project management
• Technical writing

Retail Sales Associate

Retail sales associates sell items, maintain the sales floor and assist customers. This is an entry-level position, but it can be an excellent opportunity to build skills.

• Basic mathematics
• CRM or point of sale (POS) software
• Inventory management
• Customer service

Frequently Asked Questions

Still not sure what skills to put on your resume? Here we tackle some common questions.

How Many Skills Should I Put on My Resume?

You want enough skills on your resume to impress recruiters without wasting their time.

"Aim for a list of 5 to 10 key skills. This allows you to emphasize your most critical qualifications without overwhelming the reader," Schawbel says.

Should I Format My Resume for an ATS?

Don't try to write your resume for a computer. It's a myth that most applications are rejected by automated systems—HR workers read most resumes and make decisions based on their merits.

Make things easier for recruiters by organizing information well on your resume. Include a dedicated skills section and describe your work experience directly and efficiently, with callouts to the skills you've listed.

Should I Change the Skills Section for Each Job Application?

Yes. It's a good idea to write a resume draft and then modify that draft slightly for each new job application.

Be sure to mention skills that appear in the job description. Cut mentions of skills that aren't relevant to the position, so that you don't waste recruiters' time.

What Skills Should I List if I Have No Work Experience?

Without work experience, you still have life and school. Draw up a list of transferable skills you've developed throughout your life and use those on your resume.

You should have several soft skills. If you had a leadership position in school, for example, list leadership, communication and teamwork skills.

Transferable soft skills aren't always obvious, but if you put some thought into your activities you should come up with a good list. For example, practicing a musical instrument alongside school demonstrates good time management, attention to detail and creativity.

Should I Add Certifications or Trainings?

Yes. Certifications and training are outside proof of your competence in skills. They can set you apart from other candidates who don't have that kind of evidence on their resumes.

Can I List Skills That I'm Still Learning?

Yes. Feel free to list skills where you're a beginner.

Some professionals label skills with their experience level, such as "beginner," "intermediate" or "advanced."

You can also describe your experience level in your work experience. For example:

• "Learned the core functions of our company's CRM system."
• "Wrote advanced web applications with JavaScript for five years."

Once you have your resume in good condition, you can start thinking about cover letters . Then you can learn more about finding your next opportunity with our review of the best job search apps .

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