3 cv-voorbeelden voor starters in sales

Sales is an exciting field and great for those with the right people skills to deal with customers and strong product knowledge.

Even if you’ve got great selling strategies and sharp industry knowledge, it can be a challenge writing an entry-level sales resume with little to no experience.

Unlike seasoned salespeople who can draw from a wide range of past roles, entry-level reps often have scarce direct experiences like part-time gigs or internships.

We’ve written an entry-level sales resume guide to help you focus more on transferable skills from previous roles such as communication, leadership, customer service, and problem-solving abilities.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• How to highlight transferable skills so that recruiters see how you’ve prepared for the role
• How to format your resume to focus on relevant skills instead of work history so hiring managers know you can do the job
• How to quantify success with measurable results so potential employers will see what you can achieve at their company
• How to structure every section of your resume to be clear and concise so that busy recruiters can find what they need quickly and efficiently

If an entry-level sales resume isn’t exactly what you’re looking for, try browsing our guides for similar roles:

• Sales intern resume
• Entry-level sales cover letter

Entry-level sales resume example

Here’s what this applicant does well in their resume:

• Tailored experience to the job: The applicant's experience section is specifically tailored to the sales and customer service roles, highlighting relevant internships with quantifiable achievements that align with the job's objectives.
• Relevant skills and software proficiency: The skills section is well-curated, listing both hard and soft skills pertinent to an entry-level sales position, including CRM software and market analysis, directly matching the job ad's requirements.
• Education and continuous learning: By including a Bachelor’s degree relevant to the field and additional courses in sales and digital marketing, the applicant demonstrates a commitment to continuous learning and skill enhancement.
• Quantifiable achievements: The achievements section effectively showcases quantifiable results from past internships, such as increasing sales figures and customer engagement, which are critical metrics in sales roles.

How to format an entry-level sales resume

The key thing about an entry-level sales resume is showing hiring managers that you’re ready for the role without focusing on your work history.

How have you developed selling strategies, data analysis, and people skills in other ways?

Focus on transferable skills throughout your entry-level sales resume so potential employers get a good impression on you at first glance.

Here are a few areas to focus your attention when formatting your resume for entry-level sales positions:

• Functional resume: A functional resume highlights transferable skills instead of your work experience. It’s important to show how you have developed industry skills outside the field.

• Header: The top of your resume should include a brief but important header that provides professional contact information and a link to your online profile. Including a URL to your LinkedIn profile will show employers how you maintain a visible and impressive digital presence.

• Key achievements: Industry achievements demonstrate your strengths and show potential employers the kind of success you will bring to their company. Use metrics like growth percentages, quota achievements, and team performance to highlight your value.

• Keep to one page: Use space wisely on your entry-level sales resume so your information is limited to one page and has no unused white space. Include only the strongest and most relevant information on your entry-level sales resume and tailor every section to fit your target job.

Different markets have specific resume formats – a Canadian resume could vary in layout.

How to write your entry-level sales resume experience

Your resume experience section is where you show your work history along with accomplishments from each job. Each role should include 3-4 bullets highlighting your top achievements.

As an entry-level candidate, your focus will be on transferable skills from past roles. Sales experience from internships or interpersonal skills from customer service jobs are great ways to highlight your strengths.

Let’s look at an entry-level sales resume experience section example that doesn’t quite hit the mark.

What doesn’t work in this example:

• General duties: "Completed daily tasks like data entry, replying to emails, and answering phones" shows basic tasks, not accomplishments. Show potential employers how you achieved success with specific examples.

• Vague claims: "Managed reports" makes no mention of the type of reports or what kind of success the candidate had. Be specific to convey sales industry knowledge and relevant skills.

• No measurable data:  "Helped with new product launch" doesn’t speak to the outcomes of this product launch. Use real numbers and tangible results to show evidence of success.

Let’s make a few updates and take another look.

What works in this example:

• Industry skills:  "Used SalesForce to manage sales and tracked data in Excel" shows proficiency in tools and technology relevant to the role.

• Real numbers and data:  "Managed reports for sales with 25 clients totaling $150k" gives a clear idea of this candidate’s scope of work and the size of projects they have managed.

• Quantifies success:"Acted as client liaison for a new product launch that earned $55k in first quarter" tells hiring managers how this client has achieved measurable success in a previous role.

How to quantify impact on your entry-level sales resume

Quantifying impact on your resume with real numbers shows potential employers how you will achieve success at their company.

A significant challenge for entry-level sales candidates is providing evidence of previous sales success like hitting or exceeding sales targets, growing customer base, etc.

If you don’t have any direct sales experience, focus on achievements from internships or any sales-related activities you were involved in, however small they may seem.

Here are a few areas to consider when quantifying success on your entry-level sales resume:

• Include sales figures: Specific numbers provide measurable evidence of your sales abilities and effectiveness.
• Mention revenue increase: If you contributed to a significant increase in revenue, it illustrates your positive impact on a previous employer's bottom line.
• Highlight customer growth: Enlarged customer base numerically shows your ability to attract new business.
• Quantify marketing campaign outcomes: If you were involved in marketing strategies, numerical results highlight your role in the company's success.
• Detail any cost reductions: This shows your capacity to improve a company's financial health and efficiency.
• Include sales rankings or awards: Numerical rankings or awards place your achievements in context against your peers.
• Quantify training or leadership roles: If you trained or led a team with quantifiable results, it showcases your leadership abilities.
• List sales targets achieved: Meeting or exceeding numerical targets demonstrates your reliability and high performance.

How to list your hard skills and soft skills on your resume

There is a wide range of skills necessary for sales positions. In addition to selling abilities, you must have strong communication skills, sales software and technology, and knowledge in your particular niche.

Your entry-level sales resume will present your skills in two major categories.

Hard skills are the technical knowledge and abilities needed to perform job duties, whereas soft skills are the interpersonal and communication skills needed to interact with others.

Hard skills tend to be straightforward and can appear in a simple list form. Here is an example of hard skills on an entry-level sales resume.

Only include hard skills that you’re proficient in and are relevant to your target job. Show potential employers that you have the right combination of skills to fill the role.

Here are a few more hard skills to consider for your entry-level sales resume.

Soft skills can be open to interpretation and are most effective when provided with an example. Be specific in your soft skills and avoid overused buzzwords on your resume.

Here is an example of a soft skills section on an entry-level sales resume.

Here are a few more soft skills to consider for your entry-level sales resume.

How to list your certifications and education on your resume

Education requirements in the sales industry vary by role and product. Sales representatives will often have a degree in business, marketing, or a similar field.

Your entry-level sales resume education section should include:

• Name of institution
• Name of degree
• Years attended

Let’s look at an example of an entry-level sales resume education section.

Your certification section will include any certifications in the field. Additional certifications are a great way to boost your resume as an entry-level candidate.

Here is an example of a certification section on an entry-level sales resume.

Show a commitment to your career by continuing to gain certifications in the industry as trends and demand evolve. Increase your employability by keeping your entry-level sales resume up to date.

Here are a few more certifications to consider for your entry-level sales resume.

How to write your entry-level sales resume summary or objective

A summary or objective is a great way to introduce yourself to hiring managers and highlight your top industry accomplishment in 3-4 sentences.

Though the terms are often used interchangeably, there is a slight difference between a summary and an objective.

A summary is a brief introduction that communicates your position and value in your industry. An objective looks to the future and captures what you are hoping to achieve in your new position.

As an entry-level candidate with no experience, it is optimal to choose an objective that looks to the future and highlights a goal you share with your target employer.

Let’s look at an example of an entry-level sales resume objective.

What doesn’t work with this example:

• No quantifiable achievements: Even with no direct sales experience, it is important to highlight relevant achievements. Show potential employers what you’re capable of.

• General statements: "Sales Assistant with experience as a marketing intern” is a missed opportunity to show specific experience and achievements. Highlight how you have developed industry skills on the job.

• Unclear goal: Having the goal of working at your target company is not enough. Show potential employers that you’ve done your research and will provide solutions to their problems.

Let’s make a few updates and try this entry-level sales objective again.

What works in this example:

• Highlights specific niche: "Sales Assistant with experience in the retail sector” tells potential employers that this candidate has knowledge in their specific field.

• Shows quantifiable results: “As a marketing intern, I communicated directly with clients and increased client satisfaction score by 18%” shows how this candidate used their skill set to achieve results. Show hiring managers what you will achieve in your new role.

• Provides solutions: “Seeking to leverage retail knowledge as Sales Assistant at JRR Sales Consultants” shows how this candidate will use their specific experience to achieve results at their new company.