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Sales Representative Resume Examples and Templates 2025

Create Your Resume Now

Our customers have been hired by:

This resume guide has a high conversion rate. It will turn job seekers like yourself into hired sales reps. You’ll show recruiters you have the job experience, closing skills, and sales background they’re looking for with a great sales representative resume. And you’ll soon seal the deal!

See a professional sales representative resume example to adjust and make yours. Learn an easy formula for writing a resume for sales rep jobs. It will land you more interviews than any other sales representative resume you’ve written in the past!

This guide will show you:

  • A sales representative resume example better than 9 out of 10 other resumes.
  • How to write a resume for a sales representative that will land you more interviews.
  • Tips and examples of what skills to put on a resume for sales representative.
  • How to describe your sales representative experience on a resume for sales rep to get any job you want.

Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. It’s fast and easy to use. Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here.

Sample sales representative resume—See more resume samples here.

Sales Representative Resume Template

Holly L. Gardner

Sales Representative

208-573-1451

holly.gardner@me.com

linkedin.com/in/hollygardner

Summary

Efficient and effective sales representative with over 4 years of experience in medical and pharmaceutical sales and managing business, professional, and corporate client accounts. Member of the National Association of Pharmaceutical Sales Reps and awarded the CNPR Certification after completion of the Pharmaceutical Sales Training Program. Exceeded sales goals by more than 15% each quarter. Seeking to leverage solid negotiation skills and extensive product knowledge to be the senior pharmaceutical sales rep for Photon Pharma.

Experience

Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

Jurius Pharma, Boise, ID

August 2016–October 2019

Key Qualifications & Responsibilities

  • Serviced pharmaceutical client accounts for 20 organizations providing revenue of $1m per year or more.
  • Assessed client needs based on current objectives, supply and demand, and seasonable variables.
  • Developed customer relationships with more than 100 local physicians and dental practices around the Boise area in 3 years.
  • Cooperated with the sales and marketing team leaders to determine best products to promote or withdraw.

Key Achievement

  • Exceeded sales goals by more than 15% in every quarter since being hired at the company.

Junior Medical Sales Representative

Stanford Medical Equipment, Boise, ID

June 2015–August 2016

Key Qualifications & Responsibilities

  • Assisted mid-level and senior sales representatives in managing client accounts, generating leads, and maintaining customer relationships.
  • Organized meetings and appointments with regional companies to promote Stanford Medical Equipment’s services and supplies.
  • Reviewed sales performance for sales division and generated key reports for weekly, monthly, and quarterly meetings.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Retail and Sales Management

DeVry University, Arlington, VA

Completion: 2015

Relevant Coursework: Business Administration, Consumer Behavior, Sales and Marketing Fundamentals, Pharmaceutical Merchandising Management, Advertising and Public Relations.

Skills

  • Lead Generation
  • Closing Deals
  • Maintaining Profitable, Amicable Relationships
  • Knowledge of Pharmaceutical Supplies, Drugs, Medications, and Medical Equipment
  • Contract & Deal Negotiation

Certificates

  • CNPR Certification — Pharmaceutical Sales Training Program

Memberships

  • Sales Management Association (SMA)
  • American Management Association (AMA)
  • National Association of Pharmaceutical Sales Reps (NAPSR)

 What an amazing example of a resume for sales rep! Now let's start writing your own!

1. Use the Right Format for Your Sales Representative Resume

The BANT framework helps determine how likely a lead is to become a customer.

Our formatting guidelines below will help determine how likely you are to become an employee.

Before you go ahead with writing a sales representative resume, format it correctly to make it neat and orderly and a breeze for sales managers to read.

Here’s how to format a sales representative resume:

  • Layout: go reverse-chronological in dated resume sections.
  • Subheadings: bold subtitles make it easier for hiring managers to parse.
  • Fonts: use fonts for a resume which are easy for sales managers to read.
  • Font size: use an 11pt or 12pt font size for regular text, and 2–4pts larger for headings.
  • Margins: leave a 1” margin on all sides of your sales executive resume template.
  • Line spacing: go with single-line spacing in the body text of your resume.
  • Sections: adequate white space makes it easy on the eyes of the reader. 
  • Filetype: save the file as a PDF, to ensure it renders correctly on any screen.

Now, here’s what a sales representative resume should include:

  • Header: add the right contact information details in the heading area.
  • Introduction: write a short intro paragraph that compels them to read more.
  • Work experience: a bullet-point history of your past sales experience and job duties.
  • Education: a short description of your college background and accomplishments.
  • Skills: a list of the most sales-related abilities you bring to the table.
  • Extra sections: sales certifications, industry awards, foreign languages, etc.

One trick we’re going to show you here— 

We won’t start at the top. 

Instead, we’ll begin with your work history section and finish it off with your heading paragraph. This way, you’ll have a better idea of the most effective things to include by the time you come back around.

Read more about formatting a resume: How to Choose the Best Resume Layout

2. Start With a Sales Representative Resume Work Experience Section

Sales jobs are being added each and every day, meaning you’ve got more and more competition. Just have a look at the employment outlook for different  positions for the decade between 2018 and 2028:

  • Insurance sales representatives will increase by 48,300 jobs (10%).
  • Real estate sales reps will increase by 32,400 jobs (7%).
  • Financial services sales representatives will increase by 18,500 jobs (4%).
  • Wholesale and manufacturing sales reps will increase by 35,400 jobs (2%).

As you can see, you’re facing off against plenty of other applicants.

To make sure you stand above the crowd, your past employment resume section should be organized and written correctly.

Here the gist for doing it right:

  • List positions in reverse-chronological order, starting with the most recent on top.
  • Include your professional title, the company’s name and location, and the span of time you were employed there.
  • Give them around 4–6 bullet point entries describing your past work responsibilities.
  • Make it a targeted resume by listing only past duties which relate to sales jobs.
  • Always quantify achievements whenever possible so they get a solid picture of just how well you have and will perform.
  • Use action verbs to begin each bullet point for max impact.

Now— 

Let’s look at two experienced sales professional resume examples to see those rules in action:

Sales Representative Job Description for a Resume Example

Right

Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

Jurius Pharma, Boise, ID
August 2016–October 2019

Key Qualifications & Responsibilities

  • Serviced pharmaceutical client accounts for 20 organizations providing revenue of $1m per year or more.
  • Assessed client needs based on current objectives, supply and demand, and seasonable variables.
  • Developed customer relationships with more than 100 local physicians and dental practices around the Boise area in 3 years.
  • Cooperated with the sales and marketing team leaders to determine best products to promote or withdraw.

Key Achievement

  • Exceeded sales goals by more than 15% in every quarter since being hired at the company.
Wrong

Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

Jurius Pharma, Boise, ID
August 2016–October 2019

Key Qualifications & Responsibilities

  • Worked with other sales representatives.
  • Met sales targets and goals.
  • Assisted in managing corporate client relationships.

See the differences?

While the second sales representative resume example falls short, the first one meets all its targets—it’s detailed, personalized, and uses numbers to seal that deal. 

They’ll immediately see you’re a candidate with a high lifetime value!

Now— 

What about when writing an entry-level sales representative resume? 

Don’t worry. 

Even if you’ve only a little job experience with another job title, all you have to do is list the most sales-relevant job duties and achievements you had.

Here are another two sales representative resume samples for your reference:

Beginner Sales Representative Resume—Work History Example

Right

Customer Relationship Officer

Zabar Pharmamed Solutions, Augusta, GA

September 2018–October 2019

Key Qualifications & Responsibilities

  • Acted as liaison between Zabar and corporate clients to facilitate and maintain healthy business relationships.
  • Checked in on clients on a weekly basis to ensure needs are being met and supplies are being filled.
  • Managed database of clients and potential leads in a customer relationship manager (CRM) program.

Key Achievement

  • Maintained positive and happy client relationships with 15 corporate customers.
Wrong

Customer Relationship Officer
September 2018–October 2019
Zabar Pharmamed Solutions, Augusta, GA

Key Qualifications & Responsibilities

  • Kept clients happy.
  • Brought client issues to company meetings.
  • Managed CRM program upkeep.

See the difference?

The first candidate used their past experience and proved it’s relevant to the new position they’re applying for.

Continue reading up on how to describe work experience: Tips for Creating an Awesome Experience Section on a Resume

Making a resume with our builder is incredibly simple. Follow our step-by-step guide, use ready-made content tailored to your job and have a resume ready in minutes.

When you’re done, our easy resume builder will score your resume and our resume checker will tell you exactly how to make it better.

3. Enter Your Education (It’s Not That Straightforward!)

Depending on the particular sales job or company you’re applying to, they might require a bachelor degree, high school diploma, or nothing at all.

No matter what academic level they’re looking for— 

Format the education section the same way.

Do you have years of sales representative experience?

List just the basics: 

Here’s how that looks:

Sales Representative Resume Sample—Education

Right

Bachelor of International Sales and Marketing Management

VIA University Campus, Horsens, Denmark

Completion: 2016

But— 

What if you are writing an entry-level sales representative resume with no experience? 

Be more detailed, adding extras such as relevant classes, awards, GPA, Latin honors, and specializations, like this:

Entry-Level Sales Representative Resume Example—Education

Right

Bachelor of Science in Marketing, Major in Professional Sales

Florida State University College of Business, Tallahassee, FL

Completion: 2017

Relevant Coursework: Professional Selling, Sales Management, Advanced Sales & Selling Techniques, Cloud-Based CRM Systems, Sales Organization Fundamentals, Inside Sales & Outside Sales, Using AI and ML to Facilitate Lead Generation.

Minor: Leadership & Communication

Leave your high school diploma off resume if you’ve completed a university degree.

If your education is more impressive than your work history, say on a junior pharmaceutical sales resume, put it above your job education section for maximum visibility.

Read further on adding your academic experience: How to Add Education on a Resume

4. List the Right Skills to Put on a Resume for Sales Representative Jobs

A sales representative resume must show the manager or account executive that you are the best applicant to close deals on their behalf.

How do you show them?

By identifying the sales rep skills and abilities they’re looking for and adding it to your resume.

Here’s what to do:

  • Make a master list of all the skills you have related to sales jobs in general.
  • Identify skills-related resume keywords in the sales job description by scanning the job responsibilities section.
  • In the sales representative skills resume section, include 5–10 of the most relevant talents which are both on your list and requested in the sales rep job description.
  • Include both hard skills and soft skills in your sales representative skills section.

Now— 

Let’s look at some general skills:

30+ Skills to Put on a Resume for a Sales Representative

Next— 

Take a look at these example salesperson resume skills sections:

Sales Rep Resume Example—Skills

Right
  • Time management skills
  • Lead qualification & prospecting
  • CRM Software - Salesforce CRM & Hubspot CRM

Sample Resume Skills for a Sales Representative With No Experience

Right
  • Market research & analysis
  • Interpersonal & collaborative skills
  • Organizational & time management skills

That’s how you create a sales representative resume skills section. If you follow these guidelines, you’ll definitely be their most qualified lead!

We’ve analyzed over 11 million resumes created using our builder, and we’ve discovered that:

  • Sales Representatives usually list 14 skills on their resumes.
  • The most common skills for Sales Representatives include customer service, customer needs assessment, customer retention, sales consultation, and lead prospecting.
  • Resumes for Sales Representatives are, on average, 2.3 pages long.

5. Show Don’t Tell: Add “Extra” Sections to Your Sales Rep Resume

When they survey all the resumes they receive, do you know which one will have the highest Net Promoter Score?

The one with additional, relevant sales rep resume sections.

Extra sales representative resume sections round you out as a candidate and allow you to show them how uniquely qualified you are.

Here are a few great options to consider for any inside or outside sales resume:

Sales Representative Resume ExamplesExtra Sections

  1. Resume Certificates & Licenses

IT certificates you’ve earned look amazing on any resume. Here are great certification options to bolster any programming resume:

  • Certified Professional Sales Person (CPSP) from the National Association of Sales Professionals (NASP)
  • Certified Inside Sales Professional (CISP) from the American Association of
  • Inside Sales Professionals (AA-ISP)
  • Certified Sales Leadership Professional (CSLP) from the Sales Management Association (SMA)
  1. Volunteering Work on Resumes

Are you struggling with writing entry-level sales representative resumes? If you have any unpaid work, you not only add valuable experience to your resume, but you also look like a hero. 

  1. Language Proficiency on Resumes

Are you fluent in French, proficient in Portuguese, or articulate in Armenian? Showing off your proficiency in a second language could open up new markets for them and interview room doors for you.

  1. Hobbies on Resumes

If you have interests and passions related to sales, marketing, or client relationships, add those onto your industrial or medical sales rep resume for added oomph. Skip the “long walks on the beach” and save that for your diary.

  1. Industry Memberships

Do you have a membership in a sales organization or other trade body? Adding a small section to the bottom of your sales representative resume shows your dedication. Here are just a few examples:

  • The Sales Association (SA)
  • The National Association of Sales Professionals (NASP)
  • American Association of Inside Sales Professions (AA-ISP)

There are many other sections you may consider for resumes for sales rep positions: What to Include on a Resume: 20+ Top Examples

6. Collect the Best Pieces to Craft a Sales Representative Resume Summary or Objective

When cold calling, a catchy opening line makes the difference between a possible lead and a missed opportunity.

It’s the same on a sales rep resume.

The sales rep resume opens with a heading statement, known as either a summary or objective

If you catch their interest here, they’ll read on and call you for a sales job interview.

Have years of expertise generating leads and closing deals?

The resume career summary is for you.

A resume summary is a short paragraph highlighting your experience, skills, and accomplishments from past sales jobs. It promotes you further by including a numbered achievement or two which you’re most proud of to verify your sales talent.

Here's a good and a bad example of resume summary for sales:

Sales Representative Resume Summary Sample

Right
Results-oriented sales representative for over 5 years with 2 years of experience as a sales manager for industrial supplies and products. Skilled at maintaining profitable client relationships and developing ambitious sales targets. Achieved over $500K in sales in each fiscal quarter from 2018 until the present.
Wrong
I have several years of sales management experience, with a few more years of sales representative experience before that. I’m looking for a job where I can use the vast knowledge I have in sales to land a better job.

If your sales representative resume summary resembled the second example, you’ll have a high churn rate.

The right example resume for sales reps, on the other hand, does everything we need—it’s short, relevant, and uses numbered achievements.

You can just about relegate this resume into the “Closed-Won” column! 

But— 

Don’t have experience on a sales team? 

The resume career objective is for you.

A resume objective is ideal for a resume with little or no experience in sales rep jobs.

Rather than show your illustrious past, give them the future. Explain your career goals and how you plan on sticking around as a sales representative. Also use a numbered win here to address any of the employer’s pain points.

Here are two sales rep resume objective examples:

Resume Sales Representative Objective Sample

Right
Relatable customer relationship officer at large Augusta corporation with 1+ year of experience maintaining excellent relations with 15 company clients. Skilled at communication, collaboration, and using CRM software (Hubspot & Salesforce, primarily). Seeking to leverage ability to anticipate needs and increase NPS to become the junior sales representative at Zabboo Pharmaceuticals.
Wrong
I don’t have experience as a sales representative or even in sales, but I would like to switch to it from my current career path as a customer relationship specialist. I am available to work anywhere in and around the Augusta, Georgia metropolitan area starting immediately.



Always show rather than tell on a resume for sales positions, meaning give them numbers to prove your worth to them. 

Read up more on writing a heading statement: How to Write a Resume Profile

7. Write a Cover Letter to Add to Your Sales Rep Resume

There’s one timeless sales acronym to remember when sending a resume— 

ABC = Always Bestow Cover (letters).

Most hiring managers prefer a sales rep cover letter with your resume, so application letters are quite important if you want to be considered.

We’ve got the general guidelines here on writing a cover letter for sales representative jobs.

How to write a sales representative cover letter:

Easy.

But, to get a better understanding and increase your chances of getting the interview call, check our articles on how to create a cover letter and what to discuss in a cover letter.

Read on: Sales Rep Cover Letter: Example and Guide

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Key Takeaway

Across all industries, good sales reps are in high demand, and with your perfected, tailored resume for sales rep jobs, you’re going to be in high demand, as well.

Let’s sum it all up— 

  • Structure your sales rep resume right by using bold headings, a legible font, and plenty of white space. 
  • Save the heading statement on outside or inside sales resumes for the end.
  • Document your work experience with detailed bullet points, numbered achievements, and action verbs.
  • Highlight your education with extra details when writing an industrial, medical, or car salesman resume with less or no experience.
  • Create a list of skills using the most relevant abilities as found in the sales representative job description.
  • Add extra sales rep resume sections such as languages, certifications, or awards, to stand out from the other job applicants.
  • Go back to the top and craft a compelling sales job resume objective or summary.
  • Always include a sales cover letter attached to your email before sending it off.

Now, we’d love to hear from you:  

  • Need help writing pharmaceutical sales resumes or medical sales resumes? 
  • Struggling for the best abilities to add on a sales skills list for resumes?
  • Have any stories to share about past sales job interviews or places of work?

Let’s talk about it in the comments below, and thanks for reading

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Christian Eilers, CPRW
Christian is a career expert and Certified Professional Resume Writer. His guides cover every aspect of the career spectrum, from job hunting and acing interviews to settling in on the first days of a new career. With Christian's guidance, job seekers can navigate the job market with confidence and make the most of their career opportunities.
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