Sales is a numbers game—quite literally. When you work as a salesman, you have to meet your targets and stay on track. This demanding role can be hardgoing. However, if you have the knack for it, you can make some serious cash. So, how can you get started?
To help you land your next sales role, you will need a robust application pack. The centre of that is your salesman CV; a document that encapsulates your professional expertise and finesse. Pitch it well and you’re sure to land an interview. If it’s been a while since you applied for jobs or you’d simply like to up your game, you’ve come to the right place.
Here at Resume.io, we have everything you need to empower your career progression. Our site boasts a comprehensive library of CV examples and writing guides to help you every step of the way. Here’s what you can expect to learn in the following guide:
It’s all in the name. A salesman—or salesperson—is in charge of selling products or services to potential customers. You will likely be the first port of call for customers, giving them an insight into the offering the business has. Convincing buyers to choose your company’s wares over the competition can be tough. Your everyday tasks may include:
How much does a salesman make?
Good question. The average base salary for a salesperson in the United Kingdom is £28,045, according to Indeed.com. However, that is by no means the whole picture.
The truth is that most salespeople work on a commission basis. That means that they get their base salary—which is often on the low side—but can earn more depending on how much they sell each month. If you are a stellar salesman and know how to seal the deal, chances are your earning potential will be through the roof.
When you are looking for jobs, keep this point in mind. During the interview, you will have the opportunity to ask the hiring manager about the commission package. It’s wise to understand the payment structure before you get started in the role. That way, you can work out how much money you are likely to take home at the end of each month.
No two sales jobs are the same. When you enter this fast-paced field, you will find that each role brings its own set of unique challenges. For that reason, you may choose to specialise in a certain type of sales. For example, you could carve out a career in the tech sector, work exclusively with luxury brands, or even become a car salesperson. Think about where your interests and expertise lie before you decide which pathway suits you.
Don’t take “no” for an answer!
Want to be a top-performing salesperson? Of course, you do. Whether you’re selling a product or service, you’re asking a potential customer to say “yes”.
Research from Marketing Donut shows that 92% of salespeople give up after a customer says “no” four times. However, persistence is your secret weapon here. The same research revealed that a massive 80% of prospects say “no” four times before they start saying “yes”. If you want to make that sale, don’t give up too soon.
Before you start selling your wares, you need to know what structure to use. It’s important to give hiring managers what they expect here. That means using a layout that they understand and can skim easily. Your CV should contain the following elements:
Now that you know how to set out your CV, let’s talk about how to write it. As a salesman, you know the power of words. Using the right phrases could be the difference between landing a job interview and being ghosted by a potential employer. Using game-changing action verbs throughout your application is a quick trick to grab the reader’s attention.
Before you make a sale, you take the time to learn about the potential customer. What do they need? What do they want? Who on earth are they? You need to go through the same process when you’re applying for a job. The more information you have about the company, the better position you are in to tailor your CV to meet the job criteria.
Include the right keywords in your CV!
It may surprise you to learn that 75% of CVs never get read by an actual human being. It’s true. Employers now use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter incoming applications. If your CV doesn’t include the right information—or the right keywords—it will end up being dumped before the hiring manager has a chance to see it.
To help you beat the bots, you need to do some research. It’s important to understand what words the software is scanning your application for. Often enough, you can find these words in the job specification. Go back to the original advert and highlight the words that apply directly to the role. Sprinkling these throughout your CV may increase your chances of it landing on the hiring manager’s desk.
Now that you’ve got to grips with the writing side of things, let’s talk about the CV format. Most applications follow a standardised reverse chronological order layout. This means that your most recent achievements and work experience go at the top of each section. As you move down the page, you work your way back in time. It’s really very straightforward.
Of course, there may be times when you want to take a different approach. If you are new to sales, for example, you may choose to use a functional CV format instead. This structure showcases your skills over your employment history. That’s handy should you lack real-world work experience. Read our comprehensive guide on CV formats now.
Formatting can be tough. If you are looking for some more inspiration, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s take a look at some additional CV samples:
Chances are, you are already familiar with the elevator pitch concept. This sales technique is about introducing yourself along with one or two key points in a matter of 30 seconds. It’s a tough gig. Your CV summary is an even shorter version of that spiel. You need to describe yourself as a professional and add in a couple of important messages. Think about your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) and use it as a starting point for this section.
Do you have a proven track record of sales success? Now is the time to talk about it. Your employment history section allows you to expand on your experience. You should use the reverse chronological order for this section. Start with the name of your employer, your role, and the dates of your employment. Below that, you should use a bullet point list to highlight your biggest achievements, duties, and tasks within that position.
As a salesman, your skills are your toolkit. You pull them out when you need to make a sale and use each of them on a daily basis. It’s likely that you have a wide selection of both hard and soft skills. If you want to turn the hiring manager’s head, you need to make sure that you have a balanced list in your CV skills section.
Choosing the right skills is a tricky game. You want to slide some standard ones onto the list, such as “relationship building” and “communication”. However, you shouldn’t leave it there. If you want to truly impress the reader, you should think outside of the box. Throw in a few skills that are directly applicable to the sales sector to which you are applying.
There’s no “right” way to get into sales—you have to choose the best path for you. According to the National Careers Service, you can become a salesperson by completing an apprenticeship, gaining a degree, or just learning about the position on the job. Whatever route you’ve taken, you can expand on it in the education section of your CV.
You should use the reverse chronological order once again. List the qualifications that you have under your belt, the year you completed them, and the institute. If you have undertaken any additional training, now is the time to list it. Add it beneath your education.
We’ve talked a lot about what content your salesman CV should include. But what about the design? Making sure that your application looks the part is a must. Let’s take a look at some of the golden rules you need to stick to here: