Salesman CV Example & Writing Guide

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: 

• What a salesman does (including everyday tasks and duties)
• How much the average salesperson makes in the United Kingdom
• Expert tips on writing a salesman CV and an excellent CV example
• Advice on how to choose the right format for your CV document
• Easy-to-follow CV design and layout tips you can use.

What does a salesman do?

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: 

• Developing an in-depth knowledge of products and services
• Reaching out to potential leads via email or social media
• Giving both demonstrations and presentations to people
• Cold-calling numbers from a list of prospects
• Establishing strong, long-lasting customer relationships
• Following up with potential customers and gaining insights
• Working with customers to understand their needs
• Meeting, or even exceeding, your regular sales targets
• Completing sales reports and feeding back to the team

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.

How to write a salesman CV

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:

• The CV header
• The CV summary (aka profile or personal statement)
• The employment history section
• The CV skills section
• The education section

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. 

Choosing the best CV format for a salesman

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. 

CV summary example: your sales story

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. 

Employment history sample: your journey so far

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. 

CV skills example: showcase your talents

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.

Salesman CV education example

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.

CV layout and design: making a first impression

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: 

• Avoid using a headshot. Here in the UK, it’s not common to use a headshot on your CV. This move could get you off on the wrong footing with the hiring manager as it looks unprofessional. What’s more, it may present legal issues, when it comes to discrimination as it reveals things such as your age, gender, and ethnicity.
• Space it out well. Spacing is vital when it comes to your CV. You need to make sure that the hiring manager can quickly and easily gain the information that they need. Ensure that there is a good gap between each of the CV sections.
• Add a little pizazz. Salespeople need to have real charm. When you are designing your CV, don’t be afraid to flex your creative muscles. Since this is a personality-driven role, you can afford to choose a colourful and bold template.

Key takeaways for a salesman CV

1. As a successful salesman, you have the power to take your income to the next level. Many of these roles offer healthy commission packages.
2. When writing your salesman CV, make sure you do your research. It pays to understand the needs of the employer when you are creating your application.
3. If in doubt, the reverse chronological approach is the way to go. This is the structure that hiring managers expect to see when reviewing CVs.
4. First impressions matter. Make a big impact on the hiring manager by using one of our  25+ recruiter-approved CV templates.