Writing a resume can be an intimidating task, even for experienced professionals. It’s basically a self-advertisement that must be perfect and catch a recruiter’s eye within seconds. The pressure alone can make some people shy away from writing a resume and stay in a job that hasn’t challenged them for years. Check out some of the simple tips the best sales resume writers use to dramatically increase their chances of scheduling a first interview.
Stating the Obvious
Although it might seem obvious to anyone who has ever written a resume, spelling and grammar must be perfect. If it’s not, the recruiter may conclude the applicant is just a careless person. He or she may also question the applicant’s writing skills. While this skill is important in all jobs, it’s especially crucial for salespeople who frequently contact prospects and customers by email. A recruiter will quickly discard a poorly written resume for this reason. It’s a good idea to have someone else proofread the resume for typos, grammar, and spelling errors.
Avoid Sending a Generic Resume
Drafting, writing, and proofreading a resume takes a lot of time. However, that’s no reason for applicants to send the same resume for every job opening that interests them. A resume must be tailored to the position and the company before a recruiter will even read it. If it’s generic instead, it can send the message that the applicant has no interest in a specific job but will accept any job. It’s essential for applicants to demonstrate why they are a good fit for both the open position and the organization.
Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing a Resume for a Sales Job
Writing a resume for a sales job requires job seekers to include unique information. Below are two common mistakes for sales professionals to avoid if they want to receive a callback:
Failing to provide annual sales accomplishments: A recruiter for a sales position is looking for evidence that proves the applicant achieved specific accomplishments in a past sales role. For example, highlighting information such as percentage to quota, award received, and rankings will catch a recruiter’s eye far more than listing general job duties.
Not including an objective statement: Recruiters are busy people. They want to read a summary of the applicant’s skills before they read the actual resume. People who fail to include an objective statement can frustrate recruiters to the point where they won’t take the time to read the resume in its entirety. This statement should be short and punchy while highlighting the applicant’s skills and benefit to the company for hiring him or her at the same time. The objective statement should always match the formal job description as closely as possible.
Practice makes perfect when it comes to creating a sales resume and receiving a positive response to it. Applicants who fail to get the desired response should consider revamping the resume to make it more attractive to recruiters.
