The secret to landing your dream sales management role isn't just about closing deals and exceeding targets—it's about how you present those skills and achievements to potential employers.
That’s where a powerful sales manager CV comes in!
Our comprehensive sales manager CV guide is your secret weapon, packed with expert advice, compelling CV examples, and an intuitive CV builder that makes crafting a standout sales manager CV a breeze.
How to write a sales manager CV:
To ensure your CV stands out from the competition and grabs the attention of recruiters, here's a breakdown of the essential elements to include:
- The CV header
- The CV professional summary
- The employment history section
- The skills section
- The education section
Want your sales manager CV to rise to the top of the pile and make a lasting impression on recruiters? Here are our top tips:
- Quantify your accomplishments with numbers and metrics to demonstrate the value you brought to previous companies
- Highlight hard skills and soft skills outlined in the job description throughout your CV
- Select an appropriate CV format that highlights your key strengths and accomplishments
- Don't just blast out the same generic CV to every company. Take the time to customise your CV for each job application
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are designed to filter applications based on keywords. To ensure your CV makes it through, tailor your language to match the job description.
For example, if the job description mentions "lead generation," "closing deals," "customer relationship management (CRM)," or "sales targets," incorporate those exact phrases into your CV. This will increase your chances of getting noticed and landing that interview.
Select the best CV format for sales managers
Your sales manager CV is a strategic tool that showcases your unique journey and accomplishments in the sales world.
While a traditional chronological CV format is often a good option, don't be afraid to think outside the box and choose a CV format that best highlights your strengths and captures the attention of potential employers.
Your CV should tell a story of your sales successes, demonstrating your ability to drive revenue growth, lead teams, and exceed expectations.
Include important contact details
Make your CV header engaging by presenting your contact details in a way that is both professional and memorable.
Here’s what to include:
- Full Name & Title: Your full name and the role you're applying for.
- Professional Email: Use a professional email address.
- Phone Number: Provide a current phone number with a professional voicemail greeting.
- Location: Include your city/town. If you're open to relocating, state that clearly, e.g., "Galway, Open to Relocation."
- LinkedIn Profile: A link to your LinkedIn profile is essential, especially if it showcases your software engineering experience and connections.
Include an engaging professional profile
Your professional profile is your chance to make a powerful first impression and showcase your value as a sales manager. Think of it as a concise and compelling overview of your key skills, experience, and accomplishments.
In just a few sentences, highlight your passion for driving sales growth, your ability to lead and motivate teams, and your track record of exceeding targets.
For example: “Results-oriented sales manager with expertise in building high-performing sales teams, fostering a culture of success, and exceeding expectations.”
For more expert tips and help crafting your professional profile, check out related CV examples:
You can also check out our professional profile examples below:
Responsible and results-oriented Trinity College graduate with a passion for sales and a proven track record of exceeding targets. Eager to begin a career in sales management, bringing strong communication and negotiation skills. Adept at building relationships with high-profile clients.
Dynamic Sales Manager with over 12 years of experience driving revenue growth and enhancing customer satisfaction in competitive markets. Expert in leading and developing high-performing sales teams, implementing strategic customer service initiatives, and leveraging data analytics to uncover market opportunities. Proven ability to cultivate customer loyalty and improve retention through targeted campaigns. Committed to delivering exceptional results and fostering lasting client relationships to propel organisational success. Passionate about staying ahead of industry trends to maintain a competitive edge.
Highly accomplished sales leader with a demonstrated history of success in developing and executing sales strategies. Proven ability to build and lead high-performing sales teams. Seeking a leadership role where strategic vision and sales expertise can be leveraged to drive business growth.
Outline your professional experience
When describing your work experience as a sales manager, don't just list your job responsibilities. Bring your achievements to life and showcase the impact you've made on businesses, and use action verbs and focus on the results you delivered.
For example, instead of:
- "Managed a sales team."
- "Developed sales strategies."
- "Built relationships with clients."
Try:
- "Led a team of 10 sales representatives to exceed quarterly sales targets by 15%.”
- "Developed and implemented a new sales strategy that resulted in a 20% increase in lead generation.”
- "Built and nurtured strong relationships with key clients, resulting in a 25% increase in customer retention.”
By showcasing your accomplishments and using quantifiable results, you help highlight your potential and value as a sales manager.
Sales Manager at Diageo, Dublin
August 2016 - December 2023
- Hired, trained, and managed a team of sales representatives, resulting in a 10% increase in sales
- Developed and implemented a customer service strategy that improved customer satisfaction ratings
- Analysed customer data to identify key trends, allowing for more targeted sales campaigns and resulting in a 20% increase in revenue
- Conducted market research and analysis to identify new opportunities, resulting in a 10% increase in customer acquisition
- Developed and implemented a sales incentive program that improved employee motivation by 60%
- Established and maintained relationships with key accounts, resulting in a 40% increase in customer loyalty and retention
Account Manager at Brown Thomas Arnotts, Dublin
December 2012 - July 2016
- Analysed customer feedback to identify opportunities for improvement, resulting in a 15% increase in customer satisfaction scores
- Developed a customer loyalty program that increased customer retention rates by 10%
- Developed a customer segmentation strategy that allowed for targeted marketing campaigns and improved customer engagement
- Analysed customer feedback to identify opportunities for improvement, resulting in a 20% increase in customer satisfaction scores
Account Manager at SAP, Dublin
2010 - March 2012
- Developed and managed a team of account managers to ensure adherence to SLAs and customer service goals
- Conducted regular customer reviews and follow-ups to ensure customer satisfaction and identify areas for improvement
- Negotiated pricing and terms with customers to maximise profitability and customer retention
- Developed and implemented a customer onboarding process that reduced onboarding time by 10%
- Created and delivered customised presentations to C-level executives, resulting in a 45% increase in sales
Discuss relevant career skills
The skills section of your CV is your opportunity to highlight the diverse range of abilities you bring to the table as a sales manager. It's essential to showcase a blend of hard skills, sales acumen, and soft skills that drive success in sales leadership roles.
These skills can include:
- Leadership Skills
- Industry Knowledge
- Innovative Problem Solving
- Marketing and Sales
- Communication Skills
- B2B Sales
- Project Management Skills
- Business Development Strategies
Detail your education & relevant certifications
In the education section of your CV, list your academic credentials in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent degree or diploma.
The skills section of your sales manager CV is also a great place to highlight the following:
- Sales training: Include any sales-specific courses, workshops, or certifications you've completed.
- Professional development: Mention any professional development activities you've undertaken, such as attending sales conferences, workshops, or webinars.
- Qualifications: If you hold any qualifications from relevant institutions, be sure to highlight these qualifications here. This could include qualifications from certifications like the Irish Management Institute (IMI) or The Sales Institute of Ireland.
Bachelor of Business, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin
September 2008 - June 2012
Choose the right CV layout for a sales manager CV
Remember, your sales manager CV is your first impression to employers and your chance to showcase your professionalism and sales acumen.
Select a modern or professional design that highlights your key career strengths and accomplishments.
Use clear headings, concise bullet points, and ample white space to ensure a smooth and engaging experience.
A touch of colour can brighten your chances of getting noticed by employers, but avoid anything too flashy or distracting. The focus should be on the content, not on unnecessary design elements.
Sales manager text-only CV example
Profile
Dynamic Sales Manager with over 12 years of experience driving revenue growth and enhancing customer satisfaction in competitive markets. Expert in leading and developing high-performing sales teams, implementing strategic customer service initiatives, and leveraging data analytics to uncover market opportunities. Proven ability to cultivate customer loyalty and improve retention through targeted campaigns. Committed to delivering exceptional results and fostering lasting client relationships to propel organisational success. Passionate about staying ahead of industry trends to maintain a competitive edge.
Employment history
Sales Manager at Diageo, Dublin
August 2016 - December 2023
- Hired, trained, and managed a team of sales representatives, resulting in a 10% increase in sales
- Developed and implemented a customer service strategy that improved customer satisfaction ratings
- Analysed customer data to identify key trends, allowing for more targeted sales campaigns and resulting in a 20% increase in revenue
- Conducted market research and analysis to identify new opportunities, resulting in a 10% increase in customer acquisition
- Developed and implemented a sales incentive program that improved employee motivation by 60%
- Established and maintained relationships with key accounts, resulting in a 40% increase in customer loyalty and retention
Account Manager at Brown Thomas Arnotts, Dublin
December 2012 - July 2016
- Analysed customer feedback to identify opportunities for improvement, resulting in a 15% increase in customer satisfaction scores
- Developed a customer loyalty program that increased customer retention rates by 10%
- Developed a customer segmentation strategy that allowed for targeted marketing campaigns and improved customer engagement
- Analysed customer feedback to identify opportunities for improvement, resulting in a 20% increase in customer satisfaction scores
Account Manager at SAP, Dublin
2010 - March 2012
- Developed and managed a team of account managers to ensure adherence to SLAs and customer service goals
- Conducted regular customer reviews and follow-ups to ensure customer satisfaction and identify areas for improvement
- Negotiated pricing and terms with customers to maximise profitability and customer retention
- Developed and implemented a customer onboarding process that reduced onboarding time by 10%
- Created and delivered customised presentations to C-level executives, resulting in a 45% increase in sales
Skills
- Leadership Skills
- Industry Knowledge
- Innovative Problem Solving
- Marketing and Sales
- Communication Skills
- B2B Sales
- Project Management Skills
- Business Development Strategies
Education
Bachelor of Business, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin
September 2008 - June 2012
Take your career to the next level by showcasing your sales leadership skills with a strong sales manager CV.
Our professional CV builder can help you craft a CV that tells a compelling story of your sales achievements.
Get noticed and hired faster with a CV that stands out from the competition. Kickstart your career today!
