As a head of sales, one challenge in crafting a resume is effectively quantifying and communicating achievements in sales growth, team development, and strategic leadership. Our guide can assist by providing targeted phrases, metrics-based examples, and industry-specific keywords to accentuate your accomplishments and demonstrate the impact you've made on previous organizations.
Enhance your application for the head of sales role with our concise guide on how to:
- Format your head of sales resume, ensuring a balance between professionalism and creativity, in line with best practices.
- Align your resume with the head of sales job requirements by incorporating relevant industry keywords.
- Utilize distinct resume sections to highlight your skills and achievements, making a case for why you're the top pick for the head of sales role.
- Draw from leading head of sales resume examples to effectively tailor your experience.
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Simple guide to your head of sales resume format
Successful head of sales resumes all have something in common - candidates invest in a simple resume layout . One that is easy to read, makes a good first impression, and is adapted to their professional experience.
There are three distinct resume formats , which help you focus on different aspects of your resume. Those are:
- A reverse-chronological resume format - puts your most recent experience in the spotlight
- A functional skill-based resume format that makes your transferrable skills the center of attention
- A hybrid resume format - it combines skills and experiences.
What's more, keep in mind that your resume usually goes through an ATS (Applicant Tracker System) (i.e. the software used by companies in the hiring process).
The head of sales resumes that suit the ATS:
- incorporate exact match keywords and skills from the job description;
- should be no longer than two pages;
- should be submitted in a PDF format, unless specified otherwise.
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Pro tip
Your resume will likely be processed by an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). Ensure your header, summary, or objective incorporates essential skills required for the role.
Essential sections for your head of sales resume, favored by recruiters:
- A clear header with pertinent links and contact information.
- A concise summary or objective, offering a snapshot of your career milestones and your fit for the head of sales role.
- An experience section detailing your professional qualifications and achievements.
- Skills sections that align your talents with job-specific keywords and requirements.
- Education and certifications sections that underscore your dedication to industry-specific growth.
What recruiters want to see on your resume:
- Proven Sales Track Record: Demonstrated success in prior sales roles, including meeting or exceeding quotas, securing key accounts, and growing the customer base.
- Leadership Experience: Ability to manage, mentor, and grow sales teams. This includes experience with hiring, training, and performance management.
- Strategic Thinking: Expertise in developing and implementing successful sales strategies that align with company goals.
- Industry Knowledge: Familiarity with the industry that the business operates within and its unique challenges or characteristics.
- Customer Relationship Management: Proficiency in using CRM tools and understanding of how to leverage them for sales success.
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The experience section of your head of sales resume: your professional journey
The experience section is your platform to narrate your professional story. Recruiters scrutinize this section to gauge your unique value proposition.
Here are five steps to craft a compelling experience section:
- Highlight relevant roles, including the company, role description, and tenure, supported by up to six bullet points per role.
- Emphasize tangible outcomes of your contributions, using quantifiable metrics where possible.
- Integrate positive feedback or endorsements to bolster your claims.
- Ensure verb tense consistency when detailing responsibilities.
- Summarize significant achievements relevant to each role.
Explore how seasoned head of sales professionals have crafted their experience sections to secure roles at industry-leading firms.
- Managed a team of 20 sales representatives, achieving a 30% increase in annual revenue.
- Implemented a CRM system resulting in a 50% improvement in lead conversion rates.
- Developed and executed sales strategies that expanded market share by 15%.
- Led a sales team of 30 members, exceeding quarterly targets by 25% consistently.
- Negotiated contracts with key clients, securing $10 million in new business annually.
- Collaborated with marketing department on product launches, resulting in a 40% increase in sales.
- Developed and implemented a comprehensive sales training program, improving team performance by 35%.
- Established strategic partnerships with industry leaders, increasing client base by 20%.
- Analyzed market trends and competitor activities, providing valuable insights for product development.
- Oversaw a sales force of 25 associates, driving a 30% growth in annual revenue.
- Launched a new product line, resulting in a 50% increase in market penetration.
- Implemented sales performance metrics, leading to a 20% improvement in individual sales performance.
- Managed a high-performing sales team of 40 professionals, achieving a 40% revenue growth year-on-year.
- Identified and pursued new business opportunities, securing contracts worth over $15 million annually.
- Implemented a data-driven sales forecasting system, resulting in a 25% reduction in inventory costs.
- Led a sales force of 35 representatives, consistently exceeding monthly targets by 20%.
- Developed and executed key account management strategies, resulting in a 30% increase in repeat business.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to customize solutions for clients, leading to a 25% improvement in customer satisfaction.
- Directed the sales operations for a global region, generating $50 million in annual revenue.
- Implemented a structured sales methodology, resulting in a 40% increase in the win rate.
- Developed and executed strategic initiatives to expand into emerging markets, achieving a 30% growth in market share.
- Managed a sales team of 25 professionals, consistently exceeding quarterly targets by 15%.
- Introduced innovative sales techniques resulting in a 20% improvement in deal closure rates.
- Established strong relationships with key clients, leading to a 25% increase in client retention.
- Providing leadership and strategic direction to a sales team of 50 members.
- Developing and implementing sales strategies to achieve aggressive revenue growth targets.
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive customer acquisition and retention initiatives.
- Led a sales force of 30 representatives, achieving a 25% annual increase in sales revenue.
- Implemented effective sales training programs resulting in a 30% improvement in closing rates.
- Developed and maintained key client relationships, resulting in $10 million in repeat business annually.
Quantifying impact on your resume
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Addressing a lack of relevant head of sales experience
Even if you lack direct head of sales experience, you can still craft a compelling resume. Here's how:
- Highlight projects or publications that demonstrate your relevant skills or knowledge.
- Emphasize transferable skills, showcasing your adaptability and eagerness to learn.
- In your objective, outline your career aspirations and how they align with the company's goals.
- Consider a functional or hybrid resume format, focusing on skills over chronological experience.
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Pro tip
If your experience section doesn't directly address the job's requirements, think laterally. Highlight industry-relevant awards or positive feedback to underscore your potential.
Head of sales resume skills: showcasing both hard and soft skills
Your head of sales resume should show recruiters your range of skills. List the tools and software you use (hard skills) and how they fit into your daily tasks. But don't stop there. Share the personal traits (soft skills) you've gained from your experiences. Here's how:
- Showcase three top career achievements.
- For each achievement, mention a hard and a soft skill you used.
- Highlight unique skills that set you apart.
- Discuss how your skills improved the workplace or team culture.
Check our list for popular hard and soft skills in the industry.
Top skills for your head of sales resume:
CRM Software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
Sales Analytics Tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
Marketing Automation Software (e.g., Marketo, Pardot)
Data Analysis and Reporting
Lead Generation Tools (e.g., LinkedIn Sales Navigator)
Project Management Software (e.g., Asana, Trello)
Email Marketing Platforms (e.g., Mailchimp, Constant Contact)
E-commerce Platforms (e.g., Shopify, Magento)
Sales Enablement Tools (e.g., Outreach, SalesLoft)
Forecasting and Budgeting Software
Leadership
Communication
Negotiation
Strategic Thinking
Problem Solving
Team Building
Emotional Intelligence
Adaptability
Time Management
Conflict Resolution
Pro tip
When detailing your skills, align them with the job's requirements. Emphasize unique technical proficiencies and provide examples of your soft skills in action.
Highlighting head of sales-specific certifications and education
Your resume education section can be a treasure trove of skills and experiences relevant to the role. Here are the best practices when it comes to featuring it on your resume:
- Highlight advanced qualifications, detailing the institution and duration.
- If you're currently pursuing a degree, mention your expected graduation date.
- Consider omitting unrelated degrees.
- If your academic journey boasts significant achievements, especially in research, elaborate on them.
What's more, shocasing relevant industry certifications can bolster your credibility, even if you lack extensive work experience.
To effectively present your certifications:
- Place pivotal industry certifications prominently in a dedicated section.
- If a certification is particularly impressive, consider featuring it near your name or within the header, summary, or objective.
- Provide details, where relevant, to underscore alignment with the role.
- Recent certifications should be given advantage, as they show your up-to-date knowledge.
Both education and certification sections highlight your commitment to professional growth, a trait valued by employers. Below, explore some of the most current and sought-after head of sales certifications to enhance your application:
Best certifications to list on your resume
Pro tip
If you're in the process of obtaining a certification listed in the job requirements but haven't completed it yet, be transparent. Mention your ongoing training and the expected completion date. Honesty is always the best policy on a resume.
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Deciding between a head of sales resume summary or objective
While some argue the resume summary or objective is outdated, these sections can effectively:
- Integrate pivotal head of sales keywords.
- Showcase your achievements.
- Clarify your motivation for applying.
The distinction lies in their focus:
- A resume objective emphasizes your career aspirations.
- A resume summary spotlights your career milestones.
Opt for a summary if you have a rich experience you wish to highlight immediately. Conversely, an objective can be ideal for those wanting to underscore their aspirations and soft skills.
For inspiration, we've curated samples from industry professionals to guide your resume summary or objective crafting:
Resume summary and objective examples for a head of sales resume
As a seasoned veteran in the tech industry with over 15 years of experience, I have a proven track record of driving sales growth and improving customer relationships. My leadership capabilities have led to team productivity doubling and revenue increasing by 60% within three years. Skilled in CRM software and strategic planning, I am looking for an opportunity to leverage these skills in a thriving environment.
With a solid foundation in psychology and 10 years as a counselor, my human-centric approach has fostered positive client outcomes. Now transitioning into sales, I bring my understanding of human motivations along with effective communication techniques. With resilience and adaptability, I am ready to drive business growth and foster long-lasting customer relationships.
A dynamic professional with 20 years of experience in the automotive industry, I have continually broken sales records and exceed quotas. Highly skilled in negotiation and relationship building, I have successfully closed multimillion-dollar deals. My passion is translating my deep product knowledge into strategies that drive sales and improve customer satisfaction.
Accomplished marketing professional with a decade of experience creating compelling brand messages, now eager to transition into a sales leadership role. Leveraging my keen understanding of market trends and consumer behavior, I am motivated to apply my strategic thinking in a new field, driving sales results through data-driven decision-making.
Recently graduated with a degree in Business Administration, I am eager to begin my journey in sales leadership. I am proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and have honed my negotiation tactics through various internships. My goal is to utilize my academic knowledge and enthusiasm to create meaningful relationships with potential clients and directly contribute to business growth.
As a recent MBA graduate with a focus on strategic management, I am eager to establish myself in a sales leadership role. Equipped with strong analytical skills and knowledge of business strategy, I aim to implement efficient sales processes that will drive growth and bolster client relationships. Committed to learning and contributing to a successful team.
Additional sections to amplify your head of sales resume
To further personalize your resume and showcase a broader spectrum of your professional journey, consider adding:
- Projects that highlight your hands-on experience.
- Awards that recognize your industry contributions.
- Volunteer work that underscores your community involvement and soft skills.
- Hobbies that offer a glimpse into your personality and passions.
Key takeaways
- Craft a head of sales resume that's easy to read and aligns with the role's requirements.
- The top third of your resume should clearly convey your unique value proposition for the head of sales role.
- Tailor your resume to the job, highlighting skills, achievements, and the tangible results of your efforts.
- Detail your certifications and technical skills to demonstrate proficiency with specific tools and technologies.
- The sections you choose should collectively present a comprehensive view of your professional expertise and personality.
