On average, a recruiter spends only 5 - 7 seconds on each resume. That's a pretty staggering statistic.
And it should make you think twice about your resume content, formatting, and design. Especially because the sales industry can be an incredibly competitive place.
So, how do you wow a recruiter and secure an interview? With a well-written outside sales resume.
If it doesn't show your lead to sale conversion rate or how much revenue you brought it, it'll get tossed in the trash.
In this guide, we'll cover:
- 8 outside sales resume examples and what makes them good or bad
- Top resume sections for an outside sales resume
- What recruiters want to see in a resume
- How to format your resume for best readability
- How to write your experience section so you stand out
- The most common mistakes sales professionals make on their resumes
Let's get started. Here are outside sale resume examples that are sure to wow recruiters.
Take a look at these related sales resume examples
- Sales resume examples
- Inside Sales resume examples
- Medical Sales resume examples
- Sales Associate resume examples
- Sales Consultant resume examples
- Sales Representative resume examples
How to write an outside sales rep resume
A resume is how you sell yourself. So as a sales professional, your resume needs to be top-notch. After all, if you can't sell yourself, how can you be expected to sell a product or service?
The resume layout should be easy-to-read. So much so that a recruiter has all the info they need just from skimming. Remember: they spend only 5-7 seconds on each resume.
The best way to achieve this is by including the proper resume sections. And don't underestimate the importance of white space between sections.
White space helps a resume look crisp and clean rather than jumbled and overcrowded.
Top outside sales resume sections
- Header section with clickable contact information
- Career summary or objective section
- Experience section listed chronologically from most recent to least recent
- Skills section with industry-standard software and tools
- Education section
- Certification section (optional)
Simply including the correct sections isn't enough to land you an interview. There are specific things recruiters look for in a resume.
And if you don't include them, your chances drastically decrease.
What recruiters want to see in an outside sales representative resume
- How many accounts you've managed
- How you build and manage your sales pipeline
- What software you use to track sales
- Your lead to closure conversion rate
- Your average sale size
- Your client retention rate
- New versus existing client sales
- Your annual sales quota
- How much you generate in sales revenue
Now that you know what a recruiter is looking for, let's get started on the resume sections.
It's always best to begin with your header.
How to create a professional outside sales resume header
A resume header might seem pretty straight forward. Believe it or not, though, there is a right and a wrong way to do it.
Without a properly formatted header, your resume won't get a second look.
Your name should be the biggest thing in your header—and on your resume for that matter. Below it, you should include your title, phone number, and email.
Any contact information you include should be hyperlinked for ease of use.
Your header can also include a link to your personal website or LinkedIn page.
2 outside sales resume header examples
This header section doesn’t include the proper contact information. Without a phone number, the recruiter won’t take this candidate seriously.
Even the email isn’t professional looking. Rather than including the candidate’s first and last name, it looks like it was computer-generated. Not very professional.
This header is much more professional looking. It includes all the right contact information and makes it easy for the recruiter to reach out.
Once you've finished the header, move on to your summary or objective.
How to write an outside sales summary that will stand out
The summary section of your resume is essentially like an elevator speech.
It should quickly and effectively summarize you and your career achievements.
And whatever you do, don't be vague. If another sales professional could use your summary, it isn't specific enough. Focus on what makes you unique.
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2 outside sales summary samples
This summary is way too vague. It hardly gives any information about the candidate.
This summary goes into much more detail. It describes this candidate's specific areas of expertise. And not only that, but it also talks about the candidate's achievements and the value they can bring to a company.
It's much more likely to stand out.
Now that you've nailed down your header and summary, let's move on to the experience section.
How to create a well-written outside sales experience section
The experience section of your resume is arguably the most important. It's also the section where people make the most mistakes.
How can you avoid being one of those people? With a few simple resume tips and tricks.
For starters, do not—and we repeat—do not—simply list your job responsibilities. Recruiters know very well what an outside sales representative does. That's why they're in charge of hiring one.
Instead, list your achievements at each position. Focus on the ways you made a difference—on the value you brought to the organization.
That's what recruiters want to know.
And don't underestimate the importance of proper formatting here. List your experience chronologically, beginning with the most recent to least recent.
2 outside sales experience section samples
02/2014 - 11/2019 
- •Build sales pipeline through cold-calling and lead generation
- •Maintain long-lasting relationships with new and returning clients
- •Manage leads and existing accounts to forecast sales revenue
- •Meet personal and team sales goals
This experience section is just a bulleted list of the candidate’s job description. It could apply to pretty much any outside sales rep.
A recruiter can't tell from this experience section whether or not the candidate is any good at their job.
02/2014 - 11/2019 - •Increased yearly sales by 7% through cold-calling and lead generation
- •Generated $800,000 in sales from new and returning clients, with a 92% client retention rate
- •Managed leads and existing accounts in the Salesforce CRM platform to accurately forecast sales revenue and identify new prospect opportunities
- •Exceeded personal yearly sales goal by 13%
This experience section focuses on the candidate's achievements rather than their day-to-day responsibilities.
Immediately, the recruiter can see that they're good at their job.
They also gain more insight into the level of experience the candidate has. They can see the size of the accounts they've managed and the software they've worked with.
And most importantly, this experience section has quantitative data that demonstrates the candidate's worth—a key component to landing an interview.
Okay, you've followed our tips and tricks and created an award-winning experience section. That's great! But now what?
Now, it's time to write out all your sales-related skills.
How to feature outside sales skills on your resume
Including a skills section on your resume is a great way to set yourself apart from other candidates. Here, you can illustrate exactly how knowledgeable and experienced you are.
We recommend making a list of all technical/hard and soft skills you have relating to outside sales. Once you have your list, compare them with the job requirements of the position you're applying to.
Circle all that overlap and add them to your resume.
How to feature technical skills
Typically, you’ll want to list your skills as bulleted items, using one to two words per line. Here are some additional technical skills for outside sales representatives to consider.
8 important technical skills for outside sales resumes
- Salesforce CRM
- Cold-calling
- Lead Management
- Business Development
- Account Management
- Sales Strategy
- Relationship Building
- Market Analysis
How to Feature Soft Skills
Soft skills refer to emotional intelligence that can be useful across all industries. Soft skills are best illustrated with real-life examples.
When list your soft skills with real-life examples, a recruiter can see how you put them to practice.
14 soft skills recruiters look for in outside sales resumes.
- Verbal Communication
- >Written Communication
- Negotiating
- Critical Thinking
- Problem-Solving
- Teamwork
- Time-management
- Professionalism
- Persuasiveness
- Perceptiveness
- Confidence
- Competitiveness
- Resourcefulness
- Adaptability
After you've narrowed down your top skills, move on to the education section of your resume.
What to include in the education section of your resume
The education section of your resume should include your school and area of study. If you graduated with a GPA of 3.5 or higher, you can also include this.
Don't get too caught up in this section. In sales, real-world experience always outweighs what you studied in school.
If you're new to the industry, you can include relevant coursework or class projects.
Another way to increase your credibility is through industry certifications.
Do i need a certification section on my resume?
The short answer is no. But although there are no industry-standard certifications, they can give you a leg up.
Here are some to consider.
Top outside sales certificates
- Certified Professional Sales Person
- Certified Sales Executive
- Sales Cloud Consultant
Takeaways: top outside sales resume tips + tricks
The outside sales world might seem like a competitive place. But with the right resume, you'll be on your way to interviewing in no time.
Just remember:
- Your header should have clickable contact information
- Your summary should focus on your unique career achievements and experience
- Your experience section should focus on the value you brought to an organization. The more quantitative data, the better
- Avoid vagueness; your resume is how you sell yourself
- Your resume design should help you stand out; don't just use any old template
Outside Sales resume examples
By Experience
Experienced Outside Sales Coordinator
- Crisp and direct approach to information display – An exceptional resume for an Experienced Outside Sales Coordinator conveys professional highlights in brief, quantifiable statements, allowing readers to absorb crucial achievements and career progression without wading through unnecessary details.
- Broad scope of differentiated expertise – What truly distinguishes the candidate is the ability to demonstrate distinctive contributions, such as a proven record of expanding territories, forging key customer relationships, or implementing process improvements, showcasing a blend of strategic thinking and hands-on results that transcend routine sales duties.
- Immediate assurance of role alignment – The document quickly leaves a persuasive impression that this individual not only understands outside sales coordination at a granular level but also possesses the adaptability, communication prowess, and tenacity essential to thrive and add value in demanding business environments.
Mid-Level Outside Sales Agent
- Strategic formatting enhances immediate readability – The resume employs well-balanced white space, concise paragraphs, and clear section headings to guide the reader seamlessly through the content. Bullet points efficiently draw attention to achievements and key metrics, while a professional font ensures the document is visually appealing and easy to scan, particularly beneficial in a fast-paced sales environment.
- Relevant experience quickly demonstrates suitability – The professional summary and highlights are tailored specifically to the requirements of a mid-level outside sales role, foregrounding proven sales growth, territory expansion, and relationship-building skills. The selective inclusion of achievements and quantifiable results immediately signals the candidate’s alignment with organizational goals in competitive sales sectors.
- Persuasive closing underscores eagerness and initiative – The concluding segment of the resume doesn't simply list references or end abruptly; instead, it conveys genuine enthusiasm for contributing to the target company’s success. An assertive call to action encourages timely follow-up, conveying the sales agent’s proactive mindset and confidence in their ability to add value.
Junior Outside Sales Executive
- Evidence of company insight woven into achievements – A resume stands out when it clearly incorporates references to the company’s values, products, or target markets, such as highlighting successful interactions with similar client bases or sectors. This shows that the candidate has done their homework and crafted their narrative to reflect a deep understanding of the employer’s mission and how their unique background supports the company’s goals.
- Personal drive reflected in application purpose – Exceptional resumes articulate a sincere interest in the outside sales field, specifically relating it to the company’s offerings or ethos. When an applicant connects their personal ambitions to the organization’s growth trajectory—such as expressing excitement to help launch new solutions or expand into untouched territories—it demonstrates genuine motivation rather than generic job seeking.
- Relating previous roles to the world of outside sales – Standout candidates don’t just list past jobs; they extract key experiences such as customer interaction, persuasive communication, or travel for business, and relate these directly to the demands of a junior outside sales executive. By drawing clear parallels, they prove that their skill set and mindset are a match for the dynamic and proactive nature required in this role.
Entry-Level Outside Sales Associate
- Compelling introductions that grab attention – A standout Entry-Level Outside Sales Associate resume opens with an energetic summary that quickly communicates the candidate’s enthusiasm for sales and their readiness to engage with clients. This initial paragraph should clearly convey motivation and highlight transferable skills, making a strong case for why the applicant is an ideal fit for a field-based role right from the start.
- Distinctive personal qualities reinforced by achievements – What truly differentiates one resume from another is when the candidate pinpoints unique strengths, such as adept relationship building or relentless persistence, and backs them up with concrete examples like top performance in academic sales competitions or recognized leadership in extracurricular activities. This evidence-based approach underscores their suitability for dynamic sales environments.
- Clean formatting that draws the eye – Visually, an exceptional resume in this field utilizes strategic whitespace, clear section dividers, and concise bullet points, ensuring every section is easy to navigate. By maintaining balanced spacing and logical groupings, the document remains inviting to read, allowing hiring managers to quickly identify relevant information without being overwhelmed.
Advanced Outside Sales Representative
- Creates an immediate connection through impactful storytelling – A standout Advanced Outside Sales Representative resume leverages vivid, results-driven anecdotes that quickly immerse the reader, demonstrating both the passion for client engagement and a proven record of fostering lasting business relationships. Through compelling accounts of exceeding targets or overcoming tough objections, the resume draws in hiring managers emotionally, making the candidate’s commitment and influence tangible.
- Exemplifies a purposeful career journey tailored to sales success – A resume gains further distinction by seamlessly linking earlier sales roles, client management experiences, or sector-specific expertise to the advanced requirements of this position. From securing top-tier accounts to mentoring junior sales staff, every experience included underscores a direct, strategic fit for the responsibilities unique to outside sales leadership and complex deal-making.
- Demonstrates resourcefulness across changing environments – Versatility is conveyed through clear examples of adapting to new territories, diverse industries, or evolving client needs. A standout resume highlights the ability to pivot sales tactics, learn new product lines swiftly, or leverage different technologies—all showcasing a readiness to succeed amid unpredictable markets or shifting business goals.
By Role
Chief Outside Sales Officer
- Clarity through refined spacing and layout – A Chief Outside Sales Officer resume that leverages ample white space, clear section breaks, and uniform font choices stands out immediately. Such intentional formatting ensures every key achievement and leadership role is visually accessible, facilitating quick scanning even under time pressure. This strategically organized presentation reflects an executive’s appreciation for precision and efficiency, traits essential for high-level sales leadership.
- Captivating language that establishes connection – The most impactful resumes go beyond listing duties; they weave in vivid success stories that speak to challenges overcome, relationships built, and teams inspired. By drawing the reader into impressive sales transformations and shared victories, the document generates enthusiasm and credibility, encouraging the hiring team to envision the candidate’s future contributions.
- Confident professionalism infused with genuine drive – Skillful resumes strike a delicate balance between polished authority and spirited ambition. For a Chief Outside Sales Officer, communicating strategic insights alongside an apparent zeal for spearheading growth assures the reviewer of both executive capability and contagious motivation. This harmonious blend assures any organization they’re considering an influential and forward-thinking leader.