12 Outside Sales Resume Examples for 2025

Outside sales can be challenging. Your resume should show skills, experience, and results. In this article, we provide examples and advice to help you. Learn to highlight your achievements, and use industry terms hiring managers look for. Get tips on structure, keywords, and what to avoid.

  Compiled and approved by Liz Bowen
  Last updated on See history of changes

  Next update scheduled for

At a Glance

Here's what we see in the best resumes for outside sales roles:

  • Show Impact With Numbers: The best resumes use metrics to show outcomes. Highlight achievements like increased sales by 20%, boosted client retention rate by 30%, reduced customer acquisition cost by 15%, or closed deals worth $500,000.

  • Include Relevant Skills: Include skills on your resume that you have and are mentioned on the job description. Some popular ones are CRM software, lead generation, pipeline management, cold calling, and sales forecasting. But don't include all of them, choose the ones you have and are mentioned in the JD.

  • Demonstrate Industry Knowledge: Show that you know the industry. Use phrases like product knowledge, market trends, and competitive analysis in your descriptions.

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Where to place education

Place the education section after your work experience on your resume if you have been in the workforce for a while. This shows your practical skills and success in sales first, which are critical in outside sales roles.

If you have recently finished a significant course like a sales training program, put your education before your experience. This highlights your new knowledge which is valuable when dealing with diverse customers and understanding different sales techniques.

Relevant sales metrics

Include specific sales metrics like revenue generated, accounts managed, or percentage of sales growth. For instance, 'Increased sales by 20% in Q1 2022.'

These numbers show your success and make your resume stand out. Employers want to see how you have performed in previous sales roles.

Optimal resume length

Keep your resume for outside sales roles concise. If you have less than 10 years of sales-related experience, aim for one page. This shows you understand the value of clear, straightforward communication. Highlight your core achievements and relevant job experiences to grab attention quickly.

For seasoned sales professionals with a wealth of experience, a two-page resume can be effective. Be sure to prioritize. Start with your most recent and relevant sales successes on the first page, ensuring these highlights are seen first. Remember, use space wisely and maintain good readability with standard margins and font sizes.

Networking in sales

Networking is key in the sales industry. Join industry groups and attend events. Mention any relevant associations or professional groups you are part of on your resume.

Show any connections or relationships you have built with clients. Employers appreciate a strong network in the sales field.

Optimize for applicant tracking systems

When you apply for a job in outside sales, it is important to make sure your resume can be read by applicant tracking systems (ATS). These systems help hiring managers by sorting through many resumes quickly. Here are some tips to help your resume show up well in these systems.

  • Use standard job titles like 'sales representative' or 'account manager' and common industry keywords throughout your resume. This makes it easier for the ATS to match your resume to the job.
  • Make sure to list your sales achievements with numbers. For example, you can include how much you increased sales or the number of new accounts you secured. Numbers help the ATS and the hiring manager see your success quickly.

Showcase your sales impact

When tailoring your resume for a position in outside sales, focus on your impact. Detail how your work has led directly to sales growth and customer acquisition. Employers look for strong evidence of your ability to sell and meet targets, so showing measurable achievements is key. Use precise, relevant terms that clearly communicate your sales credentials.

  • Quantify results with numbers—e.g., 'Increased territory sales by 20% within first year.' Use increased territory sales by 20% to catch the employer's eye.
  • Highlight relationship-building skills by mentioning key accounts you’ve secured or grown. For instance, 'Nurtured 15 new client relationships leading to recurring sales.' Mention nurtured 15 new client relationships.
  • If you have experience with specific sales software or CRM tools, mention them clearly. Say, 'Proficient in Salesforce to track client interactions.' This shows you have technical know-how with proficient in Salesforce.

Highlight relevant sales skills

When you update your resume, it's important to show skills that prove you're good at selling. You should list these in a skills section. This helps your resume get past the automated tracking systems (ATS) that many companies use.

  • Sales forecasting
  • Product demonstration
  • Customer relationship management (CRM)
  • Lead generation
  • Negotiation
  • Time management
  • Prospecting
  • Market research
  • Contract management
  • Sales software (like Salesforce or HubSpot)

Choose skills that match the jobs you want. You don't need to list everything. Think about what you're good at and what the job ad asks for. Put your skills near the top of your resume so they're easy to find.

If you're good at using any specific sales tools or software, include these too. This shows employers that you're ready to start with less training. Remember, keep your sentences short and your language simple so the hiring manager can see your skills quickly.

Show leadership and growth

When you update your resume, showing that you have moved up or led a team is key. Think about your work in outside sales – have you ever trained new team members or led a project? These are signs of leadership. If you've been promoted, this shows growth. Let's look at how you can show this.

  • Include titles and dates to show promotions, like moving from 'sales associate' to 'senior sales representative' within a certain time frame.
  • Highlight any sales team leadership roles, such as 'team lead for regional sales' or 'point person for new client acquisition.'

Even if you're not sure, think about times when you took charge or helped others. Did you ever step in when your manager was away? Or maybe you were chosen to show new software to your team. These all show leadership. Here are ways to include them:

  • Mention specific projects where you led by example, like 'guided team to meet quarterly targets' or 'organized weekly training sessions for new hires.'
  • Point out any awards or recognition you received for leadership, such as 'recipient of the 2022 Top Performer Award for leading the sales region.'

Quantify your sales impact

As a hiring manager, I recommend you show your value by including numbers in your resume. Numbers make your achievements clear and easy to understand. For example, you can use percentages to show growth in your territory or the number of new accounts you've opened.

Think about your work as an outside sales professional. What have you done that had a measurable impact? Here are some ways you can quantify your effect:

  • Increase in sales volume – Did you grow your sales by a certain percentage from one quarter to the next?
  • Number of new accounts – How many new clients did you bring on board?
  • Growth in territory – By what percentage did your sales territory grow under your management?
  • Customer retention – What was the rate at which you kept existing customers coming back?
  • Revenue generation – How much revenue did you bring in for your company?
  • Product launches – Were you involved in launching new products and what was the increase in sales as a result?
  • Reduction in sales cycle – By how much did you shorten the average sales cycle?
  • Cost savings – Did you implement strategies that saved the company money?

Even if you're unsure about the exact numbers, you can estimate. Think back to specific sales goals or milestones and how you met or exceeded these. It's better to show an educated guess of your impact than to leave out this critical information. Remember, numbers stand out and provide solid proof of your success in sales roles.

Showcase leadership and growth

If you've taken on leadership roles or earned promotions in outside sales, it's crucial to highlight these achievements on your resume. Here are ways to show your growth and leadership:

  • Include job titles that show upward movement. For example, if you started as a sales representative and moved up to a senior sales representative or sales manager, make sure these are listed clearly.
  • Focus on leadership roles, even informal ones. Examples could be leading a project team or training new sales staff. Phrases like 'led a team of five salespeople' or 'trained over 20 new employees' can be very effective.

Remember to keep your descriptions clear and simple. You want to make it easy for hiring managers to see your leadership skills and career growth.

Showcase leadership growth

When you apply for roles in outside sales, it's important to show how you've grown. If you've been a leader or moved up in a company, your resume should reflect that. This tells hiring managers that you have a track record of success and the potential for more.

  • Include titles and roles with clear dates to show your career progression. For example, 'From Sales Representative to Senior Sales Consultant in 2 years' illustrates your advancement.
  • List any sales teams or projects you've led. Phrases like 'Led a team of 5 sales associates to exceed targets by 30%' demonstrate leadership.

Think of times you took the lead on a project or helped your team reach a goal. These are good examples to include. Remember, even if you were not formally a manager, showing you took on extra responsibilities can count as leadership.

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