9 Software Sales Resume Examples for 2024

Crafting a resume for software sales needs focus on both technical know-how and persuasive skills. In this article, we share examples and strategic advice to present your experience effectively. We'll cover how to highlight key achievements and tailor your resume to the job, using terms familiar in tech sales, like "SaaS" and "CRM." This guide aims to improve your resume for better job prospects in software sales.

  Compiled and approved by Steve Grafton
  Last updated on See history of changes

  Next update scheduled for

At a Glance

Here's what we see in standout software sales resumes.

  • Quantifiable Achievements Stand Out: The best resumes show success with numbers. Examples include increase in sales figures, growth in market share, customer retention rates, and reduction in sales cycle length. These figures make your impact clear.

  • : Include CRM software proficiency, SaaS sales knowledge, pipeline management, technical demonstrations, and contract negotiation if they match the job posting and you have them. Only list what you know.

  • : Junior resumes often show lead qualification, while senior ones might list strategy development. Show you understand the job level by focusing on relevant experience.

Where to place your education information

Presenting education on a resume for software sales can greatly impact your chances. If you're new to software sales or just graduated, put your relevant educational details first. It helps to highlight your grasp of the software and sales concepts. For those who completed a significant continuing education program, such as an MBA or sales management course, list this right before your work experience to explain any work gap.

However, if you've been selling software for a good deal of time, your practical experience should take the stage first. In this case, place your education section lower down on your resume. Remember to always keep your education details relevant to software sales.

Knowledge of software trends

In software sales, it's crucial to have an up-to-date understanding of the latest software trends. You need to convince employers you can keep step with ever-evolving software technologies and consumer demands. Highlight any courses, conferences, or workshops you've attended that indicate your commitment to staying current in the field.

Also, include achievements showing your application of latest software trends to improve sales. It's a great way to demonstrate your innovative use of knowledge to drive business outcomes.

Deciding on the perfect resume length

Your software sales resume should deliver impact, not volume. If you're in the initial or middle stages of your career with less than 10 years experience in software sales, strive for a one-page resume. This should be enough to present your skills, successes, and relevant experience.

If you're a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience, a two-page resume can work better to capture all your achievements and skills. However, remember to avoid crowding the resume with unnecessary details. A neatly organized, clear resume is always better received.

Understanding customer needs in software sales

One unique aspect of breaking into the software sales industry is the need to understand customer problems deeply and present software solutions that solve them. Highlight your ability to understand complex software products and transfer that understanding into user-friendly language for clients.

On your resume, show instances where you've driven sales by tailoring software solutions to customers' requirements. Employers love seeing direct correlations between your work and increased sales figures.

Beat the resume bots

When you apply for jobs in software sales, your resume might first be read by a computer program, not a person. These programs are called Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). They sort and rank resumes by looking for keywords and formats they understand.

To make sure your resume gets seen by human eyes, follow these tips:

  • Use keywords from the job posting. For software sales, words like 'CRM software,' 'SaaS,' 'lead generation,' and 'quota attainment' are important.
  • Format your resume simply. Use clear headings and avoid tables or images that the ATS might not read correctly.

Tailor your resume highlights

When you apply for a job in software sales, make sure your resume speaks directly to the role. This means you should show your skills and experience that match what the job asks for. Your resume will get more attention if it looks like you're a good fit for the job.

  • Focus on your experience with software products, like when you helped increase sales or got more clients to buy software.
  • Show you have good people skills by describing how you worked with a team to meet sales goals or supported clients.
  • If you're new to software sales, talk about times you sold other things or used software in your old job. For example, you could say 'Used CRM software daily to track client interactions.'

Show achievements, not tasks

When you create your resume for a software sales position, remember to focus on what you have achieved, not just what tasks you were responsible for. You want to show how you made a difference.

Here are ways you can turn everyday job duties into impressive achievements:

  • Instead of writing "Responsible for software sales in the Northeast region," you could say, "Grew software sales by 20% in the Northeast region within one year."
  • Rather than stating "Managed client accounts for software solutions," try "Increased client retention by 30% by implementing customized software solutions that met specific customer needs."

Essential skills for software sales

When crafting your resume, focusing on the right skills is key. As a hiring manager, I've seen how a well-tailored skills section can make a strong impact. Here's what you need to know:

  • Understand the software you're selling. You don't need to be an expert, but a good grasp of the technical aspects will help you build trust with clients.
  • Know how to demonstrate CRM software proficiency, as it's crucial for managing customer relationships and sales pipelines.

Include these skills in a dedicated section for clarity. The goal is to show you're equipped to handle the job you want. Here are some more skills to consider:

  • Product demonstration
  • Lead generation
  • Contract negotiation
  • SaaS knowledge
  • Market analysis
  • Sales strategy
  • Software licensing
  • Account management
  • Customer engagement
  • Data analysis

You don't have to include all these skills. Choose those that match your experience and the job you aim for. Some might fit better in your work history section if you can show how you used them in past roles. This can help your resume pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which many companies use to filter candidates.

Show your sales impact with numbers

When you write your resume, it is important to show how you have made a strong impact. Numbers can help you do this. In sales roles, especially for software, the right metrics can make your experience stand out. Here's how you can think about your impact in terms of numbers:

  • Consider the revenue growth you achieved. Was there a percentage increase in sales during your tenure?
  • Think about the number of new accounts you secured. How much did these accounts add to the company's customer base?
  • Reflect on your efficiency. Did you decrease the sales cycle time by a certain percentage?
  • Quantify the customer retention rate. A high rate shows you not only sell but also keep customers satisfied.
  • Did your efforts reduce customer support issues? By what percentage?
  • Include any cost savings you helped achieve through efficient sales strategies.
  • Highlight any team targets met or exceeded. Your ability to meet goals is important.
  • Lastly, if you trained others, how did their sales improve? Show this with pre- and post-training performance numbers.

Even if you are not sure of the exact numbers, you can estimate. Think about the size of the deals you worked on and the goals you met. Use numbers to show how you made a difference. This will help hiring managers see your value quickly.

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