Sales Associate Resume Examples, Skills, and Keywords

Tip #1: Use a modern and professional template

Both the format and content of an ideal resume have evolved a lot. Creating a simple list with your default word processor doesn’t cut it anymore. You’ll need to use a more sophisticated template.

‌However, you shouldn’t depart too far from tradition. Both ATS and their human equivalents need to be able to scan your resume to quickly pull out relevant information. Jobscan has you covered with the tools you need, including a detailed resume-writing guide.

Tip #2: Include a resume objective

In a couple of sentences or bullet points, brand yourself at the top of your resume. You can do this with a more traditional objective statement — a short declaration of who you are and what you want from this next career move.

‌Alternatively, you can craft a career snapshot. What are the major “wow” factors in your resume? What are your major accomplishments? Putting this material at the top accomplishes two things:

• People reading lots of resumes very quickly aren’t likely to miss it.
• These summaries work like thesis statements, allowing a reader to better contextualize and focus on everything that follows.

Tip #3: Show how your previous initiatives have paid off

No one wants an employee that’s simply punching the clock. Instead of focusing on previous job responsibilities and the day-to-day routine, use your work experience to highlight instances where you went that extra mile for your employer.

‌Maybe you started a successful social media campaign advertising a specific sale, or maybe you introduced your employer to the possibilities of using Instagram or Snapchat. Perhaps you consistently exceeded sales expectations by a certain percent or reorganized the stock room to improve comfort and efficiency.

‌Whenever you can include hard facts or numbers, do so. They lend credibility to your claims. But even if your achievements have been harder to quantify, don’t focus on the ways you have been adequate. Showcase all the ways you have been awesome.

Tip #4: Tailor your sales associate resume for each new application

Target each section to the position for which you’re applying instead of sending a generic duplicate for each new listing.

‌Employers want an employee who understands the particular responsibilities of a job and contributes to their team from day one. Make it easy for them to imagine you as a part of that team.

‌Scan each listing for keywords and sales associate resume skills that you need to include in your resume. Double-check your language and match their terms exactly. It won’t help you to list “Adaptability” if the ATS wants to see “Flexibility”, even though these mean practically the same thing.

‌After you make sure your skills are compatible, put yourself in the position of a hiring manager looking to fill the job you want. First, what would matter to you? What are the non-negotiable essentials? Second, what would impress you? What would you consider an advantage for this position?

‌Go over your resume again, tweaking details and phrasing to better fit your own imagination of a perfect candidate for this job.

Tip #5: Use Action Verbs

When describing your previous experience, write in an active tone. For example, instead of saying “I took note of the sales floor”, say “Managed the sales floor.” Other action verbs that are great for describing your work experience include:

• Organized
• Planned
• Coordinated
• Designed
• Spearheaded
• Expedited
• Increased
• Trained
• Networked
• Oversaw

Words like these not only show employers that you are action-oriented but also accomplished and skilled.