Best Sales Manager Resume Examples for 2026
Numbers close it on a sales manager resume for 2026: quota, pipeline, team results. See examples plus the keywords that get you past ATS.
Sales managers play a pivotal role in driving revenue, leading high-performing teams, and shaping the growth of a company. In this blog, you’ll find professionally tailored resume examples—along with practical tips to help you write a resume that gets noticed.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, sales manager employment is projected to grow 6% from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations. Employers seek candidates who can demonstrate leadership, strategic execution, and consistent sales success, making a strong, targeted resume essential for landing the role.
Not sure where to start or how to make your achievements stand out? Keep reading—we’ll walk you through what works, what doesn’t, and how to create a resume that opens doors.
Sales manager resume example
Looking to break into sales leadership or step up from an assistant role? Wondering how to show off your achievements in a way that actually gets noticed? Or maybe you’re just not sure how to format your resume so it’s easy to read and hits the mark. This sales manager resume example checks all the right boxes and shows you exactly how to highlight real results, leadership skills, and project wins, without overcomplicating it.
Sales manager roles call for a mix of strategy, team leadership, and strong communication. Employers want someone who can drive growth, lead teams, and hit revenue goals consistently. Resumes for this role should clearly show how you’ve made an impact with numbers, led people, and handled key accounts.
The professional summary is clear and impactful, quickly showing key strengths and results. It sets the tone for the rest of the resume and concisely highlights core strengths—team leadership, client acquisition, and data-driven strategy. Combined with a clean, easy-to-read overall format, the resume makes a strong first impression and helps employers quickly see the impact and skills that matter most.
Assistant sales manager resume example
Struggling to make your sales experience stand out on paper? Wondering how to show leadership and results in a clear, professional way? This Assistant Sales Manager resume example can help you get started. It’s built to show real results, strong leadership, and the kind of sales growth companies want to see.
This role calls for someone who can improve team productivity, hit sales targets, and make smart decisions using data. Employers expect candidates to bring both strategy and people skills—someone who can manage accounts, drive revenue, and keep customers coming back.
This resume template works because it blends strong results with a clear structure. The experience section is packed with numbers that show impact, making it easy for hiring managers to see value. The education section adds credibility with leadership roles and solid academics. The core skills combine hard skills like CRM and analytics with soft skills like leadership and collaboration. It’s clear, focused, and built to show how someone can drive real business growth.
Senior sales manager resume example
Many job seekers find it hard to land interviews for senior sales roles and struggle to clearly show their impact. This Senior Sales Manager resume example solves that by highlighting the results, structure, and clarity that hiring managers look for.
A Senior Sales Manager role calls for leadership, strategy, and a strong track record in revenue growth. Employers look for candidates who can lead teams, close big deals, and drive long-term sales success. This resume shows exactly that.
The dedicated Projects section adds depth, showcasing leadership in initiatives like CRM integration and market expansion. The work experience section’s steady growth path—from Regional Sales Executive to Senior Sales Manager—shows proven career progression. It’s results-focused, easy to scan, and gives employers confidence in leadership and impact. The layout is clean and well-structured, making key accomplishments easy to find.
Territory sales manager resume example
Are you looking to improve your sales resume and make it stand out? Wondering how to effectively showcase your achievements and skills to land your next role? This Territory Sales Manager resume example demonstrates how to present your experience with clear bullet points and measurable results that get noticed.
A Territory Sales Manager role calls for someone who can grow revenue, improve team performance, enhance customer satisfaction, and confidently manage client relationships. Employers expect you to bring in numbers, streamline processes, and expand market presence. This resume example checks all those boxes and shows you how to do the same.
This resume stands out with strong bullet points highlighting key wins, like boosting sales by 35%, expanding a client base by 40%, and driving $5M in revenue. Each bullet uses strong action verbs and objective metrics to show value. It’s clear, focused, and filled with keywords that make it ATS-friendly. Employers get real proof of results, not vague claims. The layout’s easy to scan, and every bullet shows impact—exactly what hiring managers look for in sales.
Also Read: 10 Best Resume Skills to Put on a Resume
How to write a sales manager resume that will get you an interview
A well-written resume can open the door to your next big career opportunity as a sales manager. In a competitive job market, it’s not enough to simply list your past roles—you need to highlight results, leadership, and strategy.
Many companies and organizations utilize Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to streamline the hiring process. Like a search engine, ATS scans resumes for specific keywords, and if yours doesn’t feature the right terms, it may not make it past the initial review.
For sales management roles, hiring managers typically look for keywords such as “sales strategy,” “customer acquisition,” “lead generation,” “sales forecasting,” and “CRM management.” Including these key phrases can significantly boost your chances of getting noticed.
How ATS works:
- Job posting setup: Employers define job titles, skills, and qualifications required for the role.
- Resume scanning: ATS scans resumes for relevant keywords and structured data.
- Searchable database: Recruiters search for candidates using keywords that align with the job requirements.
An unoptimized resume might be overlooked even if you’re a perfect fit for the role. Ensuring your resume is formatted clearly and includes the right keywords can enhance your chances of getting an interview.
Need help creating an ATS-friendly resume for a sales manager position? Jobscan’s Free Resume Builder can help you write a resume that incorporates essential industry terms and presents your experience in a way that resonates with both ATS and hiring managers.
Key elements of a sales manager resume
To build a strong sales manager resume, you need more than just job titles and responsibilities. Here are the must-have components:
- Contact information: Keep it clean—name, phone number, email, and LinkedIn profile.
- Professional summary: A concise elevator pitch of who you are and what you bring to the table.
- Core skills: Tailored to the job posting—think CRM tools, B2B sales, team leadership, etc.
- Work experience: Quantify your achievements. Use metrics like revenue growth, team size, or market share in your work experience section.
- Education: List degrees, certifications, or relevant courses.
- Awards and certifications (if applicable): Sales excellence awards, sales training certifications, or leadership programs.
Write a strong professional summary
Your professional summary is your first impression—it should grab attention and compel the recruiter to keep reading. This section should summarize your experience, highlight a few key accomplishments, and showcase your value in 3–4 lines.
Here are some examples of both good and bad professional summaries:
Good examples of a resume summary
- “Results-driven sales manager with 8+ years of experience leading high-performing sales staff to exceed sales revenue targets. Proven track record of increasing sales by up to 40% year-over-year through data-driven strategies and team mentoring.”
- “Dynamic and strategic sales leader with a decade of experience in SaaS and enterprise solutions. Expert in scaling operations, building strong client relationships, and delivering multimillion-dollar growth.”
Bad examples of a resume summary
- “I am a hard-working regional sales manager looking for a new opportunity. I have some experience in managing teams and selling products.”
- “Looking for a challenging hotel sales manager job in a good company where I can use my sales skills and grow.”
Need help writing the perfect sales manager resume summary? Jobscan’s Summary Generator makes it easy. Just enter your details, and it will create a polished, ATS-friendly statement—customized to your sales background and packed with the right keywords to catch the attention of hiring managers.
Demonstrate key sales manager skills
To stand out as a strong candidate, your resume should clearly showcase the key skills that make you an effective sales manager. These include both hard skills and soft skills. Highlight them throughout your resume, especially in your skills section and work experience bullet points.
Hard skills for a sales manager
- CRM Software
- Sales Forecasting
- Pipeline Management
- Data Analysis
- Budget Management
- Territory Planning
- B2B Sales
- B2C Sales
- Performance Metrics
- Market Research
- Sales Strategy Development
Soft skills for a sales manager
- Team Leadership
- Communication Skills
- Strategic Thinking
- Coaching Ability
- Conflict Resolution
- Relationship Building
- Adaptability
- Time Management
Adding these skills to your bullet points helps demonstrate your contributions and the impact you’ve made. However, the way you present them can significantly influence how your experience is perceived. Below are examples that show the difference between strong and weak ways to highlight your skills in your bullets.
Write impactful resume bullet points for sales manager
Resume bullet points are the core of your experience section. They should clearly communicate your skills, the impact you’ve made, and the value you bring to a team. Instead of listing tasks, focus on what you accomplished using specific tools, action verbs, and measurable results. Here’s what that looks like:
Good examples of resume bullet points
- “Led a team of 12 sales reps to exceed quarterly revenue targets by 35% through personalized coaching and sales strategy realignment.”
- “Implemented a new CRM system that improved lead tracking and boosted conversion rates by 22%.”
- “Developed and executed a regional sales plan that resulted in a $3.5M revenue increase over 12 months.”
- “Built and nurtured long-term relationships with key enterprise clients, contributing to a 40% client retention rate improvement.”
Bad examples of resume bullet points
- “Managed a sales team and helped them sell products.”
- “Used Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software to enter data and keep track of sales.”
- “Did reports, increased lead generation, and talked to customers regularly.”
- “Responsible for improving sales and customer retention in my area.”
Leverage Jobscan’s Bullet Point Generator to create powerful, results-driven resume bullet points. Just upload your resume and the job description to your Jobscan dashboard, and the tool will generate tailored phrase suggestions that highlight your skills and achievements with impact.
Highlight your achievements as a sales manager
Hiring managers want more than just a list of responsibilities—they’re looking for proof that you can drive results. Instead of saying what you were in charge of, focus on what you accomplished. Use metrics, percentages, and specific outcomes to show the real impact of your work.
Good examples of achievement-driven bullet points:
- “Increased regional sales by 45% within 12 months by launching a new customer engagement strategy.”
- “Trained and mentored a team of 15 reps, resulting in a 30% boost in quarterly performance.”
- “Secured $2.1M in new B2B contracts by targeting untapped industries and tailoring outreach.”
- “Reduced customer churn by 25% through improved follow-up sales processes and client relationship management.”
Tailor your resume to the job description
A generic resume won’t get you far—customizing your resume for each job application is key to getting noticed. Recruiters and applicant tracking systems (ATS) look for keywords and skills that match the job description. The more aligned your resume is with the role, the higher your chances of landing an interview.
Here’s how to tailor your resume effectively:
- Analyze the job posting: Highlight the required skills, qualifications, and responsibilities mentioned. Look for repeated terms or phrases—those are your priority keywords.
- Match your language: Use similar wording to what the employer uses. For example, if the posting says “territory management,” use that term instead of “regional oversight.”
- Adjust your summary and skills section: Rework your professional summary and skills list to reflect what the employer is looking for, without copying word-for-word.
- Prioritize relevant experience: Emphasize the responsibilities and achievements from your past roles that best align with the job you’re applying for.
- Use tools like Jobscan: Upload your resume and the job description to Jobscan to instantly see how well they match and get personalized keyword suggestions.
Also Read: The Top 5 ATS Resume Keywords of 2025
Include relevant education and certifications
While hands-on experience often takes center stage on a sales manager resume, your education and certifications still play an important supporting role—especially when they’re relevant to sales, leadership, or industry-specific expertise.
Here’s how to present your education and certifications effectively:
- Include your degree, major, and institution in a clear format (e.g., Bachelor of Business Administration, XYZ University).
- If you’re a recent graduate, consider adding your graduation year and relevant coursework, such as marketing, sales strategy, or business communication.
- If you’re an experienced professional, keep this section concise and focus on higher education degrees or any advanced business training.
- If you’re transitioning into sales management from another field, highlight any business or leadership coursework that aligns with your new career path.
- List key sales certifications that demonstrate your expertise and commitment to growth (e.g., Certified Sales Executive (CSE), HubSpot Inbound Sales Certification).
- If you specialize in a particular area of sales—like SaaS, B2B, or retail—include certifications relevant to that niche, such as CRM or sales methodology training.
- For seasoned professionals, emphasize well-recognized, industry-standard certifications over entry-level training programs.
Top sales manager certifications
Here are some respected certifications that can add weight to your resume:
- Certified Professional Sales Leader (CPSL)
- Certified Sales Executive (CSE)
- HubSpot Inbound Sales Certification
- Salesforce Sales Operations Certification
- Strategic Sales Management by LinkedIn Learning
- Sandler Sales Certification
- MEDDIC Sales Methodology Certification
- Challenger Sales Certification
Sales manager resume tips
Writing a standout sales manager resume goes beyond listing your past roles—it’s about clearly demonstrating your ability to lead, strategize, and deliver measurable results. Here are some practical tips to help your resume stand out:
- Keep it concise: If you have less than 10 years of experience, aim for a one-page resume. Focus on recent, relevant roles and remove anything that doesn’t support your value as a sales leader.
- Use action verbs: Begin bullet points with strong verbs like “Led,” “Increased,” “Negotiated,” or “Launched” to showcase your leadership and initiative.
- Quantify your achievements: Metrics make your impact clear (e.g., “Boosted regional sales by 30% in two quarters” or “Managed a team of 10 sales representatives to exceed sales quota by 25%”).
- Tailor for each application: Customize your resume objective, skills, and experience to reflect the specific requirements and language of the job description.
- Proofread carefully: Attention to detail matters, especially in sales roles where communication and professionalism are key. Make sure your resume is error-free.
- Use a clean, professional format: Stick to a simple layout with consistent fonts, bullet points, and clear headings. Avoid flashy graphics that might confuse applicant tracking systems (ATS).
- Highlight sales-specific tools and strategies: Mention your experience with tools like Salesforce, HubSpot, or LinkedIn Sales Navigator, as well as methodologies like BANT, MEDDIC, or SPIN Selling.
Also Read: How to Organize Your Resume Sections to Stand Out?
Include a cover letter with your sales manager resume
A well-written cover letter can help you stand out from other sales candidates by showcasing your leadership style, sales achievements, and strategic mindset. While your resume outlines your qualifications, the cover letter gives you a chance to tell your story and explain why you’re the right fit for the role.
What to include in your sales manager cover letter:
- A strong opening: Mention the exact position you’re applying for and express genuine enthusiasm for the company and role.
- Relevant experience: Highlight key sales accomplishments and leadership experience that align with the job description.
- Sales philosophy: Share your approach to team management, sales growth, or client relationships to show what sets you apart.
- A compelling closing: Wrap up with a confident summary of your value and include a clear call to action, like requesting an interview.
Use Jobscan’s Cover Letter Generator to create a customized, ATS-optimized cover letter that complements your resume and captures the attention of hiring managers.
Build a winning sales manager resume with Jobscan
A compelling sales manager resume is key to grabbing the attention of hiring managers and making it past applicant tracking systems (ATS). Showcasing your leadership abilities, sales achievements, and industry expertise—while tailoring your resume to each job—can significantly improve your chances of landing interviews.
Jobscan’s free resume builder makes creating a polished, ATS-optimized sales manager resume easy. With its intuitive design and smart keyword suggestions, you can build a resume that highlights your strengths, aligns with the job description, and positions you as a top candidate. Try it out today to get one step closer to your next sales leadership role.
Sales manager common interview questions
Answer:
“I believe in setting clear goals, recognizing wins, and fostering a positive, competitive environment. I tailor my approach based on individual team members—some respond well to public recognition, others prefer one-on-one feedback. Regular check-ins, transparent communication, and celebrating both small and big wins help keep the team engaged and motivated.”
Answer:
“I start by identifying the root cause—whether it’s lack of training, unclear expectations, or personal challenges. I have a direct but supportive conversation, set short-term goals, and offer coaching or resources to help them improve. If there’s no progress after that, I reassess their fit within the team or role. Accountability is important, but so is development.”
Answer:
“I’ve used a mix of consultative selling and data-driven outreach. For example, in my previous role, I implemented account-based targeting and adjusted our messaging based on CRM insights. This resulted in a 28% increase in new client acquisitions over two quarters. I also focus on upselling and cross-selling to increase revenue from existing clients.”
Answer:
“I rely heavily on CRM tools like Salesforce to keep the pipeline organized and up to date. I review key metrics that channel sales weekly—such as deal stage, close probability, and sales velocity. I also hold regular pipeline review meetings with reps to identify bottlenecks, coach on next steps, and ensure realistic forecasting based on historical data and current market trends.”
Sales manager resume frequently asked questions
Focus on a combination of hard and soft skills that reflect your ability to lead teams, drive sales, and implement strategy. Important skills to include are sales strategy, team leadership, pipeline management, product knowledge, CRM proficiency (such as Salesforce or HubSpot), negotiation, market analysis, goal setting, forecasting, communication, problem solving, and coaching. Make sure to tailor your skills section to the job description and support each skill with measurable achievements throughout your resume.
Include your education in a dedicated section near the end of your resume. List your degree, major, and the name of your institution—for example, Bachelor of Business Administration, XYZ University. If you’re early in your career, you can also add your graduation year and relevant coursework such as digital marketing or business communication. If you’ve earned certifications like the Certified Sales Executive (CSE) or HubSpot Inbound Sales Certification, list them in a separate section to give them the visibility they deserve.
If you’re aiming for your first sales manager role, emphasize transferable leadership experience and strong sales performance from previous roles. Describe situations where you led initiatives, conducted marketing campaigns, mentored team members, exceeded quotas, or contributed to business development through strategic planning. Mention your familiarity with sales tools or project management and your ability to work cross-functionally. Use your professional summary to position yourself as a top-performing sales professional ready to step into a leadership role, and tailor the rest of your resume to reflect the skills and achievements that align with a manager’s responsibilities.
