Software Sales Resume Example
Working as a software salesman can provide a rewarding career, involving generating sales leads and conducting product demos. A strong resume for software salesman applications showcases your skills, experience and achievements and helps you stand out from other candidates. In this article, we'll discuss how to create a software sales resume that catches the eye of employers, with tips and examples to help you write your own.
After reading this article, you'll feel confident creating a software sales resume that effectively showcases your relevant skills and experience. The guide will show you practical examples of how to structure your resume to show off your best and most relevant skills and career achievements. It will also show you how to tailor your resume according to the job description and your unique skill set. Continue reading to find expert tips and advice from Jobseeker that will help you with your software sales resume.
Main elements of a software sales resume
It's essential to include a few core sections in your software sales resume, while there are also a few optional sections you can make use of to strengthen your application.
If you're applying for an entry-level software salesman role and have limited relevant experience, consider using a skills-based, or functional resume format. The layout emphasizes your skills and education above your work experience. Soft and transferable skills are often more highly valued by employers for junior roles, so highlight these. Also add any internships, volunteer work or training courses you've undertaken.
If you have some experience as a software salesman, use a traditional, reverse-chronological resume format and focus on showing how you've used the skills required for the job in your career to date. Your resume should focus on your career achievements, and the role you've played in successful projects and activities for your employers. Consult the job description for guidance on what to showcase, and provide evidence to support your claims.
For senior software salesman applications, concentrate on your work experience and any accolades or achievements that prove your status as a highly experienced candidate. Use a reverse-chronological resume format with additional sections. Your senior resume will likely be more comprehensive than resumes for more junior roles. You can add extra details about your career, such as awards, publications presentations, professional memberships or certifications.
How you choose to present your resume is up to you. There are plenty of options for a professional resume layout and format, but every application should include the following:
Resume Header and Personal Information
The resume header is the place to add your name and contact details, along with your LinkedIn URL if you have a profile, so employers can find more information about your career journey and skills. You don't typically need to add a photo, or any other personal information to this section. Create a clear, well-structured header that acts as the headline of your resume. Use color accents and blocks to help this section stand out and catch the eye of the reader.
Make sure your email address appears as professional as possible, and doesn't include anything like nicknames, inappropriate language or personal information. If it does, set up a new email account with an address based on your name or initials, and use that for your job applications. Always double-check your contact details are up-to-date before sending your resume.
Gabriel Perez
gabriel.perez@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
221B Baker Street, Chicago, IL
linkedin․com/in/gabriel–perez123
Resume Objective
Your resume personal profile is a short, concise paragraph to highlight two or three key skills and achievements in software salesman roles. You may also see this section named as 'resume summary' or 'resume objective'. Resume summaries tend to focus on your career experience, while resume objectives cover your ambitions and plans for the future. However, make sure you keep your resume summary short and snappy, and focused on the skills and experience listed in the job description.
Alternatively, use this section to emphasize your career objectives and explain how and why this role is a suitable step for you at this stage of your career.
A good resume summary is short and snappy, and focused on the skills and experience listed in the job description, with evidence to back it up. It will also help the reader to form their first impressions of you by providing an insight into your personality and unique qualities. Take a look at some strong examples of how to approach a software sales resume summary in the graphic below.
Good example:
Results-driven Software Sales Executive with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Marketing. Proven track record in driving revenue growth, building client relationships, and delivering tailored software solutions. Adept at identifying customer needs, conducting product demonstrations, and negotiating contracts. Strong analytical, communication, and strategic planning skills to achieve sales targets and foster business development
Bad example:
Software sales professional with some background in business and marketing. Worked on selling software and growing revenue. Have experience in talking to clients, showing products, and making deals. Good at figuring out what customers want and planning to meet sales goals. Skilled in communication and planning for business growth
On the other hand, an unsuccessful resume summary is one that mentions irrelevant skills, qualities and achievements and fails to differentiate you from other candidates. See above for some examples of things to avoid when writing your software sales resume summary.
Work Experience
Under your work experience section, add any jobs you've had in the past that are relevant to the position of a software salesman. Include any relevant jobs you've held in reverse-chronological order. Start with your current or most recent roles and work back through previous roles. For each job, list your title, the name of the company, its location and the dates you worked there.
Add some bullet points under each job entry, explaining your achievements in the role, so the reader can see how you contributed towards success for the company. Provide evidence of your impact and make sure each point addresses a requirement listed in the job description.
An effective resume work experience section is one that constantly echoes the skills and experience listed in the job description, and shows how you used your skills to positive effect in each job. Each bullet point should be carefully crafted to showcase a particular skill or achievement relevant to software salesman jobs, with evidence to show the value you added. There are some examples of strong resume work experience sections below.
Good example:
Software Sales Executive, January 2022 - Present
ByteBridge Solutions, Austin
- Consistently exceeded quarterly sales targets by 25%, generating $2M+ in annual revenue within the first year
- Developed and executed a strategic sales plan, leading to a 40% increase in market share within 18 months
- Awarded "Top Sales Performer" for three consecutive years, achieving the highest client retention rate in the company
Bad example:
Software Sales Executive, January 2022 - Present
ByteBridge Solutions, Austin
- Successfully contributed to team goals and enhanced client relationships through effective communication and collaboration
- Played a key role in driving sales growth and expanding customer base in a competitive market
- Recognized for outstanding performance and dedication in achieving company objectives and maintaining high standards
See above for some of the pitfalls to avoid with your resume work experience section. Less effective resume work experience sections might take a more vague, descriptive approach to previous jobs. They focus on responsibilities and everyday duties rather than referencing career achievements and the value you've added for previous employers.
Education
In this section list any educational qualifications or degrees that are relevant to software salesman roles.
Opportunities as a software salesman and similar roles in the sector usually require a specialist degree. If you have a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Marketing degree, be sure to mention this in your resume. You might also want to list any qualifications that highlight your lead generation techniques or crm software proficiency.
Include any qualifications relevant to the role. For each, add the name and level of the award, the institution name, its location and your dates of study. You can enhance this section by adding bullet points that show any outstanding grades, awards or achievements and any specialist subjects you studied. These details can make you stand out from other candidates.
If you were a member of any clubs or societies, or volunteered for any causes while studying, you could also mention these in your education section.
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with a concentration in Marketing, 2017 - 2020
Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Hard and Soft Skills
The skills section is one of the main ways to show employers you've got the skills required for software salesman roles. Whether your skills include technical product knowledge, emotional intelligence (EQ) or any other useful skills for the role, you'll want to list them here. Additionally, read the job description to make sure your skills match those required for software salesman positions. You could also include some unique skills that help you stand out as a candidate.
Showcasing hard skills on your software sales resume
Hard skills are specific skills related to the job you're applying for. They include particular abilities, technical skills and industry knowledge that relate directly to jobs as a software salesman. Furthermore, your hard skills list helps to show employers how competent and experienced you are at key software salesman duties and responsibilities. Aim to include four or five key hard skills. If you have space, explain how and where you've used that skill to create successful outcomes in your career. These skills will demonstrate your credentials and show how you meet the job description.
You'll make more impact with your resume hard skills list if you focus on technical skills that reflect your unique expertise and specialism, and that match the key requirements in the job description. See the graphic below for some tips on hard skills for a software sales resume.
- Crm software proficiency
- Technical product knowledge
- Salesforce CRM expertise
Soft skills on your software sales resume
In your soft skills list, include any personal characteristics that make you a good fit for a software salesman job. Soft skills tend to be more universal than hard skills, but they're no less important. Indeed, without soft skills, you may struggle to adapt to software salesman roles or meet the standards expected of you. So make sure you include several key soft skills on your resume. Think of your best soft skills and add up to five that match the requirements of the job description.
Your soft skills section should make the most of your unique personal qualities and strengths, while also reflecting the requirements laid out in the job description. See below for some examples of useful soft skills for a software sales representative resume.
- Communication skills
- Problem-solving ability
- Emotional intelligence (EQ)
Licenses and Certifications
Under certifications and licenses, add any further qualifications that show you're a good fit for the job. You could list accreditations for certain professional roles or licenses for certain activities that help to make you a strong candidate. Therefore, add any necessary licenses and certifications in this section, along with valid dates so employers can see you're still qualified for the job.
Read on to see some relevant example certifications for a software sales representative resume:
- Certified Sales Professional, 2022
- Salesforce Certified Administrator, 2022
- HubSpot Sales Software, 2022
Expert Tip:
Additional Information
There are several additional sections you could add to a software sales representative resume, to improve your chances of success. Take a look at the sections below and add any that help you show how and why you're right for the job.
Personal Hobbies and Interests
Hobbies and interests can be a useful way of showing your skills and experience beyond your work and education. Consider listing hobbies and interests to help your resume stand out, or to provide the employer with some insight into your personality and wider interests. They're perfect for candidates who might lack genuine work experience as a software salesman. Just make sure any hobbies and interests you include in your resume add genuine insight into your personality, in ways other sections of the resume can't.
Voluntary Work
Listing volunteer work is another useful way to prove your relevant experience for software salesman roles. List your volunteer job title, the organization you volunteered for, its location and the dates of your involvement, alongside a brief explanation of your responsibilities in the role.
References
References aren't a standard software sales resume section, but employers do sometimes ask for them. Check the job advert and only include them if requested. Add two or three professional references, and be sure to approach each referee before you include them.
References are available upon request.
Best words to use in a software sales resume
Start each bullet point in your work experience section with a strong verb to show actions you took. Choose from the list of words below to make the best possible impression.
- Achieved
- Negotiated
- Persuaded
- Demonstrated
- Closed
- Generated
- Exceeded
- Presented
- Strategized
- Cultivated
Jobseeker's resume templates were created by careers experts to help you produce a professional resume in minutes. You can also find cover letter templates to complete an eye-catching job application that gets you noticed.
Example of a software sales resume
Now that you know everything that needs to go into your software sales resume, let's review an example resume that you can use as a guide when creating your own:
221B Baker Street, Chicago, IL
•
gabriel.perez@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/gabriel–perez123
Dynamic and results-driven software salesman with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and extensive experience as a Business Development Manager. Proven track record in identifying growth opportunities, building strong client relationships, and driving revenue through innovative sales strategies. Excels in fast-paced environments and consistently exceeds sales targets
Business Development Manager
2020
-2022
Pinnacle Growth Solutions (Fresno)
- Spearheaded a strategic partnership initiative that resulted in a 35% increase in annual revenue within 12 months
- Implemented a new CRM system, enhancing sales team efficiency and improving customer retention rates by 20%
- Successfully expanded market presence into three new regions, contributing to a 50% growth in the client base
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Marketing
2017
-2020
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (Ann Arbor, MI)
Crm software proficiency
Technical product knowledge
Salesforce CRM expertise
Communication skills
Problem-solving ability
Emotional intelligence (EQ)
Certified Sales Professional
Salesforce Certified Administrator
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Do's and don'ts of a software sales representative resume
Key tips to help you craft a strong resume
- Review your resume thoroughly and correct any errors before sending it, to avoid unnecessary harm to your chances.
- Use a well-structured resume layout that optimizes headings, structure, margins, fonts and line spacing to make your document as accessible as possible to the reader.
- Keep your software sales resume as brief as possible. A single page is ideal for junior applicants, while two sides is acceptable for senior jobs.
- Quantify your career achievements by including evidence of your impact throughout your resume.
- Use action words that show how you've made an impact in different software salesman jobs (e.g. negotiated, generated, strategized).
Pitfalls to avoid with your resume writing
- Don't fill up your software sales resume with unnecessary information that contributes nothing to your chances of success.
- Don't write any unnecessary personal details on your resume. Details such as age, gender or nationality can lead to unintentional recruitment bias.
- Don't lie or exaggerate on your software sales resume, as this can create false expectations in employers and harm you in the future.
- Don't include hobbies unless you're light on work experience and they help you prove a skill required for the job.
- Don't add work experience that's unrelated to the role you're applying for, as it isn't likely to help your chances of success.
Making an ATS-friendly resume
An applicant tracking system (ATS) is just one of the tools employers and recruiters can use to streamline their hiring practices. This typically includes screening candidates by scanning and ranking their resumes based on their likely suitability for any vacancy. When writing your software sales resume, a few simple tips can help you pass the ATS stage with a higher-ranking resume, giving you a better chance of success with your applications.
Create an ATS-optimized resume by following these quick tips:
- Use a traditional resume layout, such as a reverse-chronological or functional format. This will mean your resume includes all the necessary sections, in the expected order.
- Use of job description keywords throughout your resume will help it rank higher in the ATS scanning stage, as it will more closely match the requirements laid out in the job description.
- Include clear headings in each section that match the traditional resume structure and format. This will make it easier for the ATS software to scan your resume.
- Adopt a clean, unfussy design that gives your content enough white space to breathe. Use professional, readable fonts and subtle use of color and other design elements.
- Keep your resume as concise as possible, to make it easier to read, and for ATS software to scan.
For help crafting a winning resume, read our in-depth career blog and review our resume examples for inspiration.
Frequently Asked Questions about a software sales representative resume
Alongside your software sales resume, it's important to produce a professional cover letter that creates a similar positive impact on the reader.
Before you write your cover letter, think about whether you need a formal, professional letter or if a brief, less formal email might be more suitable.
A full, formal cover letter follows a traditional letter-writing structure and format. Add your header, the recipient's address an use professional greetings and sign-offs. In your first paragraph, introduce yourself and confirm the role you're applying for, along with your reasons for applying. Next, outline your key skills and achievements that are most relevant to the software salesman job description. Finish by expressing your enthusiasm for the role and adding a call to action to encourage the hiring manager to contact you for further information.
If you want to impress employers with a professional cover letter, use Jobseeker's simple and beautiful cover letter templates.
If you have no experience, it's still possible to write a professional software sales resume that makes a positive impression on hiring managers. Use a functional resume format instead of the standard reverse-chronological structure. This emphasizes your skills and education over your work experience. Additional resume sections such as volunteer work, hobbies and interests, certifications and internships can all help you showcase your relevant skills. These can be more prominent in your resume if you haven't got a lot of work experience.
If you want to create a strong first impression in your software salesman application, a resume headline can help. Resume headlines are also helpful for the ATS stage of the recruitment process, as they can help you reference the job title and one or two keywords for the role. Write a concise headline including the job title, a reference to your experience or track record and one or two key skills.
Here's an example of a strong resume headline:
- Junior Software Sales Representative
- Top-Performing Software Sales Specialist
- Senior Software Sales Executive Expert
The resume format that gives you the best chances of success depends on your experience levels, as well as the type of job you're applying for and its seniority level. If you're applying for a junior position or changing careers, you might want to consider a functional resume. This highlights your skills and education over your work experience. If, however, you have relevant work experience in the industry, it's typically best to use a reverse chronological resume format. This highlights your achievements in work, which is probably the most important factor for hiring managers to consider.
Takeaways for a winning software sales resume
If you want to catch the eye of employers and recruiters, you need a professional resume that showcases your best skills and career achievements. Use a suitable resume format and tailor your resume for every application you submit.
Remember, Jobseeker resume templates and other tools make it easy to create a resume and cover letter that leaves a positive impression on hiring managers. Sign up now to start building your perfect resume. Whatever job you're applying for, a professional cover letter can make all the difference to your chances. Use Jobseeker's HR-approved tools and cover letter examples to inspire your applications.
Sources:
(1) Tips for Writing a Federal Resume, U.S. Department of Labor: https://www.dol.gov/general/jobs/tips-for-writing-a-federal-resume
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/
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