Resume writing is no easy feat. However, resumes are one of the most critical parts of getting past the first steps in the hiring process. They can also be the most challenging part of the recruitment process — for both candidates and recruiters. While searching for a sales job, it’s essential to cater your resume to the industry and role you’re applying for. The best way to do this is by sprucing up your resume and cover letter with sales keywords, known as buzzwords.
This article will discuss how to implement keywords into your resume, why you should do so, and some essential keywords to use in sales resumes.
However, sifting through piles of applications can become mind-numbing, even if you use the best action verbs you know! As a result, hiring managers pay particular attention to resumes using the terms and phrases included in the job posting or description. Including industry-specific keywords or commonly found terms for a specific sales job can help get the attention of hiring managers immediately.
Moreover, many companies use electronic filtering of resumes and applications through applicant tracking systems. Having the right keywords with relevant skills for a sales opportunity can help your application get through to an actual hiring manager instead of being lost in the mix.
The goal is to implement keywords throughout your entire resume naturally. You can achieve this by revisiting the responsibilities and tasks for each of your past experiences and looking for ways to rephrase them accordingly. It’s also important to include search engine optimization (SEO) specific phrasing for titles of previous positions. For a sales resume, this might include:
To craft the perfect sales resume, do a quick search on the top phrases and terms used for sales-specific jobs. Take note of various job descriptions and job postings across a few professional sectors that might be of interest to you and your professional development. It might even help to refer to the specific roles and job titles you intend to apply for while doing so, as well. It’s best to be as specific as possible with your keywords.
The best keywords to use in your sales resume include both hard and soft skills relative to the job.
Soft skills are behaviors and personal characteristics that are specific to an industry or a position. Employers consider these skills when evaluating a candidate’s likelihood of being successful in a particular role. They also inform an employer whether a particular candidate will be a good culture fit for the company and how they’ll function within the team.
Certain soft skills are pretty universal, such as communication and organization skills. Employers expect soft skills like these to be standard for any candidate. However, other soft skills might be more specific to a particular role. For example, suppose a candidate has a particular personality trait, like being persuasive, that makes them a great candidate for promoting sales. In that case, a prospective employer is more likely to invest in hiring them for the job opportunity.
Below are some essential sales soft skills that you should think about including in your sales resume:
Hard skills are capabilities and proficiencies that are specific to an industry or a position. These skills differ from soft skills in that they usually require some form of educational training or prior experience to be included on your resume.
Depending on the organization of your resume, you might want to include your number of years of experience for any hard skills you choose to include. These skills are essential to demonstrate to the prospective employer that you are a viable candidate for a position. These skills also communicate to an employer how you will contribute to the growth and success of the company. Sometimes, organizations evaluate prospective candidates and job seekers based on how, if, and to what degree an employee is an asset to the team.
Refer to the list below for actual sales hard skills that you should think about including in your sales resume:
Including specific keywords in your resume can be the difference between landing your next job or landing in the trash bin. However, it would help if you found the right jobs first.
If you are ready to begin your job search, Joblist can help narrow down your best and most prospective career options. Use our quiz page and online resources to plan your professional development.
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