Resume example: Sales and commerce

This is what a strong resume looks like in this field, and why it is built that way.

Starter in commercial and sales

You hear a 'no' and think: not yet. That's not a trick, it's a trait, and in sales it's the most important one there is. Except: sales is pretty much the only field where they read your CV like a report. Where are the numbers? You have them, even as a starter, just on a smaller scale. Always include the time period, though, because '120% of target' without a timeframe could just as well cover your whole life. Also mention what kind of clients were involved, because the same job title means very different work with a different client type. We've cut 'driven' and 'results-oriented'; let your numbers say that instead.

8+ years of experience in commercial and sales

You know that keeping a client is just as much work as winning one, and that the second gets more applause. Both deserve their place on your CV. Bringing in new clients and retaining existing ones are two different jobs, even if one job title covers both. This CV keeps them apart, so a recruiter sees what you actually did. Each role states how large your portfolio was and what kind of clients you worked with, and where the sales cycle differs sharply, it's noted. A nine-month deal is a different thing to one you close between two coffees.

The people, employers, and results in these examples are fictional.