The following tips on writing an effective SALES resume are based on our 60+ years collective experience in placing sales professionals within the Pharmaceutical, Medical, and Managed Care industries.

• Do list in "bullet" format (using standard bullets or "*") as many quantifiable accomplishments and achievements as possible.
• Do put your "bulleted" accomplishments and achievements directly under the position wherein they occurred, not in a separate section for all of your previous and current jobs.
• Do use the month, as well as the year, on all positions.
• Do put your year of graduation on resume.
• Do put in your college GPA if it is 3.0 or over and you are less than 6-7 years out of school.
• Do put your education information at the end of the resume if you are more than five years past graduation.
• Do have someone proofread for spelling and other potential errors.

• Don't use the "functional" resume format.  The "chronological" format, with your current position on top with a brief job description, and then "bulleted" accomplishments and achievements, has proven to be much more effective for SALES resumes.
• Don't go overboard on long job descriptions. Simply state: what you are selling, to whom, and in what territory.
• Don't use wordy, lengthy paragraphs.
• Don't use the first person.  Never say "I," "mine," "my," etc.
• Don't mention an associate's degree if you have a bachelor's degree.
• Don't leave any unexplained gaps between positions or between college and first job.
• Don't worry about going to two pages if you have so many accomplishments and achievements that it is necessary.
• Don't use fancy and/or expensive paper stock, they do not fax well.
• Don't waste space with the line: "References available upon request." (It is a given and understood).
• Don't waste space with a "Summary of Qualifications."  They are never read and always obviously self-serving.

Sample Resumes

Interview Tips |  Qualifications |  Medical vs. Pharmaceutical ?

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