Resume Writing

  • Keep in mind that your resume is a company’s first impression of you as a candidate.
  • Use a chronological order, most recent position first.
  • Make sure to include all of your contact information: name, address, cell phone number, and email address.
  • Put your experience first, then education, skills, etc.  Adding an objective is optional, but not necessary.
  • Try to keep your resume from 1 to 2 pages in length.  Recent college graduates or candidates with less than five years of experience should definitely keep it to one page.  If you have more than five years of experience, a two page resume is acceptable to clearly highlight your experience and accomplishments.
  • Using a bullet format is ideal.
  • Give a brief description of what your job duties are, what territories you covered, what products you sold, and what type of clients/customers you called on.
  • Highlight what were your achievements: awards won, rankings, percentage to quota, promotions, and any other accomplishments under each particular position.  Do not list them on a separate sheet or in a different part of the resume.
  • Do not be afraid to be specific, be clear with the dates, quarters, years that the results were achieved.  Try not to be ambiguous.
  • Use your annual reviews – if you got a “Meets Expectations” or “Exceeds Expectations”, reference that on the resume.
  • Include any and all achievements that can be substantiated.  If you cannot document or prove it, it’s best not to put it on the resume.

Interviewing Tips

  • Arrive at least 15 minutes early to the interview.
  • Dress professionally, conservative business attire is best.
  • Have at least 3 clean copies of your resume, portfolio of proof sources (aka brag book) including, but not limited to, sales rankings, annual reviews, sales numbers, quota reports, awards, positive emails, reference letters, and anything else that can substantiate your success.  Remember that it is always better to “have and not need”, then to “need and not have”.
  • Be prepared to review your qualifications for this position.
  • Body language is extremely important.  You want to be attentive, energetic, and show the excitement you have for the position.
  • Always start the interview with a firm friendly handshake and build rapport from there.
  • Make good eye contact, be confident, sit upright, no slouching.
  • It is OK to be nervous, but don’t let it overwhelm you.  Practice interviewing by role-playing with a friend or family member.  Keep in mind that you have to believe in your ability to do the job before anyone else will.
  • Near the end of the interview, the manager will ask you if you have any questions for them.  You want to ask good career-oriented questions (ex. Why is the position open? What are they looking for?  How do you compare with other candidates?  What do they feel is the most important quality a person needs to have in order to be successful in this position?  What is the upward mobility like?).  Try to stay away from questions regarding compensation, benefits, vacation time, perks, etc. until you are deeper in the interview process.
  • Be sure to close assertively.  Ask for a business card or contact information to be to follow up. Ask to be moved on to the next step in the process. Keep in mind that “if you don’t ask, you don’t get”.
  • Send a well written, spell checked thank you letter.
  • Follow up with your recruiter as soon as you have completed your interview.