6 Things You Should Include in a Sales CV/ Resume

Oakstone International has reviewed thousands of sales CVs/ resumes over the last 30 years and has seen some great and not-so-great examples. Competition in sales can be challenging, so you must take every possible step to increase your chances of standing out. To improve your chances of landing an excellent SaaS sales role, we have compiled a list of 6 things you should include that people often miss out on their CVs.

1. Include your sales accomplishments

2. Be specific about numbers and achievements

3. Tailor your CV to the role

4. Order your CV strategically

5. Include Promotions

6. Include your network

1. Include your sales accomplishments

Sales success is all about numbers and targets. To quantify your achievements, it is essential to highlight your ability and success in terms of % to quotas, rankings and awards. Employers want to see specific numbers to see whether you instantly fit into their growth plans. Some examples of statements you should include are:

• ‘Achieved X% of quota in 2019

• YoY business growth of X%

• ‘Awarded best performing salesperson 2018’

Failure to include numbers could jeopardise your chances of being considered for an excellent sales role, mainly if your competition includes theirs. Find out more here.

2. Be specific about numbers and achievements

Being specific about accomplishments has more impact than rounded numbers and shows hiring managers that every % of your achievements matters to you. Include as much information as possible about specific numbers, as it will uniquely place you above your competition.

Show what your targets were and how much you achieved them every year. The more detail you give to prospective employers, the more interested they will be in your profile. Details also provide talking points for interviews and pre-interview qualifying.

3. Tailor your CV to the role

You can have more than one CV, so create varied ones depending on what roles you are applying for. Highlight your skills and experience in each role to tailor your CV.  Including account management skills on a CV when applying for a cold-calling role may cloud your CV for hiring managers. Hiring managers want to see clear skills and experiences for the hiring role, enabling them to make quick, snapshot judgements to streamline their recruitment journey before interviewing.

4. Order your CV strategically

Hiring managers do not have much time to read through every detail of your CV, so structure your CV strategically with the most interesting parts first to keep interest high. It is also best practice not to make your CV too long. Hiring managers do not want to be overwhelmed with information that is not relevant. Ordering and condensing your CV strategically prevents the reader from losing interest, making it possible for hiring managers to determine whether you’re a good fit for the role. Always have your achievements first, as these will draw the reader in and encourage them to read the rest of your experience.

5. Include promotions

Employers like to see rewards and promotions as they show you have gone above and beyond in your previous positions. Ensure you mention these in your CV and the role you were promoted to with the new responsibilities. Mention what you needed to do to earn these promotions and whether other people applied. You can also include the titles of those you worked closely with to show you made strong internal connections.

6. Include your individual network

Following on from including the title of colleagues you’ve worked closely with, it doesn’t hurt to title drop external connections either. If you have created a strong relationship with the CEO or VP at a company, mention it. Show that you can create and nurture professional relationships to benefit the company that employs you; if you managed to do business with these individuals – even better! Having a great network is attractive to companies as they always see the benefits of you bringing that network with you. It also shows you’re interested in expanding your network outside your company, which is always attractive to employers.

Whatever you decide to include in your CV, make it reflect you and your capabilities, and never lie.

---

FAQs

• What should a strong SaaS sales CV include?

  A strong SaaS sales CV should clearly showcase measurable sales achievements, quota attainment, deal sizes, customer segments, and progression over time. Hiring managers look for evidence of revenue impact, consistency against targets, promotions, and an understanding of the SaaS sales cycle. Tailoring your CV to the specific role and clearly highlighting numbers will significantly improve your chances of being shortlisted.

• How do you quantify achievements on a sales CV?

  You should quantify achievements by including specific metrics, such as percentage to quota, year-on-year revenue growth, average deal size, pipeline generated, win rates, and rankings within your team or region. Avoid vague statements and use precise numbers to demonstrate performance and credibility. Quantification helps hiring managers quickly assess your commercial impact.

• Should you tailor your sales CV for each role you apply for?

  Yes, tailoring your sales CV for each role is essential, especially in competitive SaaS sales markets. Highlight the skills, experience, and achievements most relevant to the role, such as new business development, enterprise sales, account management, or renewals. A targeted CV enables hiring managers to quickly see alignment with their requirements and shortens the decision-making process.

• How long should a sales CV be for SaaS roles?

  A SaaS sales CV should typically be no more than two pages. Focus on recent and relevant roles, prioritising achievements over responsibilities. Senior sales leaders may require slightly more space, but clarity and structure remain critical. Hiring managers want quick insight into performance, not lengthy job descriptions.

• Does including promotions and networks strengthen a sales CV?

  Absolutely. Promotions demonstrate trust, progression, and consistent high performance, while referencing your professional network highlights your ability to build influential relationships. In sales, these factors signal credibility, internal influence, and future revenue potential, making your CV more compelling to employers.