Switching to Outside Sales
I am in the process of trying to find a job as an Outside Sales Rep. I have 10 years of experience in the Automotive Industry as a Service Manager, Service Advisor/Consultant and a Technician. I have excellent service sales numbers and customer relationship building skills. I know I would succeed in just about any sales environment but I am having a hard time putting together a resume. My resume is specifically geared towards the auto industry and I am feeling like a bumbling high school graduate trying to put together their first resume. I guess I am looking for some inspiration and wondering if anyone has a similar experience. Most people are unaware of my job title and responsibilities and the challenges that the job brings. I really don't know where to start
If you are doing it yourself, you need to pull out your experience the competencies you display on a regular basis, the transferable skills and knowledge that you have, and your performance record. Performance metrics in your world will be different than the sales world, but on thing sales managers understand is whether you meet or exceed your targets on a regular basis. If your current work is structured in this kind of way, then sharing your performance record (Exceeded or met performance service sales targets in each of the last 7 years..)
Focus as well on the customer. Your experience solving customer problems, selling, etc.
Focus on relationship building skills.
Think about making the top 1/3 to 1/2 of the first page of your resume (and you might just have one page), devoted to generic information. Skills. A summary paragraph of who you are and what you offer.
Fortunately, sales is one of those try you out kind of industries. So, the right resume and a confident approach will serve you well. Good luck.
Ian Christie
Career Changers Coach