The Best Sales Manager CV Example for 2025

Hiring managers see countless CVs with claims of 40% growth and six-figure deals. Without context, they don’t mean much. A strong sales manager CV needs to show the ‘how’ and ‘why’—and that’s where your CV for sales management will shine.

This guide will show you how to write a sales manager CV that speaks the language of hiring managers. You'll learn to structure your CV for clarity, highlight your wins without exaggeration, and tailor your content to meet UK recruiter expectations.

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We created the sample on the right using our builder. See other good CV examples like this one.

Looking for other job guides? See:

• Area Manager CV
• Finance Assistant CV
• Finance CV
• Manager CV
• Operations Manager CV
• Retail Sales Assistant CV
• Sales Assistant CV
• Sales CV
• Sales Representative CV

Sales manager CV example

Now you know what a good CV looks like. Here’s a step-by-step formula to make a sales manager CV as good as the one above:

1. Write a strong personal statement for a sales manager CV

The CV personal statement, sometimes called a CV summary, is the first section beneath your personal details, and it’s often the first thing a recruiter reads. In sales, first impressions are everything, and this section is your first opportunity to position yourself as a high-performing commercial leader.

Many candidates waste this space with vague statements or recycled phrases. A personal statement for a sales manager CV should be just 3–4 sentences. Start with your current job title and how many years of experience you have. Add one quantified accomplishment that shows your commercial value (e.g., revenue gained, percentage growth, targets exceeded). Briefly state what type of opportunity you’re targeting and how you intend to contribute to the company’s goals. Your personal statement should tell the employer exactly what they need to know within seconds. That’s why you need to keep it short and to the point.

2. Make your sales manager work history count

The work experience section is where most hiring decisions are made. Sales is a performance-based profession, so your sales manager CV must show results, not just responsibilities. Recruiters want to see how you increased revenue, improved team performance, or expanded into new markets.

Start with your most recent position and work backwards. For each role, include: job title, company name, location, and dates of employment (month and year format). List 4–6 bullet points per role and use them to show work achievements, not duties. Use measurable outcomes wherever possible to make the strongest impact. Additionally, use action verbs to start each bullet point. Words like led, generated, secured, launched, optimised, and negotiated show initiative and ownership.

Remember to tailor your accomplishments to the role. Hiring managers will be most impressed by accomplishments that refer to the job requirements they provided.

3. Structure your education section

Although it’s not the defining factor, your CV education section still matters. Employers often expect a relevant degree or commercial qualification, particularly for mid-to-senior roles, like a sales manager position. The key is to format it appropriately based on where you are in your career.

Place your education section after your work history. List the degree name, university name, and years of attendance (or graduation year). If you don’t have extensive experience, you can provide additional qualifications by including academic achievements, club involvement, relevant modules, dissertation subject, etc.

Don’t go out of your way looking for academic accomplishments, as they’re not the most important. A short education section that only lists your most recent degree is enough most of the time.

A strong CV summary will convince the recruiter you’re the perfect candidate. Save time and choose a ready-made personal statement written by career experts and adjust it to your needs in the LiveCareer CV builder.

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4. Showcase the right skills on your sales manager CV

Sales managers are expected to deliver consistent results, lead high-performing teams, and drive revenue across competitive markets. The skills section of your CV showcases what you bring to the table, beyond job titles and achievements. But this section needs to be targeted. Listing generic job skills like “motivated” or “good communicator” won’t set you apart. Recruiters expect sales skills that drive relative and absolute performance. 

Review the posting carefully and highlight skills the employer has prioritised. These often appear under “Requirements” or “What we’re looking for”. Focus on those repeated or placed near the top—they’re likely essential. Which of the listed skills have you demonstrated consistently? Where have you used them to drive measurable results?

Include hard skills like CRM expertise (e.g. Salesforce), pipeline management, or territory management. Complement technical skills with soft skills like leadership traits, resilience, and the ability to influence others. For additional impact, add a one-sentence achievement to each skill.

See some of the more popular sales manager skills:

Sales manager skills for a CV

• Strategic Sales Planning
• Team Leadership
• Pipeline Management (Salesforce, HubSpot)
• Interpersonal Skills
• Target Forecasting and Analysis
• Negotiation
• B2B Relationship Management
• Territory Development
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Communication Skills
• Performance Monitoring
• Key Account Growth
• CRM System Optimisation
• Sales Training
• Market Penetration Strategy
• Lead Qualification and Conversion
• Budget Management and ROI Analysis

If your position indicates working in different cultural regions, noting your understanding of cultural norms and ethical practices in sales can also give you a huge boost.

A clean, keyword-rich skills section contributes to an ATS-friendly CV. Applicant Tracking Systems scan for specific phrases—if you don’t include them, your CV may not even reach a human reader.

5. Include additional sections to strengthen your sales manager CV

Sales roles are highly competitive, especially at the management level. Once you’ve covered your work history, education, and core skills, there’s still room to add value. That’s where additional CV sections come in.

Some popular bonus sections to include on a CV for a sales manager include relevant certifications that can reinforce your expertise and show professional development. Additionally, if you've won internal or industry awards, include them.

Being part of a respected organisation can build credibility and show commitment to your profession. In roles that involve international clients or EMEA coverage, foreign language skills are a commercial advantage.

Try to avoid generic additions such as hobbies & interests, unless they are highly relevant to the position. Also, don’t provide a list of CV references unless requested. Each section should add substance, not surface-level content.

6. Include a cover letter with your sales manager CV

In sales, you never go into a pitch without understanding the client, and the same logic applies to your job application. Submitting a sales manager CV without a cover letter can make you look unprepared or indifferent.

To write an effective cover letter as a sales manager, follow this cover letter structure:

• Opening paragraph: Start the cover letter by stating the role you’re applying for and where you found the advert. Briefly show you understand the company’s market or sales model.
• Middle paragraph(s): Highlight your most relevant achievements, especially those that align with the company’s goals (e.g., revenue growth, team performance, client retention).
• Closing paragraph: At the end of the cover letter, reaffirm your interest in the role, include a clear call to action (e.g., availability for interview), and thank them for their time.

Keep the length of your cover letter for sales management to one page at most. A short cover letter is always the best idea.

7. Get the CV format right for sales manager roles

A sales manager must be strategic and structured. Even the strongest content won’t land interviews if your CV looks cluttered or is difficult to scan. Before a recruiter reads your achievements, they assess whether your CV format is clear, professional, and well-organised.

Follow a traditional CV outline with proper headings for each section. Opt for clean, legible CV fonts such as Calibri, Arial, or Georgia. Use 1.15–1.2 line spacing to improve readability. Keep your margins between 1.5–2 cm on all sides.

For most professionals, a one-page CV length is ideal, especially if you’re early into your career. Sales managers with extensive experience can extend to two pages. Unless stated otherwise, always save and send your CV as a PDF to preserve layout and formatting across devices.

Always proofread your sales manager CV several times, and run it through spell-checking programs. The last thing you want is to have your CV discarded because of a typo.

You don’t have to be a CV writing expert. In the LiveCareer CV builder you’ll find ready-made content for every industry and position, which you can then add with a single click.

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Thank you for reading! We hope this guide has helped you structure a sales manager CV that reflects your leadership, achievements, and commercial value. If you're ready to take the next step in your career, use these strategies and out CV builder to ensure your sales manager CV gets the attention it deserves.

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Our editorial team has reviewed this article for compliance with LiveCareer’s editorial guidelines. It’s to ensure that our expert advice and recommendations are consistent across all our career guides and align with current CV and cover letter writing standards and trends. We’re trusted by over 10 million job seekers, supporting them on their way to finding their dream job. Each article is preceded by research and scrutiny to ensure our content responds to current market trends and demand.

Sources

• Vrontis, D., Thrassou, A. and Melanthiou, Y., 2021. Selling and sales management.
• Otero-Neira, C., Bande, B., Varela, J. and Currás-Pérez, R., 2022. The direct effect of B2B sellers’ skills on relative and absolute sales performance: a dual measurement approach.