4 Reasons Why Sales Associate Resumes Fail

You've applied for loads of jobs. You think you're well qualified and have more that what it takes for the job you you're applying for. Only there's a problem, you’re just not getting any calls.

If you're not getting as many call backs from recruiters or potential employers as you'd like it's time to take a serious look at your resume.

In most cases all that stands between you and an interview is your resume. It’s your best and only chance at getting the attention of potential employer. If you think your qualified for the job, have good experience, have spelt everything right and made a reasonable attempt at creating a resume your almost there.

Here's a few things you could do in your resume to give it an extra boost.

Make Sure Your First Page Is Scannable
Effective recruiters are able to see up to 200 resumes a day. For many jobs this could be much more. Place yourself into the recruiter's shoes for a minute. If you see 200 resumes a day its pretty obvious you are not going to read every page of everyone's resume.. It's this reason you need to make sure your first page is as powerful as it can be.

Ok then, what's a powerful first page?
Your first page should present all of your best career experience and qualifications in big bold font so its easy for a recruiter to view in seconds.

Be sure your resume is crystal clear
Can a recruiter clearly tell what roles you've performed and what projects, systems or products you've worked on from skimming through your resume? Anyone picking up your resume for the first time should be able to see your career highlights, if they can't your toast. Anyone reading your resume should easily be able to tell your a valued Sales Associate worthy of a job!

Ensure your resume isn't boring to read
Does every line of your resume yell out! Your aim is to make each line so engaging that the employer wants to learn more. If you have a boring line like “Sold XYZ products”, does anyone really care? No, but if you were a “Sold $1M of XYZ and lead the nation as the number one sales professional” well that’s a bit more interesting.

Is your compelling value as an employee clear?
For each and every role you have done you MUST describe what value you provided. Including:

-Sales Associate at Company ABC, where I created new processes saving Company ABC $300k
-Through my contribution this project was completed on time and within scope
-Without my superior communication skills this project would not have achieved the tight delivery time frames imposed
-Utilising my skills I was able to reduce the system expenses by 8% resulting in a $50,000 saving

Doing these things right will ensure that the Sales Associate resume you submit is your best.