Independent Sales Representative Resume Examples & Templates

5 essentials of a standout independent sales representative resume

1. Contact details

   Include your contact information at the top of your resume. Add your full name, city, state, ZIP code, phone number and professional email address. Add your LinkedIn profile and professional website, if applicable. Check out our resume writing guide for further advice on creating this section. Explore our library of 800+ resume examples for more inspiration.

2. Personal statement

   Your personal statement — or professional summary — is where you introduce yourself and highlight your top qualifications in three to five sentences.

   An independent sales representative professional summary should showcase your ability to build customer relationships and identify sales opportunities. Include one or two notable professional accomplishments and touch on how long you’ve been in the industry. 

   For reference, check out this example independent sales representative professional summary: 

   “Self-motivated independent sales representative with over five years of experience in the manufacturing industry. Proven track record of increasing sales revenue and expanding customer base through building strong relationships and identifying new business opportunities. Skilled in demonstrating products, negotiating sales agreements and providing exceptional customer service. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.”

   If you are just starting your career, we recommend using a resume objective instead of a professional summary. Your resume objective should focus on career goals and transferable skills, such as being a self-starter. For additional guidance, look at our guide on writing a resume with no experience. 

3. Skills

   The skills section of your resume is where you’ll let hiring managers know what you bring to the table. An excellent independent sales representative resume will feature a mixture of hard skills and soft skills. 

   Independent sales representatives often work in industries such as manufacturing, wholesale and distribution, and many represent multiple companies at once. They must be self-motivated, organized and able to work independently. They also need excellent communication and interpersonal skills to sell products and services effectively. 

   Some independent sales representatives may also need technical skills or experience in a specific industry, such as manufacturing, healthcare or technology. Gaining experience through internships, apprenticeships or entry-level sales positions can also help build the skills and knowledge needed to succeed as an independent sales representative.

4. Work history

   When writing your work history section for an independent sales representative resume, begin with your current or most recent position and then work backward chronologically. Include the job title, company name, location and employment dates.

   Use bullet points to showcase your accomplishments and quantifiable achievements in each role. Focus on sales numbers, customer acquisition and other key performance indicators demonstrating your success as an independent sales representative.

   Use specific numbers and data to quantify your achievements. For example, instead of saying “increased sales revenue,” say “increased sales revenue by 20% within the first year.”Check out how to write work experience on a resume for additional tips from career experts.

5. Education

   In reverse-chronological order, use bullet points to display the schools’ names and the years you graduated. If you did not attend college, list your high school information and the classes you’ve taken since graduating.

   While there is no specific education requirement to become an independent sales representative, having a degree in business, marketing or a related field can be beneficial. However, more than formal education, what really matters is having the skills and experience to succeed in sales. 

   To be an effective independent sales representative, you need to have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, the ability to build relationships and connect with people, strong persuasion and negotiation skills and a deep understanding of the products or services you are selling.