Independent Sales Representative Resume Examples & Templates
- 30% higher chance of getting a job‡
- 42% higher response rate from recruiters‡
Our customers have been hired at:*Foot Note
Independent sales representatives are contractors who work on behalf of a company to sell its products or services to customers. They typically work on a commission basis, earning a percentage of the sale price for every product they sell.
To get hired quickly as an independent sales representative, you’ll need a standout resume that showcases your exceptional negotiation and communication skills. Check out our independent sales representative resume examples and professional writing tips to craft a resume that lands interviews.
Start by editing this sample resume for independent sales representatives, or explore our library of 40+ resume templates to find the right one for you.
Independent sales representative resume example (text version)
Maryam Valdez
Seattle, WA 98144
(555) 555-5555
example@example.com
Professional Summary
Seasoned independent sales representative with over 10 years of experience driving revenue growth and exceeding sales targets. I have consistently delivered exceptional results in diverse industries and am adept at developing and implementing strategic sales plans. Proven ability to build and nurture client relationships, negotiate complex deals and lead high-performing sales teams.
Work History
November 2020 – Current
Abbott Laboratories – Seattle, WA
Independent Sales Manager
- Lead and mentor a team of 15 independent sales representatives, providing guidance and support.
- Surpass annual sales targets by 20%, generating an additional $1 million in revenue through effective strategic planning and execution.
- Streamline and optimize sales processes through the implementation of efficient tools and strategies.
September 2016 – October 2020
PTS Solutions – Seattle, WA
Senior Independent Sales Representative
- Grew key account revenue by 25% within one year, exceeding the assigned sales target of $2 million.
- Utilized market insights to recommend product enhancements, resulting in a 15% increase in product competitiveness and customer demand.
- Negotiated and closed high-value deals, resulting in a 15% increase in the average deal size.
June 2012 – August 2016
VIDA Select – Seattle, WA
Independent Sales Representative
- Exceeded sales targets by 20%, contributing to an annual revenue increase of $500,000.
- Increased lead generation by 30% through targeted outreach strategies, resulting in a higher sales pipeline.
- Developed and delivered compelling sales presentations to showcase product features and benefits, contributing to a 20% improvement in closing deals.
Skills
- Sales strategy development
- Client relationship management
- Negotiation and closing skills
- Market analysis and research
- Data analysis and reporting
- CRM systems proficiency
- Product knowledge and training
- Excellent communication skills
Education
Seattle University Seattle, WA
- MBA Business Administration
Seattle University Seattle, WA
- BBA Marketing
Certifications
- Certified Sales Professional (CSP) – (Updated 2023)
- Advanced Negotiation Certification – (2023)
5 essentials of a standout independent sales representative resume
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
See why MyPerfectResume is a 5-star resume builder
Action verbs for a standout independent sales representative resume
Looking at our independent sales representative resume samples, you’ll notice action verbs at the beginning of each statement.
Here are some examples of impactful action words you can use:
- Generate
- Increase
- Exceed
- Negotiate
- Prospect
- Close
- Establish
- Present
- Consult
- Advise
- Manage
- Resolve
- Achieve
- Spearhead
- Strategize
- Identify
- Pursue
Use our independent sales representative resume template to start or craft a new resume from scratch using our Resume Builder.
Top skills for your independent sales representative resume
Make sure the resume skills you include on your independent sales representative resume are relevant to the job description and what the employer is looking for in a candidate.
Here are some examples of independent sales representative skills:
- Communication
- Negotiation
- Interpersonal skills
- Collaboration
- Closing sales
- Cold calling
- Prospecting
- Generating leads
- Product knowledge
- Time management
- Lead tracking
- Adaptability
- Meeting deadlines
- CRM software
- Email marketing
Certifications to include on an independent sales representative resume
Create a separate section on your resume for certifications and licenses. There are several certifications that independent sales representatives can earn to demonstrate their expertise and credentials.
Here are some certifications you may want to consider including on your resume:
- Certified Sales Professional (CSP)
- Certified Sales Executive (CSE)
- Certified Professional Salesperson (CPSP)
- Certified Professional Manufacturers’ Representative (CPMR)
- Certified Inside Sales Professional (CISP)
Including these certifications on your resume can demonstrate your expertise and commitment to your profession and set you apart from the competition.
Pair your resume with a matching cover letter
Independent sales representative resume FAQ
How do you write a resume for an independent sales representative position?
Here are some quick tips on how to write a resume if you are an independent sales representative:
- Highlight your sales experience: Focus on your sales experience and achievements throughout your resume. Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills in generating leads, closing sales and building client relationships.
- Emphasize your communication skills: Highlight your communication skills in your resume using strong action verbs and providing specific examples of successful client interactions.
- Use metrics to demonstrate your success: For example, include statistics on the number of clients you have acquired, the size of your sales pipeline or the revenue you have generated.
- Highlight your entrepreneurial spirit: As an independent sales representative, you need to be self-motivated, independent and entrepreneurial. Use your resume to demonstrate these qualities by describing your ability to work independently, manage your own schedule and take initiative to identify and pursue sales opportunities.
Overall, your resume should showcase your ability to generate leads, close sales and build strong client relationships. Ensure that you tailor your resume to the job description to catch the hiring manager’s attention.
What is the best format for an independent sales representative resume?
The resume format you follow depends on your years of experience and the resume sections you want to highlight.
We recommend using the chronological format if you have over 10 years of experience. Mid-level job seekers with a few years of experience should use the combination resume format. Independent sales representatives who are just starting should consider using the functional format.
Our templates are customizable so you can rearrange sections as needed and apply the colors and fonts that suit your personality.
How do you state on your resume that you are an independent sales representative?
Here are a few examples of how you can state that you are an independent sales representative on your resume:
- Independent Sales Representative, Self-Employed
- Sales Consultant, Independent Contractor
- Freelance Sales Representative
- Sales Agent, Independent Sales Contractor
- Entrepreneur/Independent Sales Representative
Ensure to include a brief description of your role and responsibilities as an independent sales representative, including details on the products or services you sold, the clients you worked with and any achievements or successes you had in the role. This will help demonstrate your expertise and experience in the field and make you stand out to potential employers.
Do’s and don’ts for your independent sales representative resume
- Use measurable achievements to describe your experience. For example, “Increased sales by 25% over a six-month period.”
- Use action verbs — such as negotiated and reported — to impact your independent sales representative resume.
- Tailor your resume to the independent sales representative job description.
- Use keywords from the job description throughout your independent sales representative resume. For example, “negotiating sales,” “demonstrating products” and “building client relationships.”
- Format your independent sales representative resume with clear sections and appropriate fonts so that it is easy to read by ATS software and human eyes.
- Don’t lie about your independent sales representative experience and skills.
- Don’t make vague claims about your skills. Instead, provide specific examples of relevant experience identifying sales opportunities and managing leads.
- Don’t include irrelevant personal information such as your ethnicity and age.
- Don’t include irrelevant skills and work experience. Focus on your expert sales and negotiation skills instead.
- Don’t forget to proofread. A resume with errors is unprofessional.
Top 4 tips for interviews for an independent sales representative job
Research the organization.
When applying for an independent sales representative position, it’s essential to research the company to understand its products or services, target market, and sales process better. Here are some key things to research:
- Products or services: Research the company’s products or services and understand their features, benefits and competitive advantages. This will help you tailor your sales approach and demonstrate your knowledge of the company’s offerings.
- Target market: Understand the company’s target market and ideal customer profile. This will help you identify potential leads and tailor your sales pitch to their needs and interests.
- Industry trends: Stay current on industry trends and best practices related to sales and marketing. This will help you demonstrate your expertise and position yourself as a thought leader.
By conducting thorough research on the company, you can tailor your resume and sales pitch to their specific needs and demonstrate your value as an independent sales representative.
Practice your answers.
Preparing for your job interview is important by practicing commonly asked questions. Here are some commonly asked behavioral interview questions to prepare for:
- Where Do You See Yourself in 10 Years?
- What Motivates You to Do a Good Job?
- How Have You Motivated Others?
- How Would Your Coworkers Describe You?
- What Attracted You to This Company?
Make sure that you prepare for job-specific questions in addition to behavioral questions. Here are a few independent sales representative questions to prepare for:
- How do you generate leads and qualify prospects?
- What sales techniques do you use to close deals?
- How do you handle objections and rejections from potential clients?
- Can you give an example of a successful sales pitch you’ve made?
- How do you manage your sales pipeline and keep track of leads and prospects?
- What strategies do you use to build and maintain relationships with clients?
Prepare questions to ask during the interview.
Turn your interview into a conversation by asking the hiring manager questions about the organization, culture and expectations.
There’s a high chance that they’ll open the floor for you at the end of the interview, so write a list of questions to ask, such as:
- Can you tell me more about the company’s target market and ideal customer profile?
- How does the company support its independent sales representatives, and what resources are available to help them succeed?
- What are the company’s expectations for sales targets and performance, and how are these metrics measured and evaluated?
- Can you provide an overview of independent sales representatives’ commission structure and payment terms?
- How does the company differentiate itself from competitors, and what unique value does it offer clients?
Gather references.
Gather professional references to have on hand in case the hiring manager asks for them during your interview.
Make a list of two former colleagues and a former manager willing to speak highly about your abilities and performance as an independent sales representative.
Cover letter examples for the next step in your sales career
CV examples for the next step in your sales career
How we reviewed this article
Since 2013, we have helped more than 15 million job seekers. We want to make your career journey accessible and manageable through our services and Career Center’s how-to guides and tips. In our commitment to bring you a transparent process, we present our Editorial Process.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives
- Betterteam. Article. Independent Sales Representative Job Description
- U.S. News & World Report. Article. Sales Representative Overview
Rate this article
Independent Sales Representative Resume Example
Kellie is a Certified Professional Resume Writer with extensive experience in digital media. She is passionate about helping job seekers navigate their careers. She earned a B.A. in English and writing from Temple University.
More Articles by Kellie Hanna, CPRW