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As a hiring manager, I spend about 10 seconds per resume.

If I can't immediately see quota performance and growth trajectory, I'm moving to the next one.

We are scanning fast - trying to answer one question:

“Does this person have what it takes to help with grow?'“

Most sales candidates write resumes like compliance documents - hey list tools, responsibilities and generic achievements.

Let’s dive in to how to stand out in a sea of resumes.

(this post is a re-write of an original from The Random Recruiter)

Sell Yourself on Paper

Your resume is not your job history. It's a sales pitch.

Your resumes only job is to generate interviews.

To do that, it needs to do 3 things:

1. Show proof that you've hit quota and generated revenue

2. Demonstrate growth trajectory with numbers

3. Build curiosity about your methods

If it doesn't do that, it’s getting ignored.

Why Generic Sales Resumes Fail

Most sales candidates fall into two traps:

Trap 1: The Responsibility Dump "Responsible for lead generation, prospecting, and pipeline management. Collaborated cross-functionally to drive results."

It reads like every other sales resume.

Trap 2: The Vague Achievement List "Exceeded expectations. Consistently met targets. Top performer on team."

This tells me nothing about your actual numbers.

The Sales Performance Method (XYZ Formula)

Achieved [X] result as measured by [Y] by doing [Z]

Examples:

• Hit 127% of quota generating $2.1M in new revenue by implementing systematic outbound sequences

• Promoted from BDR to AE in 8 months by consistently ranking top 3 out of 25 reps

• Increased email response rates by 34% by A/B testing subject lines across 10K+ prospects

Each bullet shows quota performance and method.

Here's How to Write Yours

Take one bullet from your current resume and run it through the filter:

Step 1: Ask, "So what?" 

Bad: "Responsible for outbound prospecting and lead generation"

How many prospects? What was your conversion rate? Did you hit quota?

Step 2: Add the outcome 

Better: "Generated 150 qualified leads per month through systematic outbound prospecting"

Step 3: Add the impact 

Best: "Generated 150 qualified leads monthly, hitting 115% of quota and ranking #2 out of 12 reps"

TL;DR

• Use the XYZ method: Achieved X, measured by Y, by doing Z

• Hiring managers scan for achievements, not job duties

• Show quota performance, not responsibilities

• You have 10 seconds to sell yourself on paper

Until next Thursday,

TSG

P.S. I reply to all emails.