<p>Sales executives are out on the front line, responsible for finding and securing business to guarantee the survival of their company. Sales executives enjoy varied and interesting roles, whether working on promotional stalls at trade shows, or sitting down for meetings with potential clients to persuade them about the benefits of a product or service, and the potential for quick progression up the ladder is high.</p>
<p>This article will explain the importance of crafting an effective and eye-catching CV when applying for sales executive jobs.</p>
<h3>Formatting and structure.</h3>
<p>Practically every job application requires a CV to be submitted with it, and the document represents a candidate's best opportunity to make an immediate positive impression on their potential employer. A CV should be clearly written and formatted professionally.</p>
<p>Individuals should take the time to write a new CV for each position they apply for, as employers are immediately able to detect recycled ones. A CV should not exceed two sides of A4 paper, and should make use of bullet points and subheadings to lay information out in a clear and easy to digest manner.</p>
<p>A recruitment agency can help candidates find appropriate sales positions for their skill and experience levels, and provide valuable advice to help them write a high quality CV when applying.</p>
<p>All good salespeople understand the importance of making a great first impression, and employers expect the CVs they receive from sales candidates to make an impact. Unfortunately, some sales people make the mistake of targeting the interview to wow their potential employer, and forget to put the necessary time and effort required into their CV, so fail to secure an interview in the first place.</p>
<h3>What to include.</h3>
<p>Salespeople should try and reference any relevant past achievements in the body of their CV, drawing attention to times they have hit or exceeded their sales targets, and any qualifications or awards that prove their ability to sell. They should also attempt to demonstrate evidence of an ability to create long-lasting relationships with clients, and may want to include examples of times they have managed to secure significant repeat business in past roles.</p>
<p>The generally accepted format of a CV sees the document begin with the candidate's name, address and contact details. Below that, a summary paragraph explains the candidate's current career position and future ambitions.</p>
<p>The following section is where previous experience can be listed, with bullet points used to increase clarity. Underneath the experience section, individuals should detail any qualifications they have earned, as well as their educational achievements.</p>
<p>The final section should contain the details of the candidate's referees, although simply writing "references available on request" is usually acceptable.</p>
<p>It is always a good idea to have a list of a job's specific requirements to hand when writing a CV. This will help the candidate ensure that everything included is relevant, and that all the information is focused on explaining why the candidate is the right person for the job.</p>
<p>As an example, an individual who has previously worked as a customer service assistant on a shop floor, and has received awards for beating sales targets, should refer to these achievements, specifically mentioning the fact that they had to use sales skills, rather than simply saying that they have previously worked in a shop.</p>