- Our customers have been hired by: *
The first hurdle when looking for a new career is landing that all-important interview. The challenge is writing a CV which stands out, so you can speak for yourself once you get face-to-face.
This CV example with references is a template for you to get a good idea of the layout and information you need before writing. This cuts out a lot of time you might otherwise spend staring at a blank page, so you can focus on telling employers what you have to offer.
Getting noticed is vital to securing a new job, so use the example with references below to get your CV shining and spotless without taking hours away from your job search. On top of this, we suggest reading through our expert CV examples for more inspiration. You’ll pick up plenty of content and design ideas that’ll impress the pickiest hiring managers!
Ready to learn more? The following sections run through:
SEARCH ALL CV EXAMPLES
Sample sales advisor CV
Albert Hamilton
21 Guild Street
London EC2A 7TA
07912345678
Albert.Hamilton@example-example.co.uk
Professional summary
Motivated sales advisor commended for active listening skills and personable communication. Works well in customer-facing roles with commitment to meeting sales quotas and supporting customer needs.
Work history
January 2022 – Current
Home&more – London
Sales Advisor
- Applied various sales techniques to steadily expand customer bases.
- Maximised sales revenue through effective upselling and cross-selling of associated products.
- Consistently maximised sales revenue through effective upselling and cross-selling of associated products.
February 2016 – December 2021
IKEA – London
Sales Advisor
- Provided high levels of in-store service, promptly resolving complaints to maintain customer satisfaction.
- Warmly greeted customers to establish positive first impressions, enhancing in-store experiences.
- Maximised sales opportunities by regularly replenishing stock levels of recently sold products.
Skills
- Product presentations
- Upselling techniques
- CRM System knowledge
- Client retention strategies
- Stock replenishment
- Customer service
Education
2017
Local College London
SVQ Level 1 Retail Skills
Sales advisor CV template
There’s no need to get in a flap when writing your sales advisor CV. Instead, take advantage of our online resources and pre-made CV templates to simplify the process. The more professional input you get, the better your chances of securing an interview invite!
What is the best format for your sales advisor CV?
Busy hiring managers don’t have the time to untangle messy, thoughtless applications. As such, you must nail your presentation. The best CVs use headings, sections, and bullet point lists to maximise readability. Not sure where to start? Don’t overcomplicate things – simply choose between popular CV formats.
There are two widely accepted layouts in the UK – the reverse-chronological CV and the skills-based CV. The former highlights your employment history, starting from your current or most recent role. The latter concentrates on transferable skills, such as “time management”, “negotiation”, and “goal-setting”.
Which is best for a sales advisor CV? If possible, we recommend using the reverse-chronological structure because hiring managers prefer candidates who can hit the ground running. However, you could use a skills-based CV for entry-level sales positions if you have minimal or no experience. When choosing the latter, focus on relevant skills and provide three to four examples of how you can implement each.
Here are some extra tips to keep in mind:
- Your CV should be one to two pages long maximum
- Use a clear font like Times New Roman, Arial, or Helvetica
- Tailor your CV for each position – you’ll need different skills and qualifications depending on the industry
- Keep the tone formal – avoid jokes, jargon, and slang
- Send your application as a Word or PDF file unless asked otherwise
How to write a CV for a sales advisor
It’s common to get stuck when learning how to write a CV for an import / export coordinator. After all, you must cover bundles of information within a tight word count. Luckily, we’re here to help. The following sections explain everything you need to know, including insider tips and answers to some of the most common CV writing questions. Let’s run though:
- How to add contact details to your sales advisor CV
- Start your sales advisor CV with a personal statement
- How to present your work history on a sales advisor CV
- Skills worth having on your sales advisor CV
- Outlining education on a sales advisor CV
How to add contact details to your sales advisor CV
Sometimes, it’s all too easy to forget the simple things! Remember to add your most up-to-date contact details at the top of your CV so employers can reach you about the next steps. We suggest highlighting the text in a larger or bolder font to make it stand out. Include the following details:
- Full name – first name and surname
- Location – including county and postcode
- Phone number – mobiles are usually better
- Email address – keep it work-appropriate
Example of contact section for a sales advisor CV
Steven Henderson,
12a Anyroad,
Anywhere Town,
Anywhere County, AN19 3JS
01234 567891,
Steven.Henderson@example.com
Start your sales advisor CV with a personal statement
The personal statement is your chance to shine and convince the employer you’re the right person for the job. It sits at the top of your CV and summarises your most impressive talents, achievements, and qualifications in the best possible light. You only have three to four sentences to entice the reader, so every word counts. Stuck? Here’s a handy formula to help.
The first sentence introduces who you are, including years of experience and career focus. The second sentence explains what you can achieve with help from an incredible statistic. For instance, you might have “beat sales targets by 50% for eight months running” or “upsold 150 warranty covers”. Lastly, describe your unique skills and areas of expertise – underline the things that make you truly special.
You can’t go wrong when you use the above structure, but it’s still a good idea to implement the following pointers:
- Write in the third person to sound more professional
- Don’t exceed the word count – 50 to 100 words is perfect
- Provide evidence but keep it brief – there’s plenty of time to expand on information later
- Be authentic – exaggerating or lying will only set you up for failure if you reach the interview stage
- Use the job description to inform your statement – don’t copy the text word for word, but mirror some of the desired attributes
Example of personal statement for a sales advisor CV
Competent sales advisor with thorough training and a proven track record for hitting company sales targets. Strong personal skills, known for always being polite and approachable, with an ability to develop rapport quickly. Able to deal with everyday customers and difficult complaints with a cool head. Experience in sourcing deals from suppliers and handling stock management, from databases to warehouse duties.
OR
Passionate sales advisor with over five years of experience. Consistently hit targets and won “Sales Advisor of the Month” 45 times. Able to use computers and handle mathematics and good at building professional relationships. Supported by positive references from co-workers and senior management.
How to present your work history on a sales advisor CV
The work history section is one of the most crucial parts of your sales advisor CV, offering hiring managers a fascinating insight into your strengths, weaknesses, and work ethic. Alongside getting a better idea of your daily responsibilities, they can identify gaps in your knowledge (via what you don’t mention) and how long you typically stay with a company.
Start from your current or most recent role and list three to six duties for each – more for relevant positions that match the job specification. Note the following information:
- Job title
- Employment start and end dates
- Company name
- Company location
- Brief list of responsibilities
- Workplace achievements
Like the personal statement, substantiate your skills with evidence. Otherwise, you’re asking the employer to believe you in good faith, which is impossible when they don’t know who you are. Let’s say you “delivered training programmes to new staff” – can you expand on this? You could note the number of programmes or provide an outcome, such as “helped 30 employees earn their advanced sales advisor badge”. The more detail you give, the more knowledgeable you’ll sound!
Next, avoid repetition to show the hiring manager the breadth of your capabilities. If you’ve mentioned “handling customer complaints” underneath one role, talk about “creating staff rotas” in another. Companies search for multi-talented candidates who can shine in several areas, so cover as many different strengths as possible.
Last but not least, keep the tone confident and persuasive – you need both to excel in this position. Use positive adjectives to sell your personality, such as “charming”, “eloquent”, and “results-driven”. Action verbs are powerful alternatives to “responsible for”. Some of our favourites for sales advisors include “advised”, “inspired”, and “achieved”.
Example of work experience for a sales advisor CV
Sales Advisor | Sample Shop, Chichester | August 2020 – Present
- Creating staff rotas.
- Handling customer complaints.
- Managing inventory and reordering stock.
- Delivering training programmes to new staff.
- Updating staff handbook to meet new regulations.
- Visual merchandising and designing eye-catching displays.
Sales Advisor | Any Store, Colchester | January 2017 – June 2020
- Helped customers with queries and general sales.
- Used company stock databases.
- Assisted the returns department.
- Cash register duties and front-of-house greeting.
Skills worth having on your sales advisor CV
What could be more irresistible than a collection of your most illustrious CV skills? You’ll usually find these underneath the personal statement because they quickly reassure employers you possess the fundamental tools to succeed. We advise blending around 12 hard skills and soft skills for maximum impact.
So, what’s the difference? Hard skills are technical and learnt on the job or through formal education – think “understanding market trends”, “upselling”, and “cash handling”. In contrast, soft skills are character-based and much harder to learn, therefore priceless to hiring managers. Examples include “organised”, “confident”, and “charismatic”.
While it’s tempting to stuff your sales advisor CV with hard skills, it’s essential to reveal a little more of your personality. As this role is customer-facing, hiring managers will often prioritise a positive attitude over experience. The most skilled candidates in the world can’t compete with a smiley face and personable approach!
Need a few more ideas? Read through the following lists to get you started:
Essential skills for a sales advisor
- Comprehensive sales training
- Computer literate
- Strong time-management skills
- Approachable and calm personality
- Confident in cash handling
Desirable aptitudes to set you apart
- Full, clean driving licence
- Experience in retail environments
- Excellent communicator
- Conflict resolution and problem-solving skills
- Able to understand a product’s USPs
Outlining education on a sales advisor CV
Education sets you apart from equally experienced candidates, giving you an edge when the competition heats up. You can talk about school, college, or university, extracurricular training courses, certificates, and anything else that’s relevant to the role. Struggling to make a splash in the job market? You might benefit from some additional qualifications.
What does it take to become a sales advisor? While you don’t necessarily need a formal education, most companies prefer candidates who have completed school or college. Ideally, you’ll have four or five GCSEs to confirm you’re proficient in English, Maths, and IT. To stand out, complete a Level 2 or Level 3 Diploma in “Retail Skills”.
Be aware that every sales advisor job is different. For example, you might need further qualifications when selling pharmaceuticals or aviation technology. You’ll boost your chances if you can demonstrate a thorough understanding of the industry you’re applying for.
When discussing education, cover the following:
- Name of school, college, university, or other awarding body
- Study start and end dates
- Subject title
- Qualification level – e.g. GCSE or Level 2 Diploma
- Qualification result
Example of education for a sales advisor CV
Local College, London | August 2020 – August 2022
Level 1 Diploma in Retail Skills
Level 2 Diploma in Customer Service
Local High School, Essex | July 2015 – July 2020
10 GCSEs at grades B – D
Dos and don’ts for your sales advisor CV
Do
- DO attach a cover letterMany companies now ask for a cover letter because it wheedles out candidates who aren’t serious about the job. It’s a one-page document summarising your most valuable skills, accomplishments, and qualifications. Plus, there’s space to add extra information, such as your notice period and career aspirations.
- DO mention your specialisms Sales advisors work in countless industries. Some sell retail products, while others push specialist services. Consequently, it’s a good idea to mention your areas of expertise in your cover letter and personal statement. This will help recruiters send your CV to the right people.
Don’t
- DON’T send cookie-cutter CVsEvery position demands slightly different skills and qualifications, so don’t send the same CV to multiple people. You don’t have to re-write your application every time, but amend the details to reflect the role you’re applying for.
- DON’T forget to spell-checkSpelling mistakes look lazy, so run your work through a free spell-checker. We also recommend asking a trusted friend, family member, or colleague for some feedback. The more input you get, the less likely you are to miss essential information!
Your sales advisor CV questions answered
What are the responsibilities of a sales advisor?
Sales advisors guide customers, resolve queries, and encourage purchases. Every day looks different, but there’s plenty of socialising and upselling – it’s the perfect position for extroverts. Key responsibilities include:
- Serving customers
- Handling complaints and returns
- Rotating and replacing stock
- Identifying and filling gaps in product ranges
- Tidying the shop floor
What are the skills of a sales advisor?
Sales advisors need several hard skills to thrive, including extensive knowledge of their products and services. Plus, it’s helpful to have some experience in a busy retail environment. Employers search for the following aptitudes:
- Math and money-handling skills
- Product and industry knowledge
- Experience with CRM software
- Confident in negotiations
- Understanding of sales policies
What are the qualities of a sales advisor?
Personal qualities are equally important when applying for a sales advisor position. You must have the gift of the gab and confidence around people from all backgrounds. Plus, you’ll need to keep your cool in high-pressure situations – there’s nothing scarier than an angry customer. Here are some qualities to spotlight in your CV:
- Patience and the ability to remain calm
- Exceptional verbal communication skills
- Goal-oriented and results-driven
- Attention to detail
- Organisation
How can I impress in a sales advisor interview?
The easiest way to impress in an interview is by researching some of the most commonly asked questions. When you prepare, you’ll feel more confident and at ease under the microscope. Popular interview questions for sales advisors include:
- Are you familiar with our products and services?
- What do you know about the industry?
- Can you give an example of excellent customer service?
- Can you give an example of fantastic teamwork?
- How do you consistently hit sales targets?
Create a sensational sales advisor CV using our online builder
This example with references is a great starting point when crafting your CV. Fill it in with whatever personal data is suitable for the roles you want. We also offer online tools with an innovative CV builder to make finding a job easier.
Browse our expert CV examples and pre-made CV templates to get ahead on landing your next sales advisor job. You’ll find a wealth of valuable information to streamline the process and remove the stress from application writing. Who knew writing a sales advisor CV could be so easy?
