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Business development representative skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted experts
Jonathan Byers,
Dr. Michael Harvey
Business development representative example skills
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical business development representative skills. We ranked the top skills for business development representatives based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 19.0% of business development representative resumes contained business development as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a business development representative needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 business development representative skills for your resume and career

1. Business Development

Business development is the ideas or initiatives that work to make business work better. Selling, advertising, product development, supply chain management, and vendor management are only a few of the divisions involved with it. There is still a lot of networking, negotiating, forming alliances, and trying to save money. The goals set for business development guide and coordinate with all of these various operations and sectors.

Here's how business development representatives use business development:
  • Leveraged well developed relationship building skills and strong consultative selling abilities while executing targeted business development strategies within the government sector.
  • Implemented a new Business Development standard process across Cubic Corporation, aligning various business models and systems into one standard process.

2. Work Ethic

Here's how business development representatives use work ethic:
  • Acted as flawless liaison between marketing and sales and built customer relationships through a positive attitude and work ethic.
  • Commended for superior work ethic and success in generating business.

3. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how business development representatives use customer service:
  • Call Center-Customer Service-Appointment Scheduling-Follow ups-Ledger Tracking-Dealer Socket-Finance Express-Internet posting-CRM Software-Quote pricing, rates- Inventory availability
  • Provided quality customer service while selling and/or referring asset/liability/investment/insurance products, utilizing reactive and proactive sales techniques and alternative delivery technology.

4. BDR

BDR stands for Business Development Representative. It is a specialized role related to the sales department of a company. BDRs are responsible for generating new business ideas and opportunities for a company to facilitate their financial growth and development.

Here's how business development representatives use bdr:
  • Top performer across entire BDR team for new business opportunities created for SMB, Mid-Market, and Enterprise sales teams.
  • Promoted to the role of Inside Sales Regional Manager as a result of consistent success in the BDR role.

5. Sales Cycle

Here's how business development representatives use sales cycle:
  • Maintained unsupervised territory management, where responsibilities included market research, prospect qualifying, and sales cycle management.
  • Facilitated correspondence between prospective customers and Key Account Manager throughout sales cycle.

6. Lead Generation

Here's how business development representatives use lead generation:
  • Developed and qualified leads within my respective territory to drive additional sales opportunities through cold-calling and lead generation campaigns.
  • Developed sales pipeline and lead generation system for territory reps. * Provided account management and customer support.

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7. Sales Process

Here's how business development representatives use sales process:
  • Managed sales process independently and in collaboration with sales associates utilizing consultative sales approach.
  • Implemented Question Based Selling Methodology and managed opportunities through Microsoft Solution Sales Process.

8. Account Executives

Account executives help build good relationships with new and existing clients. They interact with brand teams and clients, making them the point of contact. A sales development representative responsibilities entail facilitating sales, generating potential leads, and referring customers to the best salesperson. To succeed in this job post, you need to have the best customer service, math, analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills. A bachelor's degree in business marketing, sales, or a similar field fits this role.

Here's how business development representatives use account executives:
  • Partnered with account executives to establish account-prospecting plans with proven success uncovering new business and expanding customer base.
  • Work closely and collaboratively with partnered account executives to develop and implement appropriate prospect communication plans.

9. Cold Calls

Cold calling is a kind of business solicitation from customers who didn't express interest in their product and services before. In this technique, a salesman conducts a call with potential customers with whom they haven't had a prior interaction. Cold calling can include phone calls or telemarketing. However, in-person visits like door-to-door marketing are also a type of cold calling

Here's how business development representatives use cold calls:
  • Identified, researched and secured new business opportunities through cold calling, canvassing and community/business networking.
  • Conducted cold calls within a targeted marketing/geographic area to ensure a robust pipeline of opportunities.

10. Wine

Here's how business development representatives use wine:
  • Helped to develop a wine department from scratch.
  • Created a wine course for local private groups.

11. Product Knowledge

Product knowledge is the skill of having better information and knowledge about the product you are selling. Product knowledge is essential for the employees of the companies so they can communicate and inform the customers about the product. Having great product knowledge is essential for a better sales pitch and to give the customer a better and complete idea of the product that will influence him to buy the product eventually.

Here's how business development representatives use product knowledge:
  • Facilitate & implement professional educational presentations for dealership employees to increase product knowledge, create increased motivation & achieve better results.
  • Initiate and foster loyal business relationships with Travel Partners through communication, individual needs-evaluations and product knowledge.

12. Inbound Calls

Here's how business development representatives use inbound calls:
  • Generated sales leads for IBM and their business partners, answered inbound calls, and verified accuracy of database information.
  • Answer all inbound calls and make outbound calls to customers about maintenance, service promotions, pricing, appointments etc.

13. Marketing Campaigns

Here's how business development representatives use marketing campaigns:
  • Completed several telemarketing campaigns effectively.
  • Supported efforts to create advertising and marketing campaigns related to physicians, Olympia Medical Center's physician and community publications.

14. Excellent Interpersonal

Here's how business development representatives use excellent interpersonal:
  • Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills combined with an intuitive and professional approach contributed to an above average conversion rate.
  • Demonstrated excellent interpersonal, communication and time management skills in highly competitive environment.

15. PET

Here's how business development representatives use pet:
  • Visualized and implemented the FIRST ever Pet Therapy Program for FHH including the acquisition of professional volunteers and their dogs.
  • Schedule appointments with small US service-based businesses (such as hair salons, massage therapists, pet groomers).
top-skills

What skills help Business Development Representatives find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on business development representative resumes?

Jonathan ByersJonathan Byers LinkedIn profile

Assistant Director, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University


- Professional skills related to career development competencies such as strong oral & written communication, teamwork & collaboration, leadership, problem-solving ability & creativity, and professional integrity, but we recommend that applicants do not just list these skills. They should provide evidence of how they have used them in their work experience, volunteer experience, academic experience, etc.
-The ability to use technology effectively to solve problems or improve collaboration; this could relate to social media management, computer hardware or software skills, proficiency with general programs like Microsoft Office Suite (also being able to demonstrate the use of these skills in various experiences).
-With diversity, equity, and inclusion becoming more important in 2020, the ability to appreciate different points of view, accept and appreciate different cultural backgrounds & types of identities, and increased awareness of one's own cultural biases and assumptions can also be important to market on a resume.

What hard/technical skills are most important for business development representatives?

Dr. Michael Harvey

Provost and Dean, John Toll Professor of Business Managemen, Washington College

Quantitative skills and computer coding skills, plus any expertise in a specific technical area, like logistics or GIS.

What business development representative skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Kaustav Misra Ph.D.Kaustav Misra Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Associate Dean, Central Connecticut State University

This pandemic taught us many things and one important thing that we have an efficiency gap.

The way of doing business will be much more technology orientated. Hence graduates should be ready to unskill and upskill their credentials. This time it is necessary to forget the old way of doing business and learn new skills to get a job or stay in a current job. Soft skills have become much more important than before, but a different soft skill set would be essential to interact with future market participants. Thus, a gap year should be utilized to unskill-upskill and enhance relevant credentials by getting into short-long term programs, training, and workshops would be highly recommended.

What type of skills will young business development representatives need?

Dr. Vallari ChandnaDr. Vallari Chandna LinkedIn profile

Chair and Associate Professor, University of Wisconsin - Green Bay

Critically, for all graduates, expertise or interests, in sustainability will be important. The reason behind this is the shift in looking at sustainability holistically and not just as something one-person does. This would also give an edge to those with degrees, specifically in sustainability. Graduates with degrees related to sustainability will often be asked to oversee or manage these across-the-board sustainability endeavors. Also, soft skills are highly desired. The ability to be better at time management, work in teams, and have a strong work ethic, will be more desirable. These are all interconnected with remote work as well. Employees who "thrived" in the pandemic were those able to manage their work-life balance, work remotely in teams, all the while performing well. The skills are thus "transferable" to both modalities of work in this way.

What technical skills for a business development representative stand out to employers?

Dr. Matteo Cantarello Ph.D.

Visiting Assistant Professor of Hispanic Studies, William & Mary

Programming has become an asset within the humanities, too. Even though hires of digital humanists are still limited in number (at least within my discipline), they are probably destined to increase in the near future. Also, flexibility and versatility with respect to teaching are also highly marketable. Any candidate who has experience with in-person, hybrid, and online courses and who has degrees, titles, and certificates that demonstrate that is extremely appreciated on the academic job market.

What soft skills should all business development representatives possess?

John Cicala Ph.D.John Cicala Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor of Digital Marketing, University of North Alabama

The ability to write for reading and not to write as if they are simply transcribing an internal conversation with the paper or whatever media is being used to communicate. They should also possess the ability to interact and to converse with others in person and to actively listen.
Do you want to know more?
Read more about what experts have to say about business development representative

List of business development representative skills to add to your resume

Business development representative skills

The most important skills for a business development representative resume and required skills for a business development representative to have include:

  • Business Development
  • Work Ethic
  • Customer Service
  • BDR
  • Sales Cycle
  • Lead Generation
  • Sales Process
  • Account Executives
  • Cold Calls
  • Wine
  • Product Knowledge
  • Inbound Calls
  • Marketing Campaigns
  • Excellent Interpersonal
  • PET
  • Saas
  • Lead Management
  • Linkedin
  • Digital Marketing
  • Business Relationships
  • Cloud Computing
  • Account Management
  • Sales Pipeline
  • Excellent Time Management
  • Develop Strong Relationships
  • Sales Appointments
  • Sales Reps
  • Telemarketing
  • ERP
  • Trade Shows
  • Salesforce CRM
  • Excellent Organizational
  • Cross-Selling
  • Develop Value
  • Strong Computer
  • Sales Strategies
  • Enterprise Sales
  • Client Relationships
  • Zoom
  • Develop Leads
  • Strong Customer Service
  • Schedule Appointments
  • Email Campaigns
  • Client Facing
  • BDC

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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