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Sales/marketing skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted experts

Adry S. Clark Ph.D.,

Andrea Dixon Ph.D.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical sales/marketing skills. We ranked the top skills for sales/marketing based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 20.6% of sales/marketing resumes contained customer relations as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a sales/marketing needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 sales/marketing skills for your resume and career

1. Customer Relations

Here's how sales/marketing use customer relations:

Validated customer relations with existing accounts and pursued potential accounts, inventoried and monitored fleet, performed prevalent office tasks.
Developed relationships with new customers and nurtured long term customer relationships with a high level of integrity and quality service.

2. 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 sales/marketing use customer service:

Generated new business by delivering superior value priced leading edge technical capability with a strong focus on customer service.
Provided direct customer service to internal and external customers pertaining to any design request or scheduling concerns.

3. Digital Marketing

Here's how sales/marketing use digital marketing:

Planned and executed Digital Marketing Seminar at Knoxville Chamber for small business owners.
Build long-term strategic digital marketing objectives and short-term opportunities.

4. 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 sales/marketing use product knowledge:

Maintained friendly and professional customer interactions by sharing product knowledge with customers while making personal recommendations.
Shared product knowledge with customers while making personal recommendations and providing great Time management.

5. 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 sales/marketing use business development:

Guaranteed accuracy and creative design in writing all marketing copy for listings, magazines advertisements, and new business development advertisement.
Advanced through positions of increased accountability for sales, marketing, and business development based on consistently exceeding goals and expectations.

6. Facebook

Here's how sales/marketing use facebook:

Developed and launched social media marketing programs utilizing Facebook and Twitter.
Managed Social Media accounts including Twitter and Facebook.

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7. Instagram

Here's how sales/marketing use instagram:

Gained over 10,000 Twitter followers in a matter of 4 months and almost 7,000 Instagram followers.
Created and managed @LWPHillsborough (Twitter) and @hillsboroughstreet (Instagram)

8. Real Estate

Real estate is land that has buildings on it. This kind of property consists of permanent improvements either natural or man-made, which include, houses, fences, bridges, water trees, and minerals. There are 4 types of real estate namely; residential real estate, commercial real estate, industrial real estate, and vacant land.

Here's how sales/marketing use real estate:

Collaborated and followed up with luxury real estate agents regarding marketing material requirements and prospects.
Introduced company and services to real estate developers through nationwide advertising and marketing campaigns.

9. Twitter

Here's how sales/marketing use twitter:

Watched by 3 million on SnapChat and Twitter, and had over 60,000 in attendance at MetLife stadium.
Increased followers by 18% through printed materials and promoting Twitter feed at point of sale.

10. Trade Shows

Here's how sales/marketing use trade shows:

Served as the inside sales representative and marketing representative Nationwide trade shows and education for staff and distribution managers.
Conducted executive briefings and represented the IBM Finance Industry marketing organization at various industry/trade shows/conferences.

11. Market Research

Market research is a collective effort to collect information related to a consumer's needs and wants. It is a systematic approach that involves recording and analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data. Market research helps a business to identify a target market correctly and identify the gaps in potential consumer's expectations.

Here's how sales/marketing use market research:

Increased Closed Sales/Moves Opened Numerous National Accounts / Business to Business Sales Market Research Implementing Marketing Strategies Ran DOT/Safety Program for Drivers
Conduct market research for identifying prospective customers, Analyze demographic data to aid marketing decision making.

12. SEO

Here's how sales/marketing use seo:

Targeted SEO keywords were used to determine phrases based used on social networks to target a specific group of potential clientele.
Assisted in site content, imagery and layout of newly redesigned responsive website, to drive traffic and increase SEO.

13. Account Management

The process of strengthening the relationship between a company and client is called account management. Effective account management has two key objectives, one is to retain loyal customers and the second one is to help the company grow by creating connections with new customers.

Here's how sales/marketing use account management:

Customized benefit plans, transitioned new / existing businesses, performed ongoing account management, monitored and educated new members.
Maintained current accounts and provided support to corporate offices, earning a reputation for exceptional account management.

14. Retail Sales

Retail sales are the method to track consumer demand for finished goods by assessing the purchases of durable and non-durable products over a definite period. Data on retail sales is accumulated monthly by the U.S. Bureau of the Census.

Here's how sales/marketing use retail sales:

Developed short-term and long-term marketing plans, organized monthly promotions and worked closely with distributor representatives at regional retail sales events.
Retail Sales Merchandiser/Route Manager/Territory Sales Representative >2010-Present Work independently to service all designated stores within my territory.

15. 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 sales/marketing use cold calls:

Identify, establish, and develop new business opportunities through networking opportunities, cold calling and canvassing specific targeted location.
Conducted cold call, created individualized Surety Bond packets designed to generate business.

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What skills help Sales/Marketing find jobs?

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

What skills stand out on sales/marketing resumes?

Adry S. Clark Ph.D.

Director, Western Oregon University

The skills that stand out on resumes fall into two categories: 1) Skills required to do the job and 2) Skills almost all employers look for. The most important aspect of resumes is to make sure it reflects exactly what the employer needs. Study the job description, identify key skills, and have them reflected on your resume. Think about transferrable skills, not the specific roles you've had.

Most employers look for skills such as communication (written/oral), flexibility, proactivity, problem-solving, project management, and technical. Make sure to cultivate those skills in whatever role you have, and have examples that demonstrate those skills.

What soft skills should all sales/marketings possess?

Andrea Dixon Ph.D.

Executive Director, Center for Professional Selling, Frank and Floy Smith Holloway Endowed Professorship in Marketing, President, University Sales Center Alliance 2019-2021, Baylor University

Since sales professionals have a lot of information available to them today via customer relationship management (CRM) systems, the sales manager's "supervisory" role is less important (especially for experienced sellers). Consequently, the sales manager needs to be more of a coach and enabler of high performance. Having confidence balanced with humility allows the sales manager to engage more effectively with their salespeople.
One of the critical soft skills for sales managers going forward will be the ability to connect members of the sales team to others in the organization - in other words, the sales manager of the future needs to have strong skills in network building for others. Sellers have access to data which helps them build success.
They also need access to the right people to turn to when they need specific expertise or assistance.

What hard/technical skills are most important for sales/marketings?

Andrea Dixon Ph.D.

Executive Director, Center for Professional Selling, Frank and Floy Smith Holloway Endowed Professorship in Marketing, President, University Sales Center Alliance 2019-2021, Baylor University

One of the growing technical skill requirements for sales managers is in the area of data analytics. Our performance and customer systems provide a myriad of data, and the role of the sales manager is to be a sense-maker of that mound of data. What are the implications for changes in strategy or behavior evident in last quarter's activity? How can the sales manager help a specific seller "see" where the data suggest new approaches?

What sales/marketing skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Kaustav Misra Ph.D.

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 sales/marketings need?

Michael Mikitka

Executive Vice President, MHI – Material Handling Industry

Courses and internships are essential. While the required depth of knowledge may vary from one position to another, employers are generally looking for candidates with strong "people-related" skills, those who are willing to continue to learn, and those with the ability to be flexible and adapt.

By "people-related" skills, I mean the abilities associated with effective communication (listen and express ideas and direction) and the skills related to working independently and a team.

As for the interest to continually learn... from a technology, data, and equipment perspective, today's supply chain looks very different than it did 10-years ago. The willingness and ability to continually learn are essential for anyone in a leadership role.

As for flexibility and adapting...supply chain/logistics is as much about responding to disruption and demand as it is planning for it. There is a predictable demand (i.e., seasonal...everyone knows when back-to-school shopping begins). Then there is the unpredictable demand (i.e., power-outages, wildfires, pandemic) that impact market and the ability to operate. Candidates that express flexibility and problem-solving skills will be much sought-after.

What technical skills for a sales/marketing stand out to employers?

Dr. Miguel Olivas-Luján Ph.D.

Professor, Clarion University of Pennsylvania

Of course, there is variation across industries, but the long lockdown months have highlighted the need for skills that make telecommuting and work from home more efficient and effective. The ability to use not just technologies but also work habits that allow collaboration mediated by information and communication tools has only become more valuable. With this, I mean that it is important to use Zoom, Teams, Skype, and similar technologies, but even more than that, scheduling, collaboration, creative, professional-grade, and timely delivery (in the absence of face-to-face interaction) is vital. If a higher proportion of work-from-home becomes predominant (as many commentators expect), these skills are likely to differentiate high-performers from their counterparts.

Do you want to know more?

List of sales/marketing skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a sales/marketing resume and required skills for a sales/marketing to have include:

Customer Relations
Customer Service
Digital Marketing
Product Knowledge
Business Development
Facebook
Instagram
Real Estate
Twitter
Trade Shows
Market Research
SEO
Account Management
Retail Sales
Cold Calls
Product Line

Customer Inquiries
Sales Process
POS
Enterprise Sales
Outbound Calls
Sales Presentations
PowerPoint
Sales Reports
Direct Sales
Product Development
Windows
Sales Strategies
Event Planning
Store Management
ROI
Product Sales

Business Relationships
Business Sales
Sales Techniques
Press Releases
Client Relationships
HR
Business Plan
Inventory Control
Local Businesses
Retail Store
Annuities
Search Engine Marketing
Expense Reports
Sales Volume
Grocery Store
QuickBooks

Updated January 8, 2025

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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