How to Actually Stand Out When Applying for a Sales Job (and What Not to Do)

Let’s get real: applying for a sales job is itself a sales process. You're selling you—your experience, your potential, your drive—and if you can’t do that well in the hiring process, why should anyone believe you’ll close deals for them?

Too many sales professionals shoot themselves in the foot with lazy applications, generic resumes, and passive approaches. On the flip side, great candidates turn heads, spark interest, and leave hiring managers thinking, “This is exactly who we’ve been looking for.”

Here's how to do that—and the rookie mistakes to avoid.

✅ DO: Customize Your Resume Like a Targeted Cold Email

Generic resumes get generic results. If you're applying for a role in enterprise SaaS, your resume should scream enterprise SaaS.

What to include:

• Relevant industry and product experience
• Metrics that matter (e.g., “Grew ARR by $2.3M in 12 months”)
• Role-specific keywords that match the job description
• Tech tools and CRM proficiency (yes, hiring managers check this)

Pro tip: Use a tool like Jobscan to tailor your resume to the posting. It’s like using call analytics—except on your job app.

✅ DO: Write a Killer Cover Letter That Shows You’ve Done the Homework

Most cover letters suck because they could apply to literally any job. Great cover letters prove you understand the specific company, product, market, and pain points—and show exactly how you fit.

Include:

• A short paragraph on why this company interests you
• A sentence or two explaining how your background aligns with this role
• A clear reference to the company’s mission, market, or product offering
• One strong example of a relevant achievement (ideally with numbers)

Example line:

“Your focus on disrupting legacy procurement tech reminds me of my time at VendorGrid, where I grew our client base in the Midwest by 58% in under a year.”

✅ DO: Follow Up Like You Would on a Sales Lead

You wouldn’t pitch a client once and then wait a week to see if they buy. So why would you apply and go silent?

Instead:

• Send a short follow-up email 3-4 days after applying
• Reaffirm your interest, attach your resume again, and express enthusiasm
• If you really want the role, send a 60-second video introducing yourself and explaining why you’re excited about the company
• Consider reaching out to key stakeholders—like the VP of Sales or Sales Enablement Lead—with a short, polite, and relevant message

✅ DO: Highlight Sales Performance Like You Would in a Case Study

Hiring managers don’t just want effort—they want proof.

Include:

• Closed-won stats
• Quota attainment % (especially if over 100%)
• Notable logos or industries you’ve sold into
• Sales cycles and average deal sizes
• Channels (inbound/outbound, BDR-sourced, self-sourced)

Example bullet:

• Sourced and closed 14 net-new mid-market accounts in 2023, exceeding quota by 132%, with an average deal size of $46K.

✅ DO: Make It Clear You’re in It for the Long Haul

Sales turnover is brutal. Over 35% of salespeople leave their jobs each year, and companies are desperate to hire reps who plan to stick around.

State this clearly in your letter or interview:

“I’m actively seeking a sales role where I can grow, contribute, and commit for years to come.”

This line alone can help you stand out from the wave of resume-hoppers and job-hoppers.

✅ DO: Get Creative—But Stay Professional

Want to rise above the noise? Go beyond the basics.

Try:

• A short Loom video introducing yourself and your sales philosophy
• A mini one-pager on “How I’d ramp up in my first 90 days”
• A reference quote or short testimonial from a past manager, right on your resume
• A custom LinkedIn post tagging the company, explaining why you’re excited about the opportunity

Anything that shows effort, creativity, and insight will position you as a high-value candidate—especially in crowded roles.

❌ DON’T: Spray and Pray

Sending the same resume and cover letter to 40 different companies? You’re wasting your time. Hiring managers can smell generic from a mile away.

❌ DON’T: Leave Out the Metrics

This is sales. If you don’t include numbers, you look like someone who doesn’t know—or doesn’t care—about results.

❌ DON’T: Be Passive in Your Communication

Silence doesn’t win jobs. Follow up. Make contact. Show initiative. Just don’t be annoying—2 to 3 touchpoints is plenty.

❌ DON’T: Pretend to Be Someone You’re Not

If you’ve been in SMB sales your whole life, don’t pretend you’re an enterprise closer. Instead, talk about your wins and why you're ready to stretch.

✅ Final Thought: Sell Yourself Like You’d Sell a Product You Believe In

The best salespeople treat the job hunt the same way they treat a high-stakes deal: with research, preparation, and genuine enthusiasm.

You're not just another resume in the stack. You're a high-performance, revenue-generating asset—and if you position yourself right, the right company will see it too.

So go get it. Just remember to follow up.