Sales Manager / AE Resume Guide: 2026 Market Snapshot
How to build a resume that actually ranks, based on live analysis of Sales Manager / AE hiring trends.
Data sourced from analysis of 289 recent job listings (rolling 90-day window). Updated weekly.
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Most Required Skills
Frequency in recent job listings
Remote Opportunities
64%
of listings offer remote/hybrid options
Experience Demand
Recommended Certifications
- Salesforce Certified AdministratorSalesforce
- HubSpot Sales SoftwareHubSpot
- Sandler Sales TrainingSandler
- MEDDPICC MasterclassVarious
Essential Tool Stack
CRM System
Engagement
Intelligence & AI
Closing
How to Structure a High-Scoring Resume (Data Patterns)
Summary (The Hook)
Start with Quota. 'Enterprise AE exceeding quota 4 years consecutively (125% avg)'. Revenue is the only metric that matters.
Experience
Every role must list: Quota Amount, Application %, Average Deal Size (ACV). Without these, you are invisible.
Methodology
Name check your system. 'Applied Challenger Sale model to displace legacy competitor'. Shows you are trained and repeatable.
Common Rejection Signals Detected in ATS Scans
Our data shows these outdated skills and patterns are negatively correlated with callback rates.
Resume Killers: What to Avoid
If you don't list quota attainment, recruiters assume < 50%. Even 85% is better than silence. Transparency builds trust.
'Tasked with cold calling' is failing. 'Generated $1.2M pipeline via cold calling' is winning. Outcome over Output.
Modern sales is technical. Mention 'Sales Navigator', 'Gong', 'Outreach'. If you only list 'Phone', you look outdated.
Everyone says this. Prove it with 'Expanded account by 250% via X/Y/Z upsell strategy'.
Common Questions about Sales Manager / AE Resumes
Base vs OTE?
List OTE in the recruiter screen, not usually on resume. Listing 'Revenue Closed' ($2M ARR) implies your earnings bracket effectively.
What if I missed quota?
Contextualize. 'Top 10% of region (90% attainment vs 70% avg)'. Relative performance matters more than absolute during downturns.
Jumped jobs too much?
Sales is high turnover. If < 18 months, list 'Reason for leaving' if structural (e.g., 'Company Acquired', 'RIF'). Performance wins all arguments.
SaaS vs Medical vs Finance?
Process transfers, Rolodex does not. Highlight 'Net New Logo Hunting' skills to bridge industry gaps.
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