If you're applying for a Business Development Representative (BDR) role, your resume is your foot in the door. It’s not just a list of your past experience, it’s a pitch.
And sales leaders, especially those hiring BDRs, know a good pitch when they see one.
We asked a group of top-performing sales managers and VPs what they really look for when reviewing BDR resumes. Whether you're a recent grad or a few years into your sales career, these insights will help you craft a resume that gets noticed.
1. A Clear, Concise Summary That Shows Intent
Hiring managers want to know: Why sales? And why now?
"I look for a one-sentence summary at the top that tells me this person wants to be in sales," says Emma K., VP of Sales at a mid-market SaaS company. "If I get the sense they're applying to 20 different types of roles, I'm moving on."
What to write:
"Motivated recent grad passionate about tech and driven by sales targets, seeking a BDR role to kickstart a high-impact sales career." (Add a bit of your own personality)
2. Metrics That Prove Hustle and Grit
Sales is a numbers game. Your resume should be, too.
Even if you haven't held a formal sales role, include numbers that demonstrate performance, growth, or output:
- Number of cold calls made per day/week
- Pipeline generated (even if not closed)
- Percent of quota achieved
- Deals passed to Account Executives
- CRM hygiene metrics (e.g. data accuracy, speed to lead)
"If a candidate shows me they made 70+ calls per day for 3 months straight, I’ll always take the interview," says Jason L., a Sales Manager at a Series B startup.
3. Relevant Experience — Even If It’s Not in Sales
Don’t discount your past experience just because it wasn’t in tech sales.
Did you work in retail or hospitality? Highlight how you dealt with objections, persuaded customers, or hit upsell targets. Volunteer fundraising? That’s cold outreach.
"I love seeing resumes where the person draws a line from past experience to selling," says Neha S., Director of Business Development at a fintech company. "It shows they understand transferable skills."
As the saying goes, "sales is sales" regardless of the industry.
4. Familiarity With Tools, Especially CRM, Lead Gen & Outreach Platforms
Sales leaders want ramp-up to be fast. Listing tools you’ve used signals readiness.
Include a short section called Tools & Platforms and list:
- Salesforce, HubSpot, Outreach, SalesLoft, ZoomInfo, LinkedIn Sales Navigator
- Dialers or VoIP systems (e.g. Aircall, RingCentral)
- Email automation platforms (e.g. Mixmax, Mailshake)
Pro tip: If your previous or current employer doesn't use these tools, get free trials and learn the basics so you can honestly list them.
5. A Layout That Reflects Sales Thinking
Think about your resume like a cold email. It should be:
- Easy to skim (use bullet points)
- Prioritized (most relevant info first)
- Clear on the value proposition (why you?)
Avoid dense paragraphs or vague buzzwords like “team player” or “hardworking.” Instead, lead with impact:
"Generated $250K in qualified pipeline in under 60 days through outbound calls and personalized email campaigns."
6. Enthusiasm Without Desperation
Hiring managers want to see hunger, not neediness.
Use active language: “Eager to grow in a fast-paced sales environment,” not “Looking for any opportunity to get started.”
One suggests momentum; the other signals uncertainty.
7. Bonus Points: Side Projects or Learning Initiatives
If you've taken initiative to learn sales outside of a job, include it. You can mention:
- Completed sales courses (LinkedIn Learning, Aspireship)
- Participated in sales bootcamps or university clubs
- Created outreach scripts or shadowed a rep
"BDRs who are self-starters and show initiative before getting the role, will usually be self-starters in the actual role," says Olivia M., a Director of Sales Enablement.
Final Takeaway: Make Your Resume Sell You
Sales managers are busy. They want to know quickly if you can:
- Communicate clearly
- Work hard and persistently
- Show results
Your resume should reflect those same qualities. Make it sharp, numbers-driven, and tailored to the BDR role. When in doubt, ask yourself: "Would I respond to this pitch?"