Resume writing is a relatively easy way to make money for most writers. Some actually specialize in this often-needed service and become full-time resume writers.

In most major metropolitan areas there is always a need for resume writers. The going price at this writing is $50-$75 for updating and rewriting an existing resume, and $100-$150 and up for writing one from scratch. Don't forget the Cover Letter either. Some writers charge extra for that.

There are many different types of resumes. A major distinction is between CHRONOLOGICAL and FUNCTIONAL resumes.

• CHRONOLOGICAL RESUME is one in which you list your accomplishments and work history in chronological order.

However, if your work history has big holes or if you have changed jobs too often in the past, you might want to try a

• FUNCTIONAL RESUME which stresses your main skills, achievements, and strengths regardless of the chronology.

A word on “voice” -- never use the personal pronoun when listing your work experience and accomplishments. Most professional resumes use a non-personal voice.

EXAMPLE: “BIG TENT FORD, 2005-2006: I have sold 250 cars in 2005.”

BETTER: “BIG TENT FORD, 2005-2006: Sold 250 cars in 2005.”

Sales Resume follows the main resume pattern.

First, on the very top, you need to have full NAME and CONTACT INFORMATION including address, phone number(s), web address (if any) and e-mail.

Second comes the OBJECTIVE of the resume. Why are you writing this resume? Which SPECIFIC JOB your client is applying for?

EXAMPLE: “My goal is to find a good job in a cutting-edge sales organization.” This is not specific enough.

BETTER: “SPECIFIC GOAL: To contribute to the success of XYZ Honda in Anytown, Pennsylvania as a Sales Manager leading a sales force of 16 sales professionals in the New and Used Car showrooms.”

Third comes the WORK EXPERIENCE and SKILLS block.

Remember, in a sales organization you are as good as the last item you've sold. Nobody cares about your diploma really unless the job is at managerial position and requires certain certifications and diplomas.

What matters is how much you can sell and how much money you can make for the organization. Period. In that sense a sales organization is one of the most democratic institutions ever invented.

So while itemizing your past experience it's not enough just to mention the dates and places. You also need to give detailed answers in your client's resume to the following important questions.

7 Questions You Should Answer for Every Sales Position Held in the Past

1) How many units did your client sell? Within what kind of a time-frame? Give a total or per-month number. Select the one that looks more impressive.

EXAMPLE: “Crystal Motors. Sold 26 cars a month between February 1996 and March 2001.”

2) How much money did your client generate?

EXAMPLE: “Sold $ 18 million worth of new homes within 9 months that I worked for Bonanza Realty of XYZ, Arizona.”

3) How did your client rank among his/her co-workers?

EXAMPLE: “Sold $ 18 million worth of new homes within 9 months that I worked for Bonanza Realty of XYZ, Arizona and won the Top Lister of the Year award from Arizona Realtors Association.”

4) Did your client introduce a new sales technique or campaign? Did he/she make a difference for the organization?

EXAMPLE: “Introduced the revolutionary Hub-Contact method of prospecting through which I build up a prospect list of 124,000 California life-insurance holders within 11 months.”

5) Did your client have any managerial responsibilities and accomplishments?

EXAMPLE: “Promoted as Regional Sales Manager of SuperClean Vacuums in May 2002 and led a team force of 236 in 4 Mid-Atlantic states. The team sold $2 million worth of vacuum cleaners in 2002-2003 and then doubled that amount in 2003-2004, earning the President's Club Special Sales Award.”

6) Did your client have any COMPLEMENTARY SKILLS that the prospective employer should know about?

EXAMPLE: “Finished Columbia School of Accounting in 2003 by attending night-classes and received Sales Financing Associate diploma. Have helped the Finance Department by finalizing the customer paperwork when needed.”

EXAMPLE: “Served two years with the Marines. Accomplished life-long hunter and NRA member. That background helped garner the top rank as XYZ salesman in Kansas for the last five years.”

EXAMPLE: “Mother of three and the writer of a syndicated newspaper column on parenting helped excel as an XYZ consultant in Miami. Promoted to head a sales task force of 19 within 6 months after started working for Mega Corp.”

7) Did your client solve any specific problems for the sales organization?

EXAMPLE: “When sales dropped 46% in the general economic downturn of 2008, developed a buy-now-pay-later program that jumped sales by 28% in 3 months.”

EXAMPLE: “When sales tanked due to a supply-side bottleneck in 1999, arranged a supply deal with Supreme Filters Corp. of Canada and as a result sold 14 new Hydro Generators in 8 months to New York hospitals.”

Detailed documentation of such skills and accomplishments will get your client much close to that precious job interview.

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