Pick a simple template that highlights sales results and pipeline work. Use a reverse-chronological layout so your recent quota-carrying roles show first. That layout reads well for hiring managers and parses easily for Applicant Tracking Systems.
Keep length short. One page suits most Sales Development Manager candidates with under 10 years of experience. Use two pages only if you led teams, ran large programs, or have relevant metrics across many roles.
Use plain, ATS-friendly fonts like Calibri or Arial. Set body text to 10–12pt and headers to 14–16pt. Keep consistent margins and line spacing so each section breathes.
Structure your content with clear headings: Contact, Summary, Experience, Metrics, Skills, Education, and Certifications. Put quantifiable achievements at the top of each role. Start bullets with action verbs and include numbers (pipeline value, meeting rate, conversion uplift).
Avoid fancy columns, images, or embedded charts. Those elements can break parsing and clutter your page. Use bold and simple separators to guide the eye instead of heavy colors or icons.
Watch common mistakes. Don't cram dense paragraphs; use short bullets. Don't list every task; focus on outcomes. Don't use unusual fonts or headers like "What I Do"; keep standard section titles for clarity.