Account Executive Resume Examples [2 Samples & Writing Guide]

Account executives play important roles in organizations as they work directly with customers and learn more about their goals before implementing the right strategies. These professionals ensure that clients’ expectations and general quotas are met, contributing to the profitability and overall success of the organization. In some companies, they oversee teams that ensure the timely delivery of products and services.

Today’s article aims to help you land an account executive role by looking at one of the most important documents in job applications- the resume. A good resume should tell the interviewer who you are, your education, work experience, skills, and certifications, all required for hiring decision-making. The first part of the article delves deeper into this role by looking at the roles and responsibilities and the accompanying requirements. Let’s get started!

Account Executive Job Description

Account executives work in the public relations department of financial, pharmaceutical, and related companies as the point of contact between customers and internal teams. These excellent communicators generate sales opportunities, plan, and coordinate account activities, and regularly report on account statuses.

Owing to the above-mentioned responsibilities, an account executive requires excellent organizational and communication skills to succeed. A high intellectual curiosity is also necessary to identify hidden growth potential and gaps.

Account Executive Roles and Responsibilities

• Networking with industry experts and professionals to discover new sales opportunities
• Forming long-term partnerships after networking with different clients and professionals
• Drafting properly researched and detailed business plans for goal attainment
• Safely negotiating agreements and keeping records of both data and sales
• Understanding and meeting client needs by being in regular contact with them
• Assessing clients’ complaints and providing solutions
• Ensuring that issues are resolved to customer satisfaction in collaboration with other staff members
• Effectively managing the sales cycle, which generally begins with client identification and ends at deal sealing
• Presenting products and company’s offerings to prospective buyers
• Regularly attending trade shows and hosting successful customer events
• Developing ideas worthy of delivering sales results by collaborating with key decision makers.
• Offering quality after-sales support to bring in more Custer’s and inspire customer loyalty
• Regularly communicating with clients and obtaining information about budgets, timelines, and scope of projects
• Regularly meeting with other account executives to discuss goals, progress, and outcomes of different projects
• Using a web-based CRM system to report and record all sales activities
• Participating in the development of timelines and budgets in the company of engagement
• Effectively coordinating teams to meet project goals and milestones
• Following up on prospects through different channels such as email and phone
• Drafting and presenting bids and proposals to prospective clients
• Organizing virtual demonstrations to woe prospects
• Regularly cold calling businesses to prospect new sales
• Ensuring that customers receive excellent service by regularly organizing client meetings
• Building strategies to implement projects, thus enhancing the company’s performance
• Communicating requirements, deadlines, and client goals to employers

Account Executive Required Knowledge and Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Working knowledge of customer relationship management software
• Comprehensive knowledge of company products and services as well as industry trends
• Readiness to learn systems
• Excellent negotiation skills
• Excellent computer skills
• In-depth knowledge of sales, market research, and negotiation strategies
• Strong business acumen
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Outstanding organizational skills
• Excellent time-management skills
• High levels of enthusiasm
• Ability to build lasting relationships
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to work in team settings
• Ability to multitask effectively
• Ability to work well under pressure
• Account management skills
• Sales skills
• Budget management skills

Account Executive Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, or a related field
• Proven experience in an administrative role that requires direct reporting to management
• Experience working on team settings
• Extensive experience building on existing relationships
• Experience using customer relationship management software
• Experience overseeing expenses and budgets
• Experience developing filing systems and internal processes

Account Executive Salary

According to Glassdoor, the average base pay for account executives is roughly $62,000, which is white commendable. On top of that, their additional payments can total $31,000+, bringing their average pay to $93,000+. Senior account executives earn more, with some companies parting with $110,000+ yearly in salaries. It is also worth noting that lead account executives’ salary is estimated at $89,000 or thereabout.

Account Executive CV Example 1

Account Executive CV Example 2

Account Executive Resume Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which Certifications Should I Pursue a Richer Resume?

The right certifications will help you remain competitive in a highly skilled market. More often than not, you need something extra on top of your academic qualifications to capture the hiring manager’s attention. These act as proof or validation of knowledge, elevating you in the job market. Here are a few:

• Certified Sales Professional (CSP), which covers consultative selling, business creation, prospecting, goal setting, time management, and territory management.
• Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) program, offered by the American Marketing Association, enhances your marketing skills and highlights your achievements in the marketing world
• Certified Management Accountant (CMA), an advanced certification that proves the existence of adequate accounting and financial management skills needed for business performance
• International Accredited Business Accountant Certification (IABA) by the Accreditation Council for Accountancy, which proves adequate theoretical and practical knowledge in professionals.

Other certifications worth considering include Accreditation in Public Relations, Accredited Business Communicator, Certified Blockchain & Digital Marketing Professional, Program Management Professional, Customer Service Representative Certification and Certified International Trade Professional, among others.

2. Which Technical Skills Should I Include in My Resume?

Technical skills refer to the specific job-related skills and expertise required for task execution. A good resume should have many of these skills owing to their mandatory nature. Here are a few that you can include for better results: Excellent sales skills, excellent budgeting skills, strong account management skills, ability to plan effectively, excellent project management skills, outstanding forecasting skills, familiarity with social media/ excellent social media skills, in-depth understanding of proficiency in the Microsoft Suite program, e.g., Word, PowerPoint, Excel, excellent presentation skills, excellent marketing skills, and cold calling.

Other Skills worth including in your resume include outstanding advertising skills, program management (not mandatory), customer service skills, customer relationship management skills, client management skills, proficiency in Salesforce, business development skills, and product knowledge.

3. Which Are the Best Keywords for an Account Executive Resume?

Try optimizing your resume by using the right keywords as much as possible. These are often job-related terms, skills, and tools to be captured in your skill and work experience sections to tell the interviewer that you understand what the job entails. Here are a few: sales experience, sales support, B2B sales, public relations, customer relationship management, account management, inside sales, deal closing, recruiting, sales and marketing, social media, scheduling, collaboration, account management, MS Office, relationship management, forecasting, lead generation, mentoring, digital, vendor management, project management, and analysis.

Additional keywords include SaaS, client, advertising, quota, businesses, territory, prospecting, platform, revenue, B2B, solution, etc. Make sure that these keywords are spaced well to give your resume an original and not generic look.

4. How Can I Become an Account Executive?

The first step to becoming an account executive and landing your dream job is getting the right academic qualification, which in this case can be a Bachelor’s degree in Business, Sales, Marketing or any relevant field. Once you have the degree, focus on getting adequate experience. Get a client-facing role to explore the practical aspects of the job. Another great idea will be looking for an internship position if you aren’t lucky enough to get an entry-level job.

As your career progresses, remember to pursue the right certifications and licenses. Also, focus on creating a proven track record of scaling accounts and closing deals, which every account executive needs.

5. How Can I Improve My Account Management Skills?

Work on improving your account management skills for a thriving career. First, prioritize relationship building by maintaining a clear sense of the big picture, then work on becoming an excellent liaison, given that you serve as the point of contact between clients and business. Other proven means of building account management skills include: being proactive, understanding your clients, being highly reliable, staying future-oriented, having clear action plans, working closely with others, using communication to build trust, and being collaborative.

Also, enroll in as many programs as possible and get the right certifications to hone your account management skills.