Previously, we shared a “Getting Hired Blueprint” for Real Estate development professionals. The support and feedback on this blueprint was strong, so we have decided to launch a similar guide for the other industries we recruit within. If interested, you can download a free copy of the Real Estate Development guide ici.
Part 1 of 2
This guide is built on a similar structure from the last but tailored specifically for building materials sales professionals who want practical, actionable ways to improve their job search and find their next best role.
This is not generic career advice. It is based on how sales hiring decisions are actually made in the building materials industry.
This is Part 1 of a 2 part installment. In Part 2, we will release a free downloadable guide that brings everything together into a step-by-step framework you can use immediately.
What We Will Share:
How to position yourself clearly for hiring managers
Tips for improving resume response rates
How to strengthen your LinkedIn visibility
Way to better perform in sales interviews
Highlight common mistakes to avoid that stall strong candidates
Position Yourself With Clarity
Strong candidates shape how the market sees them before they apply.
Here are actions you can take today:
1. Define Your Professional “Value Statement”
Write a short positioning statement you can use in your resume, LinkedIn, emails, and interviews.
Format it like this: “I help [customer segment] solve [problem] by delivering [result].”
Examples:
“I help dealer and contractor partners expand their exterior cladding portfolios by delivering reliable supply and specification support that drives share growth.”
“I help regional builders reduce cycle times by aligning material supply with project milestone commitments.”
Action Today:
Write 2 versions of your value statement using this template.
2. Clarify Your Market and Channel Focus
Too many candidates skip this. Hiring managers form quick mental models about your fit.
Answer these questions concisely:
Which channels am I strongest in? (ex. Dealer, Distributor, Builder, Remodeler, Architect / Specifier, etc…)
Where is my territory focus? (ex. Regional, National, Key account, etc…)
What product families do I sell?
Action Today:
Add this wording to the top of your resume and LinkedIn About section: “I sell [products] into [channels] across [geography].”
3. Identify Your Competitive Advantage
You need a simple way to say why you win.
Ask yourself:
Do customers buy because of my product knowledge?
Is it because of my follow-through?
Do I win on urgency, priority, or service?
Action Today:
Write one sentence answer to: “What makes me someone customers choose over competitors?”
Examples:
“Customers choose me because I translate technical product features into contractor value.”
“I win by matching priorities to project timelines and removing barriers early.”
4. Test Your Positioning With Peers
You learn clarity when you explain out loud.
Action Today:
Share your top positioning statement with:
A trusted colleague
A mentor
A sales peer
Ask: Does this describe me? Is this credible? Would it make you hire me?
Resume Tips for Building Materials Sales
Hiring managers skim resumes in under 10 seconds. Your goal is to make it clear, credible, and compelling without forcing them to guess.
Here are specific actions you can take today to improve your sales resume.
1. Start With a Clear Headline
Your resume headline is the first thing a recruiter sees.
Make it specific.
Weak = Sales Professional
Strong = Building Materials Territory Sales Representative | Dealer & Builder Channels | Western Canada
Action Today:
Update your headline to state:
Your role
Primary channels
Territory or product focus
This helps hiring managers instantly understand fit.
2. Add a Professional Summary That Positions You
Use your professional “Value Statement” defined above and build upon it.
Your summary should answer:
What you sell
Who you sell to
How you perform
Use quantification when possible.
Example “Building materials sales professional with 10+ years driving revenue growth in dealer and builder channels. Grew territory revenue 28% year over year and opened 45+ key accounts across Western Canada.”
Action Today:
Write a 2–3 sentence summary that includes:
Product focus
Channels served
Top results
3. Write Quantified, Results-Driven Bullets
Numbers reduce ambiguity. Structure improves readability. You need both.
Hiring managers scan quickly. Every bullet should show impact.
Use this format:
Action verb + context + measurable result + timeframe
Examples:
Expanded dealer network by 18 accounts, increasing territory revenue 24% in 12 months
Grew sales from $4.5M to $6.3M across Western Canada
Exceeded quota by 22% in FY25 across 42 active accounts
Retained 96% of top 30 accounts during supply disruption
Include metrics such as:
Revenue growth in dollars or percentage
New accounts opened
Sales vs quota
Retention rates
Territory performance
Avoid:
“Responsible for managing…”
Vague terms like “strong performance”
Activity lists without outcomes
Action Today:
Rewrite 3 bullets using the formula above and add at least one number to each.
What’s Coming in Part 2
In early March, we will release Part 2 along with the free downloadable Getting Hired Blueprint for Building Materials Sales.
Part 1 covered:
How to position yourself clearly for hiring managers
Tips for improving resume response rates
We will cover in Part 2:
How to strengthen your LinkedIn visibility
Way to better perform in sales interviews
Highlight common mistakes to avoid that stall strong candidates
How to evaluate compensation structures properly
How to navigate offers and counteroffers
The guide will bring the full framework together into one practical resource you can use throughout your search.
If You Are Actively Exploring
If you are currently considering a move, you can:
Review the building materials roles we are actively recruiting for ici.
Sign up for personalized job alerts here.
Connect directly with one of our Building Materials consultants to discuss your positioning, compensation expectations, and the current market
Subscribe to our monthly Building Materials newsletter
Even if you are not ready to move immediately, a short conversation can give you clarity on where you stand.
Strong careers are rarely built by accident.
Prepare early. Position clearly. Move strategically.
