What are the most important SDR resume keywords?

The top keywords are Cold Calling, Lead Generation, Prospecting, Salesforce, Outreach, and Objection Handling.

Do I need experience to be an SDR?

Not necessarily. Focus on transferable skills like Communication, Resilience, Research, and 'Hunter Mentality'.

What is the difference between SDR and Sales Manager keywords?

SDR keywords focus on 'Opening' (prospecting, qualifying), while Manager keywords focus on 'Closing' and Strategy.

☎️ Want to break into Tech Sales?

The Sales Development Representative (SDR) role is the #1 entry point into the lucrative world of software sales.

But the competition is fierce. To get hired, your resume needs to speak the language of "The Grind" - proving you have the grit, tools, and skills to hunt for new business.

This guide covers the exact tech stack and keywords hiring managers look for in top-tier SDRs.

👉 Test Your SDR Resume for Keywords - Free

Why SDR Keywords Are Unique

An SDR (Sales Development Representative) or BDR (Business Development Representative) has one job: Generate Qualified Leads.

You are not "managing accounts" or "negotiating contracts" (yet). You are hunting.

If your resume focuses too much on "Customer Service" or "Relationship Building," you might look like an Account Manager, not a hunter. Hiring managers want to see keywords related to volume, activity, and outbound effort.

Top 10 SDR Resume Keywords (2026)

If you only use 10 keywords, use these. They define the modern SDR role.

Rank	Keyword	Why It Matters
1	Cold Calling	The core of the job. Don't hide it.
2	Prospecting	Finding new customers from scratch.
3	Lead Generation	The result of your work.
4	Salesforce (CRM)	The industry standard database.
5	Outreach / Salesloft	The top sales engagement platforms.
6	Objection Handling	Turning a "No" into a "Maybe".
7	Lead Qualification	Knowing who is a good fit (and who isn't).
8	Pipeline Management	Keeping your opportunities organized.
9	LinkedIn Sales Navigator	How you find people to contact.
10	Email Campaigns	Writing cold emails that get opened.

The SDR Tech Stack: Tools You Must List

Tech sales recruiters look for "plug-and-play" candidates. If you know their software stack, you save them training time.

CRM (Customer Relationship Management)

Salesforce (Must have)
HubSpot
Pipedrive

Sales Engagement (Email/Dialer)

Outreach
Salesloft
Apollo.io
ZoomInfo (Data provider)

LinkedIn Sales Navigator
Social Selling
Personal Branding

Metrics That Matter for SDRs

SDR is a numbers game. Your resume should be packed with data.

Average Dials/Day: "Averaged 80+ cold calls per day."
Meetings Booked: "Booked 15+ demo calls per month for Account Executives."
Email Open Rates: "Optimized cold email sequences achieving a 45% open rate."
Quota Attainment: "Hit 110% of monthly quota for 3 consecutive quarters."

Soft Skills: The "Hunter Mentality"

Beyond the tools, managers hire for attitude. Use these keywords to describe your work ethic.

Resilience (Handling rejection)
Active Listening (Understanding pain points)
Coachability (Willingness to learn)
Grit / Tenacity (Not giving up)
Curiosity (Asking the right questions)
Time Management (Balancing calls, emails, and research)

Resume Bullet Examples: Entry-Level vs. Experienced

❌ Weak Example

"Responsible for making phone calls to potential clients."

✅ Optimized Example (Experienced SDR)

"Executed high-volume Outbound Prospecting strategy, averaging 60 Cold Calls and 40 Emails daily, resulting in 15 Qualified Leads (SQLs) per month and generating $250k in Pipeline."

❌ Weak Example (No Experience / Career Switcher)

"Worked in retail, selling clothes to customers."

✅ Optimized Example (Career Switcher)

"Leveraged Consultative Selling techniques to identify customer needs, consistently exceeding monthly Sales Targets by 15% and demonstrating Resilience in a fast-paced environment."

FAQ

Q: Is SDR the same as BDR?

A: Usually, yes. SDR (Sales Development Rep) often focuses on inbound leads, while BDR (Business Development Rep) focuses on pure outbound hunting. However, the keywords (Cold Calling, CRM, Prospecting) are almost identical. Use both terms if possible.

Q: What if I've never used Salesforce?

A: Watch a free 30-minute tutorial on YouTube and list "Salesforce (Knowledge)" on your resume. Shows initiative.

Q: Should I put "Cold Calling" on my resume?

A: YES. Many candidates are scared of the phone. Listing it prominently shows you are fearless and ready to work.

Ready to Hunt?

The SDR role is your gateway to a six-figure career in tech sales. But first, you have to sell yourself.

🚀 Scan Your Resume with our Free ATS Checker to ensure your resume proves you are a top-tier hunter.