Retail Sales Associate Resume Guide
Retail Sales Associates assist customers with their needs, including finding items, answering questions about products and services, processing payments and providing excellent customer service. They also play a critical role in helping to maintain the store’s appearance by stocking shelves, arranging displays and keeping merchandise organized.
Your sales and customer service skills make you a valuable asset to any retail business. But employers won’t know who you are unless they see your resume, so it’s important that you write one that stands out from the crowd.
This guide will walk you through the entire process of creating a top-notch resume. We first show you a complete example and then break down what each resume section should look like.
Table of Contents
The guide is divided into sections for your convenience. You can read it from beginning to end or use the table of contents below to jump to a specific part.
Retail Sales Associate Resume Sample
Max Medhurst
Retail Sales Associate
[email protected]
857-510-2052
linkedin.com/in/max-medhurst
Summary
Seasoned retail sales associate with 6+ years of experience delivering exceptional customer service and driving sales. Outstanding ability to build relationships, manage inventory levels, and ensure store operations run smoothly. Proven track record of increasing profits by 20% at XYZ Co through successful marketing campaigns and promotions. Seeking to join ABC Store as a retail sales associate to help drive further growth in the business.
Experience
Retail Sales Associate, Employer A
Aurora, Jan 2018 – Present
- Monitored and tracked inventory levels, restocking shelves as needed and ensuring that all items were properly labeled with accurate price tags; reduced shrinkage by 15%.
- Greeted customers upon entering the store, provided outstanding customer service while assisting them in locating specific products and answering any inquiries they had; increased sales revenue by 10% on average each month.
- Resourcefully identified potential opportunities to upsell additional products or services to customers based on their needs; successfully sold $4,000 worth of merchandise in a single day through targeted product recommendations.
- Achieved daily sales goals set by management for retail items such as clothing, kitchenware, accessories and toys; consistently exceeded targets every quarter since starting job 18 months ago.
- Promoted new releases from suppliers or special offers within the store via social media platforms & store displays which led to an increase of foot traffic into the shop totaling over 20+ per hour during peak times.
Retail Sales Associate, Employer B
Sioux Falls, Mar 2012 – Dec 2017
- Upsold over 500 customers on various products, services and special offers in the last quarter; singlehandedly increased retail sales revenue by $8,000.
- Prepared merchandise for display by arranging items according to size, color or type; created aesthetically pleasing window displays that attracted over 300 pedestrians a day.
- Efficiently managed stock levels of inventory across all store departments and restocked shelves as needed; reduced out-of-stock incidences by 45%.
- Informed customers about product features & benefits while adhering strictly to customer service standards at all times during interactions with clients.
- Balanced cash register drawers accurately at the end of each shift and ensured transactions were completed correctly per company policies & procedures.
Skills
- Time Management
- Teamwork
- Customer Satisfaction
- Retail Sales
- Merchandising
- Team Leadership
- Communication
- Visual Merchandising
- Social Networking
Education
High School Diploma
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
Certifications
Retail Sales Associate Certification
National Retail Federation
May 2017
1. Summary / Objective
A resume summary/objective for a retail sales associate should be concise yet informative. It should give the hiring manager an overview of your experience, skills, and accomplishments in customer service, product knowledge, and sales techniques. For example, you could mention how you consistently exceeded monthly sales targets at your current job or that you have extensive experience helping customers find the right products for their needs. You can also include any awards or recognition received while working as a retail sales associate to further demonstrate your expertise in this field.
Below are some resume summary examples:
Proficient retail sales associate with 5+ years of experience in customer-facing roles. Possesses excellent communication skills and the ability to work independently or as part of a team. At ABC Store, increased sales by 30% through effective upselling techniques and product knowledge training. Recognized for strong organizational skills and problem solving abilities while working with customers to ensure satisfaction.
Detail-oriented retail sales associate with 7+ years of experience in customer service. Experienced at upselling products and services to increase revenue for employers. At XYZ, achieved a 25% boost in individual store revenue due to effective sales strategies and product knowledge. Committed to providing the best possible shopping experience by offering excellent customer service that encourages repeat business.
Enthusiastic retail sales associate with 6+ years of experience in customer service and retail operations. Skilled at identifying customer needs, upselling products, and creating a positive shopping experience. At ABC department store boosted overall sales by 35% during the peak holiday season. Received “Employee of the Month” 3 times for consistently exceeding expectations and delivering outstanding results.
Dependable retail sales associate with 5+ years of experience in customer service, merchandising, and inventory management. Looking to join ABC Retail as a team member to help drive sales and foster positive relationships with customers. At XYZ Department Store achieved an average monthly sale increase of 12%, earning Employee of the Month recognition 6 times for outstanding customer satisfaction ratings.
Reliable and organized retail sales associate with 4+ years of experience in customer service, product knowledge and inventory management. Highly motivated to help grow ABC’s success by providing excellent customer service while meeting daily targets. Proven track record of increasing revenue through upselling and cross-selling techniques resulting in a 15% increase in store profits.
Hard-working retail sales associate with 5+ years of experience in customer service and retail environments. Proven track record of driving store profitability through excellent customer service and increasing sales. At XYZ, achieved a 50% increase in annual store revenue within two years. Received “Employee of the Month” award four times due to exemplary performance.
Energetic and outgoing retail sales associate with 3+ years of experience in high-end fashion boutiques. Proven track record of increasing revenue and customer satisfaction by providing excellent service, product knowledge, and personalized shopping experiences. Seeking to join ABC Boutique where my enthusiasm for fashion can be put to use in a fast-paced environment.
Skilled retail sales associate with 3+ years of retail experience in a fast-paced environment. Delivered exceptional customer service, resulting in increased customer retention and satisfaction by 20%. Seeking to join ABC store as the next Sales Associate where I can use my knowledge of product trends and excellent interpersonal skills to increase profits.
2. Experience / Employment
In the experience/employment/work history section, you should list your most recent role first and work backwards in reverse chronological order. Stick to bullet points when describing what you did, as this makes it easier for the reader to take in the information quickly.
When writing out each point, focus on providing detail and quantifiable results achieved. For example, instead of saying “Provided customer service,” say something like “Delivered excellent customer service that resulted in a 40% increase in repeat customers.”
To write effective bullet points, begin with a strong verb or adverb. Industry specific verbs to use are:
- Assisted
- Greeted
- Processed
- Operated
- Demonstrated
- Resolved
- Merchandised
- Stocked
- Upsold
- Balanced
- Trained
- Informed
- Monitored
- Advised
- Promoted
Other general verbs you can use are:
- Achieved
- Assessed
- Compiled
- Coordinated
- Developed
- Expedited
- Facilitated
- Formulated
- Improved
- Introduced
- Mentored
- Optimized
- Participated
- Prepared
- Presented
- Reduced
- Reorganized
- Represented
- Revised
- Spearheaded
- Streamlined
- Structured
- Utilized
Below are some example bullet points:
- Structured store layout and display shelves to maximize customer engagement, resulting in a 25% increase of sales within the first month.
- Trained new employees on store policies and procedures; coached colleagues on techniques for providing excellent customer service and closing sales transactions efficiently.
- Utilized point-of-sale systems to process purchases accurately, balance cash drawers at end of day shifts, and monitor inventory levels for restocking needs regularly.
- Stocked merchandise shelves daily according to established plans while ensuring pricing accuracy; effectively managed stock rotation with no discrepancies noted during audits conducted quarterly by corporate team members.
- Reliably served over 250 customers per shift while promoting special offers & discounts; consistently achieved highest customer satisfaction ratings among peers based on feedback received monthly from management staffs.
- Developed and implemented innovative sales strategies that increased customer satisfaction by 35% and boosted monthly revenue by $4,000.
- Revised store displays weekly to ensure visibility of new products; successfully drove an additional 3,500+ customers into the store over a 6-month period.
- Assessed customer needs accurately and provided professional advice on product selection; earned recognition for highest sales figures in the region for 5 consecutive months.
- Spearheaded promotional campaigns which resulted in a 15% rise in overall turnover within just two weeks of their launch date across all stores nationwide.
- Meticulously tracked inventory levels at all times to guarantee availability of popular items necessary to maximize profits during peak seasons or holidays periods with minimal stock outs issues reported.
- Streamlined the sales process for customers in a timely manner, resulting in an 8% increase in daily retail transactions.
- Reduced customer wait times by 20 minutes on average through efficient and friendly service; exceeded monthly sales quotas with 25+ new accounts acquired within 3 months of hire.
- Resolved complex customer inquiries regarding product features, availability and returns within 24 hours; maintained high levels of customer satisfaction at all times (97%).
- Processed payments via cash register accurately to the penny, handling over $15K worth of transactions per day without any discrepancies reported or losses incurred.
- Diligently organized store backroom stockrooms according to size/category while monitoring inventory levels carefully to prevent out-of-stock incidents from occurring (99% accuracy).
- Represented the retail store in a professional manner to over 200 customers daily, promoting products and services; increased sales revenue by 15% within the first 3 months.
- Optimized customer service operations with innovative approaches such as launching an online ordering system; reduced wait times for orders from 45 minutes to 25 minutes on average.
- Introduced new product lines each season, staying up-to-date on trends while informing clients of promotions and discounts available upon purchase; established relationships with 80+ regular customers during tenure at the store.
- Formulated efficient strategies for inventory management that minimized costs associated with storage and transport of goods; lowered overhead expenses by 10%.
- Accurately processed payments using cash registers or point-of-sale systems, reconciled discrepancies between physical stock count and computer records, handled returns/refunds when necessary throughout shift hours without errors or delays.
- Confidently assisted over 200 customers daily in the selection of merchandise, providing helpful advice to maximize sales and customer satisfaction; achieved a 20% increase in store revenue within 6 months.
- Advised customers on product features and pricing options while actively promoting special offers through upselling techniques; increased average sale per customer by 40%.
- Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills when handling complaints professionally, often leading to successful resolution without involving management or supervisors.
- Operated cash register quickly and accurately with minimal errors resulting in an average transaction time of 2 minutes for every 10 items sold; minimized long lines during peak hours at the checkout counter.
- Presented products attractively throughout the store using visual merchandising skills as well as maintained cleanliness standards that met company expectations at all times.
- Coordinated and managed the sales floor, overseeing 2-3 retail associates and maintaining a clean working environment; increased daily sales by 15%.
- Participated in training new employees on customer service standards, product knowledge and POS system operations; enabled staff to quickly become productive team members.
- Expedited checkout times by accurately ringing up customers’ purchases using the store’s point-of-sale (POS) systems while ensuring all transactions were completed according to company policies/procedures.
- Effectively resolved over 40 customer complaints per month with tactful communication techniques and conflict resolution skills that exceeded both store goals and client expectations.
- Mentored junior staff on proper stock management procedures such as unpacking inventory shipments, organizing shelves & displays, replenishing supplies etc.; reduced restocking time from 30 minutes to 10 minutes each shift.
- Successfully sold over $5,000 in merchandise every week by providing exemplary customer service and offering product advice to customers.
- Facilitated the daily operations of the store including opening/closing registers, restocking shelves and assisting with inventory control; assisted with increasing sales by 12% year-on-year.
- Improved customer satisfaction ratings through active listening skills, genuine enthusiasm for products sold in the store and following up on customer inquiries within 24 hours or less.
- Compiled weekly reports that tracked profit margins from individual sales associates as well as overall performance trends; delivered presentations to upper management highlighting areas for improvement based on these findings.
- Merchandised products onto shelves according to company standards ensuring an inviting shopping experience; implemented visual displays which resulted in an increase of impulse purchases by 11%.
3. Skills
The skillset employers require in an employee will likely vary, either slightly or significantly; skimming through their job adverts is the best way to determine what each is looking for. One organization may require the candidate to have experience with POS systems, while another may prefer someone familiar with customer service.
It is important to tailor your skills section of your resume for each job you are applying for because many companies use applicant tracking systems these days, which scan resumes and filter out those that don’t match their criteria.
You should also elaborate on some of the most important skills in other sections such as the summary or work history; this will help showcase how well-suited you are for a particular role.
Below is a list of common skills & terms:
- Cashiering
- Communication
- Customer Satisfaction
- Data Entry
- Merchandising
- Retail Sales
- Social Networking
- Team Leadership
- Teamwork
- Time Management
- Visual Merchandising
4. Education
Including an education section on your resume will depend on how far along you are in your career. If you just graduated and have no prior experience, including an education section below your resume objective is important to demonstrate that you have the necessary skills for the job.
If an education section is included, try to mention courses related to retail sales and customer service as well as any other relevant qualifications or certifications that can help set you apart from other applicants.
High School Diploma
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
5. Certifications
Certifications are a great way to demonstrate your knowledge and proficiency in a certain field. They prove that you have been tested by an accredited organization, showing potential employers that you are more qualified than other applicants.
Including certifications on your resume is important if the job advert emphasizes specific skills or qualifications. This will show hiring managers that you possess the necessary expertise for the role and can help set you apart from other candidates.
Retail Sales Associate Certification
National Retail Federation
May 2017
6. Contact Info
Your name should be the first thing a reader sees when viewing your resume, so ensure its positioning is prominent. Your phone number should be written in the most commonly used format in your country/city/state, and your email address should be professional.
You can also choose to include a link to your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or other online platforms relevant to your industry.
Finally, name your resume file appropriately to help hiring managers; for Max Medhurst, this would be Max-Medhurst-resume.pdf or Max-Medhurst-resume.docx.
7. Cover Letter
Including a cover letter with a job application is highly recommended and can be beneficial in securing an interview. It’s usually made up of 2 to 4 paragraphs, allowing you to explain why the employer should consider your candidacy for the role.
The purpose of a cover letter is not only to provide more detail about who you are, but also give recruiters insight into what you bring as a professional that other applicants may not have or cannot express on their resume alone. Writing one provides an opportunity for you to make yourself stand out from the crowd!
Below is an example cover letter:
Dear Alyson,
I am writing to apply for the Retail Sales Associate position at your store. With over three years of experience in retail sales and a friendly personality, I believe I would be a perfect fit for your team.
In my previous role as a Retail Sales Associate at [store name], I was responsible for greeting customers, providing them with assistance and product information, and ringing up their purchases. I excelled in meeting customer needs and regularly received positive feedback from both customers and management. On several occasions, I was recognized by management for my outstanding customer service skills. In addition to being an excellent salesperson, I am also experienced in merchandising and have successfully completed visual displays that increased traffic to our store by 15%.
I am confident that I can provide the same level of exceptional customer service and sales results at your store. My friendly nature combined with my strong work ethic makes me an asset to any team. Moreover, my experience in merchandising will be beneficial in creating attractive displays that draw customers into the store.
Thank you for your time and consideration; please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or require any additional information about my qualifications. You may reach me by phone at 555-555-5555 or via email at john@example. Com. Again, thank you for considering me for this position; I look forward to hearing from you soon!
Sincerely,
Max