Visual Merchandiser Resume Guide
Visual merchandisers create attractive displays to promote products and services in retail stores. They arrange merchandise on shelves, racks, counters, tables and window displays to draw customers’ attention. Visual merchandisers also use lighting techniques and other creative strategies to enhance the presentation of goods for sale.
Your knack for creating visually appealing displays is unmatched, yet employers don’t know it. To get their attention, you must construct a resume that captures the essence of your talents and accomplishments.
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.
Visual Merchandiser Resume Sample
Lyric Barrows
Visual Merchandiser
[email protected]
052-907-3243
linkedin.com/in/lyric-barrows
Summary
Driven visual merchandiser with 5+ years of experience managing in-store displays for major retail chains. Skilled at creating visually appealing, engaging and effective merchandise displays to increase sales and customer engagement. Proven track record of successful window installations that have increased store traffic up to 25%. Adept at working independently or within a team to develop creative display solutions on time and within budget.
Experience
Visual Merchandiser, Employer A
Hayward, Jan 2018 – Present
- Revised visual merchandising strategies in store layout, product displays and signage to increase sales by 20% over the last quarter.
- Implemented creative window display concepts for seasonal promotions that attracted an additional 700+ customers a week on average.
- Utilized mannequins, props, lighting and other visuals to showcase merchandise in-store; received positive feedback from over 75% of surveyed customers about their shopping experience with us.
- Meticulously coordinated apparel styles & colors when styling outfits on mannequins at various locations around the store, encouraging impulse purchases among shoppers browsing through items nearby.
- Created new point-of-purchase materials such as signs, posters and banners to reinforce company brand image while elevating customer engagement levels by 30%.
Visual Merchandiser, Employer B
Paradise, Mar 2012 – Dec 2017
- Improved visual appeal of store by 20% through the effective rearrangement and placement of in-store displays, fixtures and merchandise.
- Executed a successful window display design plan that drove an 8% increase in sales over the holiday season.
- Displayed an eye for detail when creating attractive product arrangements to draw customers into stores; designed signature looks for seasonal shopping events that gained traction with customers.
- Demonstrated strong aesthetic sense when selecting props, mannequins, lighting elements and other decorative items to enhance overall visual presentation within budget constraints; completed projects 3 weeks ahead of schedule on average each quarter.
- Confidently conducted training sessions on merchandising standards with new staff members while also providing support to existing team members as needed during busy periods.
Skills
- Visual Merchandising
- Merchandising
- Fashion
- Styling
- Time Management
- Apparel
- Retail Sales
- Store Management
- Teamwork
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Visual Merchandising
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
Certifications
Certified Visual Merchandising Professional
International Visual Merchandising and
May 2017
1. Summary / Objective
Your resume summary/objective is your chance to make a great first impression on the hiring manager. It should be succinct and provide an overview of who you are, what makes you stand out as a visual merchandiser, and why they should consider bringing you onboard. For example, mention how many years of experience in retail/visual merchandising that you have; any awards or accolades that demonstrate your success; and the creative strategies for product display that have increased sales at previous employers.
Below are some resume summary examples:
Talented visual merchandiser with 5+ years of experience in retail and fashion. Proven track record of creating innovative window displays, product presentations, store layouts, and other visual elements that maximize sales potential. At XYZ Store increased total sales by 20%. Experienced in both online and offline strategies to increase brand awareness. Highly organized individual with an eye for detail and a passion for aesthetic appeal.
Dependable visual merchandiser with 5+ years of experience in retail and fashion industries. Proven track record of success creating impactful displays to increase sales by up to 25%. Skilled at making creative decisions on the fly, while meeting tight deadlines. Seeking a position as Visual Merchandiser for ABC Retail where I can use my creativity and problem-solving skills to create an unforgettable shopping experience for customers.
Hard-working and creative visual merchandiser with 3+ years of experience developing and executing store displays, window designs, and product layouts. Looking to join ABC Retail as the next Visual Merchandising Manager to utilize my skills in creating attractive displays that will inspire customers. At XYZ Store increased sales by 25% through effective use of color schemes, lighting techniques and placement strategies.
Amicable and creative visual merchandiser with 8+ years of experience creating aesthetically pleasing retail displays that drive sales. Proven success in driving revenue through strategic product placement and designing eye-catching window displays. At XYZ, increased sales by 30% year over year by maintaining an innovative approach to displaying products on shelves and in windows while adhering to corporate guidelines.
Reliable visual merchandiser with 5+ years of experience creating and executing engaging in-store displays. Proven track record of driving sales growth by up to 33% through innovative window display designs, product placement, and store layout changes. Looking to join ABC Retail as a Visual Merchandising Manager where I can use my creative problem solving skills to help the company reach its goals.
Diligent visual merchandiser with 5+ years of experience creating eye-catching displays to boost consumer engagement and product sales. Proven record in increasing revenue by up to 20% through strategic placement, color coordination, and creative use of space. Looking for an opportunity at ABC Retail Store to deliver top-notch visuals that increase brand awareness and customer loyalty.
Determined visual merchandiser with 5+ years of experience in creating aesthetically pleasing displays to attract customers and increase sales. Possess an eye for detail, color coordination expertise, and the ability to develop creative solutions to maximize product visibility. At XYZ Store increased weekly store traffic by 25% through effective window display initiatives.
Proficient visual merchandiser with 8+ years of experience creating eye-catching displays for retail stores. Achieved a 15% increase in sales through dynamic window and store displays during my tenure at XYZ Fashion Retailers. Seeking to apply my creativity, organizational skills, and strategic design sensibility to the position of Senior Visual Merchandiser at ABC Stores.
2. Experience / Employment
For the experience section, you’ll want to provide details on your employment history. This should be written in reverse chronological order, with the most recent role listed at the top.
Stick to bullet points when describing what you did; this makes it easier for the reader to digest and understand your work experience quickly. When writing about each position, take some time to think about how you can explain what you did in detail and include any quantifiable results that were achieved as a result of your efforts.
For example, instead of saying “Created window displays,” say something like “Designed 15+ eye-catching window displays per month utilizing props such as mannequins and lighting fixtures which resulted in an increase of 20% sales compared to previous months.”
To write effective bullet points, begin with a strong verb or adverb. Industry specific verbs to use are:
- Displayed
- Arranged
- Merchandised
- Assisted
- Monitored
- Coordinated
- Developed
- Implemented
- Executed
- Analyzed
- Researched
- Planned
- Designed
- Created
- Optimized
Other general verbs you can use are:
- Achieved
- Advised
- Assessed
- Compiled
- Demonstrated
- Expedited
- Facilitated
- Formulated
- Improved
- Introduced
- Mentored
- Participated
- Prepared
- Presented
- Reduced
- Reorganized
- Represented
- Revised
- Spearheaded
- Streamlined
- Structured
- Utilized
Below are some example bullet points:
- Developed and implemented highly successful visual merchandising strategies that increased customer purchases by 10% and store revenue by $7,000 in the last quarter.
- Reduced inventory shrinkage levels to a minimum through regular monitoring of merchandise displays and reorganizing shelves as necessary; saved over $1,500 in lost products each month.
- Advised customers on current trends while upselling items according to their individual needs; successfully increased sales of promotional products by 20%.
- Resourcefully collaborated with marketing teams for weekly ad campaigns and special events, ensuring that all fixtures were dressed attractively with appropriate colors and themes per design brief specifications at all times.
- Participated in monthly staff meetings to discuss new product launches & display set-ups, helping create effective solutions for challenging retail spaces within budget constraints.
- Designed eye-catching merchandise displays for retail stores and online shops, resulting in a 17% increase in sales.
- Diligently reviewed store layouts to maximize product visibility and created attractive window displays that attracted over 500 customers daily.
- Formulated plans for setting up seasonal promotions by stocking appropriate items; successfully achieved 8% higher customer purchases during the holiday season compared to previous year’s results.
- Facilitated collaborations with various departments within the company to ensure seamless operations when implementing new ideas or visual concepts across all stores/departments.
- Prepared detailed reports on inventory levels of products, analyzing stock movement and suggesting changes where needed; reduced backorders by 25%.
- Presented over 500+ new window displays and product arrangements to increase in-store customer engagement, leading to a 27% rise in sales revenue.
- Introduced creative floor plans and store layouts that seamlessly incorporated seasonal themes; showcased the company’s merchandise collections in an organized manner for maximum visual impact.
- Mentored junior team members on basic principles of design concepts, display assembly techniques & merchandising strategies; supported over 20 interns from local art schools with their projects & assignments related to visual merchandising tasks.
- Optimized product placement within retail locations by reorganizing shelves, racks and countertops according to industry best practices; improved inventory visibility by 30%, resulting in higher stock turnover rates than before implementation of this strategy.
- Efficiently managed all aspects of the visuals department’s budgeting process while staying on schedule during installation timeline deadlines; planned ahead for upcoming promotions which resulted in savings of $1,500+.
- Structured visually appealing window and interior displays for multiple retail stores across the city, increasing sales by 19% within 3 months.
- Reorganized merchandise placement in store areas to maximize product visibility and customer engagement; directly led to a 12% increase in foot traffic over 6 weeks.
- Substantially improved store aesthetic with creative visual merchandising ideas that were implemented on 130+ displays every month; increased sales of featured items by $7000 during peak season alone.
- Coordinated regular rotation of products from backroom stock onto floor shelves, ensuring that all merchandise was properly labeled and organized according to size, color or style as required by management team guidelines at all times.
- Assisted customers with their shopping experiences through informed advice about new arrivals and recommendations based on individual needs; achieved an overall satisfaction rating of 95%.
- Merchandised and displayed products in store windows, shelves and racks to increase sales by 10% within the first quarter of joining.
- Researched current trends in fashion and home decor for window displays that reflected customer preferences; increased foot traffic into stores by 40%.
- Represented the brand’s image through well-thought out visual designs, which boosted loyalty among customers with a 30% return rate on average.
- Analyzed market dynamics regularly to ensure that merchandise was accurately priced according to demand levels and competitors’ prices; reduced stock overstocks by 25%.
- Independently managed all aspects of inventory control including ordering new product lines, tracking receipts & returns as well as overseeing space allocation across multiple locations; saved $1,500+ annually on storage costs due to optimized usage of retail floor planning resources.
- Consistently developed creative visual displays for store windows and interior spaces, resulting in a 20% increase in sales within the first month of implementation.
- Planned and executed window designs to promote seasonal campaigns, new product launches and special promotions; generated $15K additional revenue from these activities throughout the year.
- Expedited inventory restocking process by efficiently allocating shelf space according to customer demand; improved stock turnover rate by 25%.
- Arranged merchandise on shelves to highlight key products as well as capture customers’ attention while maintaining an organized layout; increased average purchase value per customer by 10%.
- Streamlined daily operations through effective use of resources such as mannequins, lighting fixtures & props; reduced costs associated with dressing up display areas by 30%.
- Assessed and redesigned retail store layouts, displays and shelves to maximize product visibility; achieved a 25% increase in sales within 3 months.
- Monitored stock levels daily and regularly replenished inventory stores according to shoppers’ preferences, resulting in an 18% reduction of out-of-stocks over 6 months.
- Accurately implemented current trends into visual merchandising strategies for different brands; drove consumer engagement by 22%.
- Achieved a 20% year-over-year growth in customer satisfaction ratings through creative window displays that caught the eye of passersby at peak hours each day.
- Spearheaded monthly promotional campaigns with unique designs on mannequins and wall display systems which increased foot traffic by 40%.
3. Skills
Even though two organizations are hiring for the same role, the skillset they want an ideal candidate to possess could differ significantly. For instance, one may be on the lookout for an individual with an eye for detail, whereas the other may be more interested in someone with experience working with mannequins.
Therefore, you want to tailor your skills section of your resume to each job that you are applying for. This is especially important if a company uses applicant tracking systems (ATS), which scan resumes looking for certain keywords before passing them on to a human recruiter or hiring manager.
Make sure that all relevant skills and qualifications are listed here; however, it is also beneficial to elaborate further on those most pertinent ones by discussing them in greater depth elsewhere – such as the summary or work experience sections.
Below is a list of common skills & terms:
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Adobe Photoshop
- Advertising
- Apparel
- Communication
- Customer Satisfaction
- Fashion
- Fashion Design
- Graphic Design
- Illustrator
- InDesign
- Interior Design
- Inventory Control
- Loss Prevention
- Mannequin Styling
- Merchandise Planning
- Merchandising
- New Store Openings
- Photography
- Retail Sales
- Social Media Marketing
- Social Networking
- Store Management
- Store Operations
- Styling
- Team Leadership
- Teamwork
- Textiles
- Time Management
- Trend
- Trend Analysis
- Trend Forecasting
- Visual Merchandising
- Window Displays
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 work experience, mentioning your degree below the resume objective is recommended. However, if you have years of experience as a visual merchandiser, it may be beneficial to leave out the education section altogether or list only relevant courses and subjects studied related to this role.
Bachelor of Arts in Visual Merchandising
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
5. Certifications
Certifications are a great way to demonstrate your expertise in a particular field. They show potential employers that you have taken the time and effort to become certified by an accredited organization, which is often seen as more valuable than simply having knowledge of the subject matter.
When applying for jobs, make sure to include any certifications or qualifications related to the position on your resume so hiring managers can see how well-suited you are for the role.
Certified Visual Merchandising Professional
International Visual Merchandising and
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 Lyric Barrows, this would be Lyric-Barrows-resume.pdf or Lyric-Barrows-resume.docx.
7. Cover Letter
Submitting a cover letter with your job application is a great opportunity to show off your skills and highlight why you are the perfect candidate for the role. It typically consists of 2 to 4 paragraphs that provide more detail than what you have included in your resume.
Cover letters give employers an insight into who you are as a person, allowing them to get a better understanding of how well suited you would be for their team. Although not always required, writing one can definitely help make sure that yours stands out from the rest!
Below is an example cover letter:
Dear Marcel,
As a highly creative and experienced visual merchandiser, I am excited to apply for the open position at your company. In my previous role as a visual merchandiser at [company name], I was responsible for creating attractive displays that caught customers’ attention and encouraged them to make purchases. My ability to think outside the box and come up with unique solutions helped increase sales by 15% over the course of six months.
I have a strong understanding of how different color schemes, lighting, and layout can impact customer behavior. I also know how to use this knowledge to create displays that are not only eye-catching but also support the goals of the company. For example, if you are trying to increase awareness of a new product, I would recommend using bright colors and an eye-catching layout that makes it easy for customers to see what is new. On the other hand, if you are trying to clear out old inventory, I would recommend using more subdued colors and highlighting discounts in a way that is still visually appealing.
In addition to being creative, I am also very organized and detail-oriented. This allows me to create displays quickly and efficiently without sacrificing quality or aesthetics. It also means that I am able to take on multiple projects at once without becoming overwhelmed or missing important details.
I believe my skills and experience would be a valuable asset to your team. I look forward to discussing how I can help achieve your goals in more detail during an interview soon.
Sincerely,
Lyric