resume samples for retail sales

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7 Retail Sales Associate Resume Examples [& Templates]

Retail Sales Associate

Best for candidates with 3+ years of experience.

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Retail Sales Associate Resume

• Retail Sales Associate Resumes by Type
• Retail Sales Associate Resumes by Store

As a retail sales associate, you act as the face of the business, interacting with hundreds of potential buyers per day. Meeting sales targets and exceeding customer expectations while standing on your feet all day can often feel like two full-time jobs.

The last thing you should worry about is  writing a winning resume  and making a cover letter .

Fortunately, we’ve got you covered.

We’ve analyzed hundreds of retail sales associate resumes to determine what makes a successful retail resume . Then we applied what we’ve learned to create seven retail sales associate resume examples for all career levels.

Use these resume examples and helpful suggestions to help create a resume that gets you more job interviews in 2024!

or download as PDF

Why this resume works

• It shows dedication and a genuine interest in the position, a major green flag for employers.
• A resume summary is essentially a two-to-three sentence run-down of your qualifications and achievements. This means a summary is primarily for associates with at least 10 years of experience.
• If you haven’t been in the industry that long, you can opt for a  resume objective  instead, which focuses more on your skills and enthusiasm for the position.

Retail Clothing Sales Associate Resume

• When choosing what skills to include, check the  job description  first. The employer will likely have a host of skills they require from their applicant, and you can pick from their list.
• Of course, only include skills that you actually possess. Lying on your resume isn’t a good way to start a new job!
• Avoid words that don’t mean much, like “helped” or “assisted.” Instead, include direct verbs that relate to your position as a medical office assistant, such as “coordinated,” “communicated,” and “implemented.”

Cell Phone Retail Sales Associate Resume

• For example, instead of saying “assisted employees with additional training resources,” say “launched secondary training modules to help employees solve technical issues.” The latter phrase clearly describes the type of training and why it was implemented.
• Avoid being weeded out by including 4 to 10 skills you possess that match the  sales associate job description .
• Good examples of relevant skills are product knowledge, leadership, point of sale (POS), organization, time-management, and communication skills.

High-end Retail Sales Associate Resume

• That means your high-end retail sales associate resume needs to show how you’ve improved the shopping environment for customers in the past.
• Including metrics and specific responsibilities go hand-in-hand to show employers you have the skills to create a five-start shopping experience for their customers.
• You can take the time to go more in-depth about an achievement or accomplishment in your  retail sales associate cover letter .
• Once your content is corrected, use a spellcheck tool or  our resume checker  to review for errors and suggest improvements; every detail counts, so triple-check your resume before you hand it off!

Entry-level Retail Sales Associate Resume

• Even a job in an unrelated industry can showcase relevant skills like customer service, verbal communication, multi-tasking, and more.
• So if you can, list at least three previous positions in work experience whether it’s directly applicable to retail sales or not.
• You can also include relevant  hobbies and interests on your entry-level retail sales associate resume . Adding two to three hobbies can showcase skills like critical thinking and creativity, plus they give you fun talking points for a job interview!

Kohl’s Sales Associate Resume

• Demonstrate your skills , knowledge and proficiency in sales and marketing tools, and how well you leveraged them to enhance customer satisfaction.

H&M Retail Sales Associate Resume

• Use it to prove your track record in enhancing customer satisfaction, sharing your knowledge of products, and ensuring they are served efficiently and effectively. This will guarantee that your resume will stand out from the rest of the applicants.

Related resume guides

• Store Manager
• Assistant Manager

Resume Worded   |  Proven Resume Examples

• Resume Examples
• Sales Resumes

11 Retail Resume Examples - Here's What Works In 2024

Now that we’ve seen how essential the retail industry is, retail workers have never been so in demand. if you’re new to retail or looking for your next position, this guide has you covered with everything you need to know to write an effective resume, including sample templates for you to use..

Retail is a demanding and fast-paced industry. If you’re starting out in retail — or looking to move up the chain — you’ll need communication skills, great customer service, and the ability to solve problems on the fly. For those serious about the business, employers are also looking for people with business acumen, cultural awareness, and strong numeracy skills. While many retail jobs are part-time, there’s also an ongoing need for professional, full-time retail workers. You don’t need a specific background or experience to work in retail — soft skills, a good work ethic, and a professional, can-do attitude will get you a long way, especially in entry-level positions. In 2023 and beyond, look out for a growing shift toward online retail and eCommerce as well as emerging trends like machine learning, personalized shopping experiences, and influencer marketing. Technical skills, sales, marketing, and social media savvy will all land you ahead of the curve when it comes to retail positions in the near future.

Retail Resume Templates

Jump to a template:

• Retail Associate
• Retail Manager
• Retail Salesperson / Retail Salesman
• Retail Sales Manager
• Retail Pharmacist
• Store Manager

Jump to a resource:

• Keywords for Retail Resumes

Retail Resume Tips

• Action Verbs to Use
• Related Sales Resumes

Get advice on each section of your resume:

Template 1 of 11: Retail Associate Resume Example

Retail associates work in a variety of industries and environments. Typically, they are responsible for the management, sales, and day-to-day operations of a retail store. The retail associate has many tasks they will be responsible for on the average day, including interacting with customers, processing sales, organizing and cataloging inventory, cash and transaction management, upselling, store KPI monitoring and reporting, and more. A retail associate is a great entry-level opportunity for someone with the right skills. To be considered for this role, typically a high school diploma is required, but an associates degree can help you land this role with more ease. Hiring managers will look for someone with previous customer-facing experience, such as prior roles held as a clerk, store officer, or customer support representative. Ideal candidates for this role have superb customer service skills, strong organizational skills, and no issue multi-tasking.

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Tips to help you write your Retail Associate resume in 2024

   highlight your ability to connect with customers.

The retail associate is the face of the store and brand. For this reason, it’s important to show what a positive impact you can make on the store’s image. Your resume should highlight any experience you have creating a valuable customer experience, or any customer satisfaction ratings you personally helped improve at prior jobs.

   Showcase your experience using POS software and systems

Most retail stores use point of sale (POS) systems to complete sales and track revenue. It’s important that you understand how to operate a POS system to land this job. Any specific retail software or POS system(s) you are proficient in should be clearly outlined on your resume in the skills section.

Skills you can include on your Retail Associate resume

Template 2 of 11: retail associate resume example.

Retail associates are front-line sales assistants and the face of any retail store. As a retail associate, you’ll be working with customers as well as processing payments, cleaning, and handling stock. In many stores, you may be responsible for upselling and meeting sales goals, so make sure your resume highlights your soft skills as well as any previous sales or customer service experience.

   Title of resume contains retail keywords

Using the exact title of the job you’re applying for is an easy way to tailor your resume and get past ATS — particularly if you don’t have a lot of experience in a similar role. You can often find similar roles listed under different titles, like Retail Associate, Sales Associate, and Cashier, so make sure to include those keywords somewhere on your resume.

   Other projects and qualifications

Listing volunteer work, projects, and short courses is a great way to bulk up your resume — as long as they’re relevant! This is especially true for students and recent graduates, who might not otherwise have a lot of traditional work experience. But don’t just stuff your resume — stick to particularly prestigious awards and qualifications you’re likely to need on the job.

Template 3 of 11: Retail Manager Resume Example

As a retail manager, you’ll be responsible for the day-to-day running of a store — think balancing a budget, scheduling shifts, setting sales targets, and motivating a team. There are multiple routes to becoming a retail manager, including working your way up the ladder as a sales associate, transitioning from a management role in a different sector, or pursuing a degree in business or another field relevant to your industry.

Tips to help you write your Retail Manager resume in 2024

   shows growth in promotions through retail positions.

When hiring for a management position, recruiters want to see leadership and ambition, which often means steady career progression. If you’ve been promoted to a higher position, simply list both titles under the same company heading. Even without a title bump, you can show growth by listing increased responsibilities in your bullet point achievements.

   Bullet points feature strong action verbs which stress leadership skills

Leadership is a soft skill, which means you can’t simply list it in your skills section and move on. Instead, demonstrate it by leading with strong action verbs like “managed,” “directed,” and “oversaw.” Including clear metrics, like the size of the team you led, makes your achievements easy for a hiring manager to understand at a glance.

Skills you can include on your Retail Manager resume

Template 4 of 11: retail salesperson / retail salesman resume example.

Retail salespeople need a big dose of people skills alongside an awareness of sales and marketing strategies, business trends, and basic software and point of sale (POS) hardware. Retail salespeople need to demonstrate their ability to make a sale and may even work on commission, so make sure to emphasize the times you exceeded sales goals or provided excellent customer service.

Tips to help you write your Retail Salesperson / Retail Salesman resume in 2024

   numbers and metrics relevant to the retail job title.

When it comes to sales, numbers are key. In other words, quantify your achievements! “Exceeded sales goals” sounds okay, but “exceeded commission goals each week by at least 15%” makes the scope of your accomplishment much clearer. If you have numbers for the amount of revenue you generated, sales you processed, or promotions you upsold — use them.

   Good use of skills section to stress retail and client-facing skills

A longer list of skills isn’t always more impressive. Keep your skills section easy for hiring managers to digest by listing only the most relevant hard skills you possess. For retail sales, this means things like POS and operating systems and data entry software. Soft skills, like communication and customer service, should go in your bullet points where you can quantify them.

Skills you can include on your Retail Salesperson / Retail Salesman resume

Template 5 of 11: retail sales manager resume example.

A retail sales manager is someone who oversees the sales processes and operations for a retail store. Depending on the company, the retail sales manager may oversee just one location or several stores within a region. As a retail sales manager, you will be responsible for overseeing sales within the store, conducting loss prevention strategies, tracking key KPIs, training retail sales associates, and more. To become a retail sales manager, you’ll need a combination of relevant experience and skills. Typically, hiring managers will look for someone with a minimum of an associate’s degree, although adequate experience may substitute for a college education in some cases. It’s extremely important that candidates for this role have considerable client-facing, customer service, and sales experience. Prior roles held as a customer care representative or inside sales representative are preferable.

Tips to help you write your Retail Sales Manager resume in 2024

   showcase your prior experience training and managing junior employees.

To become a retail sales manager, it’s important to show hiring managers that you have leadership skills. The retail sales manager will be primarily responsible for leading employee training, development, and conflict resolution. As such, it’s important to highlight times where you have successfully managed or trained employees in the past.

   Highlight any experience you have interpreting sales data

Often, retail sales managers will be asked to track and interpret data about their store’s sales and customer activity. Highlight skills such as sales management, sales forecasting, and data entry on your resume will help you stand out for this role.

Skills you can include on your Retail Sales Manager resume

Template 6 of 11: retail sales manager resume example.

If you have experience in sales and customer service, and great organizational abilities, a role as a retail sales manager might be right for you. The retail sales manager oversees the daily operations of a retail store’s sales department. They typically manage the sales staff, set sales goals, monitor revenue, develop and maintain store budgets, track inventory levels, and train new sales staff. There are many ways to become a retail sales manager. A combination of education and relevant knowledge is ideal. A bachelor's degree in business is preferable for this role, though some organizations may overlook lacking education if the candidate has significant retail sales experience. It’s important that candidates for the role have previous sales experiences, such as prior roles held as retail sales specialists or business development representative. It’s also important that candidates demonstrate the desired skills, such as sales planning, budget planning, inventory management, and people management skills.

   Detail any prior experience improving a sales team’s productivity or morale

Retail sales jobs are often transient because they are popular roles among young people. Managing young salespeople is no easy task. The retail sales manager must be knowledgeable in creative techniques to engage and retain their staff - as such, it’s important to highlight the experience you have improving staff morale on your resume.

   Demonstrate your ability to implement sales strategies and incentives

As a retail sales manager, you will be tasked with implementing new strategies to boost sales and revenue. As such, it’s important to detail any experience you have creating and effectively executing new sales strategies or incentives on your resume.

Template 7 of 11: Retail Sales Manager Resume Example

Retail sales managers are on the front lines of sales, meaning they will be having more customer interactions than sales managers in other positions. This applicant shows that they have the ability to work with both customers and employees in a way that supports business sustainability.

   Emphasis on customer relationships

Businesses that are looking for retail sales managers are primarily looking for competent, friendly faces that will be able to handle any situation that arises for customers on the sales floor (or off of it). This applicant does that by referencing their focus on fostering “a positive customer experience”, attaining over 96 percent customer satisfaction with their team, and expanding the customer account base by 35 percent, to highlight a few instances. To demonstrate that you have an affinity for building and maintaining constructive customer relationships, you should aim to emphasize customer- or client-centered accomplishments at your past positions.

   Interpersonal skills are indicated through achievements

While all sales managers can be expected to have a degree of interpersonal skills, retail sales managers generally need to have the ability to keep both their customers and their employees happy. In this resume, the applicant includes several accomplishments that give the impression that they have a solid ability to work with others. As examples, they list how they were among the few who received a teaching fellowship at their university, as well as their work to develop a project that led to 85 percent employee retention. If you want to show hiring managers that you care for others in a way that elevates their performance, provide data points that support it.

Template 8 of 11: Retail Sales Manager Resume Example

Template 9 of 11: Retail Pharmacist Resume Example

A retail pharmacist is someone who approves, fills, and manages prescriptions. They may work at a privately owned pharmacy or for a corporate chain pharmacy. These professionals are responsible for receiving incoming scripts, filling them, ensuring medication is up to code, educating patients on their medication, and more. To land this role, you will need a relevant educational background. A degree in pharmacology or biology is most desirable. Moreover, you will need adequate internship experience and/or certifications to become a retail pharmacist. Apart from looking for the right education and technical skills, hiring managers will also be looking for someone who has customer-facing experience and strong organizational skills.

Tips to help you write your Retail Pharmacist resume in 2024

   research the qualifications needed to become a retail pharmacist in your region.

Different states will have differing requirements to become a retail pharmacist. Some states may require a high education degree or particular licensing. It’s important to research your state's educational requirements to become a retail pharmacist and ensure you meet the necessary qualifications.

   Highlight your knowledge of drug safety

Retail pharmacists have the important responsibility of informing the public about the drugs they are prescribed. On your resume, you should highlight your ability to identify drugs with potential for abuse or misuse and highlight any experience you have effectively explaining complex pharmaceutical topics to an array of audiences.

Skills you can include on your Retail Pharmacist resume

Template 10 of 11: retail pharmacist resume example.

Retail pharmacists work in a retail environment, rather than in a hospital or healthcare setting. As a retail pharmacist, you’ll be responsible for dispensing prescriptions, counselling patients and providing advice on health and medication, and managing your store. This might include managing other staff, monitoring inventory, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations, which means your resume needs to emphasize both hard and soft skills.

   Focused on retail pharmacy

When applying for a specialized position like pharmacy, it’s best to include only your most relevant experience on your resume. If you don’t have a long work history, it’s okay to include more general retail experience, but ideally, you should focus on your experience as a pharmacist or pharmacy technician. If your degree is more relevant than your experience, list your education first.

   Use a resume summary if appropriate

A resume summary isn’t just helpful for career changers — it can quickly contextualize your experience and highlight your top achievements. In your resume summary, include one or two of your most impressive accomplishments as well as a quick overview of the size of any teams you’ve led or the environments in which you’ve previously worked.

Template 11 of 11: Store Manager Resume Example

As a Store Manager, you're the backbone of a retail outlet - the linchpin holding everything together. From managing inventory to mentoring employees, your role is cross-functional and dynamic. Recently, companies are seeking store managers who are not just operations-savvy but also familiar with digital tools for inventory management and sales analytics. So, when you're crafting your resume, it's crucial that you not only highlight your past achievements but also illustrate your adaptability and potential for growth. More than just experience, your ability to lead and motivate a team towards meeting sales targets is highly valued. Include specifics about your leadership approach and the results it has yielded. Consider this a narrative of your professional journey; it's about your adaptability, leadership, and your command over retail fundamentals.

Tips to help you write your Store Manager resume in 2024

   showcase digital literacy.

In the modern retail space, digital tools are increasingly important. Add a section about your familiarity with inventory management software, POS systems, and other retail-specific digital tools. Show your willingness to learn and adapt to technological advances.

   Emphasize on leadership and team management

As a Store Manager, you're responsible for the team’s performance. Highlight instances where you've successfully managed a team, resolved conflicts, or improved staff performance. Metrics showing improved team performance under your leadership can make your resume stand out.

Skills you can include on your Store Manager resume

As a hiring manager who has worked with top retail companies like Walmart, Target, and Macy's, I've reviewed countless resumes for retail positions. The following tips will help you create a strong resume that stands out to recruiters and hiring managers in the retail industry.

   Highlight your customer service skills

Retail jobs heavily rely on excellent customer service skills. Make sure to emphasize your ability to interact with customers and provide top-notch service.

Instead of simply listing 'customer service' as a skill, provide specific examples of how you've demonstrated this skill in your previous roles:

• Assisted an average of 50 customers per day, addressing their concerns and providing solutions
• Maintained a customer satisfaction rating of 95% based on feedback surveys
• Resolved customer complaints efficiently, resulting in a 20% increase in repeat customers

   Showcase your sales achievements

Retail employers value candidates who can drive sales and contribute to the company's bottom line. If you have sales experience, make sure to highlight your accomplishments using specific numbers and metrics.

• Consistently exceeded monthly sales targets by 15% on average
• Generated $50,000 in additional revenue through upselling and cross-selling techniques
• Ranked as the top sales associate for three consecutive quarters

Quantifying your achievements helps recruiters understand the impact you've made in your previous roles and how you can contribute to their organization.

   Include relevant retail skills

When listing your skills, focus on those that are most relevant to the retail industry. Some examples include:

• Point of Sale (POS) system proficiency
• Inventory management
• Visual merchandising
• Loss prevention
• Product knowledge

Avoid listing generic skills that don't specifically relate to retail, such as 'Microsoft Office' or 'teamwork'. Instead, prioritize skills that demonstrate your ability to succeed in a retail environment.

   Tailor your resume to the specific role

Retail positions can vary greatly, from sales associates to store managers. Make sure to tailor your resume to the specific role you're applying for.

For example, if you're applying for a visual merchandiser position, emphasize your experience in creating attractive displays and arranging products. On the other hand, if you're applying for a store manager role, focus on your leadership skills and ability to manage a team.

By customizing your resume for each role, you demonstrate to the hiring manager that you understand the specific requirements of the position and have the relevant skills and experience to excel in it.

   Demonstrate career progression

Hiring managers appreciate candidates who have shown growth and progression in their careers. If you've held multiple positions within the retail industry, highlight how you've taken on increasing levels of responsibility over time.

Sales Associate, ABC Retail (2018-2020) - Consistently met and exceeded sales targets - Provided excellent customer service, resulting in high customer satisfaction ratings Assistant Store Manager, ABC Retail (2020-Present) - Managed a team of 15 sales associates - Implemented new inventory management system, reducing stockouts by 30%

By showcasing your career progression, you demonstrate your ability to adapt, learn, and take on new challenges within the retail industry.

   Highlight relevant certifications and training

If you have completed any certifications or training programs relevant to the retail industry, make sure to include them on your resume. This can include:

• Customer service training
• Loss prevention certification
• Product knowledge training
• Sales techniques workshops

Including these certifications and training programs demonstrates your commitment to professional development and your dedication to excelling in your retail career.

Remember, only include certifications and training that are directly relevant to the retail industry and the specific role you're applying for. Avoid listing irrelevant or outdated certifications that don't add value to your application.

Writing Your Retail Resume: Section By Section

  header, 1. include your full name and contact details.

Your header should include your full name, phone number, and email address. Make sure your email address is professional - avoid using nicknames or numbers. You can also include a link to your LinkedIn profile if you have one.

Here's an example of a well-formatted header:

• 555-123-4567 | [email protected] | linkedin.com/in/johnsmith

Avoid cluttering your header with unnecessary details like:

• 123 Main St, Anytown USA 12345
• 555-123-4567 | [email protected] | johnsmith.com | @johnsmith | linkedin.com/in/johnsmith | facebook.com/johnsmith

2. Skip the full address

In the past, including your full mailing address was standard on resumes. However, in today's digital age, it's no longer necessary and takes up valuable space. Instead, just include your city and state if you're applying for local retail jobs.

For example:

John Smith Seattle, WA 555-123-4567 | [email protected]

Avoid including your full street address like this:

John Smith 123 Main St Seattle, WA 98101 555-123-4567 | [email protected]

3. Highlight your retail specialization

If you specialize in a particular area of retail, consider including it as a subtitle under your name. This quickly communicates your expertise to hiring managers. Some examples:

• John Smith Retail Manager | Fashion & Apparel
• Jane Doe Sales Associate | Consumer Electronics

However, avoid getting too specific or wordy with retail job titles, like:

• John Smith Retail Sales Supervisor and Visual Merchandising Coordinator
• Jane Doe Customer Service Representative specializing in Troubleshooting Technical Issues for eCommerce Retailers

  Summary

A resume summary is an optional section that highlights your most relevant qualifications for the job you're applying for. While it's not a must-have on your resume, it can be beneficial if you're changing careers, have extensive experience, or want to provide additional context not covered elsewhere in your resume. However, avoid using an objective statement, as it's outdated and focuses on what you want rather than what you can offer the employer.

When crafting your retail resume summary, focus on showcasing your skills, experience, and achievements that align with the job requirements. Use metrics and specific examples to illustrate your impact and value. Keep it concise and objective, avoiding buzzwords and soft skills.

To learn how to write an effective resume summary for your Retail resume, or figure out if you need one, please read Retail Resume Summary Examples , or Retail Resume Objective Examples .

1. Highlight your retail expertise

Emphasize your retail background and the specific areas where you excel. Consider including:

• Years of experience in the retail industry
• Types of stores or products you've worked with
• Key responsibilities and skills (e.g., customer service, sales, merchandising)

Example of a strong retail resume summary:

Accomplished retail professional with over 5 years of experience in high-end fashion boutiques. Skilled in delivering exceptional customer service, driving sales, and creating visually appealing product displays. Consistently exceeded sales targets by 20% and received multiple Employee of the Month awards.

2. Tailor your summary to the job

Customize your resume summary to the specific retail position you're applying for. Review the job description and identify the key requirements and skills the employer is looking for. Then, incorporate those elements into your summary.

For example, if you're applying for a retail management position, your summary might look like this:

Dynamic retail leader with 8+ years of experience managing high-volume stores. Proven track record of building and motivating teams, implementing effective sales strategies, and optimizing store operations. Increased annual revenue by 15% and improved customer satisfaction scores by 25%.

In contrast, a generic summary that fails to target the specific role might read:

Experienced retail professional seeking a challenging position in a fast-paced environment. Strong communication and organizational skills. Committed to delivering excellent customer service.

3. Showcase your unique value proposition

Use your resume summary to highlight what sets you apart from other candidates. Focus on your most impressive achievements, skills, or experiences that are relevant to the retail position.

For instance, if you have a track record of successfully training and mentoring new hires, you could mention:

• Trained and mentored 15+ new sales associates, resulting in a 95% retention rate and improved team performance

Or, if you have experience with visual merchandising and store displays, you might include:

• Created engaging product displays that increased foot traffic and sales by 10%

Avoid using generic or overused phrases that don't offer any unique value, such as:

• Team player with strong communication skills
• Detail-oriented and organized

  Experience

Your work experience section is the heart of your resume. It's where you show hiring managers how you've applied your skills to make an impact for your previous employers. In this section, we'll break down all the components that go into writing a strong work experience section for a retail resume, including how to select the right experiences to showcase, and how to write about them effectively.

1. Focus on your most relevant and recent retail experiences

When selecting which experiences to include on your retail resume, prioritize positions that are most relevant to the job you're applying for, and are within the last 10 years. If you're applying for a sales associate role, focus on previous retail sales positions.

Avoid listing every job you've ever had. Instead, curate your list intentionally:

• Sales Associate, ABC Clothing Retailer, 2019-2022
• Cashier, XYZ Department Store, 2018-2019

Older or less relevant positions, like a high school summer job or a non-retail position, can be left off. Keep your work experience focused on what matters most for the role at hand.

2. Use strong action verbs to describe your retail accomplishments

When writing about your retail experiences, start each bullet point with a strong action verb that showcases the skills you deployed. Instead of writing passive descriptions like:

• Responsible for assisting customers on the sales floor

Use powerful action verbs to make your contributions clear:

• Greeted customers and provided friendly, knowledgeable assistance in selecting products
• Managed cash register and processed up to $10K in transactions per shift

Other great verbs for retail: sold, merchandised, stocked, resolved (customer issues), operated (POS system). Show what you did, not just what you were responsible for.

3. Quantify your retail accomplishments with metrics

Numbers speak louder than words on a resume. Whenever possible, quantify your retail achievements to give hiring managers a concrete sense of your capabilities:

• Exceeded sales goals by 20% for 6 consecutive months
• Cross-sold an average of $50 in additional products per customer
• Managed up to 5 associates per shift in assistant manager role

Not every bullet needs a number, but aim to include at least 1-2 per position. If you don't have access to exact metrics, estimates are okay too. Even general numbers like "Assisted 50+ customers per day with product selection and recommendations" are impactful.

4. Highlight your career progression and promotions

Showing advancement and increasing responsibilities in your retail career is a great way to catch a hiring manager's eye. If you've been promoted, make that clear:

Sales Associate, ABC Retailer, 2018-2022 Promoted to Senior Sales Associate in 2020 Trained and mentored 5 new sales team members Served as point person for escalated customer service issues

If your job title didn't change but your role grew, you can still show that progression:

Cashier, XYZ Store, 2019-2022 Began as cashier and was cross-trained to assist in merchandising, inventory, and customer service Stepped up to open and close the store as needed

Showing you've earned additional responsibilities and skills tells potential employers you'll be an engaged, growth-oriented team member.

  Education

The education section of your resume is an important component, especially if you are a recent graduate or have limited work experience. When applying for retail jobs, it's essential to highlight your relevant educational background and any coursework or training that may be applicable to the role. Here are some tips to help you craft an effective education section for your retail resume.

1. List your education in reverse chronological order

Start with your most recent degree or educational program and work backwards. This format allows hiring managers to quickly identify your highest level of education and any recent accomplishments.

Here's an example of how to list your education in reverse chronological order:

• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, ABC University, Graduated: May 2023
• Associate of Arts in Marketing, XYZ Community College, Graduated: May 2021

2. Include relevant coursework and projects

If you are a recent graduate or have completed courses that are directly applicable to the retail industry, consider including them in your education section. This can help demonstrate your knowledge and skills to potential employers.

However, avoid listing every course you've taken. Instead, focus on those that are most relevant to the retail job you're applying for, such as:

• Retail Management
• Consumer Behavior
• Sales Techniques
• Visual Merchandising

3. Highlight relevant certifications and training

In addition to formal education, include any relevant certifications or training you have completed that may be valuable in a retail setting. This can include:

• Customer Service Certification
• Point of Sale (POS) System Training
• Loss Prevention Training
• Product Knowledge Workshops

These certifications and training programs demonstrate your commitment to professional development and can set you apart from other candidates.

4. Keep it concise for senior-level positions

If you are a senior-level professional with extensive work experience in the retail industry, your education section should be brief and to the point. Hiring managers will be more interested in your professional accomplishments and skills.

Here's an example of what not to do:

Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, XYZ University, Graduated: 1995 Relevant Coursework: Creative Writing, British Literature, American Literature, Poetry

Instead, keep it concise and focus on your degree and the institution:

Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, XYZ University

Action Verbs For Retail Resumes

Every retail position is public-facing to some degree, which means you should emphasize your ability to communicate, influence, and work as part of a team. If you want to highlight your business finesse, choose action verbs like Influenced, Promoted, and Recommended. If you’re aiming for a leadership position, action verbs like Motivated and Trained are ideal. For more ideas, check out our comprehensive list of resume action verbs . Leading with action verbs means your resume is focused on accomplishments, not duties — hiring managers are far more interested in knowing how many customers you successfully upsold than what areas of the store you cleaned. Remember that, at its core, retail is sales-oriented, which means that numbers are your friend. The more detailed you can be when listing your achievements, the more likely it is that your resume will wind up on the “yes” pile.

• Recommended

For more related action verbs, visit Sales Action Verbs .

For a full list of effective resume action verbs, visit Resume Action Verbs .

Action Verbs for Retail Resumes

Skills for retail resumes.

The skills you’ll want to list on your resume will depend on what type of retail you’re applying for — an experienced retail manager, for example, will need a very different skill set from an entry-level retail associate. In general, though, most retail jobs will call for a lot of soft skills — things like communication, problem solving, and customer service — that don’t belong on a skills list. Instead, highlight these skills through your bullet points, including metrics where you can to make the achievement more objective. You can list hard skills in the same way, or in a separate skills section. When it comes to hard skills, you’ll want to figure out which ones hiring managers are likely to be scanning for. Our list of top resume skills and keywords has analyzed over one million job descriptions to pull out the most relevant keywords recruiters and ATS are looking for.

• Store Management
• Merchandising
• Sales Management
• Retail Sales
• Marketing Strategy

Customer Service

• Inventory Management
• Business Planning
• Trend Analysis
• Business Development
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
• Business Strategy
• Sales Operations

How To Write Your Skills Section On a Retail Resumes

You can include the above skills in a dedicated Skills section on your resume, or weave them in your experience. Here's how you might create your dedicated skills section:

Skills Word Cloud For Retail Resumes

This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Retail job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more 'important' it is.

How to use these skills?

Other sales resumes.

Sales Manager

• Business Development Resume Guide
• Account Manager Resume Guide
• Account Executive Resume Guide

Retail Resume Guide

• Sales Manager Resume Guide
• Sales Associate Resume Guide
• Operations Manager Resume Guide
• Supply Chain Resume Guide
• Real Estate Agent Resume Guide
• Sales Engineer Resume Guide
• Copywriter Resume Guide
• E-Commerce Resume Guide
• Advertising Resume Guide
• SaaS Resume Guide
• Merchandising Resume Guide
• Fundraising Resume Guide
• Buyer Resume Guide
• Director of Sales Resume Guide
• Hotel Manager Resume Guide
• Sales Coordinator Resume Guide
• Engagement Manager Resume Guide
• Sales Executive Resume Guide
• B2B Sales Resume Guide
• Sales Leader Resume Guide
• VP Sales Resume Guide
• Relationship Manager Resume Guide
• Retail Associate Resume Example
• Retail Manager Resume Example
• Retail Salesperson / Retail Salesman Resume Example
• Retail Sales Manager Resume Example
• Retail Pharmacist Resume Example
• Store Manager Resume Example
• Tips for Retail Resumes
• Skills and Keywords to Add
• All Resume Examples
• Retail CV Examples
• Retail Cover Letter
• Retail Interview Guide
• Explore Alternative and Similar Careers

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