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21 Retail Resume Examples & Guide...

21 Retail Resume Examples & Guide for 2024

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Applying for a retail position?

In our long years helping job hunters get hired, we’ve come to realize one thing:

It takes a lot of patience and commitment to land your dream job in retail and make your way to the top.

You’ll come across hundreds of job openings in your local area, most of which have requirements that you can easily meet.

But despite that…

Your job hunt is yet to end because you’re not getting any calls.

Or perhaps this is your first time applying for a retail job, and you have no idea how to get yourself noticed.

The good news is:

Since you have the skills and qualifications to excel at the position, nothing will stop you.

You’re only missing one key piece in the puzzle…

And that is a killer resume that highlights your strengths and value.

So now you might be wondering:

How do I even get started with my retail resume? And if I already have one, what can I do to improve it further?

That’s exactly what we’re going to teach you this guide.

Let’s dive in…

What you’ll learn here

  • How to look at the job application from the recruiter’s perspective
  • Ideal format and resume structure for retail job applications
  • Most important sections to put in your retail resume
  • How highlighting your relevant experience makes all the difference
  • Best soft and core skills for retail resumes and how to include them

How to Write a Retail Resume That Shows Your True Value

Recruiters go through hundreds of retail resumes before settling on a final candidate. But… It’s impossible for them to read through all applications with the same level of focus and enthusiasm.

As a quick solution:

Companies have to use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan long lists of job applications. The software will then cut through the noise and only keep the most promising resumes for the final evaluation.

So…

If you want to maximize your chances of getting hired, your resume must use an ATS-friendly format.

How do you that?

With a few simple tricks:

Always keep your retail resume to one-page long… Because that makes it easier to scan by both computers and human beings.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you should fill every single inch on the page with content. A proper font with lots of white space around the page are crucial for your resume design.

For the format:

We recommend the reverse-chronological structure for the retail industry. Simply because it does an excellent job portraying your experience and how you’ve developed.

It will also leave you enough space to feature other essential sections, such as skills and education.

Finally:

Make sure to always save your retail resume in PDF format as it is easier to send in your job applications. It’s also the perfect format for maintaining the resume template on all types of devices.

top sections icon

Top retail resume sections

  • Header
  • Summary
  • Experience
  • Skills
  • Education
  • Certificates
  • Languages
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What every recruiter wants to see in a retail resume

  1. Industry expertise with demonstrated knowledge of merchandise and pricing
  2. Practical experience with relevant POS systems
  3. Customer service skills and communication
  4. Ability to advise customers on various purchases regarding retail products
  5. Proven multi-tasking skills and attention-to-detail

How to Create a Catchy Header for Retail Resumes

There are many ways you can be wrong about creating a header section for your retail resume. But there’s only one right way to do that.

First things first:

The header section should sit at the top of your resume so that it’s the first thing anyone sees. That offers you a chance to leave a memorable impression and hammer your name into the recruiter’s mind.

Next:

You must only add relevant contact details that might affect the hiring decision. That includes the following information:

Obviously…

You can’t place these details randomly on the page and expect the hiring manager to guess what is what.

That’s why you must always put your name at the top with a slightly bigger font, separated from the rest. Your job title will then follow with a smaller font to maintain a clear hierarchy.

Below that, you’ll include the rest of the personal details in the same font size and color style.

Here’s how that might look like on the page:

2 Retail Resume Header Examples

Jesse Davies
Assistant Store Manager
512-494-5326
iamjesse421@outlook.com
8700 Brodie, Austin, TX, 78745
WRONG

Looking good, right?

But still not quite there yet from the hiring manager’s perspective.

Here’s how you can make that better:

  • Always use a work email address to portray professionalism
  • Only include the “City, State” when it comes to your physical address
  • Feature a link to your LinkedIn profile to allow recruiters to learn more about you

Now — look at this example:

Jesse Davies
Assistant Store Manager
512-494-5326
jesse.d@outlook.com
Austin, TX
RIGHT

Summary section to your retail resume: Dos and Don’ts

The summary is a tricky section:

While it makes you feel like you’re improving your resume, it can hurt your chances of getting hired if it’s not perfected.

How does that happen? You ask.

Well…

If your summary section is all filler content without any actual value, it will only weaken your resume. The last thing you want to do is make the recruiter feel like they’re wasting their time by reading your application.

Here’s how to write a summary section that sums up your retail expertise:

As its name suggests, this section should summarize your whole experience in three to four main ideas.

Write a small paragraph that tells the company why they should hire you. And use it to feature your best achievements and back that up with quantifiable results.

Remember also to include highly-specific soft and technical skills to highlight relevance.

Here’s an example:

2 Retail Resume Summary Examples

Summary
I have worked as an assistant store manager for 3 years helping customers with different needs. I have experience with using retail software and POS systems. Good communicator, problem-solver with outstanding commercial awareness.
WRONG

Let’s be honest here…

You wouldn’t hire yourself if your resume had a summary like the one above. Simply because it checks all the wrong boxes by being vague and generic.

Even worse, it doesn’t do a good job proving the candidate’s worth compared to others.

A good resume summary shows how you can help by:

  • Using action verbs in the past tense to establish clear causality
  • Highlighting your best, most relevant retail experiences and skills
  • Supporting your claims with accomplishments and quantifiable metrics

Let’s see a better example:

Summary
Results-oriented assistant store manager with 3 years of experience working in retail environments. Improved Yelp ratings by 1.2+ through effective communication and outstanding customer service. Earned 5 employee of the month awards by maintaining ethical integrity and honesty when handling money. Strong technical skills in POS systems and retail software. Impressive retail industry knowledge and sales skills.
RIGHT
pro tip icon
Pro tip

The summary is an excellent place to include ATS keywords strategically and increase relevance to the position. Read carefully through the job posting to identify any important keywords you can use here.

How to write an experience section for a retail resume

The experience section is the most crucial part of your resume because it’s where you’ll demonstrate your true worth. You’ll take headhunters from only knowing your name to believing you’re their perfect candidate.

To create a killer experience section, you must follow a clear set of expert-driven rules.

For instance:

Since you’re using the reverse chronological format, you must feature your employment history from the latest job to the oldest one.

Of course, you won’t have to include every single position you held in the past. Instead, you’ll focus on the best, most relevant ones.

Make sure each job you list includes the:

  • Job title
  • Employer or company name
  • Work duration (Month/Year)
  • 3-5 bullet points showcasing your responsibilities

Also:

Most job achievements in retail are easily measurable, which is great if you want to stand out from the pack.

Quantifying your performance in this section gives recruiters a more holistic view of what you’re capable of. And that makes the decision-making part a whole lot easier.

For instance…

Instead of writing “I was good at customer service,” you can show how the store ratings improved after you got hired.

Here are some questions to help you come up with more measurable achievements:

  • Did you increase sales by a certain percent?
  • Did happy customers compliment your customer service and communication skills?
  • Have you ever been recognized as employee of the month?
  • What POS skills do you have? And how were you able to use them to excel in the job?

Enough with the theoretical knowledge! Let's see some real examples…

2 Retail Resume Experience Examples

Experience
Assistant Store Manager
RetailVerse
Austin, TX
Company Description
  • Responsible for assessing customer needs and offered solutions
  • Assisted with store product while following safety guidelines
  • Helped with maintaining proper inventory levels and audits
WRONG

Although it does get some parts right, the previous example will lose you endless job opportunities.

Why?

Three reasons:

**#1 — None of the duties are specific. ** Any sales associate working in any retail store or business can claim to handle such job duties. And even though they’re not lying, such overused phrases will only weaken your resume.

**#2 — The achievements are impossible to quantify. ** Let’s look at it this way:

There are major differences between sales associates when it comes to job performance. Some are super-friendly, diligent, and enthusiastic — while others may give off bad vibes and push buyers away.

A recruiter has no way of differentiating you from the second type — unless you help them with precise metrics.

**#3 — Weak language that doesn’t infer clear causality. ** Expressions like “responsible for” and “helped with” make you a secondary character in your own story. So, be sure to start each bullet point with an action verb to show your direct contribution in the workplace.

Here’s a much better experience section example:

Experience
Assistant Store Manager
RetailVerse
Austin, TX
Company Description
  • Improved Yelp ratings by 1.2+ through effective communication and outstanding customer service
  • Recognized as Employee of The Month on five occasions for increasing store sales and maintaining trust when handling money
  • Trained 4 junior cashiers and sales associates on POS systems and product knowledge
RIGHT

What are the best retail skills to put on a resume?

Retail skills can be broken down into two categories: soft skills and hard skills.

The difference between the two is quite simple:

Soft skills are personal characteristics that make you best fit to interact with others and thrive in the job.

A few examples of soft skills for retail include:

  • Interpersonal skills
  • Teamwork
  • Customer service

Hard skills, however, are learned abilities that lean more towards the technical and can be measured based on results. In retail, that includes skills, such as:

  • POS systems
  • Retail software
  • Money handling

The question now becomes:

Which soft/hard skills should you put on a retail resume?

That depends.

If you’re applying for a store clerk position, your resume section must focus on customer service skills and technical knowledge.

On the other hand:

A store manager’s role requires more commerciality and leadership skills.

So, it’s all about your background and plan for the future.

To help you accelerate your job hunt, we’ve gathered the best soft and core retail skills to include in a resume.

pro tip icon
Best 10 hard skills for retail resumes
  • Payment systems
  • Cash management
  • Math skills
  • POS systems
  • Quality assurance
  • Money handling
  • Retail software
  • Inventory management
  • Product knowledge
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12 in-demand soft skills for retail jobs

Is education required in retail resumes?

The truth is:

Although a school degree isn’t so crucial for most retail jobs, companies often require a bare minimum level of education before hiring. Under the job requirements, you’ll see them asking for a high school diploma or GED.

If you have a GED or a better diploma, you must include an education section in your resume.

Of course…

For managerial positions, employers will ask for a higher degree — such as a B.Sc in Retail Management. So, take your time to read through each application and make sure you meet the requirements.

Your education section should look something like this:

Education
High School Diploma
Young Magnet High School
Chicago, IL
RIGHT

Which certificates are most required for retail jobs?

Again…

It all depends on which job position you’re applying for and your goals for the future.

If you’re a retail store manager, try to feature a project management certificate in your resume. Although it’s not required, such a certification will put its owner ahead of the competition.

Certificates are also crucial for climbing up the ladder and getting promoted quickly.

On the contrary:

It wouldn’t make a difference if you featured a sales management certificate for an entry-level job. In fact, you might come off as overqualified and not be considered for the position.

Here are some of the most sought-after certificates to list on your resume:

Do you need a language section for retail resumes?

Language is a necessary tool for day-to-day interactions with retail customers. That’s especially true in areas where there’s a lot of cultural diversity and foreign customers.

Now:

Hiring companies will sometimes specify the languages they’re looking for in a retail applicant. But even if they don’t, a language section can offer a plus to your resume.

Here’s how to add languages to your resume:

List them all based on your level of efficiency. And make sure to start with the ones most relevant to the company’s customer profile.

Languages
English
Native
Spanish
Intermediate
French
Intermediate
RIGHT

Key takeaways

  • Leave a bold impression on recruiters by customizing your resume to match retail job applications
  • Write a good summary that features accomplishments and retail-specific skills
  • Use your relevant work history as a key selling point to show your true impact
  • Include relevant keywords, skills, and phrases to get your resume noticed by applicant tracking systems
  • Add more sections such as education, certificates, and languages to make your application more noticeable when the competition is fierce

Retail resume examples

Explore additional retail resume samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.

By Experience

Entry-Level Retail

Applying effectively for Entry-Level Retail jobs requires understanding customer service practices such as dealing with difficult customers, excellent communication, and responding to complaints. Emphasizing this experience in your application sets you apart. Providing retail-specific training or courses you've taken makes you stand out from those with only basic customer service experience. Highlight any hands-on experience in a retail environment, even if the role seems insignificant. Don't just enumerate your skills, provide instances where you've improved sales or increased customer satisfaction. This proves your potential and helps employers better evaluate your abilities.

By Role

Apple Retail

Apple Retail roles often require excellent customer service skills and brand knowledge. Highlight your previous customer service experience and product or technical knowledge related to Apple products. Discuss specific instances where you provided excellent customer experience or solved a customer's problem. Include any trainings or workshops on dealing with difficult customers or enhancing customer service skills.
View Apple Retail Resume

Assistant Manager Retail

When applying for Assistant Manager Retail positions, focus on managerial experience and leadership skills. Detail previous roles where you trained new employees, led a team or exceeded sales targets. Don't just list your leadership skills; instead, describe situations where these skills were instrumental in achieving specific results, such as increased sales or improved team morale.
View Assistant Manager Retail Resume

Budtender

For Budtender positions, emphasize your customer service skills and thorough knowledge of cannabis products and regulations. Indicate any relevant Cannabis experience and ability to educate customers about different strains. Mention any positive customer feedback received or instances of dealing with complex customer queries.
View Budtender Resume

Fashion Retail

For Fashion Retail jobs, it is important to show your passion for fashion and sales. Mention your knowledge about latest fashion trends and brands, and your ability to engage customers in conversations about fashion. Include examples of upselling or achieving sales targets.
View Fashion Retail Resume

Grocery Manager

When applying for Grocery Manager roles, it is essential to highlight your previous experience in grocery retail. Discuss your responsibilities in inventory management, staff supervision, and customer service. Provide evidence of achieving KPIs, such as reducing inventory shrinkage or increasing sales.
View Grocery Manager Resume

High End Retail

High End Retail positions require exceptional customer service skills and keen understanding of luxury goods. Showcase any previous luxury sales experience, understanding of luxury brands and ability to build relationships with wealthy clientele. Include sales performance records or examples of upselling high-priced items.
View High End Retail Resume

Luxury Retail

For Luxury Retail roles, emphasize your experience in selling luxury goods, knowledge about various luxury brands, and the ability to deliver exceptional client service. Cite instances where you exceeded sales targets, built a strong client base or received positive feedback from high-end clients.
View Luxury Retail Resume

Merchandise Manager

Merchandise Manager roles require experience in product selections and merchandising in retail settings. Highlight your previous experience in managing inventory, planning product displays, and coordinating with suppliers. Provide instances where your decisions led to increased sales or better inventory turn-over.
View Merchandise Manager Resume

Merchandising Manager

Merchandising Manager roles typically involve inventory management and visual merchandising. Highlight any experience in developing sales strategies, merchandising products, and collaborating with buying teams. Provide specific examples of how your strategies increased sales or improved product visibility.
View Merchandising Manager Resume

Retail Assistant Store Manager

For Retail Assistant Store Manager jobs, highlight your previous management experience. Emphasize your staff supervision skills, experience in meeting sales targets, and your ability to handle store operations. Include instances where you took initiative to resolve a store issue or where you contributed to the store's success.
View Retail Assistant Store Manager Resume

Retail Designer

Retail Designers should showcase their ability to create visually appealing and customer-friendly retail spaces. Detail your work on previous projects with photos or references. Include examples of how your designs increased in-store traffic or enhanced customer experience.
View Retail Designer Resume

Retail Director

A Retail Director role involves high-level management. Highlight your previous retail leadership experiences, strategic planning, and execution. Give examples of successful strategies you implemented, increased revenue or reduced costs, and talk about profit and loss responsibility.
View Retail Director Resume

Retail General Manager

Applying to Retail General Manager roles, focus on your management and leadership skills. Provide examples of previous retail store management, decision making, and team management. Include any record of enhancing store operations and achieving sales targets.
View Retail General Manager Resume

Retail Operations Manager

For Retail Operations Manager roles, emphasize your previous experience in managing store operations, improving sales, and optimizing resource utilization. Highlight specific instances where your initiatives resulted in cost savings or efficiency improvements.
View Retail Operations Manager Resume

Retail Pharmacist

For a Retail Pharmacist position, focus on your skills in dispensing pharmaceuticals, advising patients and knowledge on various drugs. Highlight your attention to detail, communication skills, and customer service in pharmacy settings. Include instances where your advice made a difference in patient health or drug interaction prevention.
View Retail Pharmacist Resume

Retail Sales Supervisor

When applying as a Retail Sales Supervisor, highlight your leadership and sales experience. Include examples of meeting or exceeding sales targets, training sales associates, and handling customer complaints satisfactorily.
View Retail Sales Supervisor Resume

Retail Salesperson

A Retail Salesperson role requires excellent sales and customer service skills. Highlight any experience in meeting sales targets, product knowledge, and dealing with customers. Enhance your application by sharing instances of providing outstanding customer service or upselling products.
View Retail Salesperson Resume

Visual Retail

For Visual Retail roles, include experience in designing retail spaces for optimal customer experiences. Discuss your understanding of visual merchandising principles. Provide examples of retail projects that led to improved store traffic or increased average basket size.
View Visual Retail Resume

Retail Sales Associate

Retail Sales Associate positions are heavily influenced by trends in retail and customer service. For a more successful application, consider the following advice:

Include any sales-based experience, especially upselling and cross-selling strategies. Retail environments often focus on sales targets, so any skills that directly boost sales are valuable. Remember to feature your people skills as well, since establishing rapport and building relationships with customers are crucial. Additionally, do not simply mention your merchandising skills but also explain how they help to enhance store aesthetics and drive customer purchases; follow the 'skill-action-result' pattern to achieve this.

retail resume example

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