Created by CakeIn this article, you will learn about:Step 1: Pick the best layout for your
retail resume.Step 2: Choose the right format for your
retail resume.Step 3: Start the
retail resume with basic contact details.Step 4: Create an eye-catching title for your
retail resume.Step 5: Craft a professional
retail resume summary.Step 6: Include relevant skills in the
retail resume.Step 7: Highlight your best experience and accomplishments.Step 8: List educational background in your
retail resume.Step 9: Add an extra section to highlight personal traits.Step 10: Craft a convincing
retail cover letter for your resume.
Retail resume sampleWriting a resume for
retail jobs is like promoting sales. Showcase your best side to make the hiring manager interested. Keep reading to learn how to write a professional
retail resume and adopt a
retail resume template.
As a
retail clerk, your job responsibilities include:Serving and greeting with customersHandling customer queries and complaintsOperating cash registers and dealing with paymentsDisplaying productsHelping with special promotionsReporting and ordering stocksMeeting sales targetsManaging stock and inventoriesAnalyzing sales
This article will cover how to write a professional
retail resume to make you stand out from the crowd. Follow our
retail resume writing guide step by step and feel free to refer to the
retail resume example at the end of the article. Step 1: Pick the best layout for your
retail resume.🖋 How long should a resume for
retail be?
As much as your
retail experience might be, a
retail resume is usually one page long. This is sufficient to make you stand out, and there is no need to stuff your resume for
retail jobs with unnecessary information.
🖋 What is the best font for a
retail resume?
The font you choose makes all the difference to your
retail resume. It will give away the feeling that you give to others or even your personality.
If you want a professional look for your resume for
retail, choose one from the following commonly used fonts: Arial, Helvetica, Gill Sans, Roboto, Times New Roman, or Verdana are all ideal choices.
🖋 What is the standard margin for a
retail resume?
The standard margin for an A4 paper is around 0.8-1 inch (2-2.54 cm), depending on the amount of content in your
retail resume.
🖋 What should the line spacing for a
retail resume be?
For the
retail resume line spacing, keep it between 1.15 to 1.5. As for heading and titles, double the line spacing to 2.
🖋 What format should a
retail resume be in, Word or PDF?
Your resume format for the
retail job depends on the application channel. Always follow the instructions given to you. If the company doesn't specify, you can send over your resume in PDF format as PDF files are more device-friendly. However, a MS Word file is much easier to scan for some applicant tracking software.
Step 2: Choose the right format for your
retail resume.Choosing a nice format for your
retail resume is another key factor. Here are the 3 most accepted formats to outline your
retail resume.
🖋 Chronological resume format
Chronological format is widely accepted for its emphasis on work experience. Your most recent
retail experience is listed upfront on your resume in a reverse-chronological format, and below it are earlier
retail experience.
🖋 Functional resume format
Skills are the main emphasis in a functional resume format. You use the skills section to demonstrate work experience. Using a functional format is an ideal way when you are writing an entry-level
retail resume or resume for a
retail job with no experience
🖋 Combinational resume format
A combinational resume format combines a chronological format with a functional format. Use this format for your
retail resume to highlight experience and
retail skills. It’s suitable for a candidate with robust
retail experience.
Step 3: Start the
retail resume with basic contact details.You should include these:Full NameEmail AddressPhone NumberAddress (optional)LinkedIn URL(optional)Personal Website(optional)You should not include these:Date of BirthSexual OrientationReligion or BeliefMarital Status and DependencyExpected/Current SalaryStep 4: Create an eye-catching title for your
retail resume.A resume title is a brief sentence that describes your professional role. It’s placed on top of your resume for
retail jobs, and remember to write according to the requirements listed in the job posting.
👍 Tip 1: Use job description keywords in your
retail resume headline.
Marking keywords in the job description and incorporating them into your customized
retail resume will make it more appealing in the hiring managers’ eyes.
👍 Tip 2: Highlight strongest achievements or skills right away.
Write your job title like a news headline so hiring managers will continue reading other sections of your
retail resume.
👍 Tip 3: Add years of experience to attract the recruiter.
If you are an experienced applicant, specify the years of experience to substantiate your qualification in the resume title for
retail jobs.
Retail resume headline examples:Patient
retail worker with 3+ years of experience in the automotive industry.Data-driven
retail assistant with 4+ years of experience and skilled in customer service.Sharp
retail worker with strong sales communication skills and 4+ years of experience.
Step 5: Craft a professional
retail resume summary.A resume summary is 3-4 sentences that recap your qualifications for the
retail jobs. You can write a summary for a
retail resume after you finish other sections on the resume and pick out the most impressive achievements. 👍 4 tips to write a
retail resume summary:
Apply the same keywords in the job description.Use quantified results to describe your
retail experience and achievements.Keep it concise and only write about relevant experiences skills.
💁♀️ Reminder:A resume objective is another way for
retail job applicants to write a short statement to grab the recruiter’s attention. An objective focuses on your ambition, character, and skills for the
retail job. It is suitable for rookies writing an entry-level
retail resume or resume for a
retail job with no experience.
Retail resume summary examples:Dedicated and friendly
retail worker with 3+ years of experience. Looking forward to bringing sales growth in ABC Company with strong communication skills and customer relationships management skills.
Retail Clerk of the Year in 2019 and 2020 in the previous position.Enthusiastic and friendly
retail clerk with customer service skills and inventory management skills. Seeking to help boost XYZ Company sales growth and work with team members to develop and carry out marketing strategies.Customer-focused and amiable
retail associate with 2 years of experience maintaining customer relationships by providing customers with professional and friendly customer service.
Step 6: Include relevant skills in the
retail resume.In your
retail resume, the employers will also look at the skills section to decide if you are right for the
retail job. Keep in mind that your
retail resume skills should align with those mentioned in the job posting.
To list skills on a resume for
retail jobs, refer to different skill-listing formats:
A bullet list is the easiest way to showcase your
retail skills.An expanded bullet list is a simple way to write about various
retail skills.Integrating skills with work experience is another way to present
retail skills for the recruiter to see on a
retail resume. Use a functional resume format to make your strong
retail skills stand out.If you have tons of skills to list, categorizing your skills will be ideal. Use colons or bold font to mark the general categories.
Example hardskills to put on a resume for
retail jobs:AccountingAmberPOSBrightpearlCashier skillsCegid
retail (Yourcegid)Data key-inEpicor
retail solutionsEpos NowIT skillsLoyverse POSLightspeed
retailMS Office Word, ExcelNCR counterpointNetSuiteNumeracyOracle MicrosQuickbooks Pos
Retail proSquare for
retailShopify PoSExample softskills to put on a resume for
retail jobs:AdaptabilityCustomer serviceCommunication skillsCustomer supportEmotional intelligenceInterpersonal skillsInventory managementInitiativeLoss preventionMerchandisingSharp memoryOrganizational skillsProblem-solving skillsProduct knowledge
RetailResponsibilityRapport buildingSales promotionTime managementTeamwork
Step 7: Highlight your best experience and accomplishments.
The work experience section on the resume gives the hiring manager substantial information to show your suitability for the
retail job. It’s probably the most important section in your
retail resume. Nevertheless, there’s no need to worry if you are writing an entry-level
retail resume with no experience.
Start with your latest or current job experience, then move on to previous roles in reverse-chronological order.List your job role title, employment dates, and the company’s or store’s name and location.Use 2-5 bullet points to describe each job’s duties and your achievements.Each bullet point should focus on one specific skill, task, and its result.
👍 3 tips for writing a good work experience section for your
retail resume:
Tailor to the job: applying the same keywords in the requirements of the job posting to tailor your
retail resume should increase your chance of getting an interview.Add quantifiable results: use numbers to describe your achievements if possible to make your achievements precise.Use action verbs: start each bullet point with strong verbs such as “assisted” or ”increased” to show you are initiative-taking.
Retail resume work experience examples:
Retail Customer Service Assistant |Jun. 2018 – Feb. 2020Kincas ElectronicsAssisted in inventory management, product display maintenance, cashier, and labeling products.Received 96% satisfaction rate from customer service feedback surveys.Utilized technology service and social media tools to monitor e-commerce and raised sales growth by 30%.
Retail Merchandiser Service |May 2016 – Jun. 2018MahlarAchieved an average of 150% of sales goals without failing in any given month.Assisted an average of 40+ customers daily in household electronics-related information questions.Assisted Spanish-speaking customers and maintained customers relationships.
Step 8: List educational background in your
retail resume.What to write in your education background in a
retail resume:Type of degreeMajor, minor, or focusSchool name, locationGraduation year (or expected graduation year)Dean’s List or GPA score (optional)Relevant coursework or activities (optional)Study abroad programs (optional)
🖋 Where to put the education section on a resume for
retail jobs?
In an entry-level
retail resume with no experience, the education section matters and will determine if you are going to be invited for an interview. List your education upfront, right after the resume objective for
retail.For experienced
retail applicants, your
retail experience is more crucial in the resume. Place education section after work experience section.
🖋 How to write the education section in the following 3 situations?
1. High school education
If you never attend college, here’s how to list your high school degree in the
retail resume.
Example:Redwood High School, CAGraduated in 2015
2. Education in progress
If you haven’t finished your degree, listing “in progress” or “expected to graduate in [date]” in the
retail resume is just fine!
Example:BA in English Literature in ProgressSarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, NYExpected to graduate in 2021
3. Incomplete education
What if you never graduated? No worries - put it like this:
Example:Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ2016 - 2017 Completed 65 credits towards a BA in EconomicsRedwood High School, Phoenix, AZAttended school from 2015-2017
Further reading:How to Put Unfinished Degree on Resume: Guide + Examples
Step 9: Add an extra section to highlight personal traits.To spice up a little in your
retail resume, add an extra section to show your uniqueness and related
retail qualifications. When writing additional personal information in the
retail resume, try to connect it with the job application or use actual accomplishments to describe your degree of devotion.
Volunteer workVolunteered at a local food bank, prompting donation.
Certifications and awards
Won the Arizona State University Student Speech Contest, 2016.
Projects
Ran a newsletter about local shops with 150+ subscribers.
Hobbies and interests
Social media marketing, Photography
References
Tomita HitoshiGeneral manager at ABC store202-555-0177Tomita Hitoshi was my direct supervisor when I worked at XYZ Company as a sales assistant from 2019-2020.
Step 10: Craft a convincing
retail cover letter for your resume.A well-written
retail cover letter addressed to the company or hiring manager will often bring positive effects. It provides a chance to speak directly with the hiring manager aside from your
retail resume. Use the structure below to write a
retail cover letter.
1. Contact details
Format it like your resume for
retail jobs, list your full name, email address, mobile number, and professional links such as LinkedIn, Cake, or your personal website.
2. Introduction
Start your
retail cover letter with simple greetings. Explain who you are and your current employment status. Be concise and highlight your strongest skill. Less than 4 sentences are sufficient.
3. Motivation (Intention to apply)
Explain which position you are applying for and the reason for such application. The key point is to show your understanding of the company or the industry as well as strong motivation.
4. Qualification
Next, conclude your qualifications for the
retail role in the cover letter. Pick the strongest work achievements in your
retail resume, and showcase them in the cover letter. Show initiative so they will be interested in your
retail resume.
5. Closing
Finally, close the cover letter by thanking them for their time. Add a call to action: encourage them to review your
retail resume, and let them know there‘s more to discuss in an interview.
Congratulations, that’s it! Follow the tips to complete a perfect
retail resume.
Retail resume sample
Jeffrey B. Randolph
Fashion
Retail Service703-293-6967
[email protected]Lawman Avenue, Detroit, MI
Personal Statement
Friendly and detail-oriented fashion
retail clerk with 3+ years of experience in fashion merchandising service
Skills
Fashion:
Styling senseBrand and trend knowledgeFashion drawing
Retail:
Customer serviceIT literateDigital marketing promotionInventory management
Soft Skills
Sociable personalityCollaborationCreativeResponsibilityDedicated
Work experience
Fashion
Retail Service ClerkMacy'sMay 2017 - May 2019
Designed merchandise display to showcase latest fashion trend and bring out promotion and resulted in 15% sales increase.Assisted junior
retail team members in the cashier, member registers, inventory management, and cleaning up.Maintained store organization and tidiness and received 95% outstanding performance in the yearly review.
Retail Merchandiser AssistantKara BoutiqueNov 2016 - Apr 2017
Increased sales by 25% by recommending best-selling merchandise according to the fashion trend.Provided
retail customer service for Spanish-speaking customers and received 98% positive feedback from customers.
Education
Associate of Science in Digital MarketingColby College, MaineAug 2016 - May 2018
Cake provides the right
retail resume templates formats to showcase your skills and experiences. Sign up to create and download your resume for a
retail job Now for free!Create Resume--- Originally written byWuChaoMin---