Use
This is a simple CV template that would be a useful starting point for lots of different job roles. It has a little bit of colour around the border and headings to split the content of your CV up more effectively. This CV layout would suit lots of job positions. It includes example content for a retail type role such as Retail Assistant, Sales Associate or Cashier.
Filename: FreeCVDownload_4.docx
Content of this CV template
Keira Mendoza
Contact:
18 Hospital St, Perth PH2 8HN
07791234567
[email protected]
Profile:
- I am an enthusiastic, conscientious and hardworking retail assistant with more than 3 years’ experience.
- I am confident welcoming customers, leading conversations to understand what they need, guiding them to the right products and ensuring they have a great experience.
- I understand warehouse standards and have experience assisting with deliveries, replenishing and maintaining product stock, and keeping standards high.
- I have experience working effectively both as part of the team and independently.
Work history:
APRIL 2021 – DATE
Retail Assistant
TAPI CARPETS, PERTH
In this busy role my duties included:
- Helping customers with queries pre-sale and order completions.
- Handling post-sales questions including occasionally complaints.
- Working together with the rest of the store team to provide exceptional customer service.
- Changing promotions and store housekeeping.
- Answering email enquiries and adding new offers to the website.
- Admin, filing and some basic bookkeeping.
JANUARY 2019 – MARCH 2021
In-Store Customer Assistant
ADECCO, PERTH
In this varied role, my responsibilities included:
- Recruiting shoppers from within stores and inviting them to take part in tastings.
- Preparing food for tasting, ensuring safety and legal protocols are adhered to.
- Working in a team of people in store or in remote locations, running untrained customer panels on various products.
- Using questionnaires, asking product questions face-to-face, recording responses.
- Working to meet and exceed team targets, supporting colleagues.
- Induction and training of new starters.
APRIL 2018 – DECEMBER 2018
Store Assistant
ALDI, PERTH
Working at Aldi, my duties included:
- Working on the tills.
- Restocking the shelves and ensuring they are neat and tidy.
- Checking off deliveries.
- Dealing with enquiries.
- Supporting my colleagues.
- Delivering a great customer experience.
Education:
JUNE 2017
9 GCSEs including Maths (C) and English (C)
BERTHA PARK HIGH SCHOOL, PERTH
Interests:
I spend my free time walking, hiking and cycling. My favourite spots are the woods of Moncrieffe Hill, the foothills of the Ochils and Loch Leven.
How to write a Retail Assistant CV
Whether you’re applying for a retail assistant position in food, clothing, or any other sector, creating a compelling CV tailored to the role is essential. Retail is a dynamic and customer-focused industry, requiring a combination of specific skills and experience to stand out. This guide will help you craft a CV that effectively showcases your suitability for the role.
Understand the retail assistant role
Retail assistants play a crucial role in ensuring customers have a positive shopping experience. Responsibilities can vary depending on the sector but typically include:
- Greeting and assisting customers.
- Replenishing stock and ensuring shelves are well-organised.
- Operating tills and handling payments.
- Managing stockroom operations.
- Supporting promotional activities or upselling products.
To create a strong CV, focus on highlighting skills that demonstrate your ability to excel in these tasks.
Structure of your CV
A clear, well-organised CV ensures hiring managers can quickly find the information they need. Here’s an ideal structure:
- Contact details
- Professional summary/profile
- Key skills
- Work experience/history
- Education
- Additional certifications or achievements
- Hobbies and interests (optional)
Writing your contact details
Keep this section straightforward, ensuring it includes:
- Full name.
- Phone number.
- Professional email address.
- Address
- LinkedIn profile (if relevant).
Avoid unnecessary details like your date of birth, marital status, number of children, etc.
Crafting a professional summary
Your professional summary should be a concise snapshot of your skills, experience, and career goals. Tailor it to the specific role by mentioning the type of retail environment you’re targeting.
Example:
“Friendly and motivated retail assistant with over 3 years of experience in high-street fashion retail. Skilled in providing exceptional customer service, managing stock levels, and driving sales through effective product recommendations. Seeking to bring enthusiasm and strong interpersonal skills to a fast-paced retail environment.”
Highlighting key skills
Retail employers look for both technical and soft skills. Include a mix of these in your CV to reflect your versatility. Here are some examples:
Customer service skills
- Greeting customers warmly and assisting with queries.
- Resolving complaints or issues with professionalism.
- Anticipating customer needs and offering personalised recommendations.
Communication skills
- Explaining product details clearly to customers.
- Working effectively as part of a team.
- Liaising with suppliers or other departments.
Organisational skills
- Ensuring shelves are well-stocked and visually appealing.
- Managing stock rotations to minimise waste.
- Keeping the sales floor clean and safe.
Technical skills
- Using POS (point of sale) systems and handling cash transactions.
- Knowledge of inventory management software.
- Understanding basic sales analytics to monitor performance.
Problem-solving and adaptability
- Staying calm under pressure during busy periods.
- Handling unexpected issues like delivery delays or product shortages.
- Quickly learning about new products or promotions.
Detailing your work experience
Your work experience section should highlight your accomplishments, responsibilities, and the impact you had in previous roles. Use bullet points for clarity, starting each point with a strong action verb. Quantify your achievements wherever possible. Here are some examples:
- Delivered exceptional customer service, achieving a 98% customer satisfaction score in company surveys.
- Assisted in visual merchandising, increasing sales by 15% during seasonal promotions.
- Trained three new team members on store policies and procedures.
- Processed an average of 50 transactions daily, maintaining 100% accuracy.
Key tips:
- Tailor your experience to the job description, ensuring you include keywords from the posting.
- Focus on transferable skills if you’re transitioning from a different industry.
Highlighting your education
Include your education section even if it isn’t directly related to retail. Hiring managers often value general qualifications such as GCSEs, A-levels, or equivalent.
Example: GCSEs, including Mathematics (A) and English Language (B)
Springfield High School, Liverpool
Completed: June 2018
If you’ve completed higher education or vocational training, list these as well, especially if they’re relevant to the role.
Adding certifications and achievements
Additional certifications can set you apart from other candidates. Consider including:
- Health and safety training: Essential for roles in food retail or warehouse operations.
- Customer service training: Demonstrates your dedication to delivering excellent service.
- First aid certification: Useful in ensuring a safe shopping environment.
- Sales training or awards: Highlights your ability to meet or exceed targets.
Including hobbies and interests
This section is optional but can add personality to your CV. If you include hobbies, ensure they’re relevant or showcase desirable traits for a retail assistant, such as teamwork, communication, or creativity.
Examples:
- Volunteering at a local charity shop, assisting with stock organisation and customer service.
- Passion for fashion (if looking for a retail clothing role), staying up-to-date with the latest trends.
- Member of a local football team, demonstrating teamwork and commitment.
Tailoring your CV for different retail sectors
Retail spans a wide range of industries, so tailoring your CV to the specific sector can make a big difference. Here are a few tips:
Food retail
- Highlight knowledge of food hygiene and safety regulations.
- Mention experience in managing perishables or handling food stock.
Example: “Ensured compliance with health and safety standards while handling food products, contributing to a successful store audit.”
Fashion retail
- Emphasise visual merchandising and knowledge of current trends.
- Showcase your ability to provide personalised styling advice.
Example: “Developed appealing window displays that increased foot traffic by 10% during a promotional period.”
Electronics or specialist retail
- Focus on technical product knowledge and the ability to explain features.
- Highlight your ability to handle complex customer queries.
Example: “Advised customers on the best electronic products for their needs, achieving a 20% increase in repeat purchases.”
Formatting tips for your retail CV
A professional layout ensures your CV is easy to read and leaves a strong impression. Follow these tips:
- Font: Use a clear, professional font like Arial or Calibri.
- Font size: Use 11 or 12pt for the main text and slightly larger for headings.
- Spacing: Use consistent spacing to make the document visually appealing.
- Length: Aim for no more than two pages.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Generic CVs: Avoid sending the same CV to every job. Tailor it to each role.
- Spelling errors: Proofread thoroughly to ensure accuracy.
- Irrelevant information: Focus on skills and experiences relevant to retail.
- Overloading with text: Keep information concise and easy to skim.
FAQs
What skills should I demonstrate on my retail assistant CV?
Key skills include excellent customer service, communication, teamwork, time management, problem-solving, and the ability to handle cash and operate POS systems.
What qualifications are employers interested in, for a retail role?
Most retail assistant roles do not require formal qualifications beyond basic literacy and numeracy. However, GCSEs or equivalent in subjects like English and Maths can be beneficial.
What tools or systems are beneficial for my retail assistant application?
Retail assistants often use POS (point of sale) systems, inventory management software, barcode scanners, and, in some cases, basic office software like Excel for stock management.
