Sales Associate Resume Examples and Writing Tips

Key sections to include in a sales associate resume

Let’s start with the basics – the key elements in a resume for store associates are a header with contact details, a summary of your qualifications, work experience, education, and skills. There are also a number of optional sections you can add, including volunteer work.

This is a solid foundation to build your resume on, but it doesn’t stop here. Browse our collection of resume articles to learn how to add other unique elements to your resume, such as your photo or driver’s license. 

Header

Your resume header isn’t long or complicated, but the content is essential. This is where you provide your contact details, name, and job title so the recruiter has a quick, easy reference if they need to invite you to an interview.

A strong resume header should include:

• Full name
• Job title
• Phone number
• Email address
• Location (city and state)
• LinkedIn URL

Here’s an example resume header for a sales associate resume:

Resume summary or objective

Resume summaries and objectives are brief descriptions of your qualifications. Although they’re slightly different, they both serve the same purpose: to provide the hiring manager with a lightning-quick summary of why you’re the ideal candidate.

The primary difference between the two is that resume summaries are for established professionals, summarizing their experience and achievements, and objectives are for job seekers with little relevant experience, expressing their aspirations and goals.

Here’s an example of a resume summary for a sales associate resume:

Work experience

The work experience section is the most important section for most resumes. Employers want to see that you’ve done this sort of work before – relevant experience shows them that you can jump into the role and excel without a long ramp-up period.

Start each work experience entry with your job title, followed by the company name, its location, and your date of employment. Underneath, add a bullet point list of your most impressive, relevant achievements.

Here’s an example:

Education

Sales associate roles don’t often require a certain level of education: many of these professionals come from diverse, mixed backgrounds. This means that a resume for store associates doesn’t necessarily need an education section, but it’s still important to list your education, whether it’s a high school diploma, a college degree, or marketing course certificates.

Here’s an example of how to list a high school diploma, as it’s the most common type of education for a sales associate resume:

Hard & soft skills

Skills are a crucial element because sales associates don’t always have high education or an extensive work history. This section helps you convey that you have the abilities the employer needs, even if you don’t have the certifications.

Here are the top hard skills for sales associates:

• Point of sale (POS) systems
• Cash and card handling
• Closing techniques
• Upselling and cross-selling techniques
• Product knowledge
• Merchandising
• Returns and chargebacks
• Stocking shelves

Here are the top soft skills for sales associates:

• Communication
• Empathy
• Patience
• Customer service
• Conflict resolution
• Organization
• Relationship- and rapport-building
• Teamwork

Optional sections

Think of the following sections as great little “bonuses” – they aren’t necessary, but they help reinforce your qualifications and give the hiring manager a holistic view of your whole self.

The most common optional sections are:

• Volunteer work
• Languages
• Hobbies and interests
• Certificates

We highly recommend listing any volunteer experience you have, as it typically requires customer-centric skills like empathy, patience, and communication. For example, assisting in a blood drive requires interpersonal skills.

Another great optional element for sales associates is the languages section. The ability to speak multiple languages is incredibly helpful when handling many diverse customers. For example, a sales associate who can speak Chinese is highly desirable in California, where it’s the most common language besides English and Spanish. (1)

Tips for writing a sales associate resume

Now that you have the basics, let’s go beyond the fundamentals and make your resume stand out. The following tips can take your resume to the next level, including personalizing each resume and emphasizing your skills.

Tailor your resume to each job

No resume should be “one-size-fits-all,” so take a moment to tailor each one to the job you’re applying for. Read the job description carefully and include the skills, experience, and terms that the employer mentions.

Using different resume templates depending on the job is also a good idea. For example, if you’re aiming for a sales associate position at a classy, small-town apparel store, you should choose a professional template with a splash of color and personality.

Use a functional resume

A functional resume focuses on your skills over your work experience, which is handy for store associates. It’s common to enter a sales associate role with little to no relevant experience, whether you’re a recent graduate or switching careers from a similar position, such as a call center representative.

To build a sales associate skills resume, simply list your skills like work experience. Provide the name of the skill and a bullet point list of achievements that required that skill.

For more information, read our guide on choosing the right resume structure.

Use testimonials and reviews

Sales associates focus on customer service, so customer opinions and reviews are a great way to show off your achievements. If possible, provide real customer quotes on your resume to show your impact on a company’s clientele.

These can be placed in their own short section. Simply put the quote and attribute it to the customer. Use the person’s initials or simply “Customer” to keep it anonymous and protect their identity.

Build a sales associate resume that really sells

Thousands of companies need your excellent retail skills, so build a winning sales associate resume and go wow them. Show them you’re the ideal candidate with our tips:

• Tailor your resume for each job application
• Write a compelling resume summary or objective
• Use optional sections to set yourself apart from the crowd
• Use real customer quotes to give your work impact
• Try a functional resume if you have little experience and focus on your skills

Keep these tips in mind as you visit CVwizard’s Resume Builder. There, you can create a professional resume that’s easy to customize for each job opening.

References:

(1) Visual Capitalist, October 27, 2023: The Most Spoken Language in Every U.S. State (Besides English and Spanish)