Are you looking to write your perfect Sales Assistant CV?
Sales assistants play a pivotal role in the world of retail, where excellent customer service and product knowledge are essential.
Crafting a standout CV is crucial in showcasing your qualifications, experience and achievements, as it’s your first opportunity to make a positive impression on potential employers.
In this article, we’ll provide you with a complete step-by-step guide, valuable tips and real-world examples to help you create an interview-winning CV that sets you on the path to success. Let’s get started!
I am seeking a sales-oriented position that enables me to utilise and fortify the attributes, skills and personal qualities I currently have and to make a real, tangible difference in the company that I work for. I have always been an extremely hands-on, practical and energetic worker and am very experienced with providing excellent customer service at all times and in all circumstances. I have a “can-do” attitude, and I enjoy overcoming challenges.
Achievements
Junior Sales Person of the Month (2011, Maplin Electronics)
Raised £485 for Cancer Research UK
Achieved 7 GCSEs at grades A*–C
Education
2006 – 2008
Level 3 BTEC National Diploma in Business
Leeds College
Relevant Modules:
The Business Environment (Distinction)
Introduction to Marketing (Distinction)
Product Marketing Research (Merit)
Supporting Business Activities (Distinction)
2004 – 2006
GCSEs
Harbourne School
Results:
English Language (A)
Mathematics (C)
Business Studies (B)
Economics (C)
History (A)
Information Technology (B)
Psychology (A)
Work experience
Apr 2010 – Present
Sales Assistant Maplin Electronics
Main duties performed:
Opening up and closing the shop for two days a week
Assisting with the day-to-day running of the shop
Meeting and greeting customers and tailoring services and selected products to meet their needs and expectations
Handling customer payments, refunds, complaints, compliments, etc.
Meeting sales targets and marketing the company’s special offers
Providing training to work experience Sales Assistants from the local schools
Liaising with head office and suppliers regarding stock replenishment
Feb 2009 – Apr 2010
Sales and Marketing Assistant Next
Main duties performed:
Acting as the first point of contact for the shop’s existing and new customers
Till operation, serving customers and directing them around the shop
Handling customer queries and complaints on a day-to-day basis.
Recording and maintaining customer records and sales inquiries
Keeping calm and professional when dealing with aggressive customers
Giving expert advice on product selection to customers
Arranging window displays (and special promotions)
General cleaning and maintenance of the shop.
Jun 2008 – Feb 2009
Receptionist Vivic Ltd.
Main duties performed:
Greeting customers and visitors and acting as the “face of the company”
General Admin duties: phoning, filing, printing, photocopying, etc.
Dealing with customer complaints & compliments in a professional manner
Qualifications
Five-day Sales Bootcamp – Charted Institute of Marketing (CIM)
Level 2 Award in Effective Team Member Skills – ILM
Skills
Excellent Interpersonal and Communication skills
Outstanding Persuasion and Negotiation skills
Being able to relate to and provide service for customers’ needs & requirements
Deep knowledge of the selling process and the ability to put it into practice
Hobbies and interests
I have previously been involved in organised charity events as well as completing short runs to help raise money for events. In my spare time, I surf the web and enjoy spending time with my family and friends and also meeting new people from all backgrounds.
Professional and neutral tone: The CV maintains a professional and neutral tone throughout, avoiding overly casual language that might be inappropriate in a formal context. Remember, even if you’re applying for entry-level positions such as this one, your CV needs to convey professionalism. During the interview, you have a chance to make your personality shine.
Professional font choice: The choice of a professional and legible font, Verdana, ensures that the CV is easy to read and looks polished.
Clear job entry information: Each job entry is detailed and provides all the key details like the company’s name, location, the candidate’s job title, employment dates, and main duties and achievements. The information is also presented in reverse chronological order (most recent first), making it easier for the most relevant, significant and recent information to be seen first by the employer.
Focus on skills: The CV, across various sections, highlights both hard skills (e.g., proficiency in point-of-sale systems) and soft skills (e.g., communication and teamwork), reinforcing the candidate’s suitability for the job.
Understanding of the retail industry: The CV demonstrates a clear understanding of the retail industry, its dynamics, and the specific skills and qualities required for success. They have used the correct sales terminology in their CV, making their CV more targeted for the role.
Include up-to-date contact details: Provide up-to-date contact information, including a professional email address, to make it easy for employers to reach you. This information should be presented at the top of your CV, making it easier for employers to identify that the CV belongs to you and how to contact you.
Avoid irrelevant personal information: Keep personal information such as age, date of birth, marital status, nationality, gender and photos out of your CV. These details are generally not relevant to the job and can open the doors of discrimination against you.
Use consistent formatting: Maintain consistency in formatting throughout your CV. Ensure that headings, bullet points, margins, line spacing and fonts are uniform.
Emphasise customer service skills: In the skills section, emphasise customer service skills like active listening, problem-solving and conflict resolution, which are essential requirements for a sales assistant. Refer to the job’s personal specification for more skills that are required for the role and make sure you include them on your CV (if applicable).
Prioritise your strong selling points: Place the most relevant and important information, such as your recent work experience and key skills, at the top of your CV to grab the recruiter’s attention.
Proofread and edit: Before sending your CV to prospective employers, thoroughly proofread and edit it to eliminate any typos, grammatical errors or formatting issues.
Your personal profile should include a brief summary of your skills, experiences and career goals, giving the employer a snapshot of what makes you a valuable candidate for the job.
As an experienced Sales Assistant with a track record of exceeding sales targets by 20% in my previous role, I am dedicated to delivering exceptional customer service and driving revenue growth. With a deep understanding of product features and a knack for identifying customer needs, I consistently fostered positive client relationships. My strong communication and problem-solving skills make me a valuable asset to any sales team.
Achievements
The achievements section of your CV is where you highlight the most important accomplishments in your career, education or life in general.
You should include things like awards you’ve won, promotions you’ve earned, high grades you’ve achieved, or any other notable successes that show you excel in what you do.
Note: This section is especially important if you don’t have any relevant work experience as a sales assistant. It will show the employer that despite lacking work experience, you are still an achiever aiming for excellence in everything you do.
Example:
Received positive feedback from customers and maintained a high satisfaction rate.
Played a key role in launching a successful new product line.
Consistently exceeded monthly sales targets for three consecutive quarters.
Volunteered for a charity event and helped raise £5,000.
Received a certificate for completing a customer service excellence course.
Work experience
When writing the work experience section of your CV, start with your most recent job and work backwards.
For each position, highlight your key responsibilities, accomplishments and the impact you had on the company. Use action verbs (e.g. “negotiated”, “implemented”, etc.) and quantify your achievements (e.g. “Improved sales by 15%”) where possible, so you clearly show the value you brought to your previous roles.
Remember, the goal is to demonstrate how your past experiences make you the right fit for the job you’re applying for so always look at the job advertisement and try to tailor your CV to that.
March 2022 – Present
Sales Assistant XYZ Retail Ltd
Main duties and responsibilities performed:
Assisted customers in selecting and purchasing products, resulting in a 15% increase in sales.
Provided excellent customer service by addressing inquiries and resolving issues promptly.
Maintained organised product displays and ensured the store’s visual appeal.
Collaborated with the team to achieve and exceed monthly sales targets.
Operated the cash register and handled financial transactions accurately.
Achievements: Consistently ranked as one of the top-performing sales assistants, contributing to a 20% boost in in-store revenue.
Assisting customers in product selection and providing detailed information about features and benefits.
Processing sales transactions accurately through the point-of-sale system.
Maintaining a tidy and organised sales floor, ensuring products are well-displayed.
Resolving customer inquiries and complaints in a professional and helpful manner.
Monitoring and replenishing inventory to ensure products are in stock.
Collaborating with the sales team to achieve and exceed sales targets.
Keeping up-to-date with product knowledge and staying informed about promotions and sales.
Supporting store promotions and marketing initiatives.
Handling cash, credit and debit card payments while maintaining cash register accuracy.
Education
The education section of your CV is where you tell potential employers about your academic background. It includes details about where and what you’ve studied, your qualifications and the dates you completed your studies.
Example:
September 2017 – June 2019
Level 3 College Course in Retail Management
Stafford College
Grade achieved: Distinction.
Subjects studied:
Sales and Customer Service
Retail Operations
Merchandising and Display
Business Communication
September 2015 – June 2017 Results: 7 GCSEs at Grades A*-C, including Maths and English.
GCSEs
Windsor Secondary School
Professional qualifications
In addition to your formal education, you may also have completed professional training courses in sales or customer service. List them here.
Example:
Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Customer Service – The Open University
Level 2 Certificate in Retail Knowledge – City & Guilds
IT Proficiency Certification – Microsoft Office
Sales and Marketing Course – Sales Institute UK
Effective Communication Training – 1-to-1 Training Centre
Conflict Resolution Seminar – Professional Development Institute
Skills and abilities
The skills section of your CV is where you highlight the specific abilities and qualities that make you a great fit for a Sales Assistant role.
This section provides a quick overview of what you bring to the table and helps employers see how well you match the job requirements.
You should include skills like excellent communication, customer service, product knowledge, sales techniques and proficiency in software relevant to the position.
Example:
Customer service: Delivered top-notch customer service, maintaining a 95% customer satisfaction rate and resolving customer complaints effectively.
Sales techniques: Consistently exceeded monthly sales targets by 20% through effective upselling and cross-selling strategies.
Product knowledge: Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of our product range, resulting in a 15% increase in product-related sales.
Team collaboration: Worked collaboratively with the sales team, leading and training junior staff to meet and surpass sales goals.
Sales techniques: Using strategies to boost sales, such as upselling and cross-selling.
Communication: Effective interaction with customers and colleagues.
Inventory management: Handling and organising stock efficiently.
Problem-solving: Addressing customer issues and finding solutions.
Cash handling: Accurate management of cash transactions.
Adaptability: Quickly adjusting to changes in products or procedures.
Organisation: Keeping work areas and displays neat and orderly.
Upselling: Encouraging customers to purchase additional products or services.
Cross-selling: Promoting related products to increase average transaction value.
Customer service: Providing excellent service to meet customer needs and ensure satisfaction.
Client relationship building: Cultivating positive and lasting customer connections.
Technology proficiency: Skilful use of sales and CRM software tools.
Negotiation: Effectively bargaining and closing deals with customers.
Hobbies & interests
The hobbies and interests section of your CV is a chance for you to show your personality and share what you’re passionate about outside of work.
You should include hobbies that demonstrate qualities like teamwork, leadership, creativity or any interests that reveal your character and make you a more interesting and relatable candidate.
You could also mention being part of a local football team, volunteering for a charity or pursuing a creative hobby like painting or photography. Remember, only include hobbies that are relevant to the role and/or add value to your application.
Example:
In my free time, I enjoy staying up-to-date with the latest fashion trends, which complements my role as a Sales Assistant. I’m an avid runner, demonstrating discipline and determination, qualities that are valuable in the sales environment. Additionally, I’m part of a local volunteering group, showcasing my commitment to customer service and community engagement.
Referees
The referees section on your CV is where you provide contact information for individuals who can vouch for your skills and character. Employers will contact them to get an unbiased opinion about you.
You should choose referees who know you professionally and can speak to your qualifications. They can be former teachers, tutors, colleagues, supervisors, managers, etc.
Remember to obtain their permission before listing them as references and ensure that they are willing to speak on your behalf.
Example:
Robert Henderson Sales Manager, XYZ Retail Address: 123 Oak Street, London, NW1 4RT Tel: 0123-456-7890 Email:[email protected]
Victoria Lewis Regional Sales Director, QuickMart Ltd Address: 789 Aberdeen Avenue, Birmingham, B7 8YZ Tel: 0456-789-1234 Email:[email protected]
Note: If you do not wish to disclose your references on your CV, you should write, “References are available upon request.”
Highlight achievements: Showcase specific accomplishments, such as exceeding sales targets by 20% or receiving recognition for outstanding customer service. This will have a major impact on your chances of getting a job because research has shown that achievement-focused CVs are three times more likely to be shortlisted for interviews!
Tailor for each job: Customise your CV for each application by emphasising skills and experiences that match the specific sales assistant role. This means that you should not use the CV same for multiple jobs as the needs of the employers and roles will differ, even if the job vacancies are for a role with the same job title.
Show adaptability: Highlight your ability to adapt to different situations, like handling peak sales periods and addressing customer complaints effectively.
Problem-solving: Share examples of how you’ve resolved issues, like handling difficult customers or finding solutions to stock shortages.
Volunteer work: If applicable, mention volunteer experiences that demonstrate teamwork, leadership or community involvement.
Conclusion
This is the end of our comprehensive guide on how to write a Sales Assistant CV.
We’ve provided you with valuable insights, real-world examples and a wealth of tips to craft the perfect CV that stands out to potential employers.
You should now feel equipped to create a tailored CV that highlights your sales skills, customer service expertise and professionalism. Remember to customise it for each job application, using the strategies we’ve shared to make a lasting impression.
With your well-crafted Sales Assistant CV, you’re one step closer to securing your desired job in the competitive world of retail and sales. Best of luck in your job search!
Written by Sobhan Mohmand Sobhan is a qualified Careers Advisor and Professional CV Writer with over 10 years of experience in helping job seekers get a job. He is a Member of the Careers Development Institute (CDI) and is listed on the official UK Register of Career Development Professionals. He holds a Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development (QCF).
