Sales Associate Resume [Example + Job Description]

Retailers know that shopping isn’t just about fancy displays and a nice product. 

Sales associates play an essential role in providing that perfect customer interaction and clinching that sale. 

So what makes one an ideal candidate for a sales associate position? And how can you convince the store manager that you fit the bill?

Read on to see a professional sales associate resume sample that you can adjust to fit perfectly to your background and experience. Plus, I’ll show you an easy and fast way that will get you 10x more salesperson interviews than any other store resume you’ve written in the past.

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Before we get going, here are a few more sales resume examples:

• Sales Resume
• Retail Sales Associate Resume
• Sales Representative Resume
• Cashier Resume
• Walmart Resume
• Cashier Job Description for a Resume
• Grocery Store Resume
• Retail Resume
• Retail Manager Resume
• Store Manager Resume
• Sales Manager Resume
• Merchandiser Resume
• Insurance Sales Agent Resume
• Salesforce Resume
• Pharmaceutical Sales Resume
• Professional Resume Examples for Every Job
• 500+ more Resume Examples

Sales Associate Resume Example

1. Layout Your Sales Associate Resume The Right Way

Just like people, resumes have a hierarchy of needs—

The most foundational requirement of a resume is to be easily readable by the recruiter or HR manager. The contents of your resume won’t matter if it’s poorly formatted. Format your resume layout correctly to create a nice and easy to read resume with clearly structured sections.

Afterall—You could be the best candidate of all, but if reading your resume feels like trying to find your way in a Black Friday crowd, your chances to get an interview are slim.

So— 

Here are some tips on how you can format the template of your salesperson resume:

• Layout: The standard reverse-chronological order is close to a one-size-fits-all format.
• Subtitles: Bold your subheadings so that your resume can be quickly scanned.
• Font: Choose a professional resume font that is easy to read.
• Font size: Type in 11pt or 12pt font size for regular text, and 2–4pts larger for headings.
• Margins: Leave a one-inch resume margin on all four edges of your salesperson resume.
• Line spacing: Use single line spacing in the general body text.
• Sections: Utilize white space aplenty to help guide HR’s eyes down the page. 
• Filetype: The standard format is PDF, but double-check the job description to see if Word resume is preferred.

The content of your resume should include:

• Resume header: This section typically found at the top or side should include your current contact details.
• Introduction: Write a quick summary of who you are and what you can offer.
• Work experience: Target your experience to include previous positions and responsibilities.
• Education: a brief summary of your previous education.
• Skills: a list of applicable skills and abilities relevant to a job in sales.
• Extra sections: languages, licenses, interests, etc.

The simple trick that will get you the sales associate interview is to start from the bottom and work your way up. What does it mean exactly? Skip the resume intro paragraph for the time being and let’s start with your work history resume section.

There are a few guidelines that you need to know:

• The crucial rule is to use reverse-chronological order so start with the most recent position. 
• The important details of each position in your work experience are: the job title, company’s name and location and the dates of your employment.
• Add more details about your job responsibilities but make sure they are relevant to the salesperson position. Aim for around 6 short and related bullet points.
• Tailor each resume entry to the job ad in order to match the requirements of each job posting.
• Use numbers whenever you can - quantifiable achievements are crucial.
• If you want to use impactful language, begin each bullet point with resume action words.

Now— 

Let’s put those guidelines to the test.

Here are two sales associate resume examples of work history sections to follow:

Retail Sales Associate Resume Examples (Experienced)

That second resume example is as desirable as a rewards program from your dentist.

That first example, on the other hand, is as eye-catching as the newest iPhone.

Now—

Let’s walkthrough an example of a sales associate candidate with no experience. 

In that case what you need to do is to include all job responsibilities you held that are the most applicable to the job description. 

Sales Associate Job Description Examples (Limited Experience) 

As this example shows, even experience as a cashier can be enough if you phrase the key responsibilities in a way that proves that your skills are relevant. 

When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building a professional resume template here for free.

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2. Don’t Leave Out Your Education

Most sales associate jobs do not require education past a GED or a high school diploma unless you want to apply for a position of a store manager after a few years of experience. 

But—It’s still important to include your education in a proper way. 

How?

It all depends on your sales experience. If you have worked in retail already, it will be sufficient to mention basic information regarding your education. 

Let’s look at this example:

Retail Sales Associate Resume Sample Education Section (Experienced Candidate)

But— 

If you have little or none experience working in a store, add more details to your education section and try to add some relevant coursework, academic awards, extracurriculars, or honors on a resume, for instance.

Here’s a practical example:

Resume Salesperson Sample Education Section (Entry-Level Candidate)

No need to put your high school diploma if you completed a degree at college, unless you’re working on a degree currently. This is also the place to list a major or minor.

The general rule is to always put the most impressive and relevant things at the top, so if your education section is stronger than previous job experience, put it as a first section. 

Read up further: How to List Education on a Resume

3. List Your Sales Skills (Relevant to the Job Posting)

Having retail skills are fundamental to getting hired as a sales associate. 

That doesn’t mean you should over-exaggerate and list skills you don’t have.

You never know, the hiring manager just might ask for a demonstration of your skills in the interview.

Here’s what you need to know to put skills on your resume the right way:

• Begin by making a list of the most important sales/store skills that you see in a specific job offer.
• Look through both the responsibilities and requirements sections.
• Take note of any resume keywords that catch your eye.
• Make a list of the skills you have, both hard skills and soft skills that overlap with those needed for the job. 
• Incorporate them throughout your resume.

Here are some common items to include in a sales associate skills resume section:

25+ Retail Skills for a Sales Associate Resume

• POS & Payment Handling
• Conflict Resolution & Mediation
• Customer Service Skills
• Marketing Skills
• Brand Management
• Specialized Product Knowledge
• Multitasking Skills
• Positivity
• Social Skills
• Empathy
• Visual Merchandising 
• Stocking Shelves
• Handling Returns
• Returns & Chargebacks 
• Technical Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Decision Making Skills
• Project Management Skills
• Critical Thinking Skills
• Organizational Skills
• Time Management Skills
• Communication Skills
• Teamwork Skills
• Computer Skills
• Problem Solving Skills

Now— 

Watch how easy it is to create a salesperson resume skills list using our guidelines:

Sample Sales Associate Resume Skills 

Easier than you thought it might be? 

Just one last tip. The only retail skills that you want on your resume are those that add a real value to it and help the manager imagine you as a perfect fit for the sales associate position. 

Read more about putting additional skills on store resumes: Skills Employers Look For

4. Mix in Some Additional Sections on Sales Associate Resume 

Now that you have a solid foundation of skills and experience on your resume, let’s add some flair—No, not the kind from Office Space.

If your skills and experience are the retail store itself, then additional resume sections can be the flashy neon sign out front guiding customers to the entrance. the Retail can be a stressful environment, the store manager wants to know are Resume resume sections we’ve covered so far.

Extra resume sections really help set yourself apart from your competition. Here are some of the best additional sections to consider on resumes for retail sales associates:

Sample Resume For a Sales Associate: Extra Sections

1. Certifications & Licenses on a Resume

If in your previous work experience you managed to get a retail license or sales certification that will certainly look great on your resume. It shows your future team leader or sales floor manager that you’ve got the know-how and the skills to help customers with their purchases like a pro. 

Here are some of the leading certificates to add on resumes for wholesale and retail sales associates:

• Certified Professional Sales Person (CPSP) from the National Association of Sales Professionals (NASP)
• Certified Sales Leadership Professional (CSLP) from the Sales Management Association (SLA)
• RISE Up Retail Industry Fundamentals Specialist from the National Retail Federation (NRF)
• RISE Up Customer Service & Sales Certified Specialist from the National Retail Federation (NRF)
• RISE Up Business of Retail: Operations & Profit Certified Specialist from the National Retail Federation (NRF)
• Consultative Sales Certification (CSC) from The Sales Association
• Certified Professional Salesperson (SCPS) from Sales and Marketing Executives International (SMEI)

2. Volunteer Experience

Not only does unpaid work make you look saintly, but it also further bolsters your job experience section. However, choose volunteer gigs which are most relevant to a job in a retail store environment.

3. Foreign Language Skills on a Resume

Communication with people is the essence of your job as a sales associate. Being able to speak any foreign language will certainly add an incredible value to your resume and impress your future manager!

4. Interests on a Resume

Mentioning your interests on a resume will let the store manager get to know you a bit better even before meeting you in person. Of course, keep in mind the general rule, whenever possible add passions and hobbies that might be the most related to the job you apply for. 

5. Memberships in Organizations

Have you ever joined a sales or retail association? If so, adding it to your resume can show your experience in the field, and prove that sales isn’t a last-minute thought. Here are a couple examples:

• The National Association of Sales Professionals (NASP)
• The National Retail Federation (NRF)

For more additional section possibilities, see this guide:What to Put on a Resume [Examples Included]

5. Sum It All Up With an Associate Resume Objective or Summary

And finally we can jump back to the beginning— 

Located at the top of any sales associate resume, whether for a job at Best Buy, Target, or Walmart, is the resume profile.

You can choose one of the two variants: a resume summary or a resume objective.

Not sure which is best for you? 

Choose the resume summary statement if you have the retail sales experience of Leonardo DiCaprio in Wolf of Wall Street.

Resume summaries are a brief description which goes though your main retail experience, store achievements, and professional achievements. Try to use numbers whenever possible to make the statement more impactful.

If you’re just starting out in retail, the resume objective statement can make up for your lack of experience. 

A sales associate resume objective is best when writing a first-time resume in retail sale. In this version of a resume introduction, you want to highlight your relevant retail skills and sales competencies you do have. 

 Here’s an example of a resume introduction statement.

Sample Sales Associate Resume Summary 

The second retail sales resume example starts off well, but it quickly becomes apparent to any store supervisor that it’s generic—a big no-no. Furthermore, there aren’t any skills with numbers to prove how well you handled salesperson duties. 

The right retail resume example, however, gives them just what they want.

Now— 

What should you do if you are applying for a sales associate position with no experience?

Use the objective resume statement.

A salesperson resume objective is best when writing a first-time resume in sales or when you have very little experience. In this variant you want to highlight your aspirational career goals and mention the relevant retail skills and sales competencies you do have. 

Remember, the numbered achievements always look more specific and impressive so try to include them in the objective resume profile.

Let me show you two contrasting examples:

Resume Examples for Sales Associates—Objective Statement

Just as in the summary, give relevant details on a resume objective for retail sales associate jobs. Add numbers to quantify your wins, as well!

To ensure your retail resume intro really gets the store manager to read further, check out this article: Cover Letter Opener [With Examples]

6. Attach a Sales Associate Cover Letter

Is there anything else you can do to increase your chances of getting the interview?

Of course. 

Always attach a cover letter. It’s much easier than you think if you just follow a few simple rules listed below. 

How to write a sales associate cover letter:

• Format the cover letter first, just as you did your salesperson resume.
• Address the cover letter to the hiring manager by name. 
• Start off with an intriguing cover letter introduction to get the reader’s attention. 
• Create an image that encompasses all your best experience, skills, and your professional background. 
• Mention your qualities and accomplishments that apply to the job.
• End the cover letter with a call-to-action asking for an interview!

Sounds like a lot, but the right template can make it a breeze.

A cover letter is also the perfect place to show enthusiasm, talk in details about your previous achievements, or explain a gap in your work history and will definitely give you an advantage over other candidates. 

Read more: Sales Cover Letter [Complete Guide with Example]

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

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See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Recap—Sales Associate Resume In a Nutshell

This article probably felt like the line on a Black Friday sale, you know, neverending.

But now you know everything to write a job-winning resume! Let’s sum up the key steps.

Here’s how to write a sales associate resume that'll get the job done:

• Start with a good resume template that is easy to read.
• Craft a work experience section that highlights your experience in customer service.
• Tailor your resume to match the job posting that you’re applying to. 
• Include additional sections to make your resume stand out.
• Write a resume summary that acts as an elevator pitch.
• Attach a cover letter because it can only help your chances.

Thanks for reading! Have any questions or comments? Let’s chat in the comments section!