Retail Resume Examples
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Retail Industry Outlook
Jobs in the retail sector are expected to decrease 2% according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is no doubt due to the increased usage of online shopping.
However, with the abundance of retail jobs shrinking slightly, that’s going to make it all the more necessary to make certain that your resume outshines those of your job seeking competitors.
If you want to make sure your resume stands out, use our professional writing tips below.
3 Tips for Writing Retail Resumes
Choose the Best Resume Format for Your Retail Experience
A resume format refers to the way that the information on your resume is organized and how much space is allotted to each section.
Based on your retail experience, certain formats are better to show your strengths as a job seeker.
If you’re a candidate with five or more years’ experience in retail, you should use what’s called a chronological format.
A chronological format is by far the most common resume format because it puts the focus on your work experience which is listed in reverse-chronological order.
This format works really well if you have the experience to use it because it tells employers what you’ve done at other companies, and gives a more concrete sense of what you might bring to their organizations.
If you want to apply to a role in retail but have little to no experience — maybe you’re in school or transferring industries — you should probably use a functional format.
A functional resume puts greater emphasis on your skills and education rather than your experience. That way you can focus on what you feel capable of doing and achieving, rather than on the experience you lack.
Somewhere in the middle, if you have two years of experience but less than five in retail, you should consider using a hybrid format.
Just like it sounds, a hybrid format is a combination of the chronological and a functional format. It puts more weight on your skills. But it also allows more space to describe your work history than a functional resume.
Be sure to choose one of these three formats before you start writing your resume. Selecting the right resume format will help ensure that you’re presenting your candidacy in the strongest possible way.
Include Numbers Wherever Possible on Your Retail Resume
Retails is a numbers game, so if you want to impress a potential employer try to incorporate numbers that reflect what you’re capable of achieving as an employee. If you achieved good sales numbers from your experience, list these on your resume.
For example, if you were a retail associate at a previous job, you could include a figure about your average daily sales like, “Rang daily average of $2,400.” This will help give an employer a better sense of what kind of volume you are capable of handling.
If, for instance, you were a manager at a retail store, you might want to mention how many employees you oversaw: “Led sales team of eight associates in daily operations.” It gives employers an easy-to-picture of your duties.
Wherever possible, numbers will draw an employers eye. Be sure to include them as you see fit.
Make Sure Your Resume Looks Great by Using a Template
One of the biggest challenges job seekers face in writing a resume is to be certain that your information is easy to read, has a functional design and looks appealing. After all, you’re applying for a job in retail, not design.
That’s why you might consider using a resume template. A template is a preformatted document that takes care of the design elements so you can focus on writing.
They’re easy to use — just a three-step process:
- Select a template that you like.
- Download it and fill in your personal information.
- Save it in a desired format and send it out to employers.
You’ll save a lot of time preparing your resume so that you can get down to business and start applying for the jobs you want.
JobHero features loads of templates that can help you prepare your resume in a few quick minutes
Retail Resume FAQ
What should I put on my resume for retail?
A retail resume doesn’t differ very much from a resume in most other fields, the same essential sections are going to be required: Your name and contact information, a professional summary or objective statement, work experience section, list of job-related skills and your educational background.
JobHero has a comprehensive guide on how to write a resume to help you make sure you include all the right information, and take a deeper dive into how you should write each section.
What skills should I list on my resume for retail?
Although the job requirements might vary from role to role in retail, there are some skills that are universally important across most roles.
Some of these coveted retail skills include:
It’s important to include mention of these skills when they apply to your work history and experience.
Choose three to six of these skills that best describe who you are as an employee to list on your resume.
Another great strategy is to really look over the job posting for the role to which you’re applying. It’s common for the employers to pepper the posting with keywords and skills that they expect out of the perfect candidate.
All you have to do is echo them back in your resume if you feel like they’re an honest fit to describe yourself.
How do you describe a retail associate experience on a resume?
Retail associates are one of the most popular roles in the industry. In order to describe your experience as one, list the most important duties you performed and include numbers whenever possible.
An example entry for a retail associate job might look something like this:
Casimir’s Handmade/Retail Associate/April 2018-March 2020
What is a good objective for a resume for retail?
A good objective statement for a retail resume should focus on what you want to achieve for the business. Describe how you want to improve their operations and customer service, not that you’re just looking for a job so that you can pay the bills.
A good objective statement looks something like this:
“Friendly retail associate seeks to bring customer care to a whole new level. With a devoted interest in your goods, I seek to inspire a higher level of product knowledge to the team.”
How do you list retail experience on a resume?
The general rule is to list where you worked, your position and the dates (month/year) that you worked there.
List any relevant retail experience that you’ve had in reverse order, starting with your most recent experience first. Also, be sure to give greater detail about your most recent experience than you would to a job you had 12 years ago.
For more information on how to phrase details about your work experience, check out our guide on how to write your work experience section.
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Last edited by: Gabriela Barcenas, CPRW, Content Writer II - October 28, 2024
Gabriela Barcenas
CPRW, Content Writer IIGabriela is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and career adviser. With 10 years of digital media experience and five years of resume writing expertise, her publication history includes fashion, education, travel, social justice, equitable design and career advice.
