Using action verbs like assisted, supported, and sold show what you did actively in your previous roles.

This makes your resume more dynamic and helps hiring managers understand your contributions in retail or related roles.

Employers in retail sales look for good customer service skills. Mention any experience you have dealing with customers, even if it was a part-time job or volunteer work.

Include specific examples where you helped customers find products or resolve issues.

You want your resume to show you're a good fit for a retail sales role. Highlight the skills and experiences that show you can do the job well. Use words from the job ad to show you understand what the job needs.

• Look at the job ad. Use the same words for skills they ask for, if you have them. For example, list customer service or product knowledge if you've done that work before.
• Show you know how to sell. If you've helped people choose products or convinced them to buy, say that. Use simple words like sales experience or made sales goals.
• If you're new to sales but have dealt with people in other jobs, show that. Say helped customers or solved customer problems to show you have useful skills.

When you are starting in retail sales, the skills you list on your resume are key to showing you are fit for the job. Here's a rundown of must-have skills for your resume:

• Customer service
• Point of sale systems (POS)
• Product knowledge
• Inventory management
• Merchandising
• Cash handling
• Sales techniques
• Basic math
• Technology use
• Time management

You should place these skills in a dedicated section on your resume, usually toward the top after your contact information and summary statement. This makes it easy for hiring managers to see your capabilities right away. It's also important because many companies use software called Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to sort resumes. The ATS looks for specific keywords related to the job, so including these skills can help your resume get noticed.

Remember, you don't need to list every skill. Think about the tasks in a retail sales job and choose the skills that match what you'll be doing. For example, if you have experience with a particular point of sale system, mention that by name. If you're familiar with inventory software or apps, include those as well. This shows you have the technical know-how that can be put to use right away.

When you show your impact with numbers, it helps hiring managers see the value you can bring. In retail sales, this could mean talking about how you boosted sales or improved customer satisfaction. Think about times when you helped sell more products or made customers happy.

Here are ways you can measure your success:

• Point out any increase in sales percentages you helped achieve.
• Mention the number of products you sold in a day or month.
• Highlight any customer satisfaction scores or feedback ratings you received.
• Discuss how you helped with inventory management by reducing excess stock by a certain percentage.
• Show how you were part of a team that cut down on checkout times for customers.
• Share how you organized products which led to a reduction in customer complaints.
• Talk about any training sessions you led that improved team performance.
• Describe how your product knowledge led to more up-selling or cross-selling.

Even if you're not sure of the exact numbers, give your best estimate. Remember, you want to show you can make a difference.

If you have led a team or moved up in your job, show it on your resume. These details can make you stand out. Here are ways you might illustrate promotions or leadership:

• Include job titles that show you moved up, like 'shift leader' after being a 'sales associate'.
• List any tasks where you led others or trained new staff.

Think about times you took charge. Even without a title change, you can show leadership. For example:

• Mention a project where you were the go-to person.
• Talk about a time you helped your team beat a sales goal.

When you're applying for entry-level retail sales positions, showing any leadership experience or promotions can set you apart. Even if you're not sure, think about times you took charge or helped lead a team.

Here are ways to show leadership on your resume:

• 'Managed a team of volunteers for a charity sale, boosting overall funds raised by 20%'.
• 'Promoted from sales associate to keyholder within six months due to strong sales performance and reliability'.

If you've been recognized for your work, here's how to share it:

• 'Received 'Employee of the Month' for exceptional customer service and teamwork'.
• 'Completed a company-sponsored training program to learn advanced sales techniques'.