The retail sector is the second biggest employer in the UK after the National Health Service, so jobs as a sales assistant are plentiful. This work can be seasonal though, with big retail chains taking on far more people in the run-up to Christmas than normally work on the shop floor. Here’s our retail assistant job description to help you find out if this is the right job for you.
Retail sales jobs – from sales assistant to store manager to regional sales manager – take place within retail outlets to make sure that customers have the best experience possible while shopping. The duties often vary quite a lot, but generally, this sales job requires the assistant to advise customers, assist with product information, take payments and keep the shop floor fully stocked. In some areas of retail there is more ‘selling’ involved than in others. For instance, highly skilled sales people are needed for the sale of electrical goods, furniture, luxury clothing and jewellery. Often sales assistants in these types of stores are on commission or are working towards a sales target in order for the store to get a bonus.
Retail Assistant Job Description
Sales assistant responsibilities
Sales assistants are expected to:
• Tend to the needs of customers
• Provide information (and sometimes technical advice) on stocked products and their features
• Assist customers in finding what they are looking for in store
• Upsell and cross-sell in order to boost profits for the company
• Tell customers about promotions
• Ensure that stock is replenished
• Keep order in the shop and look out for shoplifters
• Sell products and meet sales targets
Shop assistant jobs – working conditions
The hours for this sort of sales job are different depending on the type of retailer you work for. Most high street shops have a working day of 8.30am to 5pm, with supermarkets and other sorts of shop having shifts during the day and night. Most sales assistant jobs entail long hours standing and walking around the floor.
Qualifications and skills
Although there is no strict requirement as to the qualifications needed to enter a sales job like this, GCSEs in English and Maths help. Skills expected include:
• Teamwork
• Flexibility
• Being friendly
• Working under pressure
• Confidence
• Stamina
Salary
Sales assistant jobs usually start at about £14,000 to £18,000 a year. With experience and managerial positions can earn at least £30,000. Managers of large supermarkets or flagship fashion stores can earn even higher salaries.
Flexible Working
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Sell the Sales Manager in your CV
One thing to look at is your summary section where you give a snap-shot of your experiences. Here you want to match your experiences to the job description. This does not have to be perfect in that you do not have to create a brand new CV for every job application.
How to shine in your sales job interview
For sales job interviews you need to take the same steps before, during and after the sales job interview that you would when attempting to close any other sale
How to create a sense of urgency in the sale
The sales interaction went well. The prospect seems very interested, and you feel that you
have covered all of the possible objections. However, the prospect sees no reason or need to act NOW.
