Best Sales Associate Resume Skills

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Why employers want to see sales associate skills on your resume

The retail industry focuses on customer satisfaction. They want to improve people’s lives with products. Employers in this industry want to hire people who can identify a client’s needs and find the best solution. A sales associate helps customers by assessing their needs and suggesting useful products or services. Sales associates usually work in retail on the sales floor. They greet the clients, manage cash registers and keep the store neat. They are generally outgoing, polite and knowledgeable about the products they sell. 

How to list sales associate skills on your resume

Here is how to list sales associate skills on your resume.

1. First, review the job description

The job description explains what kind of sales associate the employer wants. Every company has its own standards, so you should read through a job description each time you apply for a position. 

2. Second, identify and select your skills

Among your set of skills, select the sales associate’s skills that match the job description. When you create your resume, you should try to mention these requested skills along with any other relevant skills to demonstrate your experience.

3. Finally, list your sales associate skills in a separate ‘Skills’ section

Use a separate section of your resume to list your skills. Since recruiters usually don’t have much time to scan your resume, it will make it easier for them to see that you have the requested skills. 

Related: 10 Best Skills to Include on a Resume

Best sales associate skills to add to a resume

Here are some specific skills to add your sales associate resume:

Customer service

As a sales associate, you interact with customers most of your workday. You need to establish communication, discern what they need and assist them in finding the perfect product or service. It requires patience and courtesy, especially when you need to solve issues and manage customers’ complaints.

Examples of keywords and customer service skills:

  • Recommending products to customers
  • Customer-first mindset
  • Solving customer complaints

Related: Customer Service Skills: Definitions and 17 Examples

Communication

Verbal communication is required to provide advice to customers, describe the products or services and conduct a sale. Written communication is necessary to create visual displays and write emails. You might also need to call another store to ask if they have a particular item for a customer if you don’t have it in stock.

Examples of keywords and communication skills: 

  • Customer assistance
  • Customer relations
  • Greeting customers

Related: Communication Skills: Definitions and Examples

Product knowledge

To help the customer make their decisions, you need to be able to describe the products and services. Having a good understanding of what you sell will allow you to guide your customers towards the right choice. When you satisfy a customer and earn their trust, they will most likely come back to you.

Examples of keywords and product knowledge skills:

  • Product enthusiasm
  • Brand awareness
  • Detail-oriented

Store knowledge

Knowing the facility you work in is essential to give accurate directions to customers so they can find the product they want. 

Example of keywords and store knowledge skills:

  • Store services knowledge
  • Compliance with store security and loss prevention
  • Sales promotions

Sales skills

You must be able to persuade a customer to buy specific things during a campaign or encourage them to buy more. You might need to meet sales quotas. Sales associates are often given a number of sales to achieve during a specific time period. To keep track of your growth, a basic understanding of some accounting and stocking can help you reach your goals. 

Examples of keywords and sales skills:

  • Goal-oriented
  • Recommending suitable items for purchase
  • Sales volume

Merchandising

To promote the selling of goods, sales associates should understand the importance of displaying the products properly. There are often guidelines or planograms to follow in order to maximize profits, but sometimes you can use your creativity to present the products.

Examples of keywords and merchandising skills:

  • Organizing displays
  • Stocking and rotating products
  • Communicate merchandise needs to manager

Cash handling

As a sales associate, you often finalize sales. It involves handling money and proceeding to credit card transactions. It requires simple math skills to verify the amount received or paid back and the ability to make a correction if there is an error. You need to use a cash register, and some computer knowledge is beneficial.

Example of keywords and money-handling skills:

  • Monetary transactions
  • Cash drawer maintenance
  • Strong mathematical skills

Basic computer capabilities

Whether you need to process payments with an electronic register, credit card reader or consult stock inventory on a tablet, your computer skills will be useful in your position.

Examples of keywords and basic computer skills:

  • Assist customers with online orders
  • Point of Sale (POS) systems
  • Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) 

Team player

You must follow instructions and achieve shared objectives for the success of the company. You should be friendly with your coworkers and help or motivate them when necessary.

Examples of keywords and team player skills:

  • Friendly
  • Relationship building
  • Teamwork
  • Team focus

Interpersonal skills

Also called people skills, interpersonal skills help you to interact appropriately with others. For a sales associate, active listening, patience and motivation are particularly important. They need to listen to and understand customers as they explain their requests and be patient when the sale doesn’t go as smoothly as expected. They must also stay motivated to achieve the goals the manager assigned to them.

Examples of keywords and interpersonal skills:

  • Flexibility
  • Outgoing
  • Initiative

Related: Interpersonal Skills: Definitions and Examples

How to improve sales associate skills

Enhancing your sales associate skills can be beneficial for yourself and your organization. 

Here are some ways you can improve your sales associate skills:

1. First, ask for feedback

You can ask your customers and manager for feedback on your service. Use their opinion to determine things you can improve. 

2. Second, show your desire to help

To help when others need you, offering your services will not only improve the quality of your customer service but will also help you become a better team player. 

3. Lastly, ask for training

If you feel like you don’t know the products enough or you need help with the computer programs, you can always ask your manager for additional training. 

Sales associate qualities to include on a resume

There are other qualities that can be beneficial for a sales associate role, including:

  • Positive attitude. Being enthusiastic and positive always helps to create relationships with customers.
  • Flexibility. Your schedules can change depending on the needs of the business.
  • Multitasking. The ability to perform several tasks is often useful in a sales environment.
  • Attention to detail. You ensure the products are displayed properly and in stock.