examples of personal statements for cv in retail

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A Guide to Drafting Key Personal Statement Examples for Retail

Table of Contents

Are you looking for personal statement examples for your retail job application? It’s important to put in the effort when crafting a personal statement, as it is usually one of the first things organizations look at. An excellent personal statement can make all the difference when landing a job in the competitive retail field.

Here’s your guide to drafting effective personal statement examples for retail that will grab recruiters’ attention.

What Are Personal Statement Examples for Retail?

A personal statement is a short document – usually around 500 words – that gives potential employers an insight into who you are . It tells them about your skills and experience, and why you’re the best fit for their job opening.

In retail, the candidate must demonstrate their understanding of customer service, knowledge of the product or industry, and skill in sales techniques.

Elements to Include in Your Personal Statement

When writing your personal statement for retail positions, make sure to include the following:

• Your strengths when it comes to customer service.
• Highlight any relevant experience you have with similar products or customers.
• Demonstrate how your communication skills can help drive sales.
• Showcase any previous successes and how you can apply them in the new job.
• Share examples of times when you have gone above and beyond to ensure customer satisfaction.

Steps to Write Personal Statement Examples for Retail

1. research the job role, company and industry.

Before You Start Writing Your Statement, Research the Job Role and Company. This is to get a Clear Idea of What They’re Looking for in a Candidate. As Well As What You Can Bring to the Table.

2. Identify Your Unique Selling Points

The key to any successful personal statement is identifying your selling points. These are typically skills or experiences that set you apart from other candidates and make you an ideal fit for the job.

3. Outline Your Experience

In this section, list any past retail-related experiences that will help prove your qualifications for the job. Include examples such as past customer service roles or sales achievements that demonstrate your understanding of the industry.

4. Describe Your Skills

In this section, highlight any relevant retail-related skills you possess that make you an ideal fit for the job. Some examples can include product knowledge, customer service experience or sales techniques.

5. Explain How You’ll Contribute to the Company

This is where you explain what value you will bring to the company. State how your unique skills and experiences will help them achieve success.

6. Proofread and Edit

Once you’ve finished writing your personal statement, it’s important to take the time to proofread and edit it before submitting it with your application. Make sure it reads well and doesn’t contain any grammar or spelling mistakes.

Tips for an Effective Personal Statement Examples for Retail

When writing your personal statement, keep these tips in mind:

• Keep it brief but informative. The goal is to show potential employers that you understand what they’re looking for without going overboard with too much information.
• Be sure to proofread and edit your statement before sending it off – grammar and spelling mistakes will not make a good impression.
• Make sure to be specific about your experiences; generic statements won’t stand out as much as stories and details.
• Include information matching the job description so that employers can connect the dots.

Personal Statement Examples for Retail

If you’re still unsure of how to write your statement, here are some examples for retail positions:

As a customer service representative in the fashion industry, I bring years of experience and excellent communication skills. My ability to empathize with customers and respond quickly to their needs makes me an asset in any retail setting. I increased sales by 25% in my previous job due to successful promotions and campaigns. I thrive in fast-paced environments where every day brings new challenges.

I am an experienced retail manager passionate about helping others find the perfect product for their needs. From developing effective sales strategies to training and motivating staff, I possess the skills to help your business succeed. In my previous role, I increased sales by 10% by focusing on customer satisfaction. I ensure that customers had a positive experience each time they visited the store.

How Do I Begin My Personal Statement?

Many, many people are having difficulty writing about themselves. If this is you, don’t worry. Make sure you can come up with a short statement (no more than a sentence) that describes you accurately. It may be one that highlights your previous work experience.

Who Do You Write in a Short Personal Statement?

Include your work experience and future plans in your resume. Job openings, placements, work experience, or voluntary work should be shared with others, particularly if they’re relevant to your course. Keep any experience in line with skills or qualities that will lead to success.

Can You Tell Me What Perfect Personal Statement Is?

In your personal statement you should outline the qualities, skills, and values. The ones you have cultivated over your lifetime and how those skills have prepared you for college.

No matter what kind of retail position you’re applying for, crafting a compelling personal statement is critical to standing out from the competition. Make sure your statement showcases your strengths and experiences in an engaging way that will make employers take notice. Following these guidelines and tips should help create a statement that stands out from the crowd! Good luck with your job search!

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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9 Real Retail Resume Examples That Worked in 2024

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• Retail Resumes
• Retail Resumes by Experience
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• Writing Your Retail Resume

The importance of retail workers has never been more obvious than during the Covid-19 pandemic.

As a successful retail worker, you need to be organized, collaborative, and a people person.

It can be difficult to showcase these skills when writing your retail resume or writing an effective cover letter .

These nine retail resume examples have helped people land jobs in 2024 , so they’re a great place for you to get started.

Retail Resume

or download as PDF

Why this resume works

• Did you exceed sales targets? Improve customer loyalty? Reduce return rates? Estimating the degree to which you did these things on your resume will substantially increase your chances of getting an interview.
• “Customer-oriented environment,” “Answered customer questions,” and “Directed customers” are sample phrases you can use to help show you know the value of customer service.

Retail Worker Resume

• Strongly show your customer service and communication skills and capabilities to solve problems instantly in your retail worker resume .

Retail Associate Resume

• This shows not only that you’re a strong performer, but it also cues the hiring manager that you know which metrics matter most in your role.
• For example, suppose the job description repeatedly mentions they want a retail sales associate who is accountable. In that case, this is a strong indicator that you should include that as a skill on your retail associate resume .

Entry-Level Retail Resume

• Getting your first job as an entry-level retail associate can be difficult. How can you get into retail without prior retail experience? The good news is that retail workers, first and foremost, are in customer service. Any experience you’ve had working with people is relevant and should be included on your entry-level retail resume .
• A  resume objective  is entirely optional. Still, it can be useful when you’re looking for your first retail role to quickly state why you’re qualified and deserve to get an interview. Include an objective if you’re willing to customize it to each position for which you apply.
• Volunteer experience is worth including on your resume. Volunteer experience showcases that you’re hard-working and fundamentally interested in helping others. These are both qualities retail hiring managers are seeking.

Retail Supervisor Resume

• Diversify your bullet points from boosting employee retention, foot traffic, and seasonal sales, to even reducing security incidents to prove that you’re a comprehensive worker who’s got the talent to increase not just sales but a brand’s overall presence.
• You can dive into the how and why of these details in your retail cover letter .

Retail Salesman Resume

• In this case, take Carter’s example and check out how he decides to highlight that he’s maintained a high customer satisfaction rating even in a non-sales role to prove his credibility in keeping end-users happy— a valuable aspect of any sales position.

Luxury Retail Resume

• In your luxury retail resume , highlight your proficiency in sales management, growth, and ability to boost customer retention and satisfaction.

Retail Manager Resume

• Hiring is one of the most important functions for a retail manager! Including your experience in hiring will help you stand out among all the other applicants for the retail manager role to which you’re applying.
• Including these metrics (even if they’re rough estimates) shows the hiring manager that you know what matters most to a retail manager.

Retail Customer Service Resume

• Was there an instance where you went above and beyond to help a teammate in one of your past positions? Be sure to include that on your resume!
• If you want to get detailed feedback on your resume, you can use our  resume checker .

Related resume guides

• Retail Manager
• Retail Sales Associate
• Store Manager

How to Format Your Retail Resume

Writing the perfect retail resume is the exact skill you need to earn a job as a sales representative, customer service representative, sales associate, or cashier. While the content of your resume is of the utmost importance, it’s also essential that you properly  format your resume  to ensure that it’s readable, logical, and complete. To that end, there are three formatting components you should be aware of, which include

• Reverse-Chronological Format, Functional Format, and Combination/Hybrid Format
• Contact Info and Header
• ATS and Readability

Retail resume format types

The reverse-chronological format, functional format, and combination/hybrid format are the most popular formats for retail resumes in 2024.

Retail resume format choices:

• Reverse-chronological   format : Start with the most recent employment history and work backward. Dates, educational institutions, and previous employers should be displayed.
• Functional format : This type of resume highlights the strengths and skills you believe are important to an employer. On the other hand, names, places, and dates aren’t nearly as clear. If you have a spotty work history, this format de-emphasizes this history.
• Combination/hybrid format : This is designed to combine the reverse-chronological and functional formats to incorporate the strengths of both. Make sure to mention skills you’ve acquired in the past that will help you with the specific job for which you’re applying.

While each retail  resume format  has its own set of advantages and disadvantages that you should be aware of, the reverse-chronological choice is ultimately the best option for retail. Many employers outright dislike the functional format for retail positions. The reverse-chronological format is ideal for retail resumes because it allows you to show prospective employers your most recent work history automatically, allowing them to determine if you have the experience necessary for the job.

Let’s say you’ve worked as a cashier and store assistant for eight years before becoming a supervisor or store manager for another five to ten years. You may be ready for another promotion to regional manager or even a corporate position. If you’ve had any experience in the retail industry, the reverse-chronological format effectively shows a pattern of lateral or upward mobility. The primary benefits of using the reverse-chronological format for retail include:

• This format is easily the most popular option among recruiters and employers within the retail industry
• The resume automatically positions you as searching for the next upward step in your career
• Employment dates are linked, which emphasizes continuity and places more weight on your most recent experience

Including a contact header on your retail resume

When you’re getting started with your resume, it’s essential that you position your contact info and the resume header in the correct locations. Your name should always be included at the very top of the resume and can be set in the center or left side of the page. Consider placing your prospective job title in the line below your name, ensuring that these two pieces of information are seen first by potential employers.

Before you start typing your header, it’s important that you select the right font, color, alignment, and font size that potential employers expect from a retail resume. Classic fonts like Times New Roman and Arial are preferable in most cases. A resume should be formatted with simplicity in mind instead of style and flare.

As for the font size, the standard text should range between 11-12 points. On the other hand, headers should have font sizes that range from 14-16 points, and your name can be the largest. Most of your text should be black, but a touch of color in your headers or name is appropriate, which adds some nice contrast that will make the information on your resume pop. Like most professional documents, resumes should be left-aligned, making them easier to read. However, your contact information and name can be center-aligned if you choose. The types of info that should be placed in your retail resume header include:

• Email address
• Phone number
• City and State
• An optional LinkedIn or other professional URL

This example is clear, logical, and includes a small bit of color, attracting the eye:

Is your retail resume ATS-friendly?

If you want to ensure your resume is properly formatted and readable, make sure you think about ATS, which stands for applicant tracking system. This is a kind of human resources software that allows employers to organize sizable numbers of resumes efficiently.

In order to make an ATS-friendly resume, you’ll want to pay attention to:

• Margins: Margins should never be less than one-half inches. The ideal margin is one inch on all sides.
• Fonts: Any font you use should be easy to read. If your resume font isn’t clear, the ATS and hiring manager may find it too difficult to read.
• Font sizes: The font must be large enough to read, making anything between 10 and 14 points acceptable.
• Header names: Use capitalization, and don’t get overly creative in determining how to label your headers, as you don’t want to trip or confuse ATS software. 
• Skills: Optimize your resume with keywords, your soft skills, and hard skills. Only include relevant information about your skills. Any filler should be eliminated if you want to provide prospective employers with a concise and effective resume.
• Logical order: Sticking to the reverse-chronological format will allow you to make an ATS-friendly resume. Start with your name and contact information before detailing your work experience, education, and skills.
• One page: The ideal length for any retail resume is one page.

We know it’s a lot to keep in mind, but our  resume maker  will ensure that you’re formatting for success without remembering it all.

How to Write Your Best Retail Resume

Writing an effective resume seems like a daunting task to most people. However, you can avoid this frustration by taking the process one step at a time. Not only does our  resume tool  ensure you don’t have to worry about format, but it will also help you include the right details in your document. 

As you write your retail resume, you’ll want to think about the following:

• Objective or summary
• Work experience
• Top retail skills
• Education and certifications
• Projects, interests, or hobbies
• Tailoring your resume to the job
• Editing and proofreading

Should you write a retail resume objective or summary?

You could include a resume objective or summary when creating your retail resume. An  objective statement  is a concise and position-focused statement describing how you can add value to the employer, and the company needs that you can fulfill. The objective could include a short statement of your skills and qualifications for the position in question. Professional  resume summaries  tend to be a bit lengthier than objective statements and are meant to provide more in-depth details about your job experience, skills, education, and specializations over the course of a lengthy (10+ years) career.

Objective or summary for your retail resume? 

• You want hiring managers to know you’re a good fit for a specific position
• You’re an entry-level employee who has very little experience
• You are making a career change
• You’ve just moved to a new city or town
• You have years of experience and want to tie this experience together
• You want to hone in on key transferable skills
• You believe that an objective statement isn’t enough to show your value to the employer
• You want to emphasize your selling points clearly

Even though objective statements and summaries can help you get your point across to hiring managers, not everyone should use one. If you don’t have years of experience or your career path is streamlined and straightforward, a lengthy summary is unnecessary.

As for objective statements, they aren’t always the right fit for retail resumes. Your employer may believe that the objective statement you write is essentially all you offer as an employee. If the statement is too short or not descriptive enough, it may harm your chances. To better understand what a well-written objective or summary looks like, let’s take a look at a couple of poor examples:

• Objective: “To be a sales associate in a retail store.”
• Summary: “Experienced sales associate who is kind and helpful. Knows how to solve problems as they arise.”

The objective statement is far too vague and isn’t centered around the position to which you’re applying. It doesn’t tell your employer anything other than the fact that you’re looking for a job. As for the summary, it says that you have experience and a couple of soft skills but doesn’t sell this information at all. Employers won’t believe what you’re saying in the summary. Here’s an improved objective statement and summary:

• Objective: “Eager to motivate and lead teams to 10% or greater sales through mentorship and accountability. Looking to improve my team-managing and problem-solving skills as a store manager with potential for career growth at ABC Company.”
• Summary: “Dedicated cashier with more than 5 years of retail experience. Eager to provide attention-to-detail and organizational skills at XYZ, Inc. Received Employee of the Month three months in a row for efficiency and reliability during ownership changes. Achieved a streak of 530 days with no sick leave.”

These examples succeed because they discuss specific details rather than general ideas, telling employers something about you and your work.

Retail work experience

Try to include two to four job experience examples for your resume. However, it’s unnecessary to include every job you’ve had since your first. If you have ample experience, include those jobs most relevant to the role for which you’re applying. While writing down your work experience may appear straightforward, it’s easy to make mistakes in this section.

Writing your retail job descriptions 

The most important thing to avoid when writing an effective work experience section is to create a wall of text. If a prospective employer decides to skim through your resume, it’s important that they read the most relevant aspects of your past work experience. As such, this experience should be displayed via concise bullet points. Always use active verbs and language in these bullet points. Examples of active verbs for a retail resume include:

Make sure you use the past tense when writing about your experience. These verbs should prove useful when trying to condense your work experience. Avoid using personal pronouns like “me” and “I,” which take away from the professionalism of your resume. 

Three bullet point examples that should be far, far away from your retail resume:

• Handled transactions for customers
• Responsible for handling customer interactions calmly
• Tasked with resolving customer issues

These are examples of passive work responsibilities, too vague to satisfy potential employers. Always go into detail about your accomplishments and past responsibilities with action verbs and hard numbers.

Three examples, on the other hand, that would serve your retail resume well:

• Awarded Retail Associate of the Year in 2019 for incentivizing the team to increase sales with monthly competitions 
• Exceeded annual sales targets by 30% by upselling subscriptions and items based on customer interest
• Stocked, organized, and replenished inventory, completing tasks 15% faster than other sales associates

These are richly detailed bullet points that offer precise numbers and action verbs about past work experience.

Use metrics to quantify your impact in retail

You must be able to quantify the impact you’ve had on the companies you’ve worked for in the past. To accomplish this goal, it’s recommended that you use metrics to show exactly what a company would lose if they didn’t have you as an employee.

Did you exceed set sales targets or lower return rates? By putting your work experience into hard numbers, it becomes easier for potential employers to measure the kind of return they would get from hiring you. Try to include a couple of metrics for every job you list on your resume. More is always better! Some examples of ways to incorporate metrics into your bullet points include:

• Daily number of customers you helped
• Number of retail team members you managed
• Sales goals that were met or exceeded
• Loyalty program goals that were met or exceeded

These retail descriptions incorporate all the above:

What are the top retail skills?

If you have ample past work experience, you likely have dozens of skills that could prove useful in the job for which you’re applying. However, you should include skills relevant to the specific needs listed in the job ad. Before you start listing your skills, you should know the difference between  hard skills and soft skills .

Hard skills refer directly to the abilities and knowledge that employees require to perform their responsibilities effectively. These skills are 100 percent job-related. Soft skills are more difficult to measure. For retail jobs, hard skill examples include:

• Money handling and basic math
• Product knowledge
• Inventories 
• Suggestive selling 

Some examples of soft skills that are ideal for the retail industry include:

• Communication
• Active listener 
• Quick learner and adaptable 

Search for keywords in a job description ad that tell you the types of skills the company is seeking. You should typically list around five to eight skills on a retail resume.

What education and certifications do you need on your retail resume?

Most retail positions automatically require a high school diploma, which should be listed with the name of the school you attended, the years you attended, and the school’s location. Some retail jobs will require a little more education. While you may be able to obtain a position as a store manager with a high school diploma, an associate’s degree in marketing and sales management may help push your resume to the top of the list.

Most regional retail managers require a bachelor’s degree in business. If you attended a college or institution, include your GPA if it’s above 3.2 and any specialization or concentration. You might also want to list certifications and licenses to set your resume apart from others.

Projects, interests, or hobbies: Does your retail resume need these?

In most situations, it’s unnecessary to mention your interests and hobbies and the projects you’ve worked on in the past. However, there are some scenarios where adding this information is appropriate depending on your level of experience and the employer to whom you’re sending a resume.

Suppose you’re currently a high school or college student or are applying for an entry position. In that case, your lack of experience gives you the perfect opportunity to add projects, hobbies, and interests to your resume.

For  interests and hobbies , you could include:

• Playing team sports
• Studying foreign languages

Additionally, your retail resume could benefit from including projects like:

• Creating a personal website with WordPress
• Reorganizing your school’s entire library of 1,600+ books

Customize your retail resume for every job application

Writing an effective resume takes more than just listing your skills and work experience. It’s also important that you tailor your resume to each job to which you apply. Many applicants make the mistake of sending the same resume to every job. However, most hiring managers will pick up on this.

To properly tailor your resume, add company or organization-specific information to the objective/summary sections, the skills section, and bullet points. If the job ad you’re responding to mentioned they’re looking for a strong leader who can manage numerous team members, you should focus on your leadership skills throughout your retail resume.

Check for mistakes before submitting your retail resume to jobs

This is the simplest yet most overlooked aspect of formatting and writing a retail resume. Hiring managers and recruiters don’t like grammar and punctuation mistakes. Writing the word manager as “manger” is one of the more common mistakes on retail resumes. Carefully read through your resume to look for any issues with grammar, language, consistency, and formatting. Take advantage of our  free resume checker  to streamline this process.

Get Your Next Retail Job and Celebrate

Now that you’ve made it this far, we hope you’re feeling confident about:

• The  correct resume format  to use
• How to write a  resume objective  or summary
• How to list work experience
• What retail  skills to include on your resume
• What education and certification info should be provided
• How to tailor your resume to each specific job

Congratulations on  writing your resume  and readying yourself for the next step. All that’s left is for you to go get the job!

Retail Customer Service CV Example

Cv guidance.

• CV Template
• How to Format
• Personal Statements
• Related CVs

CV Tips for Retail Customer Services

• Highlight Your Retail Experience : Detail your experience in the retail sector, including the types of stores you've worked in and the roles you've held. This can help employers understand your familiarity with the industry and your ability to handle different retail environments.
• Showcase Your Customer Service Skills : Provide examples of how you've gone above and beyond to provide excellent customer service. This could include instances where you've resolved customer complaints, provided product recommendations, or improved customer satisfaction ratings.
• Quantify Your Achievements : Use numbers to demonstrate your impact, such as the percentage by which you increased sales, reduced customer complaints, or improved inventory management.
• Detail Your Leadership and Teamwork Skills : If you've held a leadership role, highlight your ability to manage a team, delegate tasks, and maintain a positive work environment. Even if you haven't been in a leadership role, showcasing your teamwork skills can be beneficial.
• Customize Your CV for the Role : Tailor your CV to match the specific requirements of the job you're applying for. This could mean emphasizing your experience with a particular type of product, your ability to work in a fast-paced environment, or your skills in a specific area of customer service.

The Smarter, Faster Way to Write Your CV

• Implemented a new customer feedback system that led to a 30% increase in customer satisfaction scores and a 15% increase in repeat customers.
• Managed a team of 10 customer service representatives, reducing average call wait time by 20% through effective scheduling and training.
• Developed and executed a customer loyalty program that increased overall sales by 25% within the first year of implementation.
• Introduced a new product knowledge training program for staff, resulting in a 40% increase in upselling and cross-selling success rates.
• Handled high volume of customer inquiries and complaints, maintaining a resolution rate of 90% and contributing to a significant improvement in store reputation.
• Collaborated with the marketing team to develop in-store promotions that boosted foot traffic by 30% during peak shopping seasons.
• Consistently achieved top customer service scores in the region, contributing to the store's recognition as 'Store of the Year' for two consecutive years.
• Initiated a 'mystery shopper' program to assess and improve the customer service experience, leading to a 20% improvement in service quality scores.
• Played a key role in inventory management, reducing stock discrepancies by 15% through meticulous record-keeping and regular stock audits.
• Customer Service Excellence
• Team Leadership and Management
• Customer Feedback Analysis
• Customer Loyalty Programs Development
• Product Knowledge Training
• Complaint Resolution
• Promotional Strategies Development
• Inventory Management
• Quality Assurance Programs
• Upselling and Cross-Selling

Retail Customer Service CV Template

• Worked closely with [teams/departments] to achieve [result, e.g., improved customer satisfaction, increased sales], demonstrating strong [soft skill, e.g., teamwork, communication].
• Managed [customer service function, e.g., returns/exchanges, complaint resolution], streamlining [process or task, e.g., refund processing, customer feedback] to enhance [operational outcome, e.g., customer loyalty, store reputation].
• Implemented [system or process improvement, e.g., new CRM software, revised complaint handling procedure], resulting in [quantifiable benefit, e.g., 20% increase in customer satisfaction, reduced response time].
• Played a pivotal role in [project or initiative, e.g., seasonal sales campaigns, customer loyalty programs], which led to [measurable impact, e.g., increased store traffic, improved customer retention].
• Conducted [type of analysis, e.g., customer feedback analysis, sales trend forecasting], using [analytical tools/methods] to inform [decision-making/action, e.g., product stocking, staff scheduling].
• Key contributor to [task or responsibility, e.g., staff training, policy development], ensuring [quality or standard, e.g., service excellence, policy adherence] across all customer interactions.
• Major: Name of Major
• Minor: Name of Minor

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How to Write a CV Personal Statement [+4 Real-life Examples]

Creating an effective CV takes time and close attention to detail. You've already included your jobs and experience , and now you want to allow the recruiter or hiring manager to understand the strategic value you can add.

This is when you need to utilize a personal statement at the top of your CV.

How to Write a CV Personal Statement [+4 Real-life Examples] 

What is a Personal Statement? 

A personal statement is a few brief and direct sentences at the top of your CV. The personal statement is also referred to as a career summary or personal mission statement.

This is used to grab the attention of the recruiter or hiring manager and summarizes essential experiences or training that you can bring to this position.

Why do I Need a Personal Statement?

A recruiter or hiring manager is tasked with sorting through an enormous amount of resumes every single day. A personal statement is a way to separate yourself from the other applicants.

This statement summarizes your experience and highlights your unique talents . The CV personal statement is meant to demonstrate why you are the perfect fit for the job. 

Even med students need a medical school personal statement , as it is what differentiates them from all the other students applying. Plus, it allows them to share their personal stories and objectives.

Where do I Start? 

Always begin by reading the job description carefully and thoroughly.

Your personal statement should be tailored to each job description, so it explicitly states the value you’ll bring to the position you are applying. A generic personal statement cannot do that. 

Once you have a solid handle on the job description, you can begin writing. It’s important to keep your personal statement brief, about 50-200 words will do.

Don’t forget that you have your whole cover letter to show some personality and include engaging content.

The personal statement should be a quick summary that highlights why you are the best person for the job. 

You’ll need to decide whether you are writing your personal statement in first- or third-person. This should follow how you've written the rest of your CV.

For example, if you've already written, “I grew and developed a team of 50 salespeople,” in your CV then you will want to keep your personal statement in first-person to match the prevailing style.

No matter what you choose, make sure that you keep it consistent throughout. Do not switch between first- and third-person as that will get confusing to the hiring manager.

Writing a personal statement for your CV in first-person does not mean you need to start every sentence with “I.”

There are ways to craft your personal statement to sound snappy, concise and personal, and here are a few examples to help inspire your personal statement. 

CV Personal Statement Examples

It doesn’t matter what chose as your desired career or how much experienc e you have, use these examples to drive the creation of your own personal statement.

You can take snippets from each or write something completely different. Always remember that your personal statement is a reflection of yourself and should align with your own personal goals and experience.

If these examples don’t fit your exact career, feel free to take some pointers and write yours from scratch. 

#1: Personal Statement Example for Recent Graduate CV

“As a recent graduate from university, with an honors degree in communications, I held several internships within leading organizations, including Bertelsmann. These internships enabled me to gain experience in the field and learn how to serve up valuable contributions in a fast-paced, professional environment.”

Explanation: This example should be customized to include the university you’ve graduated from and any relevant internships. A compelling personal statement always highlights relevant skills and experiences.

In this case, a recent graduate does not have extensive experience in the workforce, so soft skills like experiencing success in a fast-paced work environment and becoming a trusted team member become even more critical.

#2: Personal Statement Example for Returning to the Workforce CV

“A highly motivated and experienced office administrator, I am currently looking to resume my professional career after an extended hiatus to raise my family. Proficient in all Microsoft Office programs, I can lead meetings and work with clients to keep your office running smoothly and efficiently. After spending several years volunteering as an administrative worker for a local charity, I am committed to resuming my professional career on a full-time basis.”

Explanation: After time off from a career, it can be hard to break back into the market. This personal statement outlines the reason for the break, the relevant qualifications and what the applicant has been doing in between jobs.

Any volunteer experience becomes highly relevant when there is no concrete professional experience to draw upon, to demonstrate the use of those skills. 

#3: Personal Statement Example for a Career Change CV

“With over 15 years as a sales manager, I have extensive experience building high-functioning sales teams that consistently achieve budget numbers. In fact, my ability to grow talent led to a 20% increase in annual renewals across the board. Now, after 15 years, I am seeking new challenges to flex my marketing muscles in a fast-paced environment.” 

Explanation: When changing careers , it's essential to highlight skills that are transferable between industries.

In this case, leadership and team-building experience can apply to any industry. Homing in on concrete numbers and percentages increases credibility when applying for a position.

The applicant ends with the reason behind the desired career change. This part is not necessary but may be appealing to some hiring managers who are wondering what the impetus for the career change.

#4: Personal Statement Example for a Experienced Professional CV

“As a friendly, professional and highly trained educator, I am passionate about teaching and have an innate ability to understand student’s needs. Creating a safe and productive environment for optimal learning is my top priority. I’ve worked as a teacher for nearly 10 years in a variety of subjects and my experience and skill set make me the perfect fit for your team.”

Explanation: With more experience comes more skills and a better idea of strengths and weaknesses. Showcasing your passion for the industry is a great way to begin a personal statement, as it shows the hiring manager your dedication to the craft. 

A personal statement can be written in many different ways, but it is ultimately up to you to determine what skills you want to highlight for your chosen position.

You can follow these examples or take learnings from each to contribute towards your personal statement. 

If you understand the job you are applying for and know the unique skill set that you bring to the table, you will have a stellar personal statement for your CV that will get you across the table from the hiring manager in no time.  

Suggested Reading:

• How to Write a CV (Curriculum Vitae) in 2024 [31+ Examples]
• 43+ Resume Tips and Tricks to Land Your Next Job
• 150+ Must-Have Skills for Any Resume  [With Tips + Tricks]
• How to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself”

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Retail CV Examples

There are lots of retail CV examples available, but if you’ve decided on a career in retail, finding a comprehensive list of what to include can be challenging. We’ve put together a guide to help you create a winning retail CV application to help you showcase your true potential. If you’re a people person, hard working and organised then a career in retail could be right up your street.

How to write a CV for retail?

Want to break into the world of retail but wondering ‘how to write a CV for retail’ or ‘where can I find retail CV examples’ then you’ve come to the right place. Writing a CV can feel daunting, for any position, and even more so if it’s your first. But it doesn’t have to be! First think about the retail position. Is it an assistant, supervisor, merchandising or stock management role? Research the role inside out and then apply it to your CV.

A job in retail involves a lot more than just stocking shelves and folding clothes. Retail stores come in all shapes and sizes and there are lots of different opportunities available. The most popular routes for people to go down are; retail assistant and retail supervisor.

Retail assistant CV

A retail assistant is a fantastic route for you to begin your career in retail. It’s an entry-level job which enables you to gain the fundamental skills and knowledge relevant to the retail industry. Whether you’re looking for a career in a large retail chain or a small retail company, the purpose of a retail assistant doesn’t change.

You’ll be assisting customers, dealing with queries, ensuring stock availability and advising on promotional offers. Retail assistants are also known as sales assistants and in short, they generate sales, help customers and handle payments.

When writing a retail assistant CV, you might have little to no experience but that doesn’t necessarily matter. As long as you can demonstrate your strong work ethic and transferable skills.

As a retail assistant, you will normally follow instructions from your supervisor or manager. If you have previous experience or qualifications then you might want to put together a retail supervisor CV.

Retail supervisor CV

When writing a retail supervisor CV, you will typically have previous experience in the industry, especially if you’re applying to a large retail chain. Qualifications and skills will vary depending on the employer so it’s always best to check the job description and see whether you’re the right fit for the job.

Your responsibilities will also vary, some employers will delegate you the task of overseeing employees, dealing with complaints, training retail assistants and performing stock inventory, bookkeeping, cashing up at the end of the day and merchandising.

When writing a CV for a retail position, whether it be as a retail assistant or supervisor, you will need to include:

Personal Statement

A personal statement is your chance to sell yourself. Describe who you are, what you can bring to the role and what you want to achieve in your career. Make sure it’s clear and easily understandable so the employer reads on. Make sure you include any relevant experience, even if it’s your first position and you don’t have any, you should at least cover skills related to retail.

Retail CV examples if you have work experience:

‘In my previous retail role as an assistant, I provided excellent customer service to ensure the customer had an enjoyable experience and returned, increasing customer loyalty. I have experience of working in a fast paced environment and would undertake a variety of tasks, including, replenishing stock, serving customers, handling money and arranging product displays. Given my previous experience, I feel I would make a great retail candidate and would work hard in this role.’

Retail CV examples without work experience:

‘Although I don’t have any previous retail experience, my proven track record at school shows I am hardworking. At school, I would need to communicate effectively with my teachers to ensure I worked towards deadlines and produced a high standard of work to the best of my ability. I am extremely motivated and driven, at times I would use my leadership and team working skills to complete projects set successfully with my class. Despite not having any previous retail experience, I am a quick learner who enjoys new challenges and would love the opportunity to excel in this role.’

Did you know that, the average recruiter only looks at a CV for 7 seconds? Make those seconds count! Feel like you’re not prepared for the job? You could always consider looking for a retail apprenticeship or voluntary work in a charity shop to help you stand out from the crowd.

Highlight your skills

Whether you have previous experience or you’re applying for your first job, skills are one of the most important tools to include in your retail CV. They summarise your abilities and really showcase why you’re the right fit for the job. The UK job market is competitive and possessing skills can help make you more employable. When adding your skills to your CV, a good idea is to refer back to the job description.

Normally, employers will tell you what they’re looking for. It’s a good idea to tailor your application to the job description provided by the employer. If an employer is looking for someone who is organised, works well under pressure and meets deadlines, then you should incorporate this into your CV application wherever possible.

Many young people with no previous experience, may feel they don’t have skills which reflect the job description, if this is the case, you should certainly rethink. Just because you don’t have any industry specific skills doesn’t mean you don’t have skills which are in demand to employers. Transferable skills are equally as important to employers and these can be gained through personal and professional experiences. These include but are not limited to:

• Communication skills
• Time management
• Numeracy skills
• Attention to detail
• Interpersonal skills

CV example with skills gained from work:

‘In my previous role in retail, I have gained a wide range of skills. From developing strong numeracy skills from doing stock takes and working on the tills to remaining motivated during busy periods and high pressure situations. I have also used leadership skills to designate tasks and worked as part of a team to ensure the business runs smoothly and efficiently.’

CV example without work experience:

‘Despite not having previous experience in retail, I have developed a strong set of skills which will be invaluable to the retail industry. During education, I had a busy schedule when planning my revision and exams so I would need to prioritise tasks to ensure I was able to complete homework and assessments to a high standard. I have also grown my numeracy skills in math and have a strong understanding of why these are important in retail when giving customers the correct change, when stock taking and analysing sale trends.’

Previous work experience

When listing your previous work experience, you should always list it in order of most recent first. Make sure to highlight your daily tasks and achievements to impress your potential employer. They are looking for a candidate who can prove why they fit the job description. If you have related experience and skills make sure to provide evidence and examples where possible.

If you don’t have any work experience, don’t worry! Make sure to emphasise your skills and education achievements. If you feel unprepared for a job in retail, then think about how you can get work ready and boost your CV? Volunteering in a charity shop can go a long way and shows you’re passionate about a career in retail.

You should also include your education on your CV when applying for a retail job. Start with the most recent first and oldest last. You should include:

• Place of study
• Year of study
• Subject name

Qualification level (GCSE/A Level/ Level 2 etc) Grade (You can include your predicted grade if you haven’t received your results yet) The amount of detail you go into all depends on your personal preference. If you feel a particular course or degree will add value to your CV then it’s a good idea to go into depth about why this supports your application and your achievements.

Your hobbies and interests

Including your hobbies and interests is completely optional. If you feel like it will support your application and demonstrate why you’re the best candidate for the role then by all means include these. They might help you to stand out from the crowd and secure your position in retail.

Just like including your hobbies and interests, these are optional. You can list your references and their details or you can simply finish your CV with ‘references available upon request’. This is completely up to you, unless the job description specifically asks for them then you will need to include prior to the next recruitment stage.

Where to find a retail job?

If you’re ready to secure a career in retail, you can visit careermap.co.uk to find a wealth of opportunities available to you. From professional jobs to apprenticeships, work experience and graduate opportunities, there is so much for you to shop for!

Ready to put these tips to good use?

Keep reading.

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Going to a second stage interview can feel a little bit like reliving the same day again. You might think: ‘What more does this employer want to know about me that we haven’t already covered?

5 steps to application success

The 5 Rs model can help you pull together a great application. Most importantly the actual writing of CVs, cover letters and application forms, comes in at STEP 4, meaning there are 3 steps to take before you even start on that application!

How to Write the Perfect CV?

Summer has begun and thousands of students are on the hunt for a summer job. Writing a CV from scratch can be daunting. This may even be the first you’ve ever created but don’t worry! We’re here to give you the lowdown on how you can create a successful CV.

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Personal statement for resumé

When you’re applying for jobs, a strong resumé and cover letter are essential for making an impact on prospective employers. Including a well-written personal statement on your resumé might be just the thing that gets you an interview. 

This short introduction of your skills, experience and qualifications gives employers an at-a-glance summary of who you are and what value you’d bring to their organisation. It’s a quick overview of your most relevant traits and abilities, so recruiters can see instantly if you’d be a good match for the role.

Here’s how to write a great personal statement for your resumé.

What is a personal statement?

Key elements to include in a personal statement, personal statement examples, tips on writing a personal statement for your resumé, formatting and structuring your personal statement, common mistakes when writing a personal statement.

A personal statement is a short introductory section at the top of a resumé . Its purpose is to catch the hiring manager’s attention and show them why you’re a good match for the position. It’s also known as a career objective , a summary statement, an executive summary , or a personal profile for a resumé.

Your personal statement is your chance to show a glimpse of your personality and share your career aspirations. The rest of your resumé simply lists your achievements, which might overlap with those of the other people applying for the role. A personal statement for a resumé can provide more insight into your unique strengths. A well-written personal statement may convince an employer that they should seriously consider you for the role.

A good personal statement for a resumé usually has the following elements:

Who you are.  This is your professional identity – it might be your most recent job title or a more general term, such as ‘high school student’ or ‘recent graduate’, along with any qualities or passions that make you unique.

A summary of your experiences.  This might be professional experience, recent qualifications or volunteer work.

Your value proposition as an employee.  This is what you could bring to the role, such as hard or soft skills , or personal qualities that can help you succeed.

Your career objectives.  This is what you want to achieve professionally.

Before you start writing, read through these personal statement examples to see how the key elements come together.

For students looking for internships

• I’m in my third year of a Bachelor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Honours) degree program at the University of Newcastle, and seeking a summer internship to deepen my understanding of electrical engineering and obtain industry experience. I earned high distinctions in all my courses last semester and have a passion for applying theory to real-world problems. I enjoy collaborating with others in my field and working towards finding solutions that positively impact society.
• I am a second-year Bachelor of Business (Human Resource Management) student at the University of South Australia seeking a summer internship to learn from HR professionals who share my passion for people and business. As a sales assistant for a small clothing boutique, I have learned how to manage open tasks, schedule projects, and engage customers through social media platforms. I believe my strong communication skills, emotional maturity, and passion for human resources recommend me as a strong candidate for an internship.

For fresh graduates

• I recently graduated from Torrens University with a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) and am ready for to launch a career in digital marketing. Managing a YouTube channel with 20,000 subscribers has complemented my studies and given me skills in audience engagement, brand management, and brand voice. I am a naturally creative person who believes in collaboration and utitlising  new technologies such as Canva and ChatGPT for greater efficiency. I hope to develop my marketing knowledge with a position that lets me learn and grow and learn from experienced industry professionals.
• As a recent graduate of Charles Darwin University, I am ready to apply the knowledge and experience I gained in my Bachelor of Accounting program to a role in this dynamic industry. I am seeking a role that can support me as I study to become a Certified Practicing Accountant. I value mentorship from senior professionals and can work independently and efficiently to meet deadlines. I hope to find a role within a growing organisation that encourages skill development and professional advancement.

For working professionals

• I am an experienced store manager with more than five years in my current position within a fast-paced tech-retail setting. I’m a passionate team leader, having mentored junior staff and supported training programs to upskill team members.  My commitment to customer service and strong commercial acumen have driven my teams to exceed their sales targets and increase annual departmental profits. I hope to secure a role with a national company, with a view to progress to senior management level.
• I am a journalist with 10 years’ experience in news reporting. I’m passionate about sharing local stories and providing a voice to community members. I consider myself an intrepid reporter, with an ability to connect with people from all walks of life – in the newsroom and the field. I have a high level of journalistic integrity and can reliably meet deadlines. After living in Sydney’s outer west for the last five years, I am looking to relocate and pursue a career in Melbourne. 

For mid-career transition workers

• I am a sales associate and women’s wear designer seeking a full-time position as an in-hour designer. For the last seven years I have sold my own line of clothing through local markets and Etsy, and I’m keen to take the next step in my move towards a career in the fashion industry. A Certificate III in Apparel, Fashion, and Textiles complements my self-taught technical knowledge and hands-on experience in pattern-making and clothing design. Looking for a long-term role for an Australian-owned label.
• Mid-level marketing manager with in-house and agency experience, seeking to pivot into creative copywriting. Recent AWARD School graduate and freelance business writer with an international portfolio, skilled in brand strategy and writing for social media. Keen to learn and grow within a respected ad agency. 

The following sections discuss ways that you can make your own personal statement more effective.

Select the most impactful experiences to share

Writing about the most impactful experiences can help make a personal profile for a resumé more persuasive and concise. Choose experiences that are most relevant to the role. These may be experiences that demonstrate your relevant skills or show you can successfully perform the job duties. 

Recent experiences are usually more impactful than older ones, as they show current skills and knowledge. Unique relevant experiences can also help your resumé stand out.

Keep it relevant to the job scope

Your resumé personal statement can be more effective if it shows how your skills and experience align with the role’s requirements. You might mention scenarios where you’ve demonstrated leadership or analytical skills, for example. 

The job description can tell you what skills and experience are most relevant for the role. Writing about positive results you’ve achieved in the past can demonstrate your ability to excel in a similar role. If you’re transitioning in your career, you can highlight the transferable skills that can help you succeed.

Keep your personal statement concise

Impactful personal statements are usually three or four sentences – between 50 and 200 words. Sticking to this length makes it easier for the most important information to stand out. Stripping out unnecessary details also make your personal statement more engaging. Filler words such as ‘very’ add little to your statement, so it’s best not to use them. Rephrasing wordy sections can also help you reduce your word count.

The way you format and structure your personal statement can make this part of your resumé easier to read and help you seem more professional. These layout tips can make reading your personal statement easier.

Use paragraphs and bullet points effectively. A single paragraph is the most common personal statement format. 

Use consistent formatting for your personal statement and resumé.  Use a font, font size, and style that matches your resumé’s body to appear professional. A basic font between 10 and 12 points is usually appropriate. Serif fonts are more common for corporate resumés, while sans serif fonts are popular in creative fields.

Write in first person.  As your personal statement and resumé are personal to you, it’s best to write the entire document in the first person, using ‘I’ statements. This perspective can give your statement a warmer tone, help you connect with the manager, and make it clear that you wrote your own resumé. You may write your statement without using the word I, but take care to maintain the first-person perspective.

Learning what mistakes people commonly make when writing a personal statement can help you spot and avoid them when writing your own.

Using common cliches and overused phrases

Cliches and overused phrases are so commonplace that they’ve lost their power. Choosing more unique words and sharing personal experiences that demonstrate your qualities can help your resumé’s personal statement stand out. Some common clichés and overused words include:

• highly-qualified
• self-motivated
• team player
• hard worker
• strong written and oral communication skills
• results-oriented

Including information best left out

Including only the most important information makes your personal statement stronger. Here are some details that are best left out :

• early career experience
• anything negative, such as professional weaknesses or the reason you left your last job
• personal details, such as your marital status, age or religion
• your salary expectations

Bad personal statement examples

Recognising the flaws in other personal statements can help you improve your own writing. Here are some examples of bad personal statements.

I have been a content creator for the last seven years. During this time, I have been a key member of my team that everyone could rely on. My commitment to hard work, technical skills and passion for this career would make me an asset to any business. I am looking for a new challenge that lets me apply my skills in content creation.

Why it’s bad: it’s generic and vague. As ‘content creator’ is such a broad term, the writer could have highlighted specific skills, such as videography or blogging. They list qualities people expect of their employees, such as reliability and hard work, rather than noting how they're outstanding. ‘New challenge’ is another generic term that makes their career goals unclear.

I am a software developer seeking my first management role. I have no experience in leadership, but I am a quick learner with a can-do attitude. My comprehensive programming knowledge and enjoyment of teamwork would make me an asset to any business.

Why it’s bad : it shows the job seeker wants to transition in their career, but does not show they’re ready for the role. They write in a negative tone about a lack of leadership experience rather than instilling confidence that they could succeed in a management role. While their programming knowledge may help them in a technology field, the employer could also presume this given their job title. They also didn't mention any transferable skills that demonstrate their leadership potential.

Take the time to write personalised statements that show you’re a great choice for every role you apply for. Writing a strong personal statement can help you make a positive first impression on an employer and clearly demonstrate your job suitability. Applying the tips above can help you write an effective personal statement that increases your chances of securing the right role.

What should I write in my personal statement for a resume?

You should introduce who you are, highlight the most relevant experience you have and show the value you would bring to the position. You should also include your career goals in your personal statement.

Can you provide personal statement examples for a job application?

You should include a personal statement on your resu,e when you apply for a job. Above is a selection of personal statement examples for different levels of experience.

How long should a personal statement be on a resume?

A personal statement should be three or four sentences or between 50 and 200 words. The more experience you have, the longer your personal statement is likely to be.

What are some dos and don'ts for writing a resume personal statement?

Do include relevant and compelling information and write with personality. Don’t write more than a paragraph or use third-person perspective.

How can I make my personal statement stand out to employers?

Using strong, specific language and sharing your personal experiences and career goals can help your personal statement stand out. Try to reflect your personality, as you're the only person who can bring your blend of skills, experience, and personality to the role.

Are there any online tools to help me craft a personal statement?

There are many AI personal statement generators online, but you should use them with caution as they may give generic results. You might like to use AI tools as a starting point , and then customise the results to make them more personal and unique.

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Retail sales assistant CV example

To land a great sales assistant job, you need a strong CV.

There are lots of other people competing for retail sales assistant roles, so your CV needs to stand out from the crowd, and ensure you get selected for interview.

This post provides you with everything you need to create a successful sales assistant CV – including 2 versions of an example sales assistant CV.

Guide contents:

• Sales assistant CV examples
• CV writing guide for sales assistants
• Sales assistant CV template
• Where to send your CV

CV templates 

Sales assistant CV example

Sales assistant CV 2 – Beauty sales

Sales assistant CV 3 – Retail

The following guide will show you exactly how you can write your very own interview-winning sales assistant CV, just like this example .

Structuring your sales assistant CV

Before you start writing your CV, you need to have a good understanding of how the overall structure will look.

This infographic gives a high-level overview of how your CV should be laid out and formatted.

• Contact details should be placed at the top of your CV so that employers can easily reach you and call you in for interviews.
• A profile , or personal statement at the top of your CV provides a quick sales pitch of your retail skills to reel readers in
• Bullet pointed core skills give employers a nice snapshot of your abilities
• Work experience (or school/college projects for inexperienced people) should be listed in short sharp bullet points for easy reading
• Education should be included at the bottom of your CV to detail your qualifications

2 pages in length is about perfect for your CV– any longer and it will become a bit of a long and boring read for employers.

Keep your CV nice and simple with a clean crisp font and plenty of bullet points – don’t try to over complicate it with crazy designs or wild colours.

Quick tip: A poorly written CV will fail to impress recruiters and employers. Use our quick-and-easy CV Builder to create a winning CV in minutes with professional templates and pre-written content for every industry.

Make your contact details visible

The purpose of your CV is to encourage employers to contact you – so make it easy for them.

To ensure that employers can contact you with ease, you must place your contact details at the top of your CV and make them clearly visible.

Don’t hide them at the bottom were nobody can see them.

• Your mobile telephone number
• Your email address
• Your general location (e.g. London/Birmingham/Croydon)

Don’t include,

• Your date of birth
• Your full address

(Employers don’t need to know your DOB and address just yet – your CV is purely designed for selling your skills and winning interviews – so don’t waste space with unnecessary details)

Sell yourself with a punchy profile

To ensure that you grab employers’ attention, when they open your CV – you must write an impressive CV profile , and pack it with your most relevant CV skills and knowledge.

Think of your profile as a sales pitch. A short paragraph that introduces you, and tells readers exactly why they should hire you for a sales assistant position.

( See more CV personal profile examples here )

Your profile should include things like:

Relevant skills and knowledge for sales assistants e.g.

• Customer service
• Communication
• Qualifications
• People skills
• Organisation
• Complaint handling

Experience e.g.

• Working with retail brands or high street supermarkets
• Experience of till work, shop floor walking or stock taking
• Types of customers you have worked with
• Types of items you’ve sold – food, clothing electronics

How you can benefit an employer e.g.

• Improve their customers’ experience
• Increase sales
• Keep stores running efficiently

Try to avoid generic clichés in your profile, such as “ works well in a team or individually ” or “ always goes the extra mile ”. These things are quite generic and apply to most jobs – you should be sticking to specific retail sales assistant content in your CV.

Highlight your “core skills”

Underneath your profile, it’s a good idea to create a core skills list.

This is a short bullet pointed section which lists all of your most important skills for sales assistant roles .

This list creates a snapshot of your skills, so that employers can get a very good idea of your skill set from just a quick glance at your CV.

It’s a great way to ensure you get noticed instantly.

If you have experience – detail it (if not skip this section)

If you have some previous work experience, the next thing to do is list your previous roles.

Work in reverse chronological order (starting with the most recent job and working down to the oldest)

When writing your role descriptions, you need to show the following:

Who you work for

The company you work/worked for and which locations(s) you worked in. You also need to detail the people you work with including colleagues, managers , and customers.

When you worked there

Always put your start and finish dates at the top of every role and round off to month level. E.g. January 2016 – December 2017 .

For sales assistants in retail, it can also be important to state whether you work weekends and evenings in your roles, as most retail stores will require staff who can work flexible hours .

What you do there

Provide a bullet pointed list of responsibilities to show employers all of the tasks and duties you have performed in previous roles. This could range from advising customers on purchases and replenishing stock, to balancing tills and organising displays.

Why you were hired

It’s good to list your responsibilities, but if you want your CV to get noticed, you need to explain why your actions were so important to your previous workplaces.

Try to show how your input has benefited the stores you have worked for and it’s customers, by demonstrating some impressive results.

For example – Instead of just writing,

“Dealing with complaints”

You should expand to say,

“Resolving customer complaints to reduce the amount of refunds being made and retain customers who were thinking of leaving”

By expanding to show the impact of your actions, you demonstrate how valuable you could be to a future potential employer.

You might not be able to do this for every one of your responsibilities, but try to do it where possible – it will make a huge impression on employers.

Role structure

The example CV section below shows you how to structure your role descriptions.

Start with an outline to give an introduction and overview to your employer and your role.

List your responsibilities with short sharp bullet points (this makes them easy to read)

Round off the role with some big  achievements if you have any. For example, you may have produced a record amount of sales in your first month.

See also: Sales assistant cover letter example

If you have no experience – compensate for it

Not everybody has work experience, and that’s fine. We all have to start somewhere

But just because you have no experience, doesn’t mean that you can’t create an impressive CV and land a job you love.

If you lack work experience, there are plenty of other ways to prove you have the skills to become a successful.

School / College / University work /Placements

Throughout your education you have probably completed numerous projects, courses, exams and team exercises.

Extract relevant sales assistant skills from these experiences and highlight them throughout your CV.

For example, school coursework requires planning, organisation, written communication, and many more skills that you could showcase in your CV.

Interests and hobbies

Your outside-of-work interests and hobbies can involve plenty of sought-after skills that you can mention in your CV.

For example, you might captain a sports team with demonstrates leadership skills – or you might write a blog which could prove your written communication and motivation.

Check out my video to discover if and how you can add hobbies to your CV..

What do sales assistant employers look for in a CV?

The best way to create an effective sales assistant CV, is to tailor it specifically to match the needs of retailers .

So, what are top qualities that employers look for in a sales assistant CV?

Customer service – In a customer facing role you need to have strong abilities in serving customers and giving them a great shopping experience.

Complaint handling – Not every customer will be happy, and a good sales assistant will be able to resolve complaints and create positive solutions.

Cash management – Handling orders and transactions on tills and managing cash is a vital part of the sales assistant role.

Stock management – Retailers rely on good staff to manage their stock levels and keep customer facing displays replenished.

Communication – Working in a busy retail store requires you to communicate effectively with colleagues and customers in a variety of formats.

Sales – It goes without saying that sales are a big part of a retail sales assistant’s role, helping customers to make the right choices and making income for the business.

Product knowledge – If you work exclusively within a particular industry, then you may have some specialist knowledge such as electronics or fashion.

Visual merchandising – The ability to create attractive displays that drive sales is crucial in the retail space.

Literacy and numeracy – In a role that involves dealing with many people throughout the day and handling the sales of goods, it pays to be highly literate and numerate.

Detail your education

At the bottom of your CV, include a list of your education history and qualifications

Any relevant sales or retail vocational qualifications you have, should be highlighted first.

Otherwise you simply need to list whatever formal qualifications you have, such as Degree, A-levels and GCSE’s with the grades and dates you achieved them.

If any of your qualifications are really important to the companies you will be applying to – it’s worth repeating them at the top of your CV (in the profile) so that they don’t get missed.

Sending your sales assistant CV

Once you’ve created a strong sales assistant CV, you need to get it in front of the right employers.

Below are a handful of websites where you can find exciting retail opportunities.

Total Jobs is another huge UK job website with a big variety of sales assistant jobs advertised.

Retail Choice

Retail Choice is a specialist retail job website with thousands of retail store roles available that you might not find on some of the bigger job sites.

In Retail is another niche retail job board with a high percentage of sales assistant opportunities.

UK Temps only run adverts for temporary and casual positions. Ideal if you want a seasonal job or something to fit around studies.

Now that you have a great CV and plenty of jobs to apply for, you should be well on your way to landing a great role.

If you create a CV that is nice and easy for employers to read, whilst at the same time, highlighting all of your most valuable retail sales skills and knowledge – you should certainly be able to land plenty of interviews.

You may also want to check out customer service CV example and waiter/waitress CV example .

Good luck with the job search!