Whether you’re applying for a part-time job, seeking a managerial role, or transitioning to a new position within the retail industry, a polished resume can set you apart from the competition. Using retail resume templates can streamline the process, ensuring that your application is both professional and tailored to the retail sector. We offer two retail resume templates (and retail cover letter templates) below:

Why Use A Specialised Resume Template?

A resume template is a pre-formatted document that serves as a starting point for writing your resume. Using a template can save you time, help you maintain a professional appearance, and ensure that all the essential elements are included. Here are a few reasons why retail resume templates are invaluable:

Time Efficiency: Templates provide a structured format, allowing you to focus on the content rather than the layout. This is especially helpful when you’re applying to multiple positions and need to customise your resume quickly.

Professional Appearance: A well-designed template ensures that your resume looks polished and professional. This is crucial in the retail industry, where first impressions are everything.

Consistency: Templates help maintain consistency in font, spacing, and overall design, which can make your resume easier to read and more visually appealing.

Retail Manager vs. Retail Assistant Template

When applying for a retail position, it’s essential to tailor your resume to the specific role you’re targeting. We offer retail resume templates tailored for both roles, and the content in each is quite different.

Retail Manager Resume Template

A Retail Manager role demands a resume that emphasises leadership, strategic thinking, and a proven track record in driving sales and improving store performance. Here’s what our retail manager resume template focuses on:

• Objective/Summary: Our resume template includes a summary highlighting your leadership experience, ability to manage teams, and success in meeting or exceeding sales targets.
• Work Experience: Our template will help you emphasise your achievements in managing teams, improving operational efficiency, and achieving financial targets. Use bullet points to detail your key responsibilities, such as:
  • “Led a team of 20 employees, implementing training programs that increased sales by 15%.”
  • “Managed inventory control processes, reducing shrinkage by 10% year-over-year.”
  • “Developed and executed store strategies that resulted in a 25% increase in customer loyalty.”
• Skills: Our template includes a focus on leadership and management skills, such as team leadership, strategic planning, budgeting, and conflict resolution.
• Additional Sections: Include any relevant certifications, such as a Retail Management Certificate or courses in leadership and business management. Awards or recognition for outstanding performance can also set you apart.

Retail Assistant Resume Template

A Retail Assistant position requires a resume that showcases your customer service skills, ability to work as part of a team, and experience in handling day-to-day retail tasks. Here’s what our retail assistant resume template focuses on:

• Objective/Summary: Our template focuses on customer service experience and your ability to contribute to a positive shopping experience. For example, “Enthusiastic Retail Assistant with 2 years of experience in providing excellent customer service and supporting store operations. Eager to contribute to a team-oriented environment and enhance the customer shopping experience.”
• Work Experience: Our template includes duties reflecting your hands-on experience with customer service, sales support, and maintaining store appearance. Examples of key responsibilities include:
  • “Assisted customers with product selection, resulting in a 10% increase in sales.”
  • “Maintained store cleanliness and organisation, ensuring a welcoming environment for shoppers.”
  • “Processed transactions quickly and accurately, maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction.”
• Skills: Our template includes a strong customer service skills, teamwork, attention to detail, and ability to handle a fast-paced work environment. Include any experience with cash handling, point-of-sale systems, and stock replenishment.
• Additional Sections: We leave space for you to include any customer service awards or completed training in sales or customer relations. Volunteer work that involves customer interaction can also be valuable.

What to Include in a Retail Resume

Our retail resume templates include all key sections (our templates are also fully editable, so you can adjust to suit your own experience).

Contact Information: Your name, phone number, email address, and location should be prominently displayed at the top of the resume. Make sure your email address is professional.

Objective or Summary: A brief statement that highlights your career goals and what you bring to the table. For example, “Experienced retail manager with a proven track record of increasing sales and improving customer satisfaction, seeking a leadership role in a dynamic retail environment.”

Work Experience: List your previous jobs in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent. Include the company name, your job title, dates of employment, and key responsibilities or achievements. Use bullet points to make this section easy to scan.

Skills: Highlight the skills that are most relevant to the retail position, such as customer service, inventory management, sales techniques, and team leadership. Be sure to include both hard and soft skills.

Education: Include your highest level of education, as well as any relevant certifications or training. If you’re new to the retail industry, consider listing coursework or projects that are applicable to the job.

Additional Sections: Depending on your experience, you might also include sections for awards, volunteer work, or professional affiliations. These can add depth to your resume and showcase your commitment to the industry.

How Long Should a Retail Resume Be?

We recommend keeping your retail resume concise – 2-3 pages is perfect. Our resume templates are two pages, but you can make it longer (or shorter) if needed by filling out the content.

Writing a Resume for a Retail Job With No Experience

Many retail workers have no experience when they first apply for a retail role – if this is you you may wonder what you can include in your resume. Writing a resume for a retail job when you have no experience can be challenging, but it’s definitely possible by highlighting transferable skills, emphasising your enthusiasm, and tailoring your resume to the specific job. Here are our tips:

• Include any part-time jobs, internships, volunteer work, or extracurricular activities.
• Focus on any tasks that involved responsibility, teamwork, customer interaction, or cash handling.
• If you have no work experience, skip this section or combine it with the skills section.
• List any volunteer positions or extracurricular activities that demonstrate your work ethic, reliability, or interest in retail.
• Highlight any leadership roles or responsibilities you had.
• If you’ve received any awards or recognition, include them. These can show you’re hardworking and dedicated.
• Examples: “Awarded ‘Student of the Month’ for outstanding attendance and participation.”

Writing a standout retail resume doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By using a retail resume template, you can create a professional and effective resume in less time. Whether you’re aiming for a Retail Manager or Retail Assistant position, make sure to tailor your resume to the specific role, highlighting the skills and experiences that make you the perfect candidate.