How to Write a Retail CV with Tips & Examples

Retail is a dynamic and ever-evolving sector that offers considerable career opportunities. As a major global employer with increasing consumer demand, it has a significant workforce in various positions throughout the UK. Retailers provide consumer goods and services, from clothing and electronics to food and home furnishings. Retail work needs good customer service, product knowledge, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Knowing how to write a good CV is essential to ensure it is well-structured and easy to read. A vital element of a modern CV is customising and making it ATS-friendly. To increase your chances of getting noticed and getting interviews, you should use a specific CV format. We outline the fundamentals and give suggestions for constructing a CV for retail with our expert tips.

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Retail CV example

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In this retail CV template, William Evans has over five years of experience in a customer-focused role. He highlights his expertise and outlays his success in achieving high-level positions as a Retail Store Manager and Team Lead. This CV follows a professional style and design which helps showcase William's skills and experiences.

Looking for your first job? We’re here to guide you! Explore our expert advice on creating an impressive CV for a first job!

Explore more tips for your job application for a retail job and refer to the retail cover letter example.

What to include in a retail CV?

When constructing a CV, you should include specific sections; others are optional. A successful CV for retail should highlight your customer service skills, product knowledge, and experience in retail. It should also demonstrate your ability to work with people, handle transactions, and maintain a professional attitude.

In addition, your CV should include any relevant training or certifications you have obtained, such as sales, product training, or knowledge in specific retail management software (RMS). Here, we guide you on what sections and information help to choose the best retail CV format.

To receive an interview invitation, you must have a good CV structure and tailored content. So, create a targeted and brief CV for retail jobs to increase your chances of being selected. Learn more from our dedicated experts by following the two main stages of the CV writing process: creating a master CV and a job-specific CV.

If you are looking for more tips on job interviews, check out some of the following articles:

• How to Ace Video Interviews: Expert Tips and Examples.

• Mastering Telephone Interviews: Preparation Tips and Examples.

• Calm Your Pre-Interview Nerves: Tips Tailored for Introverts.

Write the perfect retail CV profile

A compelling personal profile, also known as a summary, should demonstrate why you meet the role's requirements by emphasising your relevant education, skills, experience, and achievements. Additionally, it should give recruiters and hiring managers a quick overview of your retail background and other relevant experience that will make you a strong candidate. For more examples, refer to how to write a personal profile on a CV.

Discover more CV examples or directly go to the following for more tips: 

• Sales

• Cashier

• Cleaner

• Marketing

• Security Guard.

Boost your CV with relevant retail skills

When crafting your retail CV, you must emphasise the qualities and abilities that make you an ideal applicant. Here are some unique retail skills for a CV you can consider including as a Retail Assistant or Retail Store Manager.

For quick tips and guidance on crafting an effective CV, simply click on the following links:

• How to Improve Your CV Guide: Examples and Tips for Success

• What is the Best Font for a CV in 2023 (Top Tips and Examples)

• How to Present Language Skills on a CV

Learn more about what skills to put on your CV and how to cater them to industry-specific roles such as retail.

Emphasise relevant retail experience

A good CV should include the most important and recent jobs, with other achievements strategically incorporated. This will ensure it is, at most, two pages long. For more tips, refer to our article on how long should a CV be.

List your professional background in descending order, listing your current or most recent job first. Then, aside from stating your duties, mention any measurable achievements. For example, you could spearhead a renewal that increased sales by 20%. But, if you specify achievements, explain your role in accomplishing them. For more tips, refer to how to write work experience on a CV.

Retail Sales Assistant, H&M, Brighton, UK | 2022 - Present 

Assisted customers in finding and selecting products, providing information, and offering personalised recommendations. Operated cash registers and handled financial transactions accurately, including processing returns and exchanges. Maintained a clean and organised sales floor, restocked shelves, and ensured merchandise displays were visually appealing. 

• Designed over five merchandise layouts and increased sales of products by 5%.

• Supported customers with queries and handled any issues on the shop floor, receiving “Employee of the Month” for six consecutive months.

If you are a recent graduate, student, or school leaver, refer to our article for tips on how to write a CV with no experience.

Mention education and professional retail training

Education is important for retail assistant jobs, and secondary-level education is enough for these roles. However, candidates applying for managerial positions might expect some companies to require certification or experience.

If you are beginning your career as a recent graduate, show your educational background before mentioning any employment history. Provide details about exams taken from GCSE onwards and any additional certifications gained. This is relevant for other careers within the retail sector, such as security guard.

For more tips, refer to how to write the education section on a CV.

Key takeaways

To strenghten your retail CV, follow a strategic approach when writing it and your cover letter. Applying what you've learned in this guide will give you the insight needed to achieve your career goals in an ever-changing job market.

Next steps?

Are you looking for CV retail examples? Then, create an account with us and choose a professional CV template or cover letter template that suits your career goals.

For additional examples of professional CVs and various formats, explore the following options:

• Chronological

• Skills-based

• Graduate 

• School leaver

• Student

• Part-time.

FAQ

What skills should you put on a CV for retail?

Emphasise the skills and qualities that make you the ideal candidate. For example, your CV should highlight core qualities such as your capacity for providing excellent customer service and team-playing abilities. Make sure you demonstrate how well you can cope with any customer-facing challenges.

How do you write a retail CV with no experience?

Knowing how to write a CV for a job with no experience can be challenging, but it is possible. The key is to focus on the skills and qualities that you have and how they can be applied to a retail role. An example would be if you are multilingual, highlight your language skills, or have volunteer experience, highlight this instead. Start by listing all the skills and qualities you possess that could be beneficial in a retail job and focus on creating a skills-based CV.

How do you describe a retail experience in your CV?

Highlight the skills and knowledge you have gained from working in a retail environment. Start by listing the positions you have held in retail, including the company name and dates of employment. Provide a brief overview of your duties and responsibilities, followed by what you achieved.

What are some typical jobs in the retail industry?

Retail offers various job opportunities, from seasonal work to permanent positions. If you're looking to get into the retail industry or take your career to the next level, consider applying for one of these positions:

• Retail Sales Representative: This role focuses on interacting with clients directly by supporting them in buying items. Additionally, they keep the shop clean and orderly, stock products, and carry out customer transactions. When new deliveries come in, the sales representatives manage the stock. They ensure the business is running correctly and augment store sales.

• Customer Service Representative: As customer demand increases, there will be more customer needs and problems to address. A customer service representative manages phone calls, manages internet chat programs, answers emails, and gives responses to customers’ queries on social media platforms. They also deal with complaints and follow up on returned goods and refunds. This role requires someone with patience and exceptional problem-solving skills.

• Cashier: When shops experience an increase in shoppers, they necessitate supplementary cashiers to accelerate the sales process. But cashiers do more than receive payments and help customers with returns or refund transactions; they also advise customers on discounts and loyalty plans.

• Store Manager: Large retail stores require a manager to oversee proceedings and ensure everything functions correctly. The store manager is also responsible for controlling staff, budgeting, and adhering to safety regulations and official procedures. In addition, they stand for the proprietor's interests. Therefore, a store manager demands sturdy authority and interpersonal capabilities to arrange the business and keep it in order.