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How to Format a Sales Associate Resume
To sell your candidacy effectively, you must choose the proper resume format. The traditional resume is the chronological format, perfect for most job seekers. This format places your work experience at the forefront, making it easy for recruiters and hiring managers to see your career progression at a glance.
A handful of job seekers, particularly career changers and students with no work experience, should consider an alternative, however. The functional format, also known as the skills-based resume, de-emphasizes work history in favor of skills and qualifications. The combination format, as the name suggests, combines chronological and functional elements to create a balanced portrait of the candidate.
Each design has its advantages. Take the candidates below as an illustration. Candidate A has been in the workforce for 12 years, with an unbroken streak of full-time jobs, including a couple of promotions. Candidate B has taken breaks between jobs and has been in her current role for only three months. Let’s see how each candidate uses a resume type to make their case. The shared language between the resume’s content is in bold.
1. Candidate A - Chronological Resume
Candidate Info
- 12 years in workforce
- 2 years in current role
- HS High School Diploma
Work Experience
Sales Associate, Cookout Creations11/2020–Current, Davenport, IA
- Drove a 20% increase in sales by listening to clients’ cues and recommending products that fit their needs.
- Called upon in-depth product knowledge to upsell customers, generating $100K+ in sales for a new product line over three months.
- Managed customer accounts and processed transactions using the latest CRM software and point-of-sale (POS) system.
2. Candidate B - Combination Resume
Candidate Info
- 3 years in workforce
- 3 months in current role
- HS High School Diploma
Relevant Skills
Customer Service
- Demonstrated mastery of sales techniques by actively listening to customers’ concerns and offering them products that address their needs, resulting in a 15% increase in monthly revenue.
- Processed transactions such as payments, returns and coupons quickly and effectively to avoid prolonged customer wait times.
- Resolved the customers’ complaints and offered retention offers, lowering service cancellations by about 5%.
- Recommended products to customers that complemented or enhanced their current purchase, effectively upselling smaller ticket items consistently.
Technical Skills
- Experience effectively using CRM software and point-of-sale (POS) systems.
- Quickly developed extensive product knowledge through the application of self-study techniques.
Sales Associate Resume Samples
No results found
Candidate Info
years in workforce
years at this job
Recreation And Tourism Management
Public Administration
Communications Coordinator & Sales Associate
Fostered relationships with customers to establish a repeat customer base and referrals
- Managed events and expositions from initiation to evaluation and thank you letters
- Cultivated and maintained contact with event industry businesses to form mutually beneficial partnerships
- Maintained wedding expo data; contacted 400+ leads for a 18% increase in business
- Assisted with human resources processes; garnered volunteers throughout nine regional high schools
Candidate Info
months in workforce
months at this job
Business
Sales Associate
Administered price mark downs to enhance the sales of the store
- Operated cashier stand to help customers efficiently and processed coupons and reward cards to benefit customers when appropriate
- Maintained a clean department by straightening hangers and placing appropriate items in specific departments for a neat and welcoming customer environment.
- Achieved great success with meeting sales goals for sales of reward cards
- Demonstrated customer service skills by greeting each customer that entered the department and directed customers to departments that met their needs
Candidate Info
years in workforce
year at this job
Sales Associate
Greeted and assisted customers
- Maintained and ran store in managers absence
- Completed weekly price changes and assisted in inventory control
- Maintained sales report and met monthly quota
- Received calls daily, answering questions and educating customers on our products
Candidate Info
years in workforce
year at this job
Sales Associate
Greeted and assisted customers
- Maintained and ran store in managers absence
- Completed weekly price changes and assisted in inventory control
- Maintained sales report and met monthly quota
- Received calls daily, answering questions and educating customers on our products
Candidate Info
years in workforce
years at this job
Bachelor of Business Administration
Finance
Sales Associate
Sell home appliances; encourage customers to purchase service contracts.
- Provide superior customer service to ensure satisfaction and maintain excellent reputation of Sears's products and service.
- Handle cash and balance cash register drawer.
- Consistently meet and exceed goals.
- Utilize experience and knowledge to build customer relationships and increase sales.
- Demonstrate excellent leadership abilities; train and serve as role model for new associates.
- Team player; responsible for numerous special projects assigned by management.
Candidate Info
years in workforce
years at this job
Sales Associate
Provided information and over the phone sales quotes to potential customers
- Entered customer information into database
- Scheduled service for new and current customers
- Resolved customer issues
- Built relationships with customers to increase likelihood of repeat business
Candidate Info
months in workforce
months at this job
Sales Associate
Received customers and directed them to and prepared tanning bed
- Assisted customers with tanning purchases
- Scheduled customers
- Cleaned tanning beds
- Provided excellent customer service
Candidate Info
years in workforce
months at this job
Biology
Sales Associate
Greeted customers and determined their needs and wants and advised customers on utilization and care of merchandise.
- Maintained sales records for inventory control
- Answered customers' queries and concerns and provided advice to clients regarding particular products or services
- Maintained working knowledge of store's policies and procedures
- While assisting customers, I Recommended merchandise based on individual requirements.
Candidate Info
years in workforce
year at this job
Criminal Justice
Sales Associate
Greet customers and ascertain what each customer wants or needs.
- Describe merchandise and explain use, operation, and care of merchandise to customers.
- Recommend, select, and help locate or obtain merchandise based on customer needs and desires.
- Compute sales prices, total purchases and receive and process cash or credit payment.
- Answer questions regarding the store and its merchandise.
- Maintain knowledge of current sales and promotions, policies regarding payment and exchanges, and security practices.
- Place special orders or call other stores to find desired items.
Candidate Info
years in workforce
years at this job
Information Management
Health Care Management
Sales Associate
Maintained constant presence on sales floor to address customer needs
- Approached browsing customers and initiate conversations to determine buying preference.
- Recommend appropriate items and direct or lead customers to selections
- Assist customers with trying on items, finding appropriate sizes, and completing purchases.
- Inquired about buying experience, item preferences, and future purchases.
- Sign up for marketing lists and inform of upcoming promotions or customer events.
Candidate Info
years in workforce
months at this job
High School Diploma
Sales Associate
Utilized cash register to process sales and returns
- Assisted customers with questions regarding products
- Assisted managers in the stock room
- Maintained professional store visual
- All duties relating to open and closing store
Candidate Info
years in workforce
months at this job
Fashion Buying And Marketing
Teller Training
Medical Front Office
Sales Associate
Greet customers and ascertain what each customer wants or needs.
- Open and close cash registers, performing tasks such as counting money, separating charge slips, coupons, and vouchers, balancing cash drawers, and making deposits.
- Maintain knowledge of current sales and promotions, policies regarding payment and exchanges, and security practices.
- Watch for and recognize security risks and thefts, and know how to prevent or handle these situations.
- Recommend, select, and help locate or obtain merchandise based on customer needs and desires.
- Answer questions regarding the store and its merchandise.
- Place special orders or call other stores to find desired items.
- Exchange merchandise for customers and accept returns.
Candidate Info
years in workforce
months at this job
Liberal Arts
Sales Associate
Greet customers with a friendly, engaging attitude
- Assess client needs by listening to their cues and recommending product that fits their style
- Sell productively while displaying confidence and enthusiasm
- Maintain a clean and organized sales floor through hanging and folding merchandise.
Candidate Info
months in workforce
months at this job
High School Diploma
Sales Associate
Provides great customer service on the sales floor
- Process sales transactions at the cash wrap
- Maintain a cl ean work enviornment
- A rank merchandise as assigned
- Run the fitting and also greet at the door
Candidate Info
years in workforce
years at this job
Sales Associate
Educated pet owners on healthy nutrition and raw food options
- General sales of merchandise
- Scheduled grooming appointments
- Handled customer service both onsite and on the phone
- Training advice
- Inventory management - ordering of supplies and food
- Shipping and receiving
- Managed self-service dog wash
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Sales Associate Resume Success Stories
Sales Associate Resume FAQ
How do you describe a sales associate on a resume?
Sales associates are responsible for selling products and services. Your resume should highlight your knowledge of sales techniques and your ability to handle inbound and outbound calls. In this role, soft skills are just as important as technical skills, so make sure to cite your empathy, active listening and communication abilities. Also, be sure to cite the quantifiable results of your efforts in the work history section (e.g., number of sales, percent increase in customer satisfaction).
What to put on a resume for a sales associate?
A sales associate resume should include all important resume sections, such as:
- Contact info, featured near the top of the page.
- An informative professional summary or resume objective.
- Work history, including quantifiable metrics like sales figures.
- Education and professional certifications.
- List of skills most relevant to the target job, both hard skills and soft skills.
- Additional sections, such as volunteer work or awards.
What are sales associate skills?
Sales associates use a wide variety of skills in their day-to-day job. According to a survey of our resume database, some of the most important skills are:
- Conflict resolution
- Sales techniques
- Product knowledge
- Customer relationship management (CRM) tools
- Empathy and patience
- Active listening
- Verbal and nonverbal communication
How would you describe your sales experience?
If you’re asked to describe your sales experience in an interview, give a clear and confident answer. Something along these lines would be appropriate: “I began my career about six years ago as a sales associate for a small company selling garage door openers. I was responsible for a dozen clients and learned how to use CRM for prospecting leads. I leveraged my experience to land a better-paid sales associate position selling consumer electronics at a company of about 500 employees. Since the start of the year, I’ve helped identify 150+ potential clients and generated $80,000 in sales.”
How to make a sales associate sound good on a resume?
Making a sales associate sound good on a resume is easy with quantifiable metrics. Sales associates use their product knowledge to connect with customers and generate sales. In the work history section, include the number of sales or new clients you generated — include any data showing you achieved results.
