Retail Jobs Overview
Retail stores house your favorite brands, products, and bargain items. It's the pleasant experience and service offered by retail workers that keep customers coming back. Retail workers greet customers, help them find items, and solve common customer service issues. Job seekers don't always need a degree to work in retail jobs, but they do need a knack for customer service and sales.
Retail workers typically work in sales, customer service, or management. In a retail job, your duties may include:
- Greeting customers and offering assistance.
- Making merchandise recommendations.
- Answering customers' questions.
- Cashing customers out and accepting payments.
- Providing information on sales, promotions, and bargains.
- Provide training to new employees, set schedules, open stores, and manage teams (when at a senior or management level).
Retail employers typically look for candidates with the following skills and qualities:
- Good customer service skills and responsiveness.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
- Knowledge of products and items or willingness to learn.
- Good organizational skills.
- The ability to solve problems.
- Sales skills.
- Leadership and management skills.
To get a better look at what a retail job looks like, read our job description samples for sales associates and retail managers.
Salaries for Retail Jobs
Before you apply for retail jobs, it's good to know how much you can expect to make. The median yearly salary for general retail sales associates in the U.S. ranges from $22,739 to $46,096, while retail store managers earn an average of $44,448 per year within a range of $31,185 to $68,043.
Enter your job title and location into Monster's Salary Calculator to find out if you’d be getting paid what you're worth. You'll also find median salaries for related jobs, job locations with high-demand for retail positions, and potential next steps to advance your career.
How to Find the Retail Job That Fits You
Here are some questions to ask yourself and tips to narrow down your list of retail jobs:
- What are my interests and passions? Working in a retail environment that sells products you are passionate about can make your retail job more enjoyable.
- What are my skills and strengths? For example, if you have excellent customer service skills, look for roles emphasizing good communication, active listening, and empathy.
- What is my preferred work environment? Consider whether you prefer and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic setting or a more relaxed atmosphere, within a small team or in a larger organization.
- What kind of schedule am I looking for? Some retail jobs may involve working evenings, weekends, or holidays. Before applying, make sure that the retail job aligns with your availability and personal obligations.
Choose Retail Jobs Matching Your Goals
Pay close attention to the job responsibilities and requirements outlined in the job description to ensure the role matches your skills and your career goals. If you are unsure about committing to a full-time job, consider starting with a part-time or temporary position to explore different retail environments, and determine the best for you.
Learn More About the Employer
Before applying for a job in retail, it’s best to learn as much as you can about a potential employer. Information like the employer’s values, culture, and reputation can help you find a retail job that aligns with your preferences. Search for insights into the work environment, management style, and employee satisfaction within the company.
When considering a job in retail, it’s also essential to assess the growth potential it offers. Look for employers who provide clear career paths, opportunities for advancement, and professional development programs.
How to Apply to Retail Jobs
Once you’ve gathered information about the retail job and the employer, customize your application to showcase your fit.
Optimize Your Resume for a Retail Job
Many retail associate positions only require an online application rather than a resume. However, resumes are a must for management or other advanced retail positions. No matter which position you're applying for, it's always a good idea to have a well-written resume available to submit to potential employers if they ask for it.
- Your resume must be neat, with a clean format, be error-free, updated with relevant information, and easy to read.
- Include details about previous retail jobs, customer service experience, cash handling, inventory management, visual merchandising, or any other skills that are relevant to the position.
- Whenever possible, quantify your achievements in retail-related roles. Use numbers, percentages, or tangible results to demonstrate your impact. This can include metrics such as sales targets achieved, customer retention rates, or improvements in operational efficiency.
- If you don’t have direct retail experience, emphasize transferable skills that are valuable in the industry. These may include strong communication, teamwork, adaptability, problem-solving, and attention to detail.
- Monster's resume samples for retail clerks and retail managers can give you an idea of how to write and format yours. And if you need extra help, check out Monster’s professional resume writing services.
Include a Personalized Cover Letter
Again, this may not be requested for entry-level retail positions but is a must for management or supervisory roles. A solid cover letter can make you more appealing to employers and boost your chances of becoming a top candidate.
Not sure where to begin? No problem. Use the following tips and our retail cover letter sample as a reference when writing your own:
- Address the hiring manager by name, if possible, and mention the specific retail job and employer.
- Expand upon the most relevant aspects of your resume and highlight relevant skills and achievements to demonstrate your suitability for the role.
- Retail employers value candidates who are genuinely passionate about the products and services they sell, so don’t forget to express your enthusiasm to demonstrate your motivation and commitment.
Submit Your Application
There are tons of retail jobs waiting for you to apply for. But first, make sure you join Monster for free and complete your profile to access various perks.
- Upload up to five resumes to match with recruiters and companies looking to hire candidates with your skills and experience.
- Activate the job alerts feature to receive email notifications about new retail jobs that match your preferences and stay updated on the latest opportunities in the retail industry.
- Leverage Monster’s job search filters to narrow down your options and find jobs in retail near you with the characteristics you are seeking.
- Carefully read and follow the application instructions provided by employers and customize your application materials to increase your chances of being chosen for a job interview.
How to Follow Up on Your Retail Job Applications
It’s generally advisable to wait at least one week after submitting your application before following up. The employer needs sufficient time to review and consider which candidates are best suited for that job in retail. However, if the job posting specifies a different timeline for follow-ups, make sure to adhere to that.
Ideally, you want to reach out to the hiring manager or the individual mentioned in the job posting. If you can’t find that information, you can always address your follow-up to the contact email listed on the company’s website. Employ a patient tone and use a professional approach to follow-up, such as sending a polite and concise email that includes:
- Your continued interest in the retail position and be sure to mention the specific job title.
- A brief recap of your qualifications and why you believe you would be a good fit for that job in retail.
- A sentence or two to inquire about the status of your application and express your enthusiasm to discuss the opportunity further.
Interviewing Tips for a Retail Job
Looking forward to an upcoming retail job interview? Monster can help you get prepared for your job interview and what comes after that.
Prepare for Your Retail Job Interviews
By understanding what to expect and how to showcase your skills and qualities, you’ll increase your chances of making a positive impression and securing the job.
- Revisit the job description to identify key skills and prepare examples you can use to tailor your answers and demonstrate your fit for the role.
- Research more information about the company to learn more about its products, target audience and competitive position that will enable you to speak knowledgeably about the company.
- Select an appropriate outfit that reflects the company’s dress code, pay attention to grooming, and maintain a neat appearance.
- Smile, maintain eye contact, and engage actively throughout the interview.
What’s the Interview Process Like?
Monster has sample interview questions and answers for general retail workers, retail salespeople, and retail managers that you can study before your interview. Here are some examples of common interview questions for jobs in retail:
- What is good customer service to you?
- Tell me about your previous retail jobs and how they relate to this position.
- How would you handle a difficult customer or a customer complaint?
- Tell me about your primary strengths and weaknesses.
Following Up on Your Job Interviews
Within a day or two after your interview for a job in retail, send a thank you email to your interviewer to express your appreciation for their time and reiterate your interest in the role and company. Keep the email concise and professional and mention aspects of the conversation that resonated with you.
For example:
“Our discussion about the importance of personalized assistance and staying up to date with emerging fashion trends truly resonates with my passion for the retail industry. Now I am even more excited about the prospect of contributing to Company Name’s success and leveraging my skills in sales, customer service, and team collaboration to create memorable shopping experiences for customers.”
If the interviewer mentioned a specific timeline for their decision-making process, respect it and avoid following up before that timeframe. When you don’t hear back within the specified period, follow up politely to inquire about the status of your application.
What to Do When You Get an Offer for a Retail Job
Here’s our advice to make an informed decision when you receive a retail job offer:
- First, don’t leave anyone hanging. Promptly respond to the job offer, preferably within a day or two, and communicate if you are ready to accept, refuse, or need a few extra days to review it.
- Second, don’t sign anything you aren’t sure about. Seek clarification for any questions you may have about work schedules, training programs, performance expectations, and more.
- Lastly, communicate your decision professionally, even when it’s a rejection. Always be professional and express gratitude in your communication, regardless of your decision.
Career Paths for Jobs in Retail
To progress from entry-level to retail management jobs, you’ll often be required to hold an associate or bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, marketing, or a related field. However, candidates with a high school diploma and/or a retail management certificate from an accredited college can work their way up to a management position without a degree.
See Monster's article on how to explore retail management careers for more information. Plus, check out the following most common career paths in retail:
- Retail associate: Responsible for assisting customers, stocking shelves, operating the cash register, and maintaining a clean and organized store environment.
- Retail manager: Oversees store operations, manages a team of retail associates, ensures customer satisfaction, and drives sales by implementing strategies to meet targets.
- Retail consultant: Provides expert advice and guidance to retail businesses on various aspects such as merchandising, marketing, customer experience, and operations to help improve overall success.
- Retail loss prevention specialist: Focuses on preventing theft, fraud, and inventory shrinkage by implementing security measures, conducting investigations, training staff, and ensuring policies and procedures compliance.
Retail Jobs Similar Occupations
Want to increase the reach of your search for sales jobs? Try applying to these similar occupations: