Retail jobs

Retail Jobs Overview

Retail stores give consumers the opportunity to find their favorite brands, products, and bargain items. It's the pleasant experience and service offered by retail workers that keeps customers coming back. Retail workers greet customers, help them find items, and solve common customer service issues. Job seekers don't need a degree to work retail jobs, but they do need a knack for customer service and sales.

Retail workers typically work in sales, customer service, or management. As a retail worker, your duties will include greeting customers, offering assistance, making merchandise recommendations, answering customers' questions, cashing customers out and accepting payments, and providing information on sales, promotions, and bargains. You may also provide training to employees, set schedules, open stores, and manage teams.

Want to increase your search for sales jobs? Try applying to these related jobs:

• sales associate jobs
• merchandising jobs
• sales director jobs

Retail Worker Training and Skills

Entry-level retail positions don't require any formal education or training. When you start a new associate position, you'll receive on-the-job training. Retail management jobs often require 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.

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.

Update Your Retail Resume

Many retail associate positions only require an online application rather than a resume. However, resumes are often required 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. It should be neat, clean, and easy to read. Monster's resume samples for retail clerks and retail managers can give you an idea of how your resume should be written and formatted.

A solid cover letter can also make you more appealing to employers and boost your chances of becoming a top candidate. Not sure where to begin? No problem. We have a retail cover letter sample you can use as a reference when writing your own.

Interviewing for a Retail Job

Looking forward to an upcoming retail job interview? Monster can help you get prepared. The questions you'll encounter will depend on the position you're applying for. Monster has sample interview questions and answer tips for general retail workers, retail salespeople, and retail managers that you can study before your interview. Here are some examples of the interview questions you may be asked:

• What is good customer service to you?
• What previous retail experience do you have?
• What makes you a good candidate for this position?
• Tell us about your primary strengths and weaknesses.

How Much Do Retail Jobs Pay?

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. is $29,417 while retail store managers earn an average of $44,448 per year. Enter your job title and location into Monster's Salary Calculator and Estimator to find out if you're getting paid what you're worth. You'll also find median salaries for related jobs, high-demand locations for retail positions, and potential next steps to advance your career.

Want to Learn More About a Company You're Interested In?

Before accepting a job offer, you may want to know more about a potential employer. Monster gives you the opportunity to find employer details in our company profiles. Here, you'll find:

• General information such as the headquarters, locations, and number of employees.
• Photos and videos depicting the company's culture.
• The job benefits offered by the company.
• Retail positions posted by the company.

Join Monster Today to Start Your Search for Retail Jobs!

There are tons of retail positions waiting for you to apply. But first, make sure you join Monster for free and create your profile on the Monster website. We'll help match your resume with the right position and send you updates on newly posted jobs.