Retail Jobs in Chicago, IL

Chicago 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.

You can expand your search for sales jobs by checking out these similar positions:

About Working in Chicago, Illinois

If you're going to Chicago to experience "da Bears," deep-dish pizza, and windy streets, native Chicagoans say "fogetta 'bout it!" While these have made Chicago famous, you'll find many locals eating thin-crust, tavern-style pie. Plus, the city isn't on any list of the windiest cities in the U.S.—a local newspaper named it "The Windy City" after the Chicago elite's propensity toward boastfulness and self-promotion. And while the Chicago jobs list (hit jobs, that is) includes notorious mobsters from Chicago like Al Capone, John Dillinger, and Baby Face Nelson, linguists are noticing that the "Chicago accent" is disappearing.

However, there's a reason Condé Nast Traveler has named Chicago the "best big city in the U.S." Chicago is home to top universities, including Northwestern University, Wheaton College, and Valparaiso. And if you're looking for Chicago jobs, you can relocate to any one of the city's unique neighborhoods, such as North Center with its cozy Irish pubs and breweries or Uptown, the lively entertainment district. For those who want to live further out from the city, you can also find jobs in popular suburbs including Cicero, Oak Park, and Evanston.

Update Your Chicago 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.

How Much Do Retail Jobs Pay in Chicago, Illinois?

Got money on your mind? You should! Make sure you’re getting paid what you’re worth. Our Salary Tools can help you understand what you can expect to make in retail jobs in Chicago, Illinois, as well as the skills that can boost your value and what the next steps in your career might be. Right now, the median retail store clerk pay in Chicago is $23,943 per year, which is 2% higher than the national average.

Find Your Next Chicago Retail Job. Monster Can Help Get You Started

Are you prepared for a career in retail? If so, set up your profile on Monster for free and begin clicking on those retail jobs. When you sign up with us, you’ll receive custom job alerts and expert advice on how to negotiate your salary in Chicago, how to nail your job interview, and more.