What Is a Sales Associate?
A sales associate is the main point of contact for customers at a retail store. They have the following responsibilities:
- Greeting customers
- Answering customer questions
- Explaining product features
- Processing sales and refunds
- Handling customer complaints
The ongoing interaction sales associates have with customers means they can make or break the customer experience. They require interpersonal skills, communication skills and product knowledge to keep the customers happy and the brand reputation intact.
Writing a Sales Associate Job Description
A job post is how you attract candidates to your open role. But, writing an attention-grabbing, informative job description isn’t always easy. You have to be detailed but concise and engaging but professional. It’s a hard balance to strike. So, use our tips below to learn how to approach each element of your sales associate job description.
Company/Role Description
This section is your opportunity to explain what your company does and why job seekers should join you. It should be one or two paragraphs long. Start by explaining your mission and values. Then, end with a list of perks and benefits. The ending is also where you would include time commitment and minimum pay.
Duties
This section outlines the responsibilities of a retail sales associate. Providing this list ensures that you attract qualified applicants who can handle the job.
Here are some sales associate duties to consider including in your job post:
- Welcome customers to the store
- Answer customer questions
- Maintain product knowledge
- Make product recommendations
- Handle purchases and refunds
- Organize products to maintain a clean environment
This list of responsibilities is not exhaustive. Feel free to add to it based on your specific company.
Experience and Education
A sales associate can be an entry-level job. However, it’s not uncommon to see these two requirements listed:
- Previous sales, retail or service industry experience
- A GED or high school diploma to handle basic math skills at the cash register
Required Skills
As sales associate positions don’t require much previous experience, the skills listed in this section are often soft skills, such as:
- Problem-solving skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Verbal and written communication skills
- Basic math skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Friendly and welcoming demeanor
- Ability to walk and stand for long periods
- Ability to handle light lifting
You can extend this list as needed. The main goal is to be as clear as possible to set work expectations for potential candidates.
Preferred Skills
Adding a preferred skills section is a way to further explain the scope of the role without deterring potential applicants who don’t check every box. For example, maybe it includes:
- Experience using a point-of-sale (POS) system
- Experience using a cash register
Call to Action
The final part of the job post is the call to action. It tells interested candidates how to apply. For example, maybe you ask them to fill out an application on your company website and attach:
- A resume
- A cover letter
- A list of references
Be sure to include a deadline, if one exists. A summary of the interview process is also a nice touch because it tells candidates what they can expect.
Sales Associate Job Description Example
Below is an example of a sales associate job description. You can use it as a template for your own posting.
Retail Sales Associate at Leat & Her
We are looking for a personable and self-motivated Sales Associate to join our team at Leat & Her. Established in 2005, we make leather shoes for women, putting quality at the center of everything we do. Joining our company means you’ll be part of a hard-working but close-knit team that loves monthly outings for karaoke, drinks and other activities.
As a full-time Sales Associate, you’ll receive health care coverage, three weeks of paid vacation, and 35% off merchandise. The pay starts at $30,000 annually, but we’re open to negotiation.
Duties:
- Greet customers as soon as they enter the store
- Provide information and other assistance to address customer needs
- Process purchases and refunds at the register
- Organize products to maintain a presentable sales floor
- Remain knowledgeable about all current products
- Answer customer questions over the phone
Experience and Education:
- High school diploma
- Two years of experience in the retail or service industry
Required Skills:
- Critical thinking skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Sales skills
- Verbal and written communication skills
- Basic math skills
- Ability to walk and stand for long periods
- Ability to handle light lifting
Preferred Skills:
- Previous experience working at a clothing store
- Working knowledge of how to use a cash register
If you meet these requirements, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your application on our website: leat&her.com. The deadline for applications is May 1. If we’re interested, we’ll invite you into the store for a panel interview at the end of May or beginning of June.
The Bottom Line
Sales associates play a critical role in retail stores. They’re the face of the company and the main point of contact for customers. Getting the right ones on the sales floor will require an enticing, detailed job listing. Use our guidelines to craft a posting that covers company description, required and preferred skills and job duties.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sales Associate Job Descriptions
A sales associate helps retail customers at every stage of the buying process. They welcome shoppers, answer questions and process purchases.
A good sales associate is personable, making customers feel welcome in the store. They should also have basic communication, math and sales skills.
Some sales associate positions don’t require any level of education or amount of experience. Others require a high school diploma and previous retail experience.
Here are common sales associate interview questions:
- Why do you want to work here?
- How would your friends describe you?
- What are some of your favorite retail stores?
- What is your favorite part about interacting with customers?
- What is your sales approach?
Most sales associate roles are part-time, so they get hourly pay. The average pay across the United States is $14.75 per hour.
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