Retail Associate Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

Your job description is the first contact between your company and your new recruit. With millions of people searching for jobs on Indeed each month, a great job description can help you attract the most qualified candidates to your open position. To get you started, here are some tips for creating an effective job description.

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Retail Associate job title

An effective job title wiil typically include a general term, the level of experience and any special requirements. The general term will optimize your job title to show up in a general search for jobs of the same nature. The level of experience will help you attract the most qualified applicants by outlining the amount of responsibility and prior knowledge required. And if your position is specialized, consider including the specialization in the job title as well. But avoid using internal titles, abbreviations or acronyms to make sure people understand what your job posting is before clicking.

  • Retail Associate
  • Senior Retail Associate
  • Seasonal Retail Associate
  • Retail Associate (Part-Time)
  • Retail Sales Associate
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Retail Associate Job Description Examples:

Retail Associate job summary

A good job description starts with an attention-grabbing summary of the position and its role within your company. Your summary should provide an overview of your company and expectations for the position. Outline the types of activities and responsibilities required for the job so job seekers can determine if they are qualified, or if the job is suitable for them.

Example of a Retail Associate job summary

Our busy electronics store is looking for a Retail Associate who enjoys working with the public and is interested in building their sales career. The Retail Associate will assist customers by providing product recommendations, answering questions, alerting customers to product options and expanding sales revenues by up-selling support programs and product accessories. The ideal candidate for this position has experience working in retail and a strong dedication to providing exceptional service for customers.

Retail Associate responsibilities and duties

The responsibilities and duties section is the most important part of the job description. Here you should outline the functions this position will perform on a regular basis, how the job functions within the organization and the title of the manager the person will report to.

  • Assist in maintaining the back stock room and setting up merchandise displays on the sales floor
  • Develop solutions for customers by listening to their needs and recommending the appropriate products
  • Greet customers as they enter the store and help them to find the proper team member to assist them
  • Utilize the company’s POS system to cash customers out or administer returns
  • Collaborate with other team members to keep the sales floor area clean and organized at all times

Retail Associate qualifications and skills

Next, outline the required and preferred skills for your position. This may include education, previous job experience, certifications and technical skills. You may also include soft skills and personality traits that you expect from a successful candidate. While it may be tempting to include a long list of skills and requirements, including too many could dissuade qualified candidates from applying. Keep your list of qualifications concise, but provide enough detail with relevant keywords and terms.

  • High school diploma/GED required
  • 2+ years’ customer service experience preferred
  • Ability to work well on a team
  • Must be able to work weekends and holidays
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Job Description Examples

Need help writing a job description for a specific role? Use these job description examples to create your next great job posting. Or if you’re ready to hire, post your job on Indeed.

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