Write an Impressive Retail Resume in 10 Steps (+ Examples)

Writing a resume for retail jobs is like promoting sales. Showcase your best side to make the hiring manager interested. Keep reading to learn how to write a professional retail resume and adopt a retail resume template.

This article will cover how to write a professional retail resume to make you stand out from the crowd. Follow our retail resume writing guide step by step and feel free to refer to the retail resume example at the end of the article.

🖋 How long should a resume for retail be?

As much as your retail experience might be, a retail resume is usually one page long. This is sufficient to make you stand out, and there is no need to stuff your resume for retail jobs with unnecessary information.

🖋 What is the best font for a retail resume? 

The font you choose makes all the difference to your retail resume. It will give away the feeling that you give to others or even your personality. 

If you want a professional look for your resume for retail, choose one from the following commonly used fonts: Arial, Helvetica, Gill Sans, Roboto, Times New Roman, or Verdana are all ideal choices.

🖋 What is the standard margin for a retail resume?

The standard margin for an A4 paper is around 0.8-1 inch (2-2.54 cm), depending on the amount of content in your retail resume. 

🖋 What should the line spacing for a retail resume be?

For the retail resume line spacing, keep it between 1.15 to 1.5. As for heading and titles, double the line spacing to 2. 

🖋 What format should a retail resume be in, Word or PDF?

Your resume format for the retail job depends on the application channel. Always follow the instructions given to you. If the company doesn't specify, you can send over your resume in PDF format as PDF files are more device-friendly. However, a MS Word file is much easier to scan for some applicant tracking software. 

Choosing a nice format for your retail resume is another key factor.

Here are the 3 most accepted formats to outline your retail resume.

🖋 Chronological resume format

Chronological format is widely accepted for its emphasis on work experience. Your most recent retail experience is listed upfront on your resume in a reverse-chronological format, and below it are earlier retail experience.

🖋 Functional resume format

Skills are the main emphasis in a functional resume format. You use the skills section to demonstrate work experience. Using a functional format is an ideal way when you are writing an entry-level retail resume or resume for a retail job with no experience

🖋 Combinational resume format 

A combinational resume format combines a chronological format with a functional format. Use this format for your retail resume to highlight experience and retail skills. It’s suitable for a candidate with robust retail experience. 

A resume title is a brief sentence that describes your professional role. It’s placed on top of your resume for retail jobs, and remember to write according to the requirements listed in the job posting.

👍 Tip 1: Use job description keywords in your retail resume headline.

Marking keywords in the job description and incorporating them into your customized retail resume will make it more appealing in the hiring managers’ eyes. 

👍 Tip 2: Highlight strongest achievements or skills right away.

Write your job title like a news headline so hiring managers will continue reading other sections of your retail resume.

👍 Tip 3: Add years of experience to attract the recruiter.

If you are an experienced applicant, specify the years of experience to substantiate your qualification in the resume title for retail jobs.

A resume summary is 3-4 sentences that recap your qualifications for the retail jobs. You can write a summary for a retail resume after you finish other sections on the resume and pick out the most impressive achievements.

👍 4 tips to write a retail resume summary:

• Apply the same keywords in the job description.
• Use quantified results to describe your retail experience and achievements.
• Keep it concise and only write about relevant experiences & skills.

In your retail resume, the employers will also look at the skills section to decide if you are right for the retail job. Keep in mind that your retail resume skills should align with those mentioned in the job posting. 

To list skills on a resume for retail jobs, refer to different skill-listing formats:

• A bullet list is the easiest way to showcase your retail skills. 
• An expanded bullet list is a simple way to write about various retail skills.
• Integrating skills with work experience is another way to present retail skills for the recruiter to see on a retail resume. Use a functional resume format to make your strong retail skills stand out.
• If you have tons of skills to list, categorizing your skills will be ideal. Use colons or bold font to mark the general categories.

The work experience section on the resume gives the hiring manager substantial information to show your suitability for the retail job. It’s probably the most important section in your retail resume.

Nevertheless, there’s no need to worry if you are writing an entry-level retail resume with no experience.

• Start with your latest or current job experience, then move on to previous roles in reverse-chronological order.
• List your job role title, employment dates, and the company’s or store’s name and location.
• Use 2-5 bullet points to describe each job’s duties and your achievements.
• Each bullet point should focus on one specific skill, task, and its result.

👍 3 tips for writing a good work experience section for your retail resume:

1. Tailor to the job: applying the same keywords in the requirements of the job posting to tailor your retail resume should increase your chance of getting an interview.
2. Add quantifiable results: use numbers to describe your achievements if possible to make your achievements precise.
3. Use action verbs: start each bullet point with strong verbs such as “assisted” or ”increased” to show you are initiative-taking.

What to write in your education background in a retail resume:

• Type of degree
• Major, minor, or focus
• School name, location
• Graduation year (or expected graduation year)
• Dean’s List or GPA score (optional)
• Relevant coursework or activities (optional)
• Study abroad programs (optional)

🖋 Where to put the education section on a resume for retail jobs?

• In an entry-level retail resume with no experience, the education section matters and will determine if you are going to be invited for an interview. List your education upfront, right after the resume objective for retail.
• For experienced retail applicants, your retail experience is more crucial in the resume. Place education section after work experience section. 

🖋 How to write the education section in the following 3 situations?

1. High school education

If you never attend college, here’s how to list your high school degree in the retail resume.

2. Education in progress

If you haven’t finished your degree, listing “in progress” or “expected to graduate in [date]” in the retail resume is just fine!

3. Incomplete education

What if you never graduated? No worries - put it like this:

To spice up a little in your retail resume, add an extra section to show your uniqueness and related retail qualifications. When writing additional personal information in the retail resume, try to connect it with the job application or use actual accomplishments to describe your degree of devotion.

Volunteer work

Volunteered at a local food bank, prompting donation.

Certifications and awards

Won the Arizona State University Student Speech Contest, 2016.

Projects

Ran a newsletter about local shops with 150+ subscribers.

Hobbies and interests

Social media marketing, Photography

References

Tomita Hitoshi
General manager at ABC store
202-555-0177
Tomita Hitoshi was my direct supervisor when I worked at XYZ Company as a sales assistant from 2019-2020.

A well-written retail cover letter addressed to the company or hiring manager will often bring positive effects. It provides a chance to speak directly with the hiring manager aside from your retail resume.

Use the structure below to write a retail cover letter.

1. Contact details

Format it like your resume for retail jobs, list your full name, email address, mobile number, and professional links such as LinkedIn, CakeResume, or your personal website.

2. Introduction

Start your retail cover letter with simple greetings. Explain who you are and your current employment status. Be concise and highlight your strongest skill. Less than 4 sentences are sufficient.

3. Motivation (Intention to apply)

Explain which position you are applying for and the reason for such application. The key point is to show your understanding of the company or the industry as well as strong motivation.

4. Qualification

Next, conclude your qualifications for the retail role in the cover letter. Pick the strongest work achievements in your retail resume, and showcase them in the cover letter. Show initiative so they will be interested in your retail resume.

5. Closing

Finally, close the cover letter by thanking them for their time. Add a call to action: encourage them to review your retail resume, and let them know there‘s more to discuss in an interview. 

Congratulations, that’s it! Follow the tips to complete a perfect retail resume.