Retail jobs offer plenty of variety with opportunities to work within an industry or with a product or service that interests you. You could work face-to-face in a role such as a personal shopper or in the background as a stock controller or merchandiser. Employers are keen to find entry-level staff, skilled professionals, and managers, so if you want to work in retail, a career path awaits.
You will find a retail job rewarding if you have a talent for sales, dealing with complaints, hiring, training, managing staff, or inventory management.
Qualifications You Need For Working In Retail
Qualification requirements range from basic maths and English to diplomas or advanced degrees. The qualification and experience will largely govern where you can start and how quickly your career will progress along the career path.
The qualifications that a recruiter may be looking for include:
- Two or more GCSEs
- One to three A Levels
- Level 3 Diploma in Retail Skills Management
- Degree in Retail Management or Retail Merchandising
Soft Skills To Highlight On Your CV
To find a retail job, you will need a CV that highlights the experience and qualifications you have that match those the employer is seeking. A highly effective approach to building a CV is to begin with a CV template and add your unique attributes.
Financial acumen, communication, team working, and sales skills are highly sought. If you cannot demonstrate these through previous work experience, consider mentioning projects or volunteer work instead.
Popular Jobs In Retail
The most popular jobs in retail include:
Personal Shopper
You can start a career as a Personal Shopper by working your way up from a retail assistant position. Alternatively, you can apply for a Personal Shopper job if you have relevant qualifications, such as the Level 1 Award in Customer Service, Level 2 Diploma in Retail Skills, or Level 3 Diploma in Fashion Retail. Short courses are also available on image consulting and personal styling, which will improve your odds of getting hired.
Your duties will include booking appointments, understanding client likes and budgets, and meeting sales targets. Top skills that recruiters are looking for include outstanding interpersonal skills, attention to detail, patience, natural sales ability, and computer proficiency.
Mystery Shopper
There are no set career roots for attaining a Mystery Shopper position, but excellent written and verbal communication skills are crucial. Recruiters will be seeking out individuals with a keen eye for detail and observation. Gaining retail or customer service work experience will help you get a Mystery Shopper job interview.
You will spend your time visiting shops, supermarkets, entertainment venues, and hotels, assessing sales and service metrics. You will be responsible for creating precise reports and highlighting how the service could be improved.
Retail Manager
To find work as a Retail Manager, you will need a degree in business administration or similar. The alternative route to a Retail Manager position is to work your way up, gaining knowledge of a specific industry, and developing your management and leadership skills.
A Retail Manager career will be fulfilling if you enjoy training and managing staff, selling to customers, resolving complaints, and have an eye for merchandising. You will carry out a range of administrative tasks and ultimately be responsible for hitting sales and customer satisfaction targets.
Merchandiser
If you have a degree in retail business management, marketing, fashion, or supply chain management, you are primed for the Merchandiser position. Retail experience will help you find a job. Employers are on the lookout for individuals who have completed the Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Retail Operations, Level 3 Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations, and Level 3 Diploma in Fashion Retail.
Your duties may include researching market trends, making predictions, and analysing customer and store feedback. You should promote your collaborative, creative, and organisational skills when applying for a job.
Shop Assistant
To land a Shop Assistant job, you do not need qualifications but a good level of English and maths will be expected. When applying for a Shop Assistant position, you should highlight your interpersonal, customer service, and administrative skills.
The Shop Assistant position is a good fit for you if you are sales or customer service-focused, depending on the culture of the organisation. Your duties will include presenting merchandise, maintaining a clean and tidy environment, accepting stock, processing transactions, and answering customer questions.
Store Manager
To work as a Store Manager, you will need a retail marketing or business retail management degree. You can also make yourself an attractive candidate for Store Manager training by studying for a Level 3 Diploma in Retail Skills Management or Level 4 Diploma in Retail Management.
To succeed as a Store Manager, you will need great leadership skills and a knack for resolving employee grievances and customer complaints. A sales background is advantageous, and you should thrive working under pressure.
Newspaper Deliverer
To find work as a Newspaper Deliverer, you may need a driving licence and geographical knowledge. If deliveries are made on foot or by bike, you will need to be physically fit,
Your duties could include collecting newspapers from the publisher, delivering them to retail outlets or readers, and collecting payment. Full-time and part-time opportunities exist, including evening and weekend hours.
Butcher
Starting a career as a Butcher can involve working as a trainee or assistant butcher. College qualifications will help you get hired. Employers will be attracted to your CV if you have a Level 2 Diploma in Butchery or Level 2 Certificate for Proficiency in Meat and Poultry Industry Skills. You can also improve your odds by joining a professional body such as the National Craft Butchers or Institute of Meat.
Your duties will include cutting, boning, and trimming meat, accepting deliveries, creating product displays, and serving customers. You should be polite, understand customer service, and be ready to complete the Level 2 Award in Food Safety for Retail or Catering, which is a one-day course.
Stock Controller
Maths and English GCSEs and computer skills will help you find work as a Stock Controller. You may be able to enter the role straight away or have to work your way up from a junior or similar position. Retail or warehouse experience will both help you get a job interview.
You will need to be a talented and accurate paper worker, although most tasks are completed online. Attention to detail, accuracy, and concentration are highly desired skills. You can further progress your career by moving into supervisory or managerial positions.
Locksmith
You do not need qualifications to start working as a trainee Locksmith, but strong practical skills are worth sharing with recruiters. You can increase your odds of employment by taking a Level 3 Diploma for Commercial Locksmiths and Property Security.
To qualify for a Locksmith position, you will need to pass a background check and hold a full driving license. You should be proficient in using your hands, tools, and machines, have customer service skills and be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer.
View retail career advice here or make a retail job search.
