Sales Assistant
What is the work like?
Sales assistants play a key role in making the customer's shopping experience enjoyable. They help customers in all kinds of retail outlets, including supermarkets, clothing retailers and department stores.
As a sales assistant you could:
- serve and advise customers
- handle payments by cash, card or cheque
- help customers to find the goods they want
- advise on the availability of stock and any special promotions
- give information on products and prices
- stack shelves or make sure goods are attractively displayed
- arrange customer orders and deliveries.
In specialist stores, for example mobile phone shops or electrical goods stores, you would be expected to have specialist knowledge of the product. You may also have additional related tasks such as promoting extra accessories and insurance.
In smaller independent shops, your duties would be more varied, and may include arranging window displays and receiving stock deliveries.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You often do not need specific qualifications to become a sales assistant, as most employers are more interested in your 'people skills' and positive attitude. However, employers will expect you to have a good standard of literacy and numeracy.
You will be at an advantage when applying for retail jobs if you have experience of working with the public and of handling cash.
You may be able to get into the retail industry through an Apprenticeship scheme. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. For more information on Apprenticeships, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk.
What further training and development can I do?
Most of your training would be on the job. Larger retailers often have structured in-house training schemes for their staff at all levels.
Your training may be linked to work-based qualifications, such as:
- BTEC First Certificate/Diploma in Retail
- NVQ levels 1 and 2 in Retail Skills
- NVQ Level 3 in Retail
- NVQ levels 2 and 3 in Sales
- NVQ levels 2 and 3 in Customer Service.
You will also receive specialist food hygiene training if you work with fresh produce such as fish or meats.
Where can I go for more information?
Fourth Floor93 Newman Street
London
W1T 3EZ
Tel: 0800 093 5001
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Full-time salaries are usually between £11,000 and £15,000 a year.
- Supervisors can earn between £15,000 and £20,000 a year.
Many larger retail companies also offer benefits like staff discount and bonus schemes.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
In a full-time job you would normally work between 35 and 40 hours a week, including weekends. Part-time work is very common and you may work a shift pattern that includes evenings.
You would spend a lot of time on your feet and may need to lift and carry items of stock. You would often be expected to wear a uniform.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- good communication and 'people skills'
- the ability to work as part of a team
- to enjoy working with the public
- an approachable, polite and helpful manner
- confidence and tact, for dealing with demanding customers
- basic mathematical skills, for handling payments and stock checks
- plenty of stamina
- to be reliable and trustworthy.
What opportunities are there?
The retail sector employs around three million people, or 11% of the UK’s workforce. Jobs may be advertised in the local press, Jobcentre Plus, on employers' own websites and instore.
Promotion prospects can be very good, especially in larger companies committed to staff training. With experience, you could progress to supervisor level then into management, or into retail merchandising.
You may also find the following links useful for job vacancies and further reading:
InRetail
Jobs In Retail
Retail Careers
Retail Moves
Retail Week
Talking Retail
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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