How to Write a Resume for a Retail Manager Job

Working as a retail manager requires a good handling of both business issues and people. A retail manager does more than simply supervising stock ordering and managing employees. He also needs to know how to handle business paperwork, deal with customers and keep the company growing. Because of the many areas covered, it's important for those looking for a job in this field to make sure they have a variety of skills.

Instructions

Create the Perfect Resume

1. Make sure to mention that you can speak other languages if you can. Retail management sometimes means dealing with international vendors and the fact that a company can count on you for those transactions (rather than having to hire an additional person) will certainly play on your favor.

2. Highlight knowledge and experience in the following sectors: retail distribution, inventory control, merchandise displays and budget planning. These are all areas that are extremely valued in a retail management job and can show an employer just how much you can bring to the company.

3. Skip the typical list of job duties found in regular resumes. Instead, write about your accomplishments in retail, such as helping a company double its sales, acquire new vendors or improve commercial relationships. Emphasize what you did for the company, not what your job duties were when you accepted the job.

4. Make sure to write about lectures, classes or in-service training you are pursuing. Even if you attended a free class offered at a local continuing education center, the important thing is to show prospective employers that you are interested in furthering your education and keeping up to date with the developments of the industry.

5. Use numbers whenever you can, since they make even the simplest resume look very impressive. For example, saying you helped the company increase its distribution channels by 500 stores is much more impressive than saying you worked in distribution. Be as specific as possible but feel free to round numbers up if you have to (but avoid exaggeration).

Tips & Warnings

• As you write a resume for a retail manager job, look for additional things that you can include that don't necessarily fit into any specific category. From being selected employee of the month several times to winning an award in business writing, anything that showcases your multiple talents can improve your chances in this field.

• Use appropriate keywords on your resume, especially if you are posting it online. Words such as "merchandiser," "retail manager" and "P&L management" can make it easier for employers and recruiters to find you.