How to Make Retail Clerk Sound Good on My Resume
Have you been working as a retail clerk but now want to move on to a different job--something that is more of a career? Many employers look for experienced workers, especially when the economy is tight, making it hard to land a job without significant experience. Writing a targeted resume that focuses on your skills developed as a retail clerk and how your employer benefited will get your resume noticed.
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Things You'll Need
- Dictionary
- Thesaurus
- Notebook (optional)
- Pen (optional)
- Computer/word processor
Instructions
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1
Make a list of your basic job duties as a retail clerk. This should be one or two descriptive words like customer service, cash register, stocking shelves, etc... This page does not go in your resume--it is for planning purposes--so complete sentences are not necessary.
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2
Think of creative ways to describe your job duties without being dishonest. Use the dictionary and thesaurus if necessary. Write these new words next to the job duties on the page for your personal use. Set them aside until you reach step 4.
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3
Write your resume using the functional format because it is generally the best for someone entering an entirely new line of work. This will provide the easiest way to cast a positive spin on your retail experience.
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List Professional Skills that explain your experience. Refer to the list of words you have written. Examples include 'Merchandising' instead of stocking shelves and 'Customer Relations' instead of handling complaints.
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Below those headings, add action phrases that elaborate and explain how you were an asset to the company. For example, instead of listing shelf-stocking as a job duty under 'Merchandising,' explain that you created point-of-sale displays based on consumer traffic patterns. Instead of noting that you operated a cash register under 'Customer Relations,' explain that you confirmed customer purchases and recommended peripherals to increase sales.
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Include a section that discusses good performance reviews you have received from supervisors. Focus on the positive details from the report, especially good attitude and strong work ethic which are universally strong traits for a potential job candidate.
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Include statistics that indicate positive results of your business performance. If the company's sales were up or an award was received by the company during your employment, outline how your efforts contributed to that success.
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Tips & Warnings
If the resume is going to be mailed or hand-delivered, center the name and contact information but make the rest of the resume left justified. It is easier to read.
If the resume is going to be posted on the Internet or emailed to companies, make it left justified and in block format. It is less likely to get scrambled when it is digitally transferred.
Be creative and descriptive, but not dishonest, because it almost always backfires.
