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Retail Assistant CV example

Retail managers skim for three things: that you're good with customers, that you're reliable, and when you can work. This retail assistant CV example shows all three, even with a short work history.

Written for New Zealand, with notes for Australia · Checked

Free. Then compare it with a real Retail Assistant job ad.

The example

A Retail Assistant CV, start to finish.

Mia Tipene is made up, and so are the employers. The layout and the wording are what New Zealand employers expect: no photo or date of birth, the most recent job first, and every bullet showing what was done and what came of it.

Mia Tipene

Retail Assistant, homewares and fashion

Tauranga · 022 555 0132 · mia.tipene@email.com

Profile

Friendly, reliable retail assistant with five years in busy homewares and fashion stores. Good at helping customers find what they need, confident on the till, and happy to take on stock and visual merchandising.

Skills

Customer service · Point of sale and cash handling · Stock replenishment · Visual merchandising · Opening and closing · Teamwork

Experience

Retail Assistant, Pōhutukawa Home

Tauranga · 2023 to now

  • Help customers choose furniture and homewares, and follow up on special orders
  • Process sales, returns and lay-bys on the till, balancing it at close
  • Unpack deliveries and keep the floor stocked on busy weekends
  • Trusted to open and close the store

Sales Assistant, part-time, Karaka Clothing

Tauranga · 2021 to 2023

  • Served customers and ran the fitting rooms while at school
  • Set up window and in-store displays for new ranges

Education

NCEA Level 3, Mount Maunganui College

2022

Other details

Availability
Weekdays, weekends and late nights
Driver's licence
Restricted

Referees

Available on request

Mia wrote a cover letter to go with it. Read the retail assistant cover letter

Skills and keywords

What retail assistant job ads look for.

Use the ad's own words where they're true of you. An ATS, and a recruiter skimming, both look for them.

  • Customer serviceThe first thing every retail ad asks for.
  • Point of saleSay you're confident on the till and with cash.
  • Visual merchandisingShows you care how the store looks.
  • StockReceiving, replenishing and stocktakes all count.
  • AvailabilityRetail runs on rosters. Say when you can work.
  • ReliableShow it: opening, closing or key-holding are proof.

Bullet points

8 strong lines to borrow from.

Each says what was done, how, and what came of it. Swap in your own facts: a line is only strong if it's true.

  1. 1Helped customers choose furniture and homewares, and followed up on special orders
  2. 2Processed sales, returns and lay-bys, balancing the till at close
  3. 3Kept the floor stocked through busy weekends and sale periods
  4. 4Trusted to open and close the store
  5. 5Set up window and in-store displays for new ranges
  6. 6Ran the fitting rooms on busy Saturdays
  7. 7Helped with the annual stocktake
  8. 8Trained new team members on the till and returns

Common mistakes

What costs retail assistant CVs interviews.

  • "Good with people" with nothing to back it up.

    Show it: what you helped customers with, and what you were trusted to do.

  • Leaving out your availability.

    Retail managers roster around it. Put it in your details.

  • Hiding school jobs because they're part-time.

    Part-time retail is retail experience. List it.

New Zealand and Australia

What changes across the Tasman.

New Zealand

For a first job or a short work history, list part-time work and school achievements; they show reliability.

New Zealand CV format

Australia

In Australia, some retail jobs that sell alcohol need a Responsible Service of Alcohol certificate. Australian employers usually say resume rather than CV, and expect about two pages.

Australian CV format

FAQ

Questions, answered.

Something else on your mind? Email support@smartcvs.ai and a person will reply.

What if I've never had a job?

Lead with school, volunteering and anything that shows you're reliable, like sport or a club. Keep it to one page.

Should I include my NCEA results?

Your highest level is enough. Add any subject that suits the job.

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