How to Get a Job in the Retail Industry: Step-by-Step Online Guide

By Olga Butyrina (Career Expert, GCL)

Retail is one of the fastest-growing industries, and according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), almost 16 million American workers are already engaged in retail. The industry consists of such giants as Walmart (which employs 10% of all retail workers) as well as thousands of smaller enterprises from cafes and malls to gas stations. Retail positions include cashiers, salespersons, clerks, and supervisors. Based on the BLS statistics, the average annual wages in the industry vary from $20,160 to $38,870.

According to data provided by the Current Population Survey, 80% of retail workers don’t have college degrees. Thus, retail jobs are a great starting point for workers, who don’t have higher education or training. In this article, you will learn how to get a job in retail, what positions to look for, and which skills to possess.

Requirements for a potential candidate

If you want to get employed in retail stores, check the list below and make sure you have at least some of these skills and qualities:

●      High school diploma, but a college degree will open up additional opportunities

●      An understanding of the principles and practices of customer support

●      English language proficiency

●      Strong interpersonal and communication skills

●      Multi-tasking

●      A friendly attitude and a genuine interest in helping others

●      The ability to work within a team and take initiative

●      Physically agility, because a career in retail involves talking, moving, standing, and even kneeling or climbing ladders

●      A readiness to work early in the morning, in the evening, at night, or on weekends

If you still don’t have most of these skills, don’t be upset; it’s possible to get into retail with no experience. Potential employers are in constant search of candidates who are eager to learn and evolve.

Proficiencies for a retail position

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median retail pay in 2019 equaled $12.23 per hour. Potential candidates don’t need any formal educational credentials, which makes this industry rather attractive. However, to find a retail job and beat out the competition, it’s important to possess at least some of the following qualifications:

●      Sales

●      Merchandising

●      Customer service

●      Basic math

●      Problem-solving skills

How to get a retail job: a step-by-step guide

Below you will find a list of steps on how to apply for retail jobs and get hired in the industry.

Search for vacancies

If you know which company you want to work for, head to their website and apply. If you don’t know where you want to work, search on Indeed, Simply Hired, or other job search engines. Try to be very detailed when searching for a retail job online and specify the keywords in the search bar. Filter the results by state, city, or distance from where you are located.

Figure out what the potential employer wants

Read the job posting attentively to understand what type of person they are looking for. Required and preferred skills are very important, so use your resume and cover letter to show that you possess them. Provide examples of when you have worked in a team or how good you are at management. Most skills are transferable, so tell about them even if your previous positions were in a completely different niche.

Work on the resume

When working on a resume, make sure that it is tailored to a particular job. If you are applying for a salesperson, indicate that you feel comfortable talking to strangers. If you want to be an online merchandiser, share your experience trading on eBay. Your resume should be clear and easy to read. Don’t forget to include skills and keywords from the job description in your resume.

Write a cover letter

A cover letter gives you a chance to introduce yourself, highlight your strengths, and discuss details that can’t be included in the resume. It should explain who you are as a professional and what makes you a perfect candidate. If you don’t know how to write a cover letter, find samples at Get Cover Letter generator professional website.

Get ready for an interview

After receiving an invitation to an interview, practice discussing the following issues: 

●      Your work experience

●      Reasons why you want to work for a particular company

●      The skills you possess

●      Why you are suitable for the retail market 

You should also consider your clothing, gestures, and appearance to further interest the employer during a personal interview.

Top 10 Retail Jobs

Here is a summary of some of the most in-demand retail jobs with descriptions and average earnings.

1.   Cashier

A cashier may not be the best-paying retail job but it doesn’t require any formal education or specific training, which makes the position rather attractive. According to the BLS, the average pay in May 2018 was $10.78 per hour. You can easily apply for this position by completing a form on the retailer’s website. Cashier positions are available at grocery and department stores, gas stations, and other establishments.

2.   Beauty Consultant

Beauty consultants communicate with customers at beauty salons or retail companies. They ask customers about their concerns and problems and then give advice about products that could solve the issue. According to PayScale, the average hourly rate of beauty consultants is $13.05.

3.   Customer Service Representative

There are plenty of new job offers available for customer service representatives in retail. This position involves dealing with payments and returns, giving information on products and prices, answering questions about delivery and availability, and often includes working at a customer service desk. Based on the BLS data, in May 2019 the mean hourly wage equaled $17.94.

4.   IT Coordinator

While this may not be a position directly related to retail, it impacts the quality of the provided services and assistance. IT coordinators support retailers’ software, hardware, servers, and messaging. They solve problems and upgrade systems. Their average yearly income is $51,463 according to PayScale.

5.   Human Resources Specialist

These specialists recruit, hire, train, and coordinate employees. This may be either a corporate or a store position. According to the BLS, in 2019 the median pay was $29.77 per hour. However, this position requires at least a Bachelor’s degree.

6.   Store Manager

A store manager is a person who manages the daily activity of the store including customer service, inventory, profitability, and productivity. This position includes training, managing, and scheduling other employees. PayScale estimates that the average yearly salary of store managers is $47,900.

7.   Retail Merchandiser

Merchandisers set up and manage displays including on-sale or seasonal products. Depending on the position, these specialists may work for the product producer or full-time for the store. According to the BLS, retail merchandisers make an average of $33.46 per hour.

8.   Online Merchandiser

Online merchandisers evaluate the interest of customers, define a sales strategy, analyze information, and pick promotion models. These specialists may work remotely or on-site. According to O*Net, online merchandisers had an average yearly income of $70.530 in 2018.

9.   Pharmacist

A pharmacist is a person involved in the preparation and distribution of medicines. Thousands of drugstores make this retail position rather demanded. According to BLS, pharmacists earned an average of $128.090 in 2019. However, this position requires a doctoral or professional degree.

10.  Logistics Coordinator

These specialists deal with the movement of products to stores and other retail places. They monitor inventory, organize stock rooms, merchandise, and make sure that the shipping and delivery are timely. According to PayScale, logistics coordinators have an average annual salary of $45,016.

Wrap-up

One out of every ten Americans is working in the retail industry, and considering that new stores and entertainment venues open with enviable regularity, the variety of career paths will continue to grow.

Often, people enter the industry just because they need money, but many of them stay and build a solid career. Follow our guidelines, develop communication skills, evolve, and your chances of getting a retail job will increase.