To work as a retail sales assistant, you generally don't need to have an advanced education. Most companies will accept assistants who have at least a high school diploma or a G.E.D. Regardless of one's educational background, a retail sales assistant needs to have great customer service skills and have an understanding of the basic principles of sales. Some companies ask for previous experience in retail as well as some administration skills.
A retail sales assistant's main responsibility is providing great customer service. Sales assistants greet, interact and assist customers. A good retail sales assistant is always ready to recommend, guide and search for what it is the customer is looking to buy. When working as a sales assistant, it is also essential to know all of the ins and outs of the items the store carries because customers frequently ask questions about products, insurance, warranties, etc.
Retail sales assistants will often also handle money and will can be responsible for opening or closing out registers/cash drawers at the beginning and end of a shift. They must be able to give correct change and remember to provide the receipt. Sales assistants are also aware of the items they have in stock in inventory as it is usually their responsibility to count items, reorder and clean them and then to make sure all products are restocked properly. Lastly, retail sales assistants' work schedules vary depending on the type of company for which they work, so they don't usually work a standard 9-5 job.
Retail Store Assistant Tasks
- Monitor closing, opening, and cash reconciliation, and complete reports.
- Schedule the appropriate number of employees while taking into consideration back-ups, sick days, and peak hours.
- Assist the manager in day to day store operations.
- Assist customers and escalate customer requests or complaints to the manager as necessary.
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