How To Write a Retail Manager Resume
Your retail manager resume is the key to unlocking your next career opportunity. It must demonstrate your ability to lead teams, optimize store operations, and drive sales growth. In this comprehensive guide, we offer expert guidance and actionable tips to help you write an accomplishment-driven resume, spotlighting the most impactful aspects of your experience within the retail industry.
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
1. Create a profile by summarizing your retail manager qualifications
Craft a compelling summary of your retail management career to engage readers as soon as they begin exploring your resume. Start by clearly stating your job title and the number of years you’ve spent in the retail industry. Then, highlight three to four qualifications that closely align with the job description.
Offer a glimpse into your career by showcasing your achievements as a retail manager. For example, you could mention you’ve led successful store-wide marketing campaigns or assisted in optimizing inventory management systems. If you have a track record of elevating customer service standards and fostering a motivated team, emphasize those strengths in your profile.
Professional Profile - Example #1:
A results-driven retail management professional with over 10 years of experience implementing profit-generating product sales techniques to drive revenue growth. Adept at creating in-store marketing displays to capitalize on consumer trends and increase annual sales.
Professional Profile - Example #2:
A retail manager with four years of experience, specializing in business administration, team management, retail sales, and operations management. A proven track record of exceeding sales forecasts by over 15% and improving customer satisfaction by 30%.
2. Add a compelling section featuring your retail manager experience
Rather than provide a long list of job responsibilities, create bullet points highlighting your career achievements. Use metrics and monetary figures to show tangible evidence of your results, such as sales growth, customer satisfaction, or loss prevention. Tell retail companies about your past contributions so they can envision the value you could bring to their team.
As a retail manager, your role encompasses much more than writing schedules and responding to customer issues. You must be able to inspire and guide your team. Emphasize your leadership skills as you build your professional experience section. Highlight an increase in employee retention or your impact on team performance.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example:
Store Manager, This is Hip Clothing & Accessories, Baltimore, Maryland | January 2015 – present
- Oversee day-to-day operations of a 25,000-square-foot retail store with 40 employees
- Incorporate ongoing, unique sales techniques to raise average annual store profits by approximately 10% to 20% each year
- Increase customer retention rate from 20% to 45% through implementing excellent customer service practices
- Maintain a 90% employee retention rate through targeted recruitment initiatives
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example:
Retail Manager, Central Elements Clothing Store, Orlando, FL | July 2018 – present
- Manage a team of over 30 employees for a premiere retail clothing store generating $1.2 million in annual revenue, track and analyze customer trends, and identify opportunities to enhance visual merchandising and increase sales by 15%
- Introduce an online sales system in 2019, resulting in a 20% increase in online sales revenue and a reduction in stock levels for slow-moving products
- Recruit, hire, and develop a team of retail sales associates, provide training on customer service best practices, and improve satisfaction scores by 30%
3. List your education and retail manager-related certifications
In your education section, include your high school diploma or equivalent. This is often a baseline requirement for retail management positions. If you’ve pursued further education, like an associate or bachelor’s degree in business management, marketing, or a related field, definitely list that. In addition to your education, highlight any relevant coursework, workshops, or certifications.
Although hands-on work experience is valued most, continuing education always looks good on your resume. For example, sales and leadership certificates could benefit a customer service associate looking to be promoted to entry-level retail manager. Showing potential employers you’re willing to continue your professional growth is a great way to stand out from other applicants.
Education
Template
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] – [Graduation Month and Year]
Example
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Marketing
- Fairfax Retail College, Fairfax, VA | 2014
Certifications
Template
- [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization] – [Completion Year]
Example
- Retail and Omnichannel Management Certificate, edX | 2016
4. Include a list of your retail manager skills and proficiencies
During the hiring process, resumes are often scanned through an applicant tracking system (ATS), which sorts them based on keywords and phrases. The ATS identifies high-ranking resumes in an applicant pool and passes those along to hiring managers. Incorporate keywords from the job description into your profile, skills list, and professional experience section to make it through the initial screening. In the list below, you’ll find examples of common skills and terms you may encounter in your search for a retail manager position:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Budgeting | Cash management |
| Communication | Corporate communication |
| Cross-functional leadership | Customer service |
| Data analysis | Data-driven decision making |
| Inventory management | Loss prevention |
| Operations management | People management |
| Point-of-sale (POS) systems | Process improvement |
| Product merchandising | Retail sales |
| Sales management | Staff scheduling |
| Supplier relations | Team building |
| Team management | |
How To Pick the Best Retail Manager Resume Template
Remember content should be prioritized over visual appeal when selecting a resume template. Hiring managers are more interested in what the document says than how stylish it looks. So, opt for a template that simplifies your resume, making it easy for readers to capture your accomplishments and qualifications. A clean, straightforward template will help readers navigate your professional background and capture your information quickly.
Retail Manager Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
Stephanie Pilkewicz
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
184 Main Street, Boston, MA 98104
Profile
A dynamic Retail Manager with 10+ years of professional experience implementing innovative sales techniques, store merchandising, and pricing strategies. A proven record of exceeding sales forecasts and creating highly productive, sales-focused teams.
Professional Experience
Store Manager, Urban Outfitters, Boston, MA
December 2015 – Present
- Manage and train a 100-member team for operations of 60,000 sq. ft. store, providing positive coaching and accountability to exceed customer expectations
- Supervise four department managers, devising motivational plans and strategies for staff performance
- Oversee store remodels, including a $3.1M complete store remodel in October 2017
- Implement evolving policies and procedures to increase client loyalty and store sales
Assistant Store Manager, Anthropologie, Cambridge, MA
July 2012 – December 2015
- Supported store manager in increasing monthly sales revenue by 20%
- Coordinated and developed new employee training and sales associates’ schedules
- Increased customer satisfaction ratings by 25% within the first seven months and profitability by 45% within the first year
- Implemented inventory and merchandising procedures on a quarterly basis, reducing shrinkage by 1.8% to .7%
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration
BAY STATE COLLEGE Boston, MA, September 2008 – June 2012
Key Skills
- Retail Store Operations
- Team Management
- Inventory Management
- Staff Development
- Retail Sales Training
Certifications
- Retail and Omnichannel Management Certificate
Frequently Asked Questions: Retail Manager Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for retail manager resumes?-
Using action verbs is another way to help hiring managers visualize the work you've accomplished in previous positions. This active language will enhance the quality of your resume and portray you as someone who proactively leads their team. Use some of the action verbs below as you write the professional experience section of your retail manager resume:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Analyzed | Coached |
| Collaborated | Communicated |
| Conducted | Coordinated |
| Developed | Directed |
| Enhanced | Evaluated |
| Executed | Identified |
| Implemented | Improved |
| Led | Managed |
| Oversaw | Performed |
| Planned | Trained |
How do you align your resume with a retail manager job description?-
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, management occupations are expected to experience job growth of 8% from 2021 to 2031. Companies will need managers to lead the over 4 million retail workers who will be employed in the U.S. by the end of the next decade. As online sales continue to increase, companies will look to retail managers to implement strategies and oversee teams of sales workers to enhance the customer service experience.
Each job has unique responsibilities, and hiring managers are looking for applicants who fit their needs. Tailoring your resume to include specific skills and experience prerequisites outlined in the job description may help you stand out from a crowded pool of applicants.
For instance, if a retail company is searching for a manager with expertise in data-driven strategies, highlight your proficiency in retail analytics and data interpretation. Demonstrate your ability to use insights for optimizing store performance and driving sales growth.
What is the best retail manager resume format?-
As a retail manager with a robust work history, always opt for a reverse chronological format. This allows you to fully display your career achievements and experience within the industry, while also placing your most recent jobs towards the top of your document. Combination and functional resume formats should be generally avoided in this situation, as employers will be most interested in seeing tangible examples of your retail management experience rather than skills and certifications.
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