What does a sales assistant do?
Working on the shop floor in shops or other retail or wholesale outlets, sales assistants greet customers, identify their needs or wants, and give them advice or recommendations on products or services that meet those needs. Their goal is to create a positive shopping experience, so customers want to keep coming back. In this way, sales assistants play a vital role in increasing sales. They have in-depth product knowledge and highlight the specifications, features and benefits of products for customers. They are also responsible for processing sales or returns using point-of-sale systems. Sales assistants sell a wide variety of products or services in areas as diverse as food, hardware, clothing, office supplies and household appliances.
Sales assistant skills and qualifications
A successful sales assistant creates the best possible shopping experience for customers. To be able to do this, they need to have a range of skills, including:
- strong written and verbal communication skills
- strong interpersonal skills
- outstanding customer service skills
- flexibility and a willingness to work non-traditional hours, including evenings, weekends and public holidays
- ability to work as part of a team
- good computer literacy, including proficiency with point-of-sale (POS) systems and customer relationship management (CRM) software
Sales assistant experience requirements
While experience requirements vary from one employer to the next, typically, sales assistants do not require extensive experience. Some employers engage sales assistants with minimal or no experience and provide the on-the-job training they need to perform the role. However, some employers specify that candidates must have previous experience in a sales assistant or related customer service role. Experience tends to be a requirement for roles that involve selling technical or high-end luxury products. For example, a sales assistant for a hardware store would ideally have previous experience in trade sales or working as a tradesperson, as they need to have thorough technical knowledge of the products.
Sales assistant education and training requirements
Candidates are not required to hold formal qualifications to gain a sales assistant role. Some sales assistants may have a vocational qualification in retail services, for example, a Certificate II or III in Retail Services. However, employers generally regard practical experience in a similar role more highly than a formal qualification.
Sales assistant salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a sales assistant in Australia is $27.71 per hour. This pay rate may vary depending on which company the employee works for, how much experience they have and where they work.
Job description samples for similar positions
If this template for a sales assistant job description isn’t exactly what you’re looking for, you might like to have a look at some job description templates for similar roles:
Sales assistant job description FAQs
What qualities make a good sales assistant?
A good sales assistant is open, friendly and engaging in their interactions with people. As a strong and confident communicator, they make customers feel valued and appreciated, while also being able to deal with ‘difficult’ customers appropriately. They know their products inside out and can clearly explain how a product will benefit customers. They should be highly motivated and constantly looking for ways to do their job better. It’s important that they are enthusiastic about the products they sell and have a proactive approach to expanding their product knowledge. A strong selling ability is also a very important quality. A good sales assistant should be skilled in the art of steering a conversation, reading non-verbal cues and effectively closing a sale.
What should you look for in a sales assistant resume?
A good sales assistant resume should be neat and have a clear layout, as presentation is an important part of the role. It should have evidence of relevant hard and soft skills. For example, the CV should show that the candidate has strong communication and customer service skills, as well as experience using point-of-sale systems and in-depth product knowledge. A strong candidate highlights their positive contributions and key achievements in previous roles. This demonstrates that they have a confident personality and strong sales skills, as they can sell their own abilities and achievements.
Who does a sales assistant report to?
Depending on the size of the store or company, a sales assistant usually reports to a department supervisor, sales manager or store manager. In small businesses, a sales assistant may report directly to the owner of the business.
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