Sales assistant

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• volunteering
• applying directly

Entry requirements:

College

You could do a college course to learn some of the skills you'll need as a sales assistant.

You could do a Level 2 Certificate or Diploma in Retail Skills or a Level 3 Diploma in Retail Skills Sales Professional.

Entry requirements:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

You could do a Retailer Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

Work

You could start as a temporary sales assistant and work at the weekend or in a busy season like Christmas.

You could then apply for a permanent role after getting some experience.

Volunteering

You could volunteer in a charity shop to get some retail skills. This experience could help you to get paid work.

DirectApplication

You could apply directly for sales assistant jobs. You might find it useful to have retail or customer service experience.

Some employers might want you to have some GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English and maths.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• customer service skills
• the ability to work well with others
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• sensitivity and understanding
• persuading and negotiating skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to sell products and services
• active listening skills
• a desire to help people
• maths knowledge
• the ability to read English
• knowledge of English language
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• thinking and reasoning skills
• business management skills
• concentration skills
• knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software

What you'll do:

Sales assistants sell products and help customers.

As a sales assistant you could:

• serve customers and handle any returns and refunds
• unpack deliveries, stock shelves and arrange displays
• rotate and replace stock
• promote products to meet sales targets
• keep the store clean and tidy

Location : You could work at a store, in a stock room or at a garden centre.
Environment : Your working environment may be physically demanding and crowded.
Uniform : You may need to wear a uniform.

Salary:

Starter : £13,000
Experienced : £26,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

39 - 41 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends / bank holidays on a rota

Career Path:

With experience you could:

• become a retail supervisor, manager or department manager
• gain further qualifications through a Retail Leadership Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship
• train to work in a specialised area of retail like an opticians through an Optical Assistant Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
• specialise in customer services, visual merchandising or buying
• start your own independent shop or stall