sales assistant.

Some of the tasks of a sales assistant include:

• welcoming customers: your primary role is to ensure customers have the best shopping experience at the shop. Hence, you greet them and find out what they are looking for. You assist them with shopping requirements and give suggestions or recommendations based on their tastes and preferences.
• illustrating products to customers: your job is to increase the sale of products. Hence, you encourage customers to purchase the products by presenting features and explaining the specifications. It is also important to inform customers of available discounts, special offers or promotions.
• operating the cash register: you record customers' transactions and ensure they make the correct payments. Operating the cash register also involves taking payments from customers for goods and services and issuing receipts. Some sales assistants package the items to help the customers carry merchandise to their cars.
• handling customer complaints: it is important to keep the customer satisfied and happy and handle their complaints effectively. You also pass along feedback from consumers to the production team.
• organising and restocking shelves: as a sales assistant, you ensure the store is adequately stocked every morning. You organise the shelves to create attractive displays and assist with store promotions.
• helping with stock management: your role involves assisting the store manager with inventory management by taking stock of the goods. You should inform the procurement team of the items required.

Sales assistants usually work indoors, although some work outside if their store has an outdoor section. You are mostlikely to spend your entire shift on your feet, even if you work behind a desk or cash register. Since sales assistants interact directly with customers, they usually don't work in a cubicle or office setting. Additionally, sales assistant jobs don't require travel except for training. Most jobs offer online and in-person training to get you started. The work environments vary from mass merchandisers and supermarket chains to small boutiques and convenience stores. However, sales assistants usually work in well-lit buildings with air conditioning and easily accessible restrooms. You should wear safety gear if you work in a store with loud or dangerous equipment.

Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include sales representatives, store managers, administration assistants, office managers, and mining marketing managers. You might also be working in close proximity to product managers and field sales agents, as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, sales associates, marketing executives, sales consultants and sales managers.

Sales assistant jobs offer full-time and part-time opportunities. Suppose you take an entry-level position in a retail store. In that case, you typically start with a part-time job and gradually advance to full-time. Part-time positions offer up to 39 hours, depending on the week. Some companies give you a certain number of hours every week. Full-time jobs offer 40 hours a week with the possibility of overtime.

You may find a job with a regular 9-to-5 shift, but sales assistants often take on late-night or early-morning hours. It also requires you to keep your off-work schedule flexible because sometimes you work holidays and weekends. Your store may offer an overnight shift that involves stocking shelves or interacting with customers who come in at odd hours. Part-time workers often get rotating shifts that switch between mornings, afternoons, evenings and nights. Overnight shifts are likely if your store is open 24 hours a day.

A sales assistant is an entry-level role with exciting growth opportunities. You can progress in the sales roles and take up other positions like sales executive or representative. With extensive experience, you can become a sales or store manager. Some sales assistants specialise in inventory management and become inventory specialists or procurement managers.

Finding your sales assistant job through Randstad provides essential benefit such as:

• a wide variety of training and development opportunities
• an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
• a range of opportunities in your area
• get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
• temporary and permanent contracts

Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a sales assistant is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers every year thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.

As a sales assistant, you help customers throughout your shift. This includes answering their questions, talking on the phone and helping them find what they ask. You also complete other tasks like straightening the shelves and cleaning your department.

The best sales assistants are cheerful and friendly. They don't take it personally when a customer complains but rather do everything they can to fix the issue. You don't necessarily need prior experience, but it helps if you know how to deal with people. Other skills include juggling multiple tasks and staying on your feet for long periods.

A sales assistant interacts directly with customers on the sales floor. Customers rely on sales assistants to answer their questions and help them find what they need. The sales assistant's job is to be friendly, helpful and welcoming to customers.

A sales assistant job is a good position with decent job security. Full-time sales assistants get 40 hours weekly, plus bonuses, sick days and annual leave days. Most major retailers and some small businesses need sales assistants to represent them and help their customers on the floor.

You don't need educational qualifications to become a sales assistant, but prior experience in sales and customer services improves your employment prospects. Also, consider getting a Certificate II in retail sales to improve your skills.

Applying for a sales assistant job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our sales job offers. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.