what is a sales associate?
As a sales associate, you are the point of contact for customers looking to buy items from a company. You often need to perform various customer service tasks, such as greeting customers and assisting them in finding merchandise that matches their requirements. Sales associates also help customers locate services like deliveries and sales. Sales associate job duties vary depending on the type of business you work for or if you work in an online store. You are responsible for closing down your department at the end of the day, performing inventory checks, and cleaning up your department's space.
As a sales associate, it's important that you have excellent customer service, communication, and team-building skills. You work in locations ranging from brick-and-mortar shops to online outlets. Depending on your location, you help customers in person or online through email or chat. An average retail business usually has multiple sales associates working together.
Unlike other roles in sales, you don't emphasize prospecting and pipeline management. Instead, you focus on providing the best shopping experience for your customers.
Would working as a sales associate suit your interest? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a sales associate role.
view jobs near youaverage sales associate salary
The median salary range for a sales associate is $30,600. The salary expectations will vary based on the type of sales you perform and the location where you live. For example, sales associates in San Jose, California have an average salary of $43,500, making it the highest in the United States.
factors affecting sales associate salary
As a sales associate, your experience can influence your pay. The more experience you gain and the better you understand customer needs, the more valuable you become to your employer, which could result in pay raises or promotions.
Education is also important. Although a high school education may be the minimum requirement, having a diploma or degree in a related field like sales, marketing, or retail management may give you an advantage and potentially lead to higher pay. It can also be beneficial if you want to move into more senior roles.
The type of store where you work matters as well. Luxury retailers and high-end boutiques tend to pay their sales associates more because they require more expertise and personalized service than discount or budget stores.
The location of the store is another factor to consider. Sales associate jobs in urban areas or prime locations may have higher average annual pay compared to rural areas.
Wondering what you can earn as a sales associate? Find out immediately with the salary comparison tool! You can quickly and easily see what the average salary of a sales associate is.
types of sales associates
Some of the types of sales associates include:
- retail sales associates: When you work in a retail outlet as a sales associate, you welcome customers and direct them to the items they are looking for. You ensure the customers have a good shopping experience and use your sales skills to upsell products and increase profits.
- sales floor associates: A sales floor is where a company displays products for customers to view them. As a sales floor associate, you work in the shopping aisles to answer customer questions and help them make purchase decisions. You explain product features and inform them of the offers and discounts available.
working as a sales associate
Working as a sales associate requires hands-on experience selling directly to consumers since you are the first touchpoint between the company and customers. Here's a breakdown of the tasks and work schedules in the role.
-
sales associate job description
Some of the tasks of a sales associate include the following.
- welcoming customers: You welcome customers to a retail store, greeting them at the door and making them feel welcome. You also discover what they are looking for and direct them to the aisles.
- recommending products to customers: You advise customers on purchase decisions and provide recommendations if customers need clarification about the best brand or product for their needs. You also motivate clients to buy a product by explaining its uses and features.
- cross-selling and upselling: As a sales associate, you help boost sales and increase profits for the retail store by persuading customers to buy more expensive products through upselling or encouraging them to purchase additional products. You promote upselling by explaining expensive products' benefits and additional features. Cross-selling can boost sales if some items have discounts or multi-buy deals.
- explaining business policies to customers: Sales associates know store procedures and policies. It is important to explain the policies on discounts and promotions at the retail outlet. You could also provide information on deliveries, returns, and warranties.
- assisting customers with purchase completion: You assist customers with processing payments and completing their purchases. If they want to organize delivery, you help them record the necessary details to simplify the purchase process.
- assisting with store displays and inventory management: When you need to engage customers, it is beneficial to display the merchandise attractively. You keep the shelves neat and appealing. You regularly check the inventory and ensure the racks and shelves get stocked on time.
-
sales associate work environment
Sales associates work in various environments depending on the employer and type of store. Often, you are on your feet most of the day if you work in a brick-and-mortar retail outlet. However, many companies want employees to be comfortable working for them, so they invest money into creating a safe and clean workplace. As long as you enjoy working with customers face to face, growth opportunities will give you additional responsibilities with more pay and benefits.
-
who are your colleagues?
As a sales associate, you are likely to work in a retail or wholesale outlet, and your colleagues may include sales representatives, field sales agents, sales administrators, and sales managers. You might also work with cashiers, store managers, and other specialists, including marketing executives, marketing coordinators, procurement officers, and delivery drivers.
-
work schedule
You can opt for a full-time or part-time schedule, depending on your employer. Part-time sales associates usually have fewer responsibilities than full-time associates. A sign at the entrance of your company's building or retail outlet indicates that it is open for business during set hours of operation. However, many companies close on specific days for holidays and offer paid leave based on how long an employee has worked. Many companies have variable schedules, and you may work nights or weekends depending on current business demands. At an online outlet where you offer customer service over the phone or through email, your schedule will be more flexible because communication is remote.
-
job outlook for sales associates
Since many customers shop online, opportunities in traditional sales associate roles may reduce. However, retail sales associates can also assist customers with shopping online by explaining product features and organizing purchases. Apart from specializing in online sales, some sales associates progress upward to become sales managers or store managers.
-
benefits of working for randstad as a sales associate
Working through Randstad offers you a range of benefits:
- being paid weekly
- flexibility
- always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- many training opportunities
- a range of jobs in your area
Want a permanent contract? But you wonder why it would be interesting for you to work with a staffing company? A temporary job as a sales associate is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers, thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad, too!
sales associate skills and education
Typically, you don't require a college education as a sales associate. The most common degree among sales associates is a bachelor's degree, with 38% of graduates holding this qualification, and 32% holding a high school diploma only. Important skills to have for this role include interpersonal skills, math skills, and selling skills.
To excel in your sales associate career, consider obtaining popular professional certifications, such as Certified Sales Professional (CSP), Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM), or Automotive Sales Professional.
skills and competencies
To excel as a sales associate, prioritize communication skills and CRM system proficiency. Ensure a thorough understanding of your company's products or services, as you are often the first point of contact for customers, and you help shape their perception of the brand. A solid foundation of product knowledge enables you to serve customers better, empowering them to solve their problems. The key to success in this role is identifying and addressing customer needs and providing effective solutions.
FAQs about working as a sales associate
Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about sales associates.
-
what makes sales associates good at their jobs?
Being an active learner and someone who truly understands people is beneficial for success as a sales associate. By actively listening to others and comprehending their needs, you can provide valuable product recommendations and offer helpful advice. As the products you sell may vary daily, having a deep understanding of your company's offerings allows you to make informed recommendations to customers based on your knowledge about the products you are selling.
-
what is the difference between a cashier and a sales associate?
You have distinct roles as a cashier or retail sales associate. As a cashier, you scan items, process payments, and assist customers with inquiries. On the other hand, as a retail sales associate, you help customers find products without handling payments. Cashiers often perform repetitive tasks, such as scanning barcodes and processing payments on a daily basis. In contrast, as a retail sales associate, you experience more diversity in your responsibilities as you assist customers in various ways, such as providing options and product suggestions.
-
are a sales associate and a customer service representative the same thing?
While the positions of customer service representative and sales associate are technically different, there is some overlap between the two. As a sales associate, you have a proactive role, helping customers find the products that are right for them and effectively offering customer service in a proactive manner. The qualities that make a customer service representative successful, such as patience and attentive listening to customer problems, are also the same qualities that contribute to the success of a sales associate.
-
is a sales associate a good job?
As a sales associate, you have the opportunity to work with interesting products and meet people from all walks of life. Moreover, this type of job enables you to develop a diverse range of skills. It is an excellent career choice if you enjoy assisting people in finding the right products and services.
-
are there advancement opportunities for sales associates?
Sales offer diverse opportunities for you to develop your professional skills and industry knowledge. Working as a sales associate can help you progress in your career by providing you with specialized knowledge. Focusing on one aspect of sales or specializing in a specific product also offers unique growth opportunities. That's why it's beneficial to consider your personality and skill set when determining what type of sales associate you would like to be.
-
how do I find a job as a sales associate?
Applying for a sales associate job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our sales associate jobs for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV. If you do not have a resume, no worries. Just check out our resume builder. This state-of-the-art tool will help you to create your own resume. Need help with your application? Check out all our job-hunting tips!
submit your resume
Make sure your resume is up-to-date, including information about your technical skills and certifications. Then share it with us to connect with a recruiter and be matched with job opportunities.
