cover letter shop assistant no experience

Sales Assistant

Sales Assistant Cover Letter Example

Sales Assistant Cover Letter Example

Despite the retail sector’s faded prospects of returning to its glory days, sales assistants are still in demand with a diverse range of work options. But to get the sales job that’s right for you, you need a job-search strategy that includes a superior sales assistant cover letter.

Sales assistants attend customers at retail outlets like clothing stores, help them find what they’re looking for, recommend products useful to them and ring up their purchases. Also known as sales clerks or sales associates, these workers are also often responsible for stocking and display of merchandise and maintaining an attractive and well-organized store.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall outlook demand for retail sales workers in the U.S, is stagnant, projected to show little or no change from 2019 to 2029. The demand for retail salespersons specifically is expected to shrink by 1%. This is because as online sales become increasingly popular, brick-and-mortar retail outlets will experience falling sales, and many will inevitably close.

Still, despite a projected loss of more than 20,000 jobs over the same decade, there are expected to be 4.6 million jobs in this sector by 2029. That’s a lot more jobs than there are in most fields.

The retail sector is sometimes divided into retail sales workers, who assist customers in buying goods such as clothing, furniture and cars, and people who sell replacement parts and equipment, such as car parts.

The pay is modest , with those who sell parts earning a median hourly wage of $15.61 in 2020, while retail salespersons earned a median $13.02 an hour. However, most sales assistants need only a high school diploma or the equivalent, so the sector remains an attractive entry-level option for those with little education or experience.

Bottom line: this is a field where jobs are plentiful, even if no upturn is forecast. But to get the sales job that’s right for you, you need a superior job-search strategy, and that starts with an outstanding resume and cover letter.

Resume.io is a global leader in providing occupation-specific guidance in how to prepare resumes and cover letters, together with corresponding resume and cover letter examples . In addition, we offer formatting advice, plus field-tested templates and builder tools to help you create both resumes and cover letters.

Do not overlook the importance of a job-winning sales assistant cover letter to accompany your resume. This guide will explain why a cover letter is critical and offer step-by-step guidance on how to prepare one.

What we’ll discuss here:

What is the goal of a sales assistant cover letter?

Some job seekers in this field will simply walk into a store and fill out an application. But you’ll have a big leg up if you submit a professionally prepared resume and cover letter.

The purpose of a resume is fairly obvious — it lists your employment history, education, job-related skills and contact info, all in a one-page format that’s easy to process. Yet a resume is a somewhat dry and impersonal document that doesn’t even try to establish a deeper connection / reaction from the hiring decision-maker.

And that is the key for getting that interview, and ultimately — the job!

A cover letter, on the other hand, is a way of introducing yourself personally to a hiring manager. It’s a friendly greeting, a handshake from afar, a way of establishing a personal connection to someone who has the power to offer you a job.

A cover letter also gives you the opportunity to showcase your personality, passion and likeability in a way that a resume can’t. It enables you to speak directly to a hiring manager, person to person, initiating a conversation that can only help your chances of success.

Surveys of hiring managers have found that the failure to include a cover letter is one of the most common reasons resumes are rejected. Although a few employers prefer to receive a resume only, you should always include a cover letter with a resume unless you’re specifically asked not.

For additional inspiration, you can check out our related Sales cover letter examples.

Best format for a sales assistant cover letter

A cover letter should almost always be one page only — a maximum of 400 words. The same is true of a resume, meaning that the ideal job-application package consists of only two pages. Sounds easy, right? But you have to get those two pages right.

Your sales assistant cover letter should be structured as follows:

Let’s talk about what each of these cover letter components should look like.

Dear Mrs. Watts,

Having recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in ancient history and after three years of student weekend work at my local bookstore, I feel that the sales assistant role at the Minden Museum would be a perfect first step in my career.

I fully understand the mechanics of working in a small retail operation (where everything is your responsibility), but I also appreciate the unique nature of a museum shop. Visitors expect a shop to be an extension of the museum experience, pausing to remember what they have discovered and considering buying a memento to remind them.

You need your sales assistants to enhance their visit by gently entertaining and educating them. After an hour or two of contemplating the exhibits, it is vital that a sales assistant represents the museum in the appropriate way. My background in amateur dramatics and warm personality will be an asset to your retail team.

During my bookshop experience, I was equally passionate about the products, and I am proud to say that I also made a commercial and operational difference to the store:

In a small shop, sales assistants need to offer far more value than simply filling shelves and sticking on prices. In a museum shop, the scope of the role is even broader. I hope that I might have the opportunity to demonstrate just what a difference my knowledge and outlook will make to the visitor experience of your museum.

The header is the space at the top of your sales assistant cover letter that contains your essential contact information: name, occupation, address, phone number and email address.

The header is also an important design element, allowing for creative use of color, typography and layout in a letter that will otherwise be all body text.

Designing an attractive header is not easy, which is why we recommend using a template where the header is already designed and all you need to do is supply your own information. You can review some professionally designed headers in the free cover letter templates at resume.io, choose one you like, type in your relevant info — and you’re good to go.

Align document styles

Your sales assistant cover letter and resume are a package deal, and can work for you as a powerful “brand ambassador”.

This may sound complicated but it’s pretty simple in essence: it means they should use the same fonts and formatting styles, and the header on both should be very similar if not identical.

Making these two documents match gives you a “visual brand,” demonstrates your attention to detail and makes it obvious that they both came from the same person. If your resume and cover letter look totally different, it creates the appearance that you are sloppy and you don’t understand the importance of coherent design. It may also suggest that you are writing a new cover letter but using an old resume.

NEVER underestimate how powerful and important it is to be remembered and recognized. In a pile of hundreds of applications, if yours stand out for the obvious extra effort made, you’ve already won. Plus, there is much less chance of your documents getting lost and forgotten. They’ll be associated with you.

The best way to ensure a cohesive design is to use matching sets of templates to create your resume and cover letter. Resume.io makes this easy with templates that are meant to go together. Our online cover letter builder provides a simple way to make these documents your own, edited any way you like.

Goal of the cover letter header: Set yourself apart from other job applicants with a visually branded document that shows your regard for detail, quality and cohesiveness.

Cover letter greeting

Also known as a salutation, the greeting is the part of your sales assistant cover letter that starts with the word “Dear” (or more informal options like “Greetings”), followed by “Mr.” or “Ms.” and the last name of the hiring manager.

Whenever possible, you should use the name of the person responsible for hiring at the company you’re targeting. If you don’t know the name of that person, do some legwork to find out. If necessary, just call the company and ask.

There are several reasons for this. People like to read their own names, and a letter addressed to a specific individual is more likely to receive a reply. Using the name of the actual hiring manager shows that you’ve done your homework on this company, and you’re not just firing off the same cover letter to multiple employers.

In some cases you may find that a hiring manager prefers to remain anonymous. If that’s the case, find a more generic way to write your salutation, such as “Dear [Company Name] Hiring Team.”

Goal of the cover letter greeting: Start off on a professional note by connecting directly with the hiring manager, using the recipient’s name if possible.

Cover letter introduction

The opening paragraph of your sales assistant cover letter should be a sincere, confident, well-written introduction. Use lively language that makes the reader want to keep reading. It should identify the job you’re seeking and provide a preview of your qualifications for this job, such as your relevant employment experience or your passion for customer service.

It’s important to establish the right tone of voice from the outset — confident, interesting, optimistic and bold, yet never arrogant or too familiar. Consider your position relative to your reader and be appropriately respectful and professional. But write in a style that commands attention and makes this person want to read on.

Goal of the cover letter introduction: Command the reader’s attention with an intriguing, confident preview of your qualifications that sustains interest in reading more.

The central two or three paragraphs of your sales assistant cover letter must make the case that you are eminently qualified for the job you are seeking. Typically this is accomplished by citing your work experience, education and job-related skills.

In any field, employers look for relevant job experience above all. If you already have experience as a sales assistant, you should probably mention that first. And don’t just say you worked at a given store for however long; be specific about your achievements on the job.

Wherever possible, use facts and figures to quantify your accomplishments, such as the number of customers you attended every day or the dollar sales for which you were responsible. Also, use anecdotes to describe job-related challenges you faced in the past and how you addressed them to achieve winning results.

Yet retail sales positions are often entry-level, and most retailers will not expect you to have extensive job experience. If your experience is thin, emphasize instead your biggest selling points, whether it’s your education, internships, volunteer work, or simply your passion for customer service and your “people skills.”

Goal of the cover letter body: Highlight your most relevant accomplishments in a specific way, emphasizing your biggest selling points.

Cover letter conclusion and signature / sign-off

Your closing of your sales assistant cover letter should include a recap, a thank-you and a call to action. For example, you may want to ask whether you can call in a week or so to see if it’s possible to set up an interview. Or you may simply want to say that you’re eager to follow up and would be delighted to talk further.

The one thing you don’t want is for your reader to scan your letter and put it in a discard pile, never to be reviewed again. Plant the thought that you are eagerly anticipating some response because you are really serious about this job. Without being presumptive or overconfident, try to make it difficult for your reader to ignore your letter and do nothing about it.

Close with a “Sincerely,” “Cordially,” “All my best,” or the equivalent, followed by a blank space and your typed name. It’s also acceptable, though not essential, to insert a scanned version of your actual signature in a cover letter delivered electronically.

Goal of the cover letter closing: End on a positive, self-assured note with a call to action that makes it difficult for your letter to be ignored and dismissed.

Cover letter design and formatting

An ugly, dirty, disorganized retail outlet trying to sell goods to the public will probably not get much attention. And the same is true of your sales assistant cover letter.

Appearances matter, and you need to pay close attention to the formatting and design of your cover letter so that it looks as good as it reads. Here are some guidelines to follow:

The psychology of writing a cover letter

Always remember that you’re writing this letter to a human being, and try to put yourself in that person’s shoes. One way of looking at this: Instead of writing the letter you want to write, write the letter that person would want to receive.

Does your letter use an appropriate tone that is both professional and personal? Is it interesting, engaging and persuasive? Does it include a brief yet compelling review of the experience, qualifications and skills that make you a great candidate for the job?

Or is your letter meandering, unfocused and full of cliché-ridden fluff that says nothing meaningful?

Psychologists say the human brain responds to stimuli with a mix of emotional and rational responses, and your letter should trigger both of these. Emotional responses tend to be quick, automatic, not the result of a lot of introspection, and yet they are powerful because they come from the heart more than the head. You want to use a certain amount of emotional language in your letter to trigger heartfelt, intrinsically human responses.

Yet you also need to use rational language that appeals to the head more than the heart — for example, the factual information about your background that demonstrates your readiness to do the job. You want your reader to like you, but you also want your reader to know that you’re qualified for the position.

You need to study your target, research the company where you want to work, and identify its needs. You’re not writing to convince the company that you need a job, but that your contribution can make the company stronger.

Common mistakes you need to avoid

Here are some of the most common errors people make in writing cover letters.

Key takeaways for a sales assistant cover letter

For more information, consult our guide on how to write an excellent cover letter. To get started on yours, review our free cover letter templates , choose a design you like and use our step-by-step builder tool to make it your own. You’ll be building on a successful foundation that has been proven to work.

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Cover letter: No work experience

Use this sample cover letter if:

For sample cover letters designed for other situations, see our sample cover letters page .

Download this sample cover letter:

NOTE: DON'T SUBMIT YOUR COVER LETTER AS A .PDF. Always submit your cover letter as a .doc, .docx or .rtf. If you have trouble with this sample cover letter, contact us at [email protected] .

When to use this sample cover letter

This sample cover letter shows what you can write if you apply for an advertised job, but you don't have any paid work experience.

You can use this cover letter whatever your level of education.

What to include in your cover letter

A good cover letter should include:

Additional things to include in your cover letter

Other things you can mention in your cover letter include:

Key points of this cover letter are that it:

The aim of this kind of cover letter is to show that your personal qualities and characteristics are a good fit with the requirements of the job. You also need to show that you know how to make a positive contribution to the employer.

More resumes and cover letters

For more about resumes and cover letters, visit these pages:

Below is the sample cover letter when you don't have any paid work experience.

Joanne Tint Email: [email protected].com Mobile: XXXX XXX XXX

7 December 2018

Mr Allan Moyle Moyle Retail Solutions Phone: XXXX XXX XXX Email: [email protected]

RE: Application for Casual Retail Sales Assistant position

Dear Mr. Moyle,

As a highly motivated and dedicated student with strong communication and interpersonal skills, I would like to apply for the position of Casual Retail Sales Assistant.

As a student I have been extensively involved in my school community, which has allowed me to develop strong interpersonal skills. My involvement in various events, including drama eisteddfods and sports carnivals, has allowed me to work closely with my peers while supporting the school community as a whole.

These experiences have allowed me to develop strong time management and organisational skills, which I see as being very important when seeking to work in casual employment while continuing to study.

Personal attributes that I believe make me suitable for this position include:

My teachers and educators have commended me for my willingness to participate and my dedication to helping out where possible. I enjoy working with others and believe that my strong communication skills will ensure that I can meet the expectations of this role.

I am aware that you will receive a large number of applications for this job, but I would very much appreciate the opportunity to demonstrate my capabilities to you in person.

I believe that I have a lot to offer your organisation. I am keen to develop my professional skills and look forward to discussing my application with you at an interview. I have enclosed a copy of my resume for your consideration. I can be contacted at all times on the details provided above.

Thanking you in advance for your time,

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Shop Assistant Cover Letter Examples

Sales Assistants are employed by department stores, fashion stores, and supermarkets to serve and advise customers. This job requires little formal qualifications, as the ability to work efficiently with people is more important. Common job duties of a Sales Assistant include: greeting customers, answering to inquiries, demonstrating product features, checking stocks and prices, closing sales, collecting payments, arranging displays, and handling customer complaints.

Not exactly what you are looking for? Check our complete library of over 1000 cover letter examples .

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For help with your resume, check out our extensive Shop Assistant Resumes .

Don't send your resume without a cover letter. Find out how to create a professional cover letter in our guide.

Include These Shop Assistant Skills

Comparable Sales Assistant skills and experience are visible in the cover letter example displayed below.

Dear Ms. Soltis:

Upon learning of your posting for a Shop Assistant, I felt compelled to submit my resume for your review. As an experienced and personable professional with experience in retail sales, merchandising efforts, and customer service, I feel confident that I would be a valuable asset to your team at Windmill Books & Gifts.

My experience lies in organizing inventories and maintaining stock levels, assisting customers with selection and sales, and managing register operations in customer-centric retail establishments. With strong inner motivation and inner resilience in stressful situations, I excel at assessing customer needs, offering product recommendations, and ensuring outstanding customer service.

Highlights of my qualifications include…

Excelling as an assistant for a local stationary store in Fairfax, holding responsibility for a $750 cash bank with total daily sales reaching upwards of $1,800.

Received comprehensive shop training, enabling assumption of responsibility for daily business operations when regular manager was on vacation.

Proven dedication to providing outstanding customer service, resulting in solid customer loyalty and satisfaction.

With my demonstrated experience in retail shop operations and sales, I am well prepared to extend my record of service to your team at Windmill Books & Gifts. I welcome the opportunity to discuss this position and my qualifications with you further. Thank you for your consideration.

Marion W. Durritt

A professional cover letter is the first step toward your new job!

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cover letter shop assistant no experience

Shop Assistant Cover Letter Example

Writing a Shop Assistant cover letter is your introduction to the hiring manager. In order to stand out companies want you to present your relevant work history and skills according to the job you are applying for. Whether you're seeking an entry-level position or have been in your career for a few years, exposing your relevant achievements in your cover letter can allow you to stand out and get that job interview.

Our cover letter examples are written by certified cover letter writers and is a great representation of what hiring managers are looking for in a Shop Assistant cover letter resume. Use this example for reference as you create your own cover letter or use this easy cover letter builder that will guide you through every step of your building your resume in just a few minutes.

In addition to the Shop Assistant Cover Letter Example, be sure to check out our Shop Assistant Resume Example .

Here is the Shop Assistant Cover Letter example:

Dear Ms. Leah Lea,

I am writing to apply for the job opening as a Shop Assistant in your company. Please see the enclosed resume for my references and the details of my experience. I’m sure you will see that I am very qualified to fill the job. I am confident I will be an asset your company.

I have been working as a parts clerk in an auto supply shop for the past three years. My job has me accomplishing a wide variety of tasks every day, from greeting customers and answering phones to driving a forklift and setting up parts displays. I work efficiently and with very little supervison. I have excellent relationships with my customers, who come back to see me time and again when they need help with auto repair. And my track record for safety is spotless.

In high school I completed a vocational program that included some automotive engine repair. I have also been restoring my own vehicles for years – first with my father and brothers when I was just a little guy, and then on cars I bought for myself once I got my license.

I have good work habits. I keep my tools in good shape and my work area tidy. I know how to use a computer to perform basic tasks. I have a clean driving abstract, and I am working towards my commercial driver’s license.

It would be a pleasure to meet with you to discuss my qualifications. You can reach me at (555)-555-5555 days or evenings.

Resume Attached as MS Word Document

Most Popular Cover Letters

cover letter shop assistant no experience

A professional cover letter is the first step toward your new job!

Retail Assistant Cover Letter Example + Tips

It is important to create the ideal resume, and a well-written cover letter can significantly increase your chances of getting an interview. It is your chance to expand on your resume and relate your industry-specific accomplishments in a way that emphasizes why you are the perfect fit for the job. Read this free retail assistant cover letter sample to see how to draft a compelling cover letter.

Dear Mr. Silverman,

I have six years of retail sales-related experience. In my current position as a retail assistant, I provide customer service to shoppers through the store, answer questions, and operate the register on a daily basis.

I am familiar with all aspects of the retail industry including merchandising and managing inventory. My outgoing personality establishes a level of comfort with customers and has led to my above average sales numbers. I am also highly creative and detail oriented.

I enjoy creating displays and assisting customers to assemble ensembles that work well for them. In past employee performance reviews, I have received consistent compliments for my expert people skills. I would love the opportunity to bring that expertise to the position of retail assistant at Landay Department Store.

I believe I am the perfect candidate for the position at your store. I welcome you to contact me for an interview. My resume is attached and includes my contact information. I thank you for your consideration and hope to speak with you soon.

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What to include in a retail assistant cover letter.

Here are some helpful tips for creating the perfect cover letter. First, don’t just restate what you list on your resume. Your cover letter is a chance to provide interesting and new information. Next, as you can see from the free retail assistant cover letter sample, limit your writing to a single page. Incorporate job description language, use details of your experience, address a specific person or company in the opening, and add a statement of appreciation in the conclusion.

Industry Specific Skills to Include

Whatever you do, tailor your cover letter to your target audience. This free retail assistant cover letter sample shows the advantage of combining skills with experiences. Here are a few skills that can be beneficial for retail assistants.

● Interpersonal skills: An outgoing, friendly personality is essential for retail assistants because the job requires nearly continuous interaction with customers. ● Customer service skills: Retail assistants must be responsive to the needs of consumers. You have to explain various product options and make appropriate recommendations. ● Math skills: You need the ability to calculate discounts, estimate price totals, and figure change for customers. ● Sales skills: As a retail assistant, you must be persuasive and clearly and effectively explain the advantages of purchasing the merchandise. ● Persistence: You should not be discouraged quickly and should begin each new sales attempt with a positive outlook.

Related Skills

More Resume Examples for the Next Step in Your Retail Career

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cover letter shop assistant no experience

Home » Covering Letters » Sales Assistant Cover Letter Example – No Experience

Sales Assistant Cover Letter Example – No Experience

By Guest Author

Use this sample if you are going to apply for a Sales Assistant job in the UK. Amend it as suitable before sending it to the employers.

Covering letter example for a Sales Assistant position when candidate has no experience.

01 Any Road, Every Town, XX1 1YY ____________________

Mr John Smith ABC Company All Streets Any Town AA1 1ZZ

I am writing in response to your job advertisement for the position of Sales Assistant at Smith & Co. I have excellent communication skills and a familiarity with sales techniques, which I studied as part of my Communications course at Salisbury College.

In your job description you depict that you are looking for an ambitious sales assistant and I have plenty of enthusiasm to fill that role. With regards to the qualities you are looking for I can offer you strong computer and telephone skills, the ability to produce MS Word documents, Excel spreadsheets and work in a company created database. I have exceptional communication skills with all levels within the company and outstanding organisation and time management skills. I am able to handle a number of tasks simultaneously and work well under pressure. I work well on my own initiative but can equally work as part of a team. I am a quick learner, punctual and reliable.

As a new and enthusiastic candidate, I would welcome the opportunity of an interview to discuss my suitability and other qualifications with you further. I look forward to a reply at your earliest convenience.

Thank you for your time and consideration of this application.

Yours sincerely

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I believe that I have a lot to offer your organisation. I am keen to develop my professional skills and look forward to discussing my
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Considering my skills in sales, customer relations, and general retail store operations, I am confident in my ability to excel as your next Store Assistant. I
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With my demonstrated experience in retail shop operations and sales, I am well prepared to extend my record of service to your team at Windmill Books & Gifts. I
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I am writing to apply for the job opening as a Shop Assistant in your company. Please see the enclosed resume for my references and the details of my experience
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In addition to my practical experience, I have also completed my associate's degree in business administration. Your job listing mentioned being able to
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I believe I am the perfect candidate for the position at your store. I welcome you to contact me for an interview. My resume is attached and includes my contact
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I have exceptional communication skills with all levels within the company and outstanding organisation and time management skills. I am able to handle a number