Applying for retail jobs with a basic CV is like bringing a butter knife to a sword fight—not ideal. In a competitive market, a generic, boring CV gets lost in the pile. Your CV needs to be a tool that shows you’re a professional ready to deliver results. Here’s how to sharpen your CV and get it noticed by retail hiring managers in South Africa.
1. Use Action Words, Not Weak Verbs ✍️
Many CVs start with “responsible for” or “duties included,” which are passive phrases that don’t tell a manager what you actually did. A great CV uses strong action words that show you’re a proactive, results-driven person.
- Instead of: “Responsible for managing cash transactions.”
- Say: “Managed all cash and card transactions with 100% accuracy.”
- Other great words: Delivered, Upsold, Achieved, Assisted, Trained, Maintained, Streamlined.
2. Show Your Impact with Numbers 📈
Anyone can list their duties. A standout CV shows the impact of your work. Hiring managers want to see that you can contribute to the bottom line. Quantifying your achievements with numbers is the best way to do this.
- Instead of: “Helped customers find products.”
- Say: “Increased daily sales by 15% through proactive upselling techniques.”
- Instead of: “Stocked shelves and kept the store tidy.”
- Say: “Maintained visual merchandising standards, which contributed to a 10% increase in foot traffic in my department.”
3. Tailor Your CV with Retail Keywords 🔑
Most major retailers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan CVs for specific keywords before a human even sees them. Your CV must speak their language. Read the job description carefully and mirror the keywords you find.
- Look for: Customer Service, Cash Handling, POS Systems, Visual Merchandising, Inventory Management, Upselling, and Teamwork.
- Pro tip: Highlight these skills in your summary and throughout your experience to ensure your CV passes the automated scan.
4. Keep It Concise and Easy to Read 📃
Hiring managers are busy. They will spend just a few seconds on your CV. If it’s messy, too long, or hard to read, it’s an immediate turn-off.
- One Page Max: For entry-level roles, a single page is the golden rule. It shows you can be concise and get to the point.
- Clean Format: Use a simple, professional font (like Arial or Calibri), a clean layout with plenty of white space, and clear headings. Avoid distracting colours or fancy graphics.