Do you have remarkable customer service skills, enjoy interacting with people, and are interested in retail? If yes, a career as a sales assistant could be perfect for you.
Sales assistants play a vital role in a retail or wholesale environment where they greet customers, help them with their unique shopping requirements, and sell products. Their goal is to provide the best possible shopping experience to customers.
You don't need formal qualifications to work as a Sales Assistant in Australia. However, completing a qualification in customer service, retail supervision, or management through TAFE can be beneficial if you want a long-term career in the retail sector.
This guide will explain the Sales Assistant job profile, average salary, areas of specialisation, education requirements, courses, training, career growth opportunities, and the steps to enter this profession.
1. What Is A Sales Assistant?
Sales Assistants sell products to customers in stores, shops, warehouses (wholesale business), and other related establishments. They greet and assist customers, helping them buy goods and services that meet their needs.
Sales assistants have an in-depth knowledge of products in the store. They know the right place to place specific items to enable customers to find what they need.
They aim to provide a helpful and informative shopping experience and also help with ongoing supply management.
2. What Is A Retail Sales Assistant?
Retail sales assistants provide superior customer service in a retail environment. They help walk-in customers have an enjoyable purchasing and shopping experience in retail and wholesale establishments.
Retail Sales Assistants welcome customers, identify their needs, find suitable products, sell goods to customers, process orders and make payments.
3. What Does A Sales Assistant Do?
The specific activities of a sales assistant vary based on the size of the store and the type of product that they sell to their customers.
Those working in smaller shops enjoy a high level of autonomy but fewer career options. They carry out additional tasks, including cashier, window dressing, or stockroom duties.
In larger stores, they work under supervision and direction but enjoy the potential for career progression to senior roles, such as section manager.
Here is a list of the general tasks that sales assistants perform on a day-to-day basis:
Understand the range of services and goods that the shop, store, or establishment offers
Show and explain the establishment's services and goods to customers
Sell various goods such as hardware, food, clothing, office stationery, cosmetics, household appliances, and more.
Unbox goods from the stock room
Arrange items on display stands or shelves
Attach security tags to products
Stack and restock goods in the shop
Display items, wrap and pack goods for customers
Arrange delivery of the merchandise to customers
Maintain a clean and hygienic store
Monitor customers to prevent damage, unsuitable behaviour, or loss
Operate the cash register
Handle customer complaints
Deal with incoming and outgoing goods and services
Operate cash registers, prepare invoices and accept different payment methods for merchandising
Advise customers on product price, choice, delivery, warranties, recommendations, and product usage and aftercare.
Encourage customers to buy and make repeated purchases in the future
Take special orders for out-of-stock items
Help in ongoing stock management such as product inventories and stocktakes
Assist customers with their queries and requirements
Pass customer feedback or complaints to the senior management, like the store manager.
4. Retail Assistant Job Description In Australia
Retail Sales assistants' duties vary based on their employer, industry, and the types of products sold.
Here is what you generally do as part of running the store:
Clean and prepare the store
Organise shelves, displays, and work areas
Ensure sales materials and products are correctly positioned and visible to customers
Greet customers, answer their questions, and direct their attention to products
Illustrate the features, characteristics, and specifications of the items on sale
Provide recommendations and advice on products to customers
Complete sales transactions
Record customer details in the store's database
Take payment from customers via accepted payment modes and issue refunds
Provide an informative, engaging, and positive shopping experience
Replenish items when needed
Place special orders for goods that are out of stock
Implement sales strategies and promotions to generate maximum profit
Coordinate and train other staff
Report issues concerning service, inventory, or safety to the store manager
Provide satisfactory resolution to customer queries
Help other sales personnel in supervising inventory and executing delivery orders
Track sales commission
Provide information on product pricing and availability to retail customers with
Help customers find the desired products in the store
Coordinate with other stores to arrange the delivery of out-of-stock items
Arrange for goods that need to be exchanged or repaired
Help with purchases, sizes, fittings, and pricing of products
5. Retail Sales Assistant Skills
Do you want to know how to be an excellent retail assistant? The following are the most desirable skills to help you succeed in this profession:
Outgoing
Friendly
Like working with people from varying cultures and backgrounds
Presentable
Well-spoken
Patience
Able to achieve sales targets
Able to work to deadlines
Assess situations fast and resolve issues
Clear speaking and attentive listening skills
Good sales techniques and customer service skills
Knowledge of working with EFTPOS and POS and machines
Capable of dealing with difficult people
Able to stand for an extended duration and lift moderate to heavy weights
Product display and merchandising skills
Stock Management skills
Time management
Empathy
Clerical skills
Computer literacy
Genuine persuasiveness
Resilience
Creative problem-solving
Team player
6. Qualifications For Retail Sales Assistant In Australia
You don't need formal qualifications and training to work as a sales assistant in Australia, as many employers provide on-the-job training to their new hires.
However, completing a VET qualification in retail services can improve employability when applying for Sales Assistant jobs.
Complete your Year 10 education
Complete a Certificate II or III in Retail Services.
Gain work experience in the field
Previous work experience in customer service in retail or any other customer-facing role will boost your credentials as a retail sales professional
Solid product knowledge is essential.
7. Steps To Become A Sales Assistant In Australia
The following steps will guide you in becoming a sales assistant:
Step 1: Earn A High School Certificate
Start by gaining a high school certificate. This qualification shows that you can communicate in English, do basic mathematical calculations, and interact with people.
Step 2: Complete a Sales Assistant Course
Suppose you are interested in developing an exciting career in the dynamic retail sector. If so, you should complete an entry-level qualification, such as a Certificate II in Retail Services. This nationally recognised course equips you with the necessary customer service skills and merchandising experience.
Through practical training, you learn ways to engage with customers, advise on products, create and maintain a store environment, manage customer complaints, and ensure a safe service environment.
The course is available in both On-Campus and Blended learning environments. Training institutions in Australia that offer this course are Training, TAFE NSW, My Skills, and TAFE QLD.
The transferable skills you develop when studying this course make you eligible to work in various roles in a retail environment. These include:
General Retail Assistant
Gourmet Food Sales Assistant
Customer Service Assistant
Frontline Team Member
Point-Of-Sale Operator
Checkout Worker
Customer Service Professional
Step 3: Gain Sales Experience
Companies prefer aspiring sales assistants with experience in sales or customer service over inexperienced ones.
Thus, look for opportunities, such as entry-level jobs in a local shop or store, to build your sales skills. You might work under the supervision of an experienced sales associate or a sales manager to learn how to help customers and process orders.
This training gives you the essential experience and skills and prepares you to work efficiently in this role.
Step 4: Apply For A Sales Assistant Job
Employers usually look for the following things in a Retail Sales Assistant. So, make sure you list them in your resume:
Use keywords from the sales assistant job description in the resume and cover letter to demonstrate your experience and skills align with the job requirements. It will help enhance your chances of job success. Apply for jobs online on the company's career page, or walk into a store.
8. How Much Does A Sales Assistant Earn In Australia?
The average sales assistant's salary in Australia is $27.07 per hour or a weekly equivalent of $961. The average retail sales assistant's salary is AU$ 21.32 per hour or a yearly AU$ 45,676.
In commission-based jobs, the sales assistant earns a commission based on the number and value of sales they sell. Their salary may vary based on qualifications, job experience, industry, and work location.
Average hourly earnings based on experience:
Entry-level (< 1-year experience): AU$20.04
Early career (1-4 years of experience): AU$21.12
Mid-career (5-9 years of experience): AU$22.73
Experienced retail sales assistants (10 to 19 years of experience): AU$22.78
Estimated Earnings based on Work Location:
Perth, Western Australia: $30.29 per hour
Chadstone Victoria: $28.68 per hour
Townsville, Queensland: $28.64 per hour
Sydney, New South Wales: $28.55 per hour
Gold Coast Queensland: $26.72 per hour
Canberra Australian Capital Territory: $25.99 per hour
Adelaide South Australia: $25.81 per hour
Brisbane Queensland: $22.40 per hour
9. Working Conditions For A Sales Assistant
Sales assistant jobs require standing for most of the day, dealing with customers, finalising sales deals, and cleaning display units.
Sales Assistants may work beyond standard business hours, including on weekends, public holidays, and evenings to ensure coverage of the store's opening hours.
Retail assistants generally work full-time. However, part-time work opportunities may also be available. It is a good option for those seeking a better work-life balance in this physically demanding profession.
In most retail settings, the workers use computer systems to execute sales or process payments.
10. Where Do Sales Assistants Work?
Retail sales assistants usually work in indoor retail outlets of all types and sizes, such as large department stores, boutiques, mass merchandisers, supermarket chains, or small convenience stores and shops.
For example, Sales assistants in a clothing store advise customers on styles, colours, and sizes and suggest alternatives that match their preferences. Those working in an electronics store use their detailed technical knowledge and market developments to illustrate the technical specs of a device or equipment.
Regardless of where they work, they use their customer service and sales experience to help customers with inquiries, offer product-related advice, or process payment transactions. Moreover, they also create advertising displays and check stock levels.
11. Specialisations For Sales Assistants
The retail industry recruits large numbers of sales assistants with a high staff turnover. As per the Australian Government's Job Outlook service, it is a growing occupational, creating around 445,000 job openings over the coming five years.
The future demand will remain stable in the coming years. Moreover, the retailing sector offers a high potential for advancement for experienced workers. Sales Assistants can consider specialising in selling a particular service or product.
The most common areas of specialisation include:
12. Career Path For An Retail Sales Assistant
Starting as a Retail Sales Assistant, you can work your way up to an Assistant Store Manager position and become a Store Manager.
From there, you can continue moving up into the following Head Office-led roles such as:
Regional Manager
Area Manager
Retail Co-ordinator
The time required to get into a managerial position depends on your determination and the available career opportunities.
13. Conclusion
Being a Sales Assistant is an exciting career if you enjoy helping people and want to make their shopping experience seamless. It is ideal for those who seek an emotionally rewarding profession and work around study or family commitments.
Another benefit of this career is that you don't need formal qualifications to work in this role. Moreover, plenty of specialisation options make the profession exciting and motivating.
The more you get skilled and experienced, the faster you will advance in your career. The above steps will help you make an impactful start as a Sales Assistant in Australia.
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