Become An Associate
Where do you want to work?
Working As An Associate
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Selling or Influencing Others
- Getting Information
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Communicating with Persons Outside Organization
Deal with People
Unpleasant/Angry People
$76,000
Average Salary
What Does An Associate Do
How To Become An Associate
Typically, there are no formal education requirements for retail sales workers. Most receive on-the-job training, which usually lasts a few days to a few months.
EducationAlthough retail or parts sales positions usually have no formal education requirements, some employers prefer applicants who have a high school diploma or equivalent, especially employers who sell technical products or “big-ticket” items, such as electronics or cars.
TrainingMost retail sales workers receive on-the-job training, which usually lasts a few days to a few months. In small stores, an experienced employee often trains newly hired workers. In large stores, training programs are more formal and usually conducted over several days.
During training sessions, topics often include customer service, security, the store’s policies and procedures, and how to operate the cash register.
Depending on the type of product they are selling, employees may be given additional specialized training. For example, salespersons working in cosmetics get instruction on the types of products the store offers and for whom the cosmetics would be most beneficial. Likewise, those who sell computers may be instructed on the technical differences between computer products.
Because providing exceptional service to customers is a priority for many employers, employees often get periodic training to update and refine their skills.
AdvancementRetail sales workers typically have opportunities to advance to supervisory or managerial positions. Some employers want candidates for managerial positions to have a college degree.
As sales workers gain experience and seniority, they often move into positions that have greater responsibility and may be given their choice of departments in which to work. This opportunity often means moving to positions with higher potential earnings and commissions. The highest earnings potential usually involves selling “big-ticket” items—such as cars, jewelry, furniture, and electronics. These positions often require workers with extensive knowledge of the product and an excellent talent for persuasion.
Important QualitiesCustomer-service skills. Retail sales workers must be responsive to the wants and needs of customers. They should explain the product options available to customers and make appropriate recommendations.
Interpersonal skills. A friendly and outgoing personality is important for these workers because the job requires almost constant interaction with people.
Math skills. Retail sales workers must have the ability to calculate price totals, discounts, and change owed to customers.
Persistence. A large number of attempted sales may not be successful, so sales workers should not be discouraged easily. They must start each new sales attempt with a positive attitude.
Selling skills. Retail sales workers must be persuasive when interacting with customers. They must clearly and effectively explain the benefits of the merchandise.
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Associate jobs
Associate Career Paths
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Customer Service Associate 2.0 years
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Associate 2.0 years
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Team Associate 1.5 years
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Cashier Associate 1.5 years
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Funeral Home Associate 1.4 years
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Lot Associate 0.9 years
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Seasonal Associate 0.6 years
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Sales Associate 14.0%
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Cashier 13.3%
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Internship 11.8%
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Law Clerk 5.5%
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Assistant Manager 4.9%
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Crew Member 4.3%
-
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Volunteer 3.9%
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Manager 3.7%
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Server 3.4%
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Assistant 3.0%
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Legal Extern 2.9%
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Office Assistant 2.9%
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Summer Associate 2.8%
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Receptionist 2.8%
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Research Assistant 2.3%
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Supervisor 2.2%
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Sales Representative 2.2%
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Sales Associate 14.2%
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Cashier 9.6%
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Internship 6.4%
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Assistant Manager 6.2%
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Manager 5.6%
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Senior Associate 4.7%
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Server 4.4%
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Attorney 3.9%
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Partner 3.5%
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Consultant 3.5%
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Vice President 3.4%
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Volunteer 3.3%
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Supervisor 2.9%
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Team Leader 2.9%
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Warehouse Associate 2.8%
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Owner 2.7%
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Receptionist 2.7%
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Crew Member 2.6%
Average Length of Employment
Top Careers Before Associate
Top Careers After Associate
Associate Demographics
Gender
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Female
50.0% -
Male
47.6% -
Unknown
2.4%
Ethnicity
-
White
77.6% -
Hispanic or Latino
11.3% -
Asian
8.6% -
Unknown
1.9% -
Black or African American
0.7%
Languages Spoken
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Spanish
49.4% -
French
12.1% -
Chinese
4.5% -
Mandarin
4.4% -
German
4.2% -
Russian
3.2% -
Italian
3.1% -
Portuguese
2.9% -
Arabic
2.8% -
Japanese
2.6% -
Hindi
2.2% -
Korean
1.8% -
Cantonese
1.4% -
Vietnamese
1.0% -
Urdu
0.9% -
Polish
0.8% -
Hebrew
0.7% -
Greek
0.7% -
Carrier
0.6% -
Tagalog
0.6%
Associate
Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.
Associate Education
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University of Phoenix
13.8% -
Georgetown University
6.4% -
New York University
6.0% -
Temple University
5.3% -
George Washington University
5.3% -
Liberty University
5.1% -
New York Law School
4.9% -
Fordham University
4.6% -
University of Pennsylvania
4.6% -
Boston University
4.4% -
Pennsylvania State University
4.2% -
Florida State University
4.1% -
Columbia University
4.1% -
American University
4.0% -
University of Texas at Austin
4.0% -
Southern New Hampshire University
3.9% -
Hofstra University
3.9% -
University of Houston
3.8% -
George Mason University
3.8% -
Ashford University
3.7% -
Business 21.6%
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Law 14.4%
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Psychology 6.0%
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Finance 5.9%
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Accounting 5.6%
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Criminal Justice 5.4%
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Communication 4.2%
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General Studies 3.3%
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Computer Science 3.3%
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Nursing 3.2%
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Management 3.0%
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Marketing 2.9%
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Biology 2.8%
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English 2.8%
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Political Science 2.8%
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Liberal Arts 2.4%
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Graphic Design 2.3%
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Education 2.3%
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Bachelors
34.8% -
Other
24.7% -
Masters
14.3% -
Associate
10.6% -
Doctorate
9.9% -
Certificate
4.0% -
Diploma
1.4% -
License
0.4%
Schools
Majors
Degrees
Associate
Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.
Real Associate Salaries
Job Title
|
Company
|
Location
|
Start Date
|
Salary
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Associate | Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP | New York, NY | Aug 29, 2016 | $315,000 |
| Associate | Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton, LLP | New York, NY | Aug 24, 2016 | $315,000 - $335,000 |
| U.S. Associate | Linklaters LLP | New York, NY | Sep 15, 2016 | $300,000 |
| Associate (Quantitative Researcher) | Ajo LP | Boston, MA | Apr 23, 2015 | $300,000 - $400,000 |
| Associate | OEP Capital Advisors L.P. | New York, NY | Jan 13, 2015 | $300,000 |
| Associate | Proskauer Rose LLP | New York, NY | Sep 16, 2016 | $300,000 |
| Associate | Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP | Washington, DC | Dec 22, 2015 | $290,000 |
| Associate | Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP | New York, NY | Aug 25, 2016 | $290,000 |
| Associate | Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP | CA | Oct 01, 2015 | $290,000 |
| Associate | Shearman & Sterling LLP | Washington, DC | Mar 02, 2016 | $290,000 |
| Associate | Shearman & Sterling LLP | Washington, DC | Aug 25, 2015 | $290,000 |
| Associate | Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP | New York, NY | Aug 26, 2016 | $290,000 |
| Associate (Management Consultant) | McKinsey & Company, Inc. United States | New York, NY | Jan 29, 2015 | $124,990 - $201,813 |
| Associate (Management Consultant) | McKinsey & Company, Inc. United States | New York, NY | Jan 01, 2015 | $124,990 - $201,813 |
| Associate | Goldman, Sachs & Co. | New York, NY | Jul 30, 2015 | $124,800 |
| Associate | Goldman Sachs Services LLC | Jersey City, NJ | Aug 03, 2015 | $124,800 |
| Associate | Goldman Sachs & Co. | New York, NY | May 16, 2016 | $124,800 - $173,400 |
| Associate | Goldman Sachs Services LLC | Jersey City, NJ | Feb 19, 2016 | $124,800 |
| Associate | Guggenheim Partners Investment Management Holdings, LLC | New York, NY | Feb 08, 2016 | $124,426 - $130,000 |
| Associate | Enosta, Inc. | Irving, TX | Oct 10, 2016 | $87,869 |
| Associate | Enstoa, Inc. | New York, NY | Jan 09, 2016 | $87,868 |
| Associate 6 | Deloitte Consulting LLP | Houston, TX | Mar 18, 2016 | $87,818 - $148,400 |
| Associate 6 | Deloitte Consulting LLP | Philadelphia, PA | Jun 01, 2016 | $87,818 - $148,400 |
| Corporate Strategy Associate | IBM Corporation | New York, NY | May 23, 2016 | $87,751 - $130,001 |
| Associate | Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. | New York, NY | Sep 05, 2015 | $87,693 - $140,000 |
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Top Skills for An Associate
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Top Associate Skills
- Customer Service Skills
- Stock Merchandise
- Financial Statements
- Follow, and apply directions Use of training in daily job assignment Customer service skills
- Labeled overstock merchandise, scanning merchandise daily, adjusting inventory levels in perpetual inventory system, and executing company programs.
- Assisted in preparing financial statements and related disclosures.
- Uphold accountability of team to policies and procedures and regularly offer feedback to assist in team's overall growth.
- Provide team leadership and ensure staff maintains facility cleanliness and pet health and safety standards.
Top Associate Employers
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