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Associate skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted experts

Meegan Feori Ph.D.,

Travis Kurowski Ph.D.

The skills an associate will need vary greatly depending on the nature and industry of their position. In general, one of the most important hard skills an associate can possess is familiarity with company policies at their organization. It's also important for associates to have the hard skill of experience working on a sales floor for sales associate positions.

When it comes to soft skills, associates should have strong customer service skills above all else, and a consistently positive attitude. Associates need to assist others with work, so great communication skills are also crucial. In certain industries, HR experience is a highly in-demand soft skill for associates.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical associate skills. We ranked the top skills for associates based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 16.5% of associate resumes contained customer service as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills an associate needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 associate skills for your resume and career

1. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how associates use customer service:

Worked on over $2 billion in energy market acquisitions including electric generation facilities and retail customer service territories.
Introduced a hotel wide cross training customer service process that maximized Associate proficiency and improved Associate engagement scores.

2. Sales Floor

The sales floor is the area in a company or a business that is specified for retail activities or is designated as the selling area of the shop. A car showroom can be considered a sales floor, as it has cars in its display which are to be sold. A sales floor is generally crowded with sales assistants who are there to help you out while you can search and check out the products. Generally a sales floor has free access to the public and they can observe, view and get information about the product that is being sold.

Here's how associates use sales floor:

Achieved record sale numbers in Luggage/Housewares Departments by evaluating and analyzing weekly sales reports and setting up sales floor accordingly.
Implemented strong organizational abilities to organize and maintain the ever-changing clearance section, the stockroom, and the entire sales floor.

3. Patients

Here's how associates use patients:

Help patients obtain secondary insurance coverage through Arkansas Medicaid, and/or exploring Arkansas Medicaid options for uninsured or exhausted benefits.
Supported the Epidemiology group in providing quantitative information on patients in indication populations, primarily in the inflammatory-disease therapeutic area.

4. Cleanliness

Here's how associates use cleanliness:

Marketed memberships, supervised customer safety, and maintained facility cleanliness to optimize guest experience.
Level five associate job description consisted of cleanliness accurately taking orders cooking and preparing food.

5. Windows

Windows is a chain of operating systems that controls a computer and is developed by Microsoft. Every version of Windows consists of GUI (graphical user interface), with a desktop that allows the user to open their files.

Here's how associates use windows:

Developed a utility that uses Windows Scheduler to poll the Application server to identity documents ready for distribution.
Managed transition to Windows 2003 servers, simultaneously executing overall redesign of server room.

6. HR

HR stands for human resources and is used to describe the set of people who work for a company or an organization. HR responsibilities revolve around updating employee records and carrying out management processes like planning, recruitment, evaluation, and selection processes. HR is a key contributor to any company or organization's growth as they are in charge of hiring the right employees, processing payrolls, conducting disciplinary actions, etc.

Here's how associates use hr:

Gained significant experience training groups of supervisors and conducting HR and facility/workplace-safety audits, including training and audits in multiple states.
Managed communication process between insurance vendors and client HR Representatives to ensure accurate tracking and updates to payroll vendor.

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7. Customer Issues

Here's how associates use customer issues:

Provide excellent customer service via active listening and professional communication, and identifying root causes of customer issues.
Collaborate with necessary department to perform timely research and detailed analysis to resolve customer issues.

8. Product Knowledge

Product knowledge is the skill of having better information and knowledge about the product you are selling. Product knowledge is essential for the employees of the companies so they can communicate and inform the customers about the product. Having great product knowledge is essential for a better sales pitch and to give the customer a better and complete idea of the product that will influence him to buy the product eventually.

Here's how associates use product knowledge:

Received recognition and awards for customer service and maintaining company policy in accordance with aiding customers and product knowledge.
Demonstrated leadership skills and supervising * Developed product knowledge and customer focus * Set up marketing promotions throughout store

9. POS

POS is an abbreviation of "Point of Sale" which is the time and place where a customer completes a transaction. It can either be a physical shop that consists of POS terminals or a virtual shop. A POS system helps simplify the retail functions and track important sales data.

Here's how associates use pos:

Operated POS system accurately in order to process customer checkout and requests accurately and efficiently.
Operated POS system, processed customer transactions proficiently.

10. PowerPoint

Here's how associates use powerpoint:

Worked on developing, researching and proofreading technical reports, statistical summary write-ups, and client PowerPoint presentations.
Developed and presented Microsoft PowerPoint presentations to incoming freshman to provide information for the students to be successful.

11. Safety Standards

Here's how associates use safety standards:

Maintained housekeeping and safety standards; ensured continual compliance with strict regulations and monitored equipment usage to ensure safe operations.
Maintained cleanliness and workplace safety standards, responsibly opened and closed department as needed.

12. Stock Merchandise

Here's how associates use stock merchandise:

Labeled overstock merchandise, scanning merchandise daily, adjusting inventory levels in perpetual inventory system, and executing company programs.
Conduct comparative analysis of monthly sales versus in-stock merchandise; perform daily inventory of merchandise and products in warehouse

13. Financial Statements

A financial statement is a report of an individual or a company that includes all the information about the declared assets, the use of money, income, and also the contribution of shareholders over a certain period.

Here's how associates use financial statements:

Reviewed financial statements and other documentation to ensure accuracy, relevance, and compliance with pertinent regulatory and internal policy requirements.
Created and presented training seminars on reading and analyzing financial statements, effective communication in the workplace, and credit responsibilities.

14. Pallet Jack

Here's how associates use pallet jack:

Move retail merchandise/fulfillment center equipment with pallet jack.
Experienced electric pallet jack operator.

15. Real Estate

Real estate is land that has buildings on it. This kind of property consists of permanent improvements either natural or man-made, which include, houses, fences, bridges, water trees, and minerals. There are 4 types of real estate namely; residential real estate, commercial real estate, industrial real estate, and vacant land.

Here's how associates use real estate:

Fostered and maintained relationships with various knowledgeable business professionals within the real estate and technology industry for potential investment purposes.
Completed over 75 real estate management consulting assignments for clients including lenders, international developers, governmental agencies and corporations.

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What skills help Associates find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What associate skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Meegan Feori Ph.D.

Associate Professor, San Diego Mesa College

My recommendation is to combine your interests and career goals. For example, if you are an avid rock climber, you could apply for an internship with the North Face or start a retail position at an REI near Red Rock, Nevada, a place known for excellent rock climbing. If relocating for your gap year is not possible, then seek out a local option such as working at the nearby climbing gym. Customers are crucial to the fashion industry, enhancing your customer service skills during your gap year will benefit you. You could apply to be a Stitch Fix stylist, a boutique, or a non-profit resale salesperson. Even customer service jobs outside of the fashion industry will build experiences that will enhance your abilities to design, produce, or sell amazing products. Another option is to pursue an entrepreneurial venture. Dedicating yourself to creating an influential Instagram account, podcast, or YouTube channel could showcase your skills and build your network. Opening a Poshmark, Depop, Teespring, Etsy, or another digital retail store could let you apply your skills. Finally, keep investing in yourself through learning. There are many massive open online courses and community college offerings that could further your career.

What technical skills for an associate stand out to employers?

Travis Kurowski Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Creative Writing, Writing Program Lead, York College of Pennsylvania

Honestly, good writing skills are always in high demand. You’ll see this in almost every field because at every level of business—from information management to internal communication to engaging customers, clients, and partners—clear, effective communication is critical. Other writing graduate skills that stand out to employers are project management skills, editing; quantitative and qualitative research; and practical design. It’s not a technical skill, perhaps, but I can’t help note that high up on the lists for almost all employers is creativity, a skill interlaced through many courses in quality writing programs.

What soft skills should all associates possess?

Alexander Nagel Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Assistant Chair, Art History and Museum Professions, Fashion Institute of Technology

Soft skills needed are flexibilities to adapt quickly to new opportunities, to be open to non-traditional career paths. Being organized and responsive to email correspondence, being friendly and kind, having empathy are values that will never be out of fashion. FIT is known for being home to "unconventional minds," and our students are super creative, engaged, and ready to take on challenges.

Do you want to know more?

List of associate skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for an associate resume and required skills for an associate to have include:

Customer Service
Sales Floor
Patients
Cleanliness
Windows
HR
Customer Issues
Product Knowledge
POS
PowerPoint
Safety Standards
Stock Merchandise
Financial Statements
Pallet Jack
Real Estate
Customer Orders

Due Diligence
Clean Environment
Food Preparation
SQL
Computer System
Financial Reports
Groceries
RF
Inventory Control
Financial Models
Strong Management
Fixed Assets
Customer Inquiries
Legal Research
Quality Customer Service
Financial Institutions

Provides Administrative Support
FDA
Keep Management
Slicers
Intellectual Property
Customer Complaints
Stock Shelves
Professional Selling
Animal Handling
Stock Room
Discounted Cash Flow
Golf Courses
Buffing Machines
Depth Training
Bank Secrecy Act

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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