Research Summary. Below we've compiled a list of the most important skills for an associate. We ranked the top skills based on the percentage of associate resumes they appeared on. For example, 16.5% of associate resumes contained customer service as a skill. Let's find out what skills an associate actually needs in order to be successful in the workplace.

  • The most common hard skill for an associate is customer service. 16.5% associates have this skill on their resume.
  • The second most common hard skill for an associate is sales floor appearing on 12.6% of resumes. The third most common is patients on 10.2% of resumes.
  • Three common soft skills for an associate are customer-service skills, interpersonal skills and math skills.

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 important skills for an associate. We ranked the top skills based on the percentage of associate resumes they appeared on. For example, 16.5% of associate resumes contained customer service as a skill. Let's find out what skills an associate actually needs in order to be successful in the workplace.

15 Essential 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 customer service is used on associate resumes:
  • 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.
  • Provided exceptional customer service including cash register function and assisting customers in an effective and courteous manner.
  • Provided excellent customer service and efficiently reduced waiting time for customers in the checkout line
  • Provided excellent customer service and communication, assisting guests in understanding and exploring exhibits.

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 sales floor is used on associate resumes:
  • 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.
  • Worked the sales floor also suggestive selling and informing all customers of any clearance or promotions we had at the time.
  • Assisted in receiving merchandise, placing stock in inventory and on sales floor, also assisted customers on sales floor.
  • Documented sales calls to facilitate follow up for sales associates, as well as maintaining a clean and efficient sales floor

3. Patients

Here's how patients is used on associate resumes:
  • 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.
  • Identify patients that qualify for internal charity/financial assistance and assist these patients with the process of obtaining required documents.
  • Performed emergency surgeries, stabilized critically ill patients, diagnosed and treated cases utilizing latest and most advanced technologies.
  • Represented New York hospitals in hearings with respect to the involuntary hospitalization and medication of mentally ill patients.

And if you’re looking for a job, here are the five top employers hiring now:

  1. McKinsey & Company Inc Jobs (1,032)
  2. Morgan Stanley Jobs (4,222)
  3. Goldman Sachs Jobs (5,298)
  4. JPMorgan Chase & Co. Jobs (1,815)
  5. Credit Suisse Jobs (1,398)

4. Cleanliness

Here's how cleanliness is used on associate resumes:
  • 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.
  • Provided Accurate taking of orders Handled customer transactions and tendered money Maintained cleanliness of restaurant
  • Maintain cleanliness of the business to ensure increased customer satisfaction.
  • Cleaned and organized vicinity for better working environment and cleanliness.

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 windows is used on associate resumes:
  • 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.
  • Assisted hearing/visually/speech impaired via Windows based computer system.
  • Supplied general Windows 2000 Professional/Server support.
  • Develop Report Scheduling Windows service.

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 hr is used on associate resumes:
  • 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.
  • Collected and analyzed HR data according to management and organizational needs while protecting confidential information.
  • Research appropriate HR & Medical Conferences and coordinate sponsorship & advertisement packages with conference organizers.
  • Provided guidance and approval for HR technology integration and process improvement efforts.

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7. Customer Issues

Here's how customer issues is used on associate resumes:
  • 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.
  • Performed on-site consultations and inspections to resolve customer issues including installer or vendor quality issues.
  • Communicated regularly with management and other departments on a variety of customer issues and concerns.
  • Work under minimal supervision to analyze and solve operational, systems-related and/or 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 product knowledge is used on associate resumes:
  • 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
  • Ensured all Inside Sales representatives achieved the required level of product knowledge necessary to promote assigned merchandise.
  • Utilized general product knowledge in a high-paced retail setting while maintaining awareness of loss prevention.
  • Provide custom organizational solutions through creative problem solving, product knowledge and superior customer service.

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 pos is used on associate resumes:
  • Operated POS system accurately in order to process customer checkout and requests accurately and efficiently.
  • Operated POS system, processed customer transactions proficiently.
  • Processed POS transactions accurately and efficiently.
  • Researched and adjusted major ATM and POS debit and credit transactions associated with Visa, MasterCard, AMEX and other interchanges.
  • Greeted each customer and used the register and digital POS system to handle money as they pick up their order.

10. PowerPoint

Here's how powerpoint is used on associate resumes:
  • 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.
  • Write, deliver and prepare own and departmental PowerPoint Presentations for delivery to internal and external stakeholders.
  • Researched, developed and presented several PowerPoint exhibits to favorably represent the business projects and/or products.
  • Assisted senior management in analyzing and preparing financial statements, reports, and PowerPoint presentations.

11. Safety Standards

Here's how safety standards is used on associate resumes:
  • 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.
  • Maintained proper food safety standards including checking food quality and temperatures throughout shift.
  • Prepare food according to established organizational and public health and safety standards.
  • Followed all company safety standards and requirements to maintain a safe environment.

12. Stock Merchandise

Here's how stock merchandise is used on associate resumes:
  • 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
  • Maintained weekly inventory of in-stock merchandise and prepared purchase orders for in-country and oversees shipment.
  • Stock merchandise within department to keep adequate amount of inventory available to customers.
  • Rotate and stock merchandise Customer service Lift operator Receiving Cashier Inventory management

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 financial statements is used on associate resumes:
  • 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.
  • Analyzed financial statements quantitatively and qualitatively: comprised consolidated financial statements, prepared trends, and bank reconciliations in fraud investigations.
  • Investigated and analyzed financial statements, opined on viability of financial claims, consulted with outside experts to draft mediation statement.
  • Performed independent audits of financial statements for different businesses, focusing on federal credit unions, pharmacies and entertainment businesses.

14. Pallet Jack

Here's how pallet jack is used on associate resumes:
  • Move retail merchandise/fulfillment center equipment with pallet jack.
  • Experienced electric pallet jack operator.
  • Drive around the warehouse with pallet jacks, fork lifts, and high reaches to access merchandise to be shipped out.
  • Load, unload, move, stack, and stage product and materials using a pallet jack and other power equipment.
  • Completed various jobs relating to freight handling using heavy machinery including forklifts and manual pallet jacks in a fast-paced retail environment.

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 real estate is used on associate resumes:
  • 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.
  • Managed commercial real estate matters related to conveyancing, mortgage registrations, and certificate of title and subdivision applications.
  • Analyzed, prepared and organized documents on behalf of various national banking institutions for residential real estate transactions.
  • Performed year-end HUD regulated and non-regulated financial statement audits of residential real estate companies and housing authorities.
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The eight most common skills based on Associate resumes in 2023.

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Associate Skills

List Of Skills To Add To Your Associate Resume

According to recent trends, the most relevant associate Resume Keywords for your resume are:

  • 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

Real Examples Of Associate Resumes That Use These Skills

Most Important Associate Skills According To Experts

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.

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Online Courses For Associates

One of the best ways to acquire the skills needed to be an associate is to take an online course. We've identified some online courses from Udemy and Coursera that will help you advance in your career. Since associates benefit from having skills like customer service, sales floor, and patients, we found courses that will help you improve these skills.

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8. Complete Health and Safety Auditor Course. OHSAS 18001.

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16. ISO 45001. Occupational Health & Safety management system

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