What is a general merchandise manager and how to become one

Key steps to become a general merchandise manager

1. Explore general merchandise manager education requirements

   Most common general merchandise manager degrees

   Bachelor's

   49.5 %

   Associate

   21.8 %

   High School Diploma

   19.2 %

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2. Start to develop specific general merchandise manager skills

   Skills	Percentages
   Customer Service	25.83%
   Inventory Control	9.93%
   Front End	9.70%
   Sales Floor	8.40%
   Loss Prevention	5.55%

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3. Complete relevant general merchandise manager training and internships

   Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New general merchandise managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a general merchandise manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real general merchandise manager resumes.

4. Research general merchandise manager duties and responsibilities

   • Train and manage FOH staff and improve overall quality, organization and professionalism of restaurant and bakery.
   • Maximize sales in jewelry, electronics, home appliances, and all apparel departments.
   • Assist in all administrative responsibilities including opening and closing store, organization standards, scheduling and payroll processing.
   • Train and manage FOH staff and improve overall quality, organization and professionalism of restaurant and bakery.

5. Prepare your general merchandise manager resume

   When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your general merchandise manager resume.

   You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a general merchandise manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

   Choose from 10+ customizable general merchandise manager resume templates

   Build a professional general merchandise manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your general merchandise manager resume.
   

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6. Apply for general merchandise manager jobs

   Now it's time to start searching for a general merchandise manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

   1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
   2. Consult your professional network
   3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
   4. Watch out for job scams