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General sales associate skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted experts

Joseph Hancock,

Sonya DiPalma Ph.D.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical general sales associate skills. We ranked the top skills for general sales associates based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 15.2% of general sales associate resumes contained pos as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a general sales associate needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 general sales associate skills for your resume and career

1. 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 general sales associates use pos:

Mastered POS computer system for automated order taking Maintained high standards of customer service during high-volume, fast-paced operations.
Serviced retail customers by processing purchase orders/request and deliveries; displaying specific POS materials for advertisement and product announcement.

2. Work Ethic

Here's how general sales associates use work ethic:

Demonstrated a strong work ethic, and the ability to quickly learn new tasks.

3. Food Preparation

Here's how general sales associates use food preparation:

Cashiered, food preparation, activity guide, cleaned and sales for parties of over 500+ at times.
Job duties include: closing responsibilities, food preparation, customer service, and team training.

4. PowerPoint

Here's how general sales associates use powerpoint:

Authored and developed training documentation such as participant materials, quick reference guides and PowerPoint presentation materials to use in stores.
Project was followed by a report summarizing results, and ending with PowerPoint presentations and recommendations on asset allocation.

5. 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 general sales associates use customer service:

Gained experience in warehouse environment such as inventory management and logistics while providing customer service and product expertise.
Worked with key personnel in developing policies and procedures insuring effective management of customer service process.

6. Lead Generation

Here's how general sales associates use lead generation:

Collaborated with Assistant Manager to define lead generation activities.
Managed All Aspects of the Sales Cycle from Lead Generation to the Close of the Sale.

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7. Inventory Management

Here's how general sales associates use inventory management:

Worked with suppliers and international buyers on inventory management and price changes in merchandise.
Involved with writing and responding emails, cold calling clients, and drafting new project proposals Head of inventory management.

8. Pallet Jack

Here's how general sales associates use pallet jack:

Operated power lift truck, floor sweepers, pallet jacks, forklifts safely with a 0% incident rate.
Take inventory and use pallet jack to place back stock pallets in proper locations.

9. 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 general sales associates use sales floor:

Stocked/merchandised sales floor quickly and accurately.
Maintained sales floor appearance by assisting customers in finding exactly what they need, and organizing all displays.

10. Customer Relationships

Customer relationships are the interactions and efforts made by a company to improve its customer service. Customer relationships cover not just all of the essential roles performed by customer support, but also the initiatives made before and after the interaction with a customer.

Here's how general sales associates use customer relationships:

Marble FallsGreeted customers and ascertained customers' needs.Developed positive customer relationships through friendly greetings and excellent service.
Interacted with customers in a professional manner while establishing customer relationships.

11. Credit Card

A type of card issued by banks and other financial institutions, that enable users to manage and borrow their finances is called a credit card. The funds borrowed from a financial institution through a credit card are meant to be paid back along with certain amounts of interest imposed by the bank.

Here's how general sales associates use credit card:

Prepared sales contracts and accept payment through cash, check and credit card.
Participate in company initiatives (Credit Cards, Warranty Sales, Scorecards).

12. General Merchandise

General Merchandise refers to various products and goods found in stores. This may include food products, smaller equipment for cars like air fresheners, and souvenirs such as magnets, bumper stickers, or hats. Many stores sell a variety of products like this, including gas stations, grocery stores, and occasionally department stores.

Here's how general sales associates use general merchandise:

Closed) Assisted customers in locating general merchandise within toys, sporting goods, and house wares.
Sorted incoming general merchandise and pharmaceutical goods by destination.

13. Inventory Control

Here's how general sales associates use inventory control:

Assisted Inventory Control department with cycle counting products located within warehouse.
Recognized for being thorough in inventory control and upkeep of all departments.

14. General Sales

Here's how general sales associates use general sales:

General sales, accessorizing, clean up and general retail duties were my daily tasks.
Serve as General Sales team member responsible for assisting customers throughout the store.

15. 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 general sales associates use product knowledge:

Demonstrated product knowledge by recommending products to customers.
Develop and maintain product knowledge to assist customers with the selection and sale of merchandise as well as received product training.

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What skills help General Sales Associates find jobs?

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

What technical skills for a general sales associate stand out to employers?

Joseph Hancock

Research Professor, Program Director, Former Retail Operations Manager, Drexel University, Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design

Technologically savvy is necessary, so what will set you apart are your soft skills, patience, the ability to think beyond yourself. Again, don't be ethnocentric, be multi-centric. I believe technology only exposes us to a virtual world of acceptance, and really if you are going to be sales, you need to be cultured beyond the computer and social media. Understand others and their needs, be a person who tells the potential employer how you are going to go the extra mile to care for customers and make sure their needs are met through your excellent customers service skills (and give solid examples). Most importantly, know what you are selling and realize that the person you are talking to, might know more than you! There have been so many times I walk into a retail store only to have the store associate or manager talk to me as if I know nothing about the product they are selling. Ask your customers questions do not just talk at them, talk with them.

What soft skills should all general sales associates possess?

Sonya DiPalma Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Chair, Academic Policies Committee, Director of MCOM Internship Program, University of North Carolina at Asheville

Be personable and a person someone wants to talk with and work with on a continuing basis. Listening and note-taking skills will be critical. Great employees listen well and ask good follow up questions. Be versatile and adaptable. If you find some downtime between projects, ask how you may help with another project.

Do you want to know more?

List of general sales associate skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a general sales associate resume and required skills for a general sales associate to have include:

POS
Work Ethic
Food Preparation
PowerPoint
Customer Service
Lead Generation
Inventory Management
Pallet Jack
Sales Floor
Customer Relationships
Credit Card

General Merchandise
Inventory Control
General Sales
Product Knowledge
Customer Complaints
Front End
Assembly Line
Retail Sales
Honda
Sales Associates
Customer Orders

Stock Shelves
General Maintenance
Loss Prevention
Merchandise Displays
Groceries
Logistics
Customer Inquiries
Sales Transactions
Unload Trucks
Depot

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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