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Job outlook for retail sales supervisors in the United States
Retail sales supervisor job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected retail sales supervisor job growth rate is 0% from 2018-2028.
About 1,900 new jobs for retail sales supervisors are projected over the next decade.
Retail sales supervisor salaries have increased 7% for retail sales supervisors in the last 5 years.
There are over 137,001 retail sales supervisors currently employed in the United States.
There are 292,906 active retail sales supervisor job openings in the US.
The average retail sales supervisor salary is $33,983.
Are retail sales supervisor jobs in demand?
Retail sales supervisor job and salary trends over time
Retail sales supervisor jobs over time
Retail sales supervisor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 137,001 | 0.04% |
| 2020 | 128,138 | 0.04% |
| 2019 | 142,271 | 0.04% |
| 2018 | 143,660 | 0.04% |
| 2017 | 145,509 | 0.04% |
Average retail sales supervisor salary over time
Retail sales supervisor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $33,983 | $16.34 | +3.0% |
| 2024 | $32,978 | $15.85 | +1.8% |
| 2023 | $32,390 | $15.57 | +2.8% |
| 2022 | $31,507 | $15.15 | --1.3% |
| 2021 | $31,907 | $15.34 | +1.9% |
Retail sales supervisor jobs by state
Most common states for retail sales supervisors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 1,015 | 76% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 610 | 63% |
| 3 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 1,779 | 57% |
| 4 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 1,677 | 56% |
| 5 | Vermont | 623,657 | 349 | 56% |
| 6 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 3,802 | 55% |
| 7 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 3,073 | 55% |
| 8 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 410 | 54% |
| 9 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 4,456 | 53% |
| 10 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 3,555 | 53% |
| 11 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 2,342 | 53% |
| 12 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 706 | 53% |
| 13 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 308 | 53% |
| 14 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 3,189 | 52% |
| 15 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 2,619 | 52% |
| 16 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 5,108 | 50% |
| 17 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 2,881 | 50% |
| 18 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 437 | 50% |
| 19 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 829 | 48% |
| 20 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 499 | 48% |
Most common cities for retail sales supervisors
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bangor | 2 | 6% | $38,187 |
| 2 | Gilroy | 3 | 5% | $35,818 |
| 3 | Annapolis | 2 | 5% | $32,885 |
| 4 | Goodyear | 3 | 4% | $34,633 |
| 5 | Albany | 2 | 3% | $32,314 |
| 6 | Bowling Green | 2 | 3% | $31,680 |
| 7 | Glendale | 3 | 1% | $34,613 |
| 8 | Scottsdale | 3 | 1% | $34,566 |
| 9 | Birmingham | 2 | 1% | $30,934 |
| 10 | Boston | 3 | 0% | $39,495 |
| 11 | Houston | 3 | 0% | $33,833 |
| 12 | Indianapolis | 3 | 0% | $33,054 |
| 13 | Portland | 3 | 0% | $37,663 |
| 14 | Baltimore | 2 | 0% | $33,025 |
Retail Sales Supervisor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of retail sales supervisor experts
University of Northwestern Ohio
Valparaiso University
Nazareth College of Rochester
Texas Christian University
Florida State University
Baylor University
The University of Findlay
University of Mount Union
Landmark College
Franklin and Marshall College
California State University Channel Islands
Penn State Behrend
University of North Carolina at Asheville
Longwood University
Montana State University
Fordham University
What general advice would you give to a Retail Sales Supervisor?
Peter Weiss Ph.D., P.E.: Interpersonal skills and communication will become more important, but they have been very important for a very long time. Additionally, computer skills will also become more important. For example, learning CAD software or software specific to your area of work will become more important. In a combination of interpersonal skills and computer skills, learning how to stay connected with colleagues, your employer, and your superiors in this post-Covid time period will become more important. While it rarely occurred prior to Covid, it is common now for people to work remotely for at least some of the work week. It used to be that if you had a question you could walk down the hallway and ask a colleague but, with remote work occurring more frequently, this is becoming more difficult. So, it will be more important, especially for new graduates, to be able to maintain these lines of communication, build relationships, and communicate clearly while they and/or their colleagues are working remotely.
What Retail Sales Supervisor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Peter Weiss Ph.D., P.E.: There is a lot of advice I would share with a new graduate. This includes the following:
Never pass up an opportunity to learn something new. Every situation you find yourself in will provide learning opportunities.
Although it's important to learn when to say no, be very careful when turning down an opportunity. You never know what doors will open when you say yes to something.
Find and develop a unique skill set or ability to set yourself apart in the office.
Always behave in a professional manner and maintain good relationships with other engineers you work with or have encountered (even when switching jobs for any reason)
What will help Retail Sales Supervisors increase their earning potential?
Peter Weiss Ph.D., P.E.: There is a lot of advice I would share with a new graduate. This includes the following:
Never pass up an opportunity to learn something new. Every situation you find yourself in will provide learning opportunities.
Although it's important to learn when to say no, be very careful when turning down an opportunity. You never know what doors will open when you say yes to something.
Find and develop a unique skill set or ability to set yourself apart in the office.
Always behave in a professional manner and maintain good relationships with other engineers you work with or have encountered (even when switching jobs for any reason)
What general advice would you give to a Retail Sales Supervisor?
Scott Lail PhD, MBA, CPA, CFE, CGMA, SPHR: There are some things you can do to help maximize your salary potential. Some of
these require more effort than others, but include:
Have professional-appearing resumes, cover letters, references, and other
requested documents that showcase your qualifications for each specific position
that you apply. The sooner you can convey your qualifications and make the
connection between your qualifications and a specific position’s needs, the better
positioned you are when you start the selection and salary offering/negotiation
process
Seek out external sources (such as salary guides) to get an understanding of the
salary ranges for the type of positions you are applying to have a comparison
point. Many salary guides can be adjusted for location to help account for
changes in cost of living
Examine job postings for similar positions from other organizations in the same
general area to get an idea of the salary and other benefits that are being offered
to have for comparison purposes
Review and/or inquire about how the current opening you may be applying for
typically progresses into other opportunities for growth and the timeline for that
growth. This could help in balancing an immediate salary offering for a first
position with what should be expected to be received after a 1-2 year period to
get more of a yearly average. The faster the opportunity for advancement, the
more impact this could have on maximizing overall salary potential
What Retail Sales Supervisor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Scott Lail PhD, MBA, CPA, CFE, CGMA, SPHR: Some skills that will become more important will be very specific to a certain role. However,
some of the more general skills that will impact most roles to at least some degree will
include:
Being proficient with technology and keeping updated with the latest technical tools
Knowing how to utilize and interpret data into useful and reliable information
Communicating in ways that are respectful, while also efficient and effective
Showing flexibility in regards to working with people and with processes
Developing self-management skills, which will help deal with stress and build up
resilience/determination to succeed
Respecting personal time
What will help Retail Sales Supervisors increase their earning potential?
Scott Lail PhD, MBA, CPA, CFE, CGMA, SPHR: I think, like many other things in life, it is important to treat beginning and maintaining a
professional career as a continuous process and not just having to find a job when one is
needed. This process should include many elements that include the following:
Prepare yourself that it takes a lot of effort to get into a career and to get a career
path started. Starting out, there will be more “no” than “yes” responses received.
Remember, the better careers will normally be more difficult to get into and receiving
a “no” is no reflection on your worth as a person. It just means it is not the right
opportunity at that specific time for you
Seek out opportunities to interact with individuals either in your desired field or
organization and see what information can be gained to help you have a clearer
understanding of what that industry/organization values and entails
Make connections with individuals as you meet them, even if knowing them does not
meet an immediate need, and try to be as helpful to the connections as you would
hope that the connection would be to you. Professional Social Media sites such as
LinkedIn are a great way to organize and maintain these connections
Focus on building relationships with individuals at all levels of your organization/field.
This is a great way to practice interpersonal skills and you may also be surprised at
what you can learn from individuals at multiple levels (not just the top level) of your
field/organization
Look for opportunities to continuously develop knowledge and skills within your field.
The key is to make sure these opportunities are being offered by reliable and
relevant sources. A lot of fields have organizations that help promote continuous
learning opportunities and where reputable sources can be located
Don’t take the “little things” for granted. Although some things are just expected, it is
important to make sure you are doing them. It is important to note most of these do
not require special skills at all. They include: be timely, be respectful, be honest
(including when you make mistakes), be positive/optimistic, be appreciative, be
focused, and be committed
Set goals and communicate those goals as appropriate with leadership in your
field/organization. “SMART” goals are a great way to help keep focused and
progressing. Having a Personal Development Plan in addition to one specifically for
your organization can guide you to your long-term goals
What general advice would you give to a Retail Sales Supervisor?
Meagan Glasco M.S., M.R.: As technology evolves rapidly, the significance of universal skills, not bound to particular platforms, will become more important. In particular, the ability and interest to engage in lifelong learning will become more important than ever before. Professionals will need to recognize areas within their industry that are undergoing transformation and proactively pursue new knowledge, integrating it into their work.
What Retail Sales Supervisor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Meagan Glasco M.S., M.R.: New graduates can optimize their salary potential by employing three key strategies. First, doing research into their value in the job market and the specific role they're pursuing enables informed negotiation. Second, possessing the ability to articulate their value through highlighting relevant skills and experiences enhances their bargaining position. Finally, integrating their research and communication skills into self-advocacy during the job search and when negotiating job offers will help new graduates optimize their salary potential.
What will help Retail Sales Supervisors increase their earning potential?
Meagan Glasco M.S., M.R.: I encourage graduates to connect with professionals in their field through LinkedIn, networking events, and/or alumni connections at their schools. Graduates can initiate conversations and schedule coffee or Zoom meetings to learn about roles in their industry of choice. Engaging with professionals currently working in graduates’ industry of choice will provide invaluable insight into essential skills, refine their career interests, and expand their network. The opportunity to hear real-life experiences shared by professionals is irreplaceable for graduates beginning their careers.
Jon-Paul McCool
Associate Professor of Geography; Environmental Science Program CoordinatorValparaiso University
Natural Resources Conservation And Research
What general advice would you give to a Retail Sales Supervisor?
Jon-Paul McCool: In terms of technical skills, the ability to utilize GIS for more than basic mapping. The ability to do more in depth analytical processes and to utilize the mobile components to the software. However, employers are stressing the need for new employees to have drive and individual initiative. Soft skills associated with independence, and the ability to learn on your own are going to be essential.
What will help Retail Sales Supervisors increase their earning potential?
Jon-Paul McCool: Utilize your time as an undergraduate student to set yourself apart. Do some kind of research project that can show your ability to do more than only the assigned work in classes. Utilize your summers to gain additional experience by working relevant jobs and internships. To all extents possible, do not limit yourself spatially. Be willing to travel to far flung locations, at least for a few years, to gain relevant experience after graduating rather than being tied to one specific location or region. You are far more employable with a couple years experience rather than straight out of school.
Timothy Kneeland
Professor and Chair History, Politics, and LawNazareth College of Rochester
History
What general advice would you give to a Retail Sales Supervisor?
Timothy Kneeland: Your resume should be as thorough as possible so that you can advocate for the highest salary in your range. Be sure to weed out things on your resume that do not fit the job you are seeking. Once you are hired, make yourself indispensable, and prepare for your biannual or annual review by preparing a list of accomplishments. Sometimes your supervisors are distracted and do not know about all your efforts. You need to remind them in a friendly and professional manner.
What Retail Sales Supervisor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Timothy Kneeland: Take every opportunity that you can to learn new skills and to take initiative in different situations. Do not shy away from taking on new tasks that could lead to a promotion or could be invaluable in a later career.
Try to remember that institutions change slowly and that if you are smart, personable, and persistent, you can be the one to make beneficial changes to the organization that hired you. You have to build trust and relationships first.
Network! Go out of your way to meet people in your organization. Spend time having lunch with people. Get to know them and, if possible, find a mentor in your new position.
What will help Retail Sales Supervisors increase their earning potential?
Timothy Kneeland: Your resume should be as thorough as possible so that you can advocate for the highest salary in your range. Be sure to weed out things on your resume that do not fit the job you are seeking. Once you are hired, make yourself indispensable, and prepare for your biannual or annual review by preparing a list of accomplishments. Sometimes your supervisors are distracted and do not know about all your efforts. You need to remind them in a friendly and professional manner.
Ken Corbit Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in MarketingTexas Christian University
Specialized Sales, Merchandising And Marketing Operations
What general advice would you give to a Retail Sales Supervisor?
Ken Corbit Ph.D.: Strategic
Company Selection:
Focus on joining companies with robust sales training programs, emphasizing consultative selling. Look for organizations that invest in your development, providing live calling experiences, quota-driven sales processes, and exposure to tools like Salesforce.
Tech
Proficiency and Sales Tools Mastery:
Familiarize yourself with cutting-edge sales technologies, including CRM tools like Salesforce. Your proficiency in these tools will not only streamline your sales processes but also position you as a tech-savvy professional in the competitive sales landscape.
Hands-On
Experience:
Actively engage in live calling, take ownership of sales funnels, and work with senior hiring authorities during your training. This hands-on experience will not only build your confidence but also prepare you for the challenges of consultative selling.
Research
and Decision-Making Skills:
Develop strong research skills to evaluate companies based on fit, growth opportunities, compensation structures, and overall potential. This informed decision-making approach will set you apart and empower you to navigate the sales landscape strategically.
Mentorship
and Networking:
Seek mentorship both within and outside your organization. Building relationships with mentors who invest in your sales skills and knowledge will provide valuable insights. Additionally, actively participate in online forums to connect with practical sales
knowledge and best practices.
C. Darren Brooks Ph.D.
Assistant Department Chair and Executive Director, Center for Human Resource ManagementFlorida State University
Department of Management and the Center for Human Resource Management
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Retail Sales Supervisor job market given the pandemic?
C. Darren Brooks Ph.D.: The positive is that many companies are recruiting and hiring. The most noticeable trend is the is the impact of remote work and more specifically, how this has changed the nature in which many companies are interviewing, onboarding of new employees, and employee mobility. In terms of interviewing, interacting with potential employers via web-enable platforms requires job applicants to be attuned to details such as lighting, sound volume, environmental distractions that are not common with in-person interviews. Additionally, many employment events such as job fairs are virtual resulting in a much different experience for both the applicant and the employer. Getting comfortable with communicating in a clear and cogent way remotely is a key skill to develop. In fact, our Career Center at Florida State offers job search and interviewing sessions to help students and alumni develop better virtual interviewing skills.
Onboarding is another area that has seen a change as a result of the pandemic. While onboarding new employees through online programs what is a more recent change is the lack of physical support during the onboarding process. We know that onboarding is a critical period for employees as they are getting to know the company, job expectations, culture, how work is done, etc. Managing the onboarding process in a remote environment requires more deliberate action on the part of HR, supervisors, and the employee. In other words, we cannot rely on an employee walking down the hall to ask questions about an assignment or who to contact to obtain essential job information. Planned, regularly schedule interactions during the first few months to ensure expectations are understood, that the employee feels a part of the organization, and job-related questions can be addressed can help to alleviate feelings of uncertainty, frustration, stress, and alienation.
Lastly, we have noticed employment mobility decreasing over the past four to five years. In fact, data on migration and geographic mobility monitored by the U.S. Census found that as recently as 2018 only 9.8 percent of adults reported relocating which is down 10.2 percent from 1985[1]. Based on my research and consulting work, there are numerous reasons for this trend. First, individuals are making family-based choices not to move based on family considerations such as being nearby to assist with an aging parent or having a desire to stay close to family. Second, work and family balance have emerged as a key factor when deciding to relocate for work. More specifically, the decision to relocate for a job is no longer driven solely by financial reasons. Stability in the home and the need to accommodate the needs of other family members is equally important, such as dual income earning households or the illness of an elderly parent. Consequently, this complicates the decision-making process of whether to move. Lastly, communication and networking technology have enabled work to be performed without necessitating physical presence at a particular location. Given the psychological and financial costs of relocating and the fact that many jobs are being performed remotely, individuals are more likely to make decisions not to relocate and disrupt their personal lives because of their ability to connect to work via technology.
This is not to say that people are unwilling to relocate for work. However, it does mean that, as a result of more organizations moving work remotely, employers may have more challenges in relocating talent in the foreseeable future. In some instances, it may require employers increase salaries or enhance benefits in order to attract employees to move. Another option is for employers to establish offices in secondary cities outside the home office location. This option may afford an employee the opportunity to be closer to their preferred geography. For example, an individual living in Birmingham, AL may not be willing to relocate to Chicago due to factors such as the higher cost of living, family considerations or the weather but would be willing to move to Atlanta, GA or Charlotte, NC. Having a secondary office in one of these cities may be an acceptable alternative. Lastly, being flexible to hybrid location alternatives. While this is generally applied to certain types of jobs, allowing an employee to work remotely two or three weeks out of the month at home, then one-week in the company office may offer an opportunity to balance the needs of both the employer and the employee.
[1] Agovino, T. (2020). Americans aren't moving: The decline in worker mobility presents a challenge for employers in a tight labor market. Retrieved on December 11, 2020, SHRM
Andrea Dixon Ph.D.
Executive Director, Center for Professional Selling, Frank and Floy Smith Holloway Endowed Professorship in Marketing, President, University Sales Center Alliance 2019-2021Baylor University
Hankamer School of Business
What hard/technical skills are most important for Retail Sales Supervisors?
Andrea Dixon Ph.D.: One of the growing technical skill requirements for sales managers is in the area of data analytics. Our performance and customer systems provide a myriad of data, and the role of the sales manager is to be a sense-maker of that mound of data. What are the implications for changes in strategy or behavior evident in last quarter's activity? How can the sales manager help a specific seller "see" where the data suggest new approaches?
What's a good job out of college for Retail Sales Supervisors?
Amy Rogan: There are any number of ways to break into journalism. There is no one true path. If a journalist is interested in television I recommend they look for assistant producer positions or assignment editor positions. Many people who think they want to be on-air talent figure out they really enjoy producing much better.
Digital content producer is another good way to work a journalist way into on-air television work. It's also a way to work into newspapers as they are now more digitally dependent.
Larger organizations have more specialty digital positions in research or digital analytics. But starting out in a small market allows you to learn a lot and work your way into bigger markets and responsibilities.
Michael Grossman Ph.D.
Professor, Political Studies and International StudiesUniversity of Mount Union
Department of Political Science and International Studies
What will help Retail Sales Supervisors increase their earning potential?
Michael Grossman Ph.D.: It's all about practical knowledge. Employers are less interested in your major or the classes you take. They want to see that you can do the work they need you to do. So internships are important. Also employers want to see you can be trained and can think critically, write well, and speak well. So in this regard more liberal arts focused curriculum is important.
What technical skills for a Retail Sales Supervisor stand out to employers?
Daniel Miller Ph.D.: As the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and other organizations have repeatedly found, students graduating with degrees in the liberal arts (the areas in which I teach and have competence) have the skills and capacities that employers desire (e.g., critical thinking skills, strong verbal and written communication skills, synthetic and analytical thinking skills, etc.). But the technical capacities necessary to communicate and used these skills will be more important than ever. I would anticipate that graduates will have to be comfortable moderating and running meetings on online platforms. They will have to know how to design and share presentations that are well-suited to online and remote platforms. They will have to be able to multi-task in presentations, tracking on-screen discussions as well as simultaneous chat options. Along with all of this, they have to have a greater awareness of creating online and virtual content that is accessible to all users. I would think that graduates who can communicate these skills to employers will be far better situated than those who cannot.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Retail Sales Supervisors?
Daniel Miller Ph.D.: It seems almost certain there will be enduring impacts, but it's difficult to predict exactly what they will be. One potential negative impact could be a lack of practice in the kinds of face-to-face interactions required in a formal business or work context. These kinds of interactions are develop through modeling and use, students graduating during the pandemic will have lacked some of this. The pandemic has also negatively impacted hands-on collaborative projects and hampered the placement of students into hand-on, face-to-face internships, all of which could adversely impact students trying to step into new jobs, particularly if those occur in face-to-face contexts post-Covid.
There may also be some positive impacts, however. Many students will have gained flexibility and versatility with regard to such things as interactions with co-workers, their willingness to explore and try out new technologies, with structuring projects and workdays, in the development of innovative models of collaboration, etc. While this also gestures toward the second question, to the degree that businesses, companies, non-profits, etc. retain remote-work policies moving forward, Covid graduates may also find employment opportunities opening up beyond their immediate geographical contexts.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Retail Sales Supervisors?
Cynthia Krom: Professional certifications matter. If your profession has a certification, you need to have that certification to be competitive in this new world. So, a public accountant needs to have a CPA, and a corporate accountant needs to have their CMA. A fraud examiner needs their CFE. Find out what is available in your profession and take whatever courses or exams are needed to be at the top of your game, because everyone else will.
We don't really know what will be happening with professional licenses with remote work. A psychotherapist may be licensed in New York, but remotely treating a client in New Mexico. Technically, they probably need a license in New Mexico. But who will control that? Will it just be the professional responsibility of the therapist to only practice where licensed? Will their malpractice insurance only cover them if the client is where they are licensed? What about a physician operating on someone a thousand miles away using robotics?
In terms of courses not related to professional certification or licensure, technology is where it is at. First and foremost, polish your Zoom skills. Zoom is now your face-to-face workplace and you need to be a pro. YouTube has great videos about lighting for Zoom, even with reflective eyeglasses. Perhaps your IT department is able to help with connectivity issues and learning remote technologies. And, as we have all recently seen, you need to learn how to turn off filters that make you look like a kitten! For nearly every field, you have to know Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) or similar programs. You need to know how to work collaboratively on projects through things like Google Drive. If you are not fluent in the basics, you are showing up for a horse race with a little pony.
Ekin Pehlivan Ph.D.
Associate Professor of MarketingCalifornia State University Channel Islands
Martin V. Smith School of Business and Economics
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Retail Sales Supervisor job market given the pandemic?
Ekin Pehlivan Ph.D.: Really depends on the sector. A common thread for all is relearning or rethinking how we communicate, determining the fine line between work-norms & home-norms and figuring the optimal ways to manage our time when we are missing the structure that a 9-5 office experience may normally provide. That being said, I envision there will be many jobs without significant changes, either because those jobs were already adaptable to the disruption the pandemic brought or because there simply is no feasible way of working differently.
What technical skills for a Retail Sales Supervisor stand out to employers?
Ekin Pehlivan Ph.D.: Our most recent survey with employers, really emphasize that technical skills are not the priority for most. Almost all mention communication and problem solving skills are the most desired, followed by critical thinking and professionalism. Given the nature of the digital economy, data literacy is one technical skill that would be relevant to almost anyone in the upcoming years. In certain areas learning automation (operations or marketing), and databases (SQL) would also benefit new graduates.
What's a good job out of college for Retail Sales Supervisors?
Ekin Pehlivan Ph.D.: I think a description of a "good" job opportunity is dependent on so many factors, almost all subjective. What I recommend my students usually, is that they try different things before graduation and find something that makes them feel a purpose other than (and in addition to) making ends meet. For this reason we started a program on our campus where students are hired to help non-profits and small businesses in our area of service. In this program, students get to gain and practice skills that can help them succeed in a corporate or freelance capacity. The students get to experiment without fear of losing a job and find what they would like their entry level positions to look like. While doing this they also help organizations and individuals who have the need but not the resources to get the services from professionals.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Retail Sales Supervisor job market given the pandemic?
Linda Hajec: From the standpoint of the business student, I think the trend that will most significantly impact them is in the area of remote work. Certainly there are entire businesses and even industries that are being impacted either positively or negatively by changes in what people are able and willing to do as far as being in public places, so there will be a shift as come companies that used to have a strong annual recruiting pattern may scale back and other companies are scaling up to handle the shift in business. But the individual employee is likely to see a very big change in the recruiting process as well as the work environment, regardless of the sector they enter. Employers in many sectors have discovered that at least the early phases of recruiting, if not the entire recruiting process, can be done remotely. What this means to the applicant in the job market is that they may benefit from being able to complete more of their job search without having to leave home. But it also means that the traditional do's and don'ts of interviewing now have to include being aware of your bandwidth and background for an online interview, and thinking about looking at the camera on your computer instead of looking at the image of the person you are speaking with on the screen. The benefit is that students entering the job market used to juggle interview schedules between cities, missing classes, and sometimes became fatigued, so this approach to recruiting may make it easier to handle the whole process overall as long as the candidates can find a great place from which to hold their end of the conversation.
The other trend that I think job candidates need to be prepared for is remote onboarding. Students that were entering the workforce in 2019 were able to report to a location and go through the hiring process with human resources, meet people in various departments with whom they would be working, and perhaps shadow someone for a period of time. Co-workers tended to look out for the new hire and would check in on them as they passed by their work area. As many companies continue to have a partial or fully remote work environment, new employees will complete the hiring process remotely, and may spend their training period reading and learning more independently. I think this is going to really put pressure on students that perhaps have been hesitant to ask questions. New employees are going to have to keep the notebook by their side at all times and write down things they are not sure they understand so that when they have the opportunity to ask, they do. New hires should always have kept track of questions and asked them; but being remote will make this even more critical and perhaps even a little harder to do, so it's going to have to be a very conscious decision to make sure that happens. No one is going to schedule a Zoom meeting to say, "Hey, how's your first week going? Are you finding everything OK?" the same way they might have stopped at your desk on their way to lunch. New employees are going to have to make that happen for themselves.
What soft skills should all Retail Sales Supervisors possess?
Sonya DiPalma Ph.D.: 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.
What's a day at work look like for a Retail Sales Supervisor?
Sonya DiPalma Ph.D.: With more positions going partially or totally remote, you'll need to be self-disciplined and proactive. Doing the bare minimum will not get you by in either a remote or a traditional professional work environment. You can expect more flexibility with remote work hours. For instance, if you have small children or you're an early riser, then working early mornings starting at 4 a.m. or 5 a.m. may be possible, or if you're a night owl, late evenings may be an option. But once your schedule is set, your hours are likely to stay this way for some time. You will be expected to log into a portal to clock-in, and some online collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams can notify your supervisor when you're dormant. In-person meetings will probably occur on a bi-weekly or monthly basis.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Retail Sales Supervisors to find work opportunities?
Dr. David Lehr: Most job growth will continue to be in urban centers and the surrounding suburbs. Rural areas will continue to struggle (remote work notwithstanding).
What skills stand out on Retail Sales Supervisor resumes?
Dr. Angela Woodland Ph.D.: Skills that are immediately useful stand out on resumes. Right now, data analytics skills are in hot demand. A desirable job candidate should be able to import large data sets in various formats, clean data, manipulate data, interrogate data, and draw conclusions from the data. Additionally, the job candidate should be able to prepare informative and easy-to-follow data visualizations of the results. This skill set allows a job candidate to be immediately useful in an organization. It is the new way of analyzing and communicating.
What type of skills will young Retail Sales Supervisors need?
Peter Johnson DPS: There are three things that employers are looking for:
1. Demonstrated ability to solve problems
2. Ability to analyze and make decisions based on data
3. Communication skills with management, teams, and clients