How to hire a retail service specialist

How to hire a retail service specialist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step retail service specialist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a retail service specialist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new retail service specialist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

Post a retail service specialist job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a retail service specialist, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A retail service specialist's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, retail service specialists from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents retail service specialist salaries for various positions.

   Type of Retail Service Specialist	Description	Hourly rate
   Retail Service Specialist	Retail sales workers include both those who sell retail merchandise, such as clothing, furniture, and automobiles, (called retail salespersons) and those who sell spare and replacement parts and equipment, especially car parts (called parts salespersons). Both types of workers help customers find the products they want and process customers’ payments.	$10-16
   Retail Sales Representative	A retail salesperson's responsibility is to sell products and provide necessary information to the consumers to convince them of availing items. Retail salesperson's duties include coordinating with promotional programs, recommending strategies to increase sales, answering customer's inquiries, and escalating any concerns to the management that might affect the company's sales performance... Show more	$13-24
   Retail Representative	A retail representative is in charge of assisting customers with their shopping needs in retail stores, ensuring customer satisfaction. Their responsibilities include greeting customers and identifying their needs, answering inquiries, locating products, offering promotions and recommendations, and conducting demonstrations when possible... Show more	$12-18

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Retail Sales
   • Cross-Selling
   • Customer Service
   • Inventory Management
   • Retail Service
   • Customer Satisfaction
   • Inbound Calls
   • Cataloging
   • Store Appearance
   • Strong Customer Service
   • RSS
   • POS
   • Store Management
   • Product Knowledge

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Establish and monitor store's work schedule and staffing issues to effectively manage payroll expenses.
   • Manage a high volume of patient information from authorizing diagnostic procedures and scheduling patients.
   • Develop schedules and monitor payroll on a daily basis to ensure payroll plans are met.
   • Operate POS cash register/Electronic parts catalog.
   • Process all guest reservations, including guest follow up, obtaining all necessary information and accurately entering it into computer systems.
   • Collaborate with board members to prepare PowerPoint presentations and other written reports and present concepts to management.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your retail service specialist job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A retail service specialist can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, retail service specialists' average salary in alabama is 45% less than in hawaii.
   • Seniority. Entry-level retail service specialists 35% less than senior-level retail service specialists.
   • Certifications. A retail service specialist with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a retail service specialist's salary.

   Average retail service specialist salary

   $13.45hourly

   $27,983 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level retail service specialist salary

   $22,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 22, 2026

4. Writing a retail service specialist job description

   A retail service specialist job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a retail service specialist job description:

   Retail service specialist job description example

   Job DescriptionNow offering $1,500 sign on bonus! Crazy about tech stuff? Like learning new things? Looking to work in an awesome retail store environment? Always the one called when someone needs technical help? We have the job for you! We’re looking for a down-to-earth go-getter who can help customers in our stores sort through all of the options and hash out a plan that’s right for them.
   
   This is your shot at a career with no limits. We’re giving mobile a makeover, and that means exciting new directions to push your career. Whatever you want, we’ve got it: on-the-job-training, wall-to-wall benefits and lots of commission. Looking for candidates with open availability, hiring for numerous shifts/hours.
   What are you waiting for? Apply today and show the world what you’re made of... $1500 Sign on Bonus!
   
   AWESOME COMPENSATION PACKAGE: Base Pay: $15.00/hour Potential to earn a 5% quarterly bonus! Commission amount based on performance GREAT PERKS AND BENEFITS: Benefit packages effective on day 1 - Eligible to enroll in medical, dental, vision 401k available after 90 days Paid training Free Comcast/Xfinity courtesy services (cable, high speed internet, etc.) Paid time-off (PTO), Paid vacation, flex time, and floating holidays; generous PTO package after first 90 days of employment Tuition Reimbursement (where applicable) Discounts on Comcast/Xfinity Voice, OnDemand, and Personal Security Services (PSS) CORE RESPONSIBILITIES: Takes a customer-first approach with all customer interactions. Listens and evaluates customer needs and provides appropriate solutions. Achieves sales and customer experience goals and objectives. Provides comprehensive customer onboarding activities and ensures customers fully understand how to use and manage all company products/services and gains their consent. Performs operational and administrative tasks. Partners with customer care to resolve customer issues, as appropriate. Consistently demonstrates sales excellence and professionalism with integrity and a warm and friendly demeanor to customers and teammates. Complies with all company and retail operational policies and procedures. Completes training requirements and actively engage in team huddles and learning. Knows and understands sales compensation plan and its key elements. Must be able to work a flexible schedule that includes evenings, weekends, holidays, variable schedule(s) and overtime as needed. May be asked to work in alternate stores outside of home base store. Regular, consistent and punctual attendance. Must be able to carry and lift up to 25 pound boxes, stand and move about the store constantly.
   JOB QUALIFICATIONS: High School Degree or equivalent Technical or similar background preferred
   Generally, requires 0-2 years related experience Comcast NBCUniversal brings together the best in media and technology. We drive innovation to create the world’s best entertainment and online experiences. As a Fortune 50 leader, we set the pace in a variety of innovative and fascinating businesses and create career opportunities across a wide range of locations and disciplines. We are at the forefront of change and move at an amazing pace, thanks to our remarkable people, who bring cutting-edge products and services to life for millions of customers every day. If you share in our passion for teamwork, our vision to revolutionize industries and our goal to lead the future in media and technology, we want you to fast-forward your career at Comcast.
   
   Comcast NBCUniversal is an Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action / Drug-Free workplace employer.
   
   #ComRetCenGCR

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find retail service specialists for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any retail service specialists they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level retail service specialists with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your retail service specialist job on Zippia to find and recruit retail service specialist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit retail service specialists, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new retail service specialist

   Once you have selected a candidate for the retail service specialist position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a retail service specialist?