Shop Assistant CV example

A Shop Assistant CV for South African employers: what to write, the duties and skills to list, a cover letter and tips.

Updated 29 October 2026 · By Tumelo Vincent Tau

1. An example profile

A short profile at the top of your CV says who you are and what work you want. Change it to fit your own experience:

2. Duties to list

Under each job like this in your work experience, list three to five of the duties you really did:

• Greet customers and help them find products
• Explain product features, prices and promotions
• Receive stock and pack shelves neatly
• Do stock counts and report shortages
• Keep the store clean, neat and well displayed
• Process sales and returns on the till when needed
• Meet daily and monthly sales targets

3. Skills and certificates

Skills employers look for in this job:

• Customer service
• Sales
• Product knowledge
• Communication

Also list, if you have them:

• The type of shop (clothing, cellphones, hardware, furniture)
• Sales targets you reached
• Languages you speak with customers

4. Tips for Shop Assistant jobs

• Show that you can sell: mention targets you reached or products you are good at explaining.
• List the languages you speak. In a South African shop that is a real advantage.
• Seasonal and Black Friday or Christmas work counts as experience.

5. An example cover letter

Send a short cover letter with your CV, naming the post and the reference number from the advert:

More help: how to write a cover letter, a CV with no work experience and job interview tips.