Working your way up to a management position is no small feat – and your store manager resume should reflect the hard work and dedication it took to get there. But that's easier said than done, right? Well … not really!
The process of resume writing doesn't have to be a nightmare if you follow a simple, yet comprehensive guide. So, dive right in and discover our most valuable tips, detailed examples, resume samples submitted by actual store managers, and templates you can adjust to your liking. Let's begin!
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Keep reading to learn how to:
- Select the best resume format for a store manager
- Write an eye-catching store manager resume summary
- Choose key store management skills to include on your resume
- Describe your work experience as a store manager effectively
- List your educational background in management correctly
- Access valuable resources for job-seeking store managares
1. Select the best resume format for a store manager
When applying to managerial jobs, you'll often be required to have one of two things:
- Extensive experience working in a related position or industry
- A two- or four-year degree in a related field
For applicants with extensive work history, the best resume format to choose is the reverse-chronological resume. This resume format focuses on work experience, listing your most recent job first and working backward from there. It's also the most commonly used resume and is the standard expected by most employers.
However, this isn't the only resume format out there. For applicants with greater academic experience than work experience, the functional resume may be a better choice. This resume format focuses on education, skills, and unpaid experience over formal work history. It's often used by current students or recent graduates.
There is also a third option known as the hybrid resume. This resume format combines elements of the other two to create a resume that spreads its focus more evenly between all sections. Applicants who are changing career paths or working around large gaps in their employment often use this format.
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2. Write an eye-catching store manager resume summary
A resume summary is an introductory statement that starts out your resume with attention-grabbing details about your professional history and accomplishments.
As you write your summary, you should try to include the best details about your career, such as key achievements that show the value you add to a company when brought on as a staff member.
To better illustrate how to effectively write a resume summary, check out this weak example followed by a correction and explanation:
Bad store manager resume summary example
Store Manager with experience working in both commercial and retail settings. Highly efficient in onboarding and training staff, with strong supervisory skills. Implemented a new scheduling system that helped to improve a low employee retention rate and decrease missed shifts.
What's wrong with this example? Any time you write a resume summary, you should strive to include as much specific detail and context as possible. The information provided in this resume summary is on the right track to being compelling to employers, but requires a higher level of specificity to be truly effective.
Good store manager resume summary example
Driven Store Manager with 4+ years of experience managing commercial and retail stores. Adept at onboarding and training staff, receiving a majority of 5-star supervisor ratings from end-of-year performance reviews at previous position. Implemented a new digital scheduling system that increased employee retention by 30% and decreased missed shifts by 40%.
Why is this better? This corrected example offers the employer a lot more specific, quantifiable, and highly-detailed information regarding the applicant’s previous experience and accomplishments. They provide clear numbers and descriptions that make their key skills apparent and their value as an employee highly evident.
3. Choose key store management skills to include on your resume
Including skills on your resume is essential, as it showcases to employers your range of technical and interpersonal abilities that qualify you for a job.
Also called hard skills, your technical abilities are those you gain through training and education. Comparatively, your interpersonal abilities – also called soft skills – refer to your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with other people.
We've provided you with 10 examples of both technical and interpersonal store management skills that are excellent to include on your resume:
Technical skills for store manager resume
- Opening and Closing Procedures
- Ordering Products
- Inventory Management
- Staff Scheduling
- Hiring and Onboarding
- Supervising
- Setting Sales Goals
- Budgeting
- Basic Mathematics
- Business Software (POS Systems, Accounting Software, etc.)
Interpersonal skills for store manager resume
- Leadership
- Strong Verbal Communication
- Collaboration
- Delegation
- Multi-Tasking
- Problem-Solving
- Customer Service
- Conflict Resolution
- Adaptability
- Patience
4. Describe your work experience as a store manager effectively
When describing your past work experience on your resume, it's highly important to include key accomplishments and responsibilities. You want to show employers that you have not only the ability to manage a store but also the ability to improve overall efficiency and profitability.
As you write your work experience section, make sure to list out as many exact details as possible, such as specific percentages or statistics.
Here is an example of a work experience entry from a store manager resume
Store Manager | Howard’s General Goods
Marion, NC | June 2019 to September 2021
- Assisted store owner in developing a new marketing strategy that increased foot traffic to store by 20%.
- Managed, stocked, and ordered inventory items on a weekly basis.
- Hired, onboarded, and trained new staff members, increasing training completion speed by 15%.
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5. List your educational background in management correctly
Your educational background can vary pretty widely as a store manager, as there are many pathways to reach this career. Most employers will require a minimum of a high school diploma or GED, but having a post-secondary degree or relevant certifications helps create a more competitive resume.
When listing your educational credentials on a resume, make sure to include the following information:
- The formal name of your degree or certification
- The name of your school, university, or certifying institution
- Your date of graduation (when applicable)
- Certification expiration dates (when applicable)
Additionally, including extra details about academic leadership roles or awards can help make your education section even stronger.
Here is an example of a well-crafted education section on a store manager resume:
Education
Associate’s Degree in Busines Management | Northwestern University
Evanston, IL
- Graduated: 2018, Summa Cum Laude
Certifications
6. Top resources for job-seeking store managers
Now that you've polished your store manager resume to perfection, the only thing that stands between you and your dream job is finding the right work opportunities. If you're unsure of where to start, feel free to draw inspiration from the resources we've gathered:
- Retail job boards: Websites that only focus on aggregating job postings for retail positions, like retailjobs, RetailJobsWeb.com, and AllRetailJobs, are your best bet at getting to relevant vacancies fast.
- General job search engines: However, you can also find compelling opportunities through Indeed, Glassdoor, and Monster.
- LinkedIn: Update your LinkedIn profile and let potential employers come to you. Or you can reach out to them and discover new job openings through networking.
- Professional associations: If you're looking for a place that offers job listings, access to networking opportunities, and training programs, don't overlook organizations like the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), the National Retail Federation (NRF), or the Sales Management Association (SMA).
- Retail management publications: If you want to gain a competitive edge, one way of achieving that is keeping updated on the latest industry news and trends with media like “Retail Dive,” “Retail TouchPoints,” “STORES Magazine.”
- Courses & certifications: Similarly, gaining new skills and knowledge is a sure way of increasing your employability potential. Online learning platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, Udemy, or edX can help you find a course that brings you closer to your professional goals.
Job searching can be tough, with its ups and downs, but remember, it's normal to face challenges like rejection or uncertainty along the way. However, each setback brings an opportunity to learn and grow. So, stay positive, keep networking, and believe in yourself. Your dream job is out there waiting for you!
Store Manager Resume FAQ
How can I tailor my store manager resume to each job application?
You have to start by carefully reviewing the job description and then align your qualifications and experiences with the requirements of the role. Always try to highlight relevant skills, experiences, and achievements that demonstrate your fit for the specific position and company. Plus, tailoring your resume shows the employer that you've taken the time to understand their needs and are genuinely interested in the opportunity.
Should I include references on my store manager resume?
That depends on what your job posting says. If it asks you to include your references directly on your resume, do as instructed. But if that's not the case, create a separate document with a list of professional references who can speak to your qualifications and work ethic instead. Be ready to produce this document upon request (possibly during the interview rounds).
Should I quantify my achievements on a store manager resume?
Go for it! Quantifiable data adds credibility and impact to your resume. Numbers, percentages, and dollar amounts help quantify the results of your actions and demonstrate your effectiveness as a store manager. Whenever possible, include specific metrics to showcase your contributions to sales growth, cost savings, team performance, and other key areas.
How can I use keywords effectively when submitting my application via ATS?
Firstly, you have to review the job description carefully and identify key phrases and skills sought by the employer. Then, incorporate these keywords naturally throughout your resume, especially in the skills section, work experience bullet points, and professional summary. And make sure to spell your keywords exactly as they appear in the job posting!
What are some common mistakes to avoid when writing a store manager resume?
Always avoid generic language and vague descriptions. Instead, be specific about your achievements and responsibilities. Also, you should steer clear of spelling and grammar errors by thoroughly proofreading your resume. Finally, don't include irrelevant information or personal details that don't directly relate to the store manager role.
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