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Sales Assistant
As a Sales Assistant, you will be responsible for making and closing sales related to weekly, monthly, and annual sales targets. You will also be responsible for meeting and greeting customers and explaining products available in-store.
You’ll have exceptional knowledge about each product and be able to deliver great customer service. You’ll spend a lot of time standing up and walking the shop floor. Your retail sales role may also involve cashing up, taking payment and visual merchandising.
You’ll need to be computer literate, as your role may require you to do some administrative tasks or data inputting on a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. You might also be asked to make appointments, provide tea, coffee and refreshments and act as a go-between if there is an in-house workshop.
Length of Training
3-6 Months
Salary Expectations
£12,000-25,000
Qualification Requirements
Experience
You may have come through a retail apprentice route, or this might be your first job in retail.
You may have had previous retail experience in another sector and moved across to watches and jewellery.
Knowledge
- You might have experience with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software, Point of Sale (POS) systems and transaction tracking software.
- You will know how to make cash and card transactions at the till.
Skills
- You’ll be a great communicator.
- You’ll be good with numbers (or be able to use a calculator or tablet).
- You’ll be able to remember product details and features.
- You’ll be a great salesperson.
- You’ll be welcoming, be able to put people at their ease and provide customer service.
Personal Attributes
- You’ll have a high degree of personal care.
- You’ll take pride in your appearance.
- You’ll be a people person.
- You’ll love providing excellent customer service.
- You’ll have an eye for design.
- You’ll be of a happy disposition.
- You’ll be flexible.
- You’ll be committed.
- You will be reliable.
- You’ll be trustworthy and honest.
- You’ll be a team player.
- You’ll be able to work on your own initiative.
Role also Called
Sales Associate, Sales Advisor, Sales Assistant, Meet & Greet, Receptionist, Customer Service
Meet the Sales Assistant
Insights from Petra Marcincowska, sales assistant at Jeremy France Jewellers.
Question
Why did you decide to work in jewellery retail?
Answer
Jewellery seemed interesting to me. It was new and I’ve always loved a bit of sparkle. When I was young my grandmother gave me a Pearl necklace which opened my eyes to the beauty of jewellery and I wanted to know more!
Question
Where were you working before joining Jeremy France?
Answer
I had been working in a bakery with a coffee shop before joining Jeremy France jewellers and before then had worked in hotels and pre–schools, so the jewellery industry was a big change.
Question
Have you undertaken additional training since you started working?
Answer
I have done JET 1, JET 2, JET Management and during COVID I did a De Beers diamond course and GIA diamond, coloured stones and retail online training.
I felt all these courses were suitable for my sales role and I found myself wanting to learn more. To progress in my job and give the best customer service possible I need to have the best relevant knowledge I can. The JET courses are an absolute must! They gave me so much confidence in my day to day selling.
Question
Do you work on your own or part of a team?
Answer
I work as part of an eight-person sales team but we are lucky to have about 20 staff in the building between office administrators, designers, goldsmiths and our media lady.
Question
What's the most rewarding part of your job?
Answer
Everybody comes to the store with a story and every story is different. I always have a new challenge to help customers with their different stories and give them the best customer service.
Question
What advice would you give to somebody wanting to work in jewellery sales?
Answer
Don’t be scared – go for it! Read and learn as much as you can. Take on feedback from peers and embrace feedback. Every piece of jewellery is different so there is always something new to learn.
Question
What has been a career highlight for you?
Answer
Finishing my JET Management course and being named as the best salesperson of the year at the NAJ Awards in 2023! But day to day, seeing customers return to buy from me again gives me so much satisfaction – I know I’ve done my job right.
