Overview
Ares Holdings, a well-established distributor of premium global lifestyle and footwear brands, is currently recruiting two Sales Assistants for the Hey Dude store located at Mall of Africa in Midrand, Gauteng. This short-term contract opportunity offers motivated retail professionals the chance to work within a fast-growing international brand environment known for its customer-centric culture and dynamic retail operations.
The Sales Assistant role is designed for individuals who are passionate about retail, customer service, and brand representation. The successful candidates will be responsible for assisting customers, promoting products, maintaining store presentation standards, and contributing to daily sales targets. Employees in this role act as brand ambassadors by delivering an engaging shopping experience and ensuring that every customer receives attentive and personalised service.
Working for Ares Holdings provides employees with exposure to leading global footwear brands, structured retail training programs, and opportunities for professional growth within the retail sector. This position is ideal for candidates looking to build valuable retail sales experience while working in one of South Africa’s busiest shopping destinations.
Minimum Requirements
- Grade 12 (Matric) or equivalent qualification
- Minimum 1 year of customer service or retail sales experience
- Previous experience in footwear or apparel retail will be beneficial
- Product knowledge related to Crocs or similar footwear brands is advantageous
- Ability to work flexible retail shifts, including weekends and public holidays
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to work effectively in a team environment
Key Competencies and Skills
- Strong customer service orientation
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Sales and persuasion abilities
- Product knowledge and retail merchandising awareness
- Attention to detail and accuracy in inventory management
- Ability to work in a fast-paced retail environment
- Time management and organisational skills
- Team collaboration and positive attitude
- Adaptability and willingness to learn through training programs
- Professional presentation and brand representation
Responsibilities
- Greet and acknowledge every customer within 30 seconds of entering the store
- Provide friendly, professional, and personalised customer service
- Identify customer needs and recommend suitable products
- Demonstrate product features and benefits to customers
- Close sales effectively and encourage additional purchases
- Monitor personal sales performance throughout the day against sales targets
- Replenish footwear, clothing, and accessories from the storeroom
- Assist with stock organisation and ensure accurate product placement
- Process deliveries and verify product quantities against invoices
- Tag, hang, and price merchandise according to store standards
- Capture product entries accurately in the point-of-sale (POS) system
- Assist with customer order processing when required
- Maintain store cleanliness and visual presentation standards
- Assist with daily housekeeping tasks including dusting, vacuuming, and tidying fitting rooms
- Ensure display areas and sales counters remain organised and presentable
- Assist the store manager with opening and closing store procedures
- Maintain product displays according to company merchandising guidelines
- Ensure product sizes and styles are fully stocked on the sales floor
- Assist with window displays and mannequin styling updates
- Ensure POS materials and promotional signage are properly stored and displayed
- Participate in training sessions and development programs
- Work with assigned team mentors or buddies during onboarding
- Complete assessments linked to the Hey Dude rookie training program
- Attend quarterly training sessions to enhance product and retail knowledge
- Participate in monthly feedback sessions with store management
Important Notes
This is a 3-month contract position. Only applicants who meet the minimum requirements will be considered. Candidates should ensure that their CV includes detailed work experience and contactable references. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interviews. If applicants do not receive feedback within two weeks after the closing date, the application should be considered unsuccessful.
🧾 ATS-Friendly CV Guide
In today’s digital job market, most companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen CVs before human eyes ever see them. These systems are designed to scan documents for keywords, structure, and formatting that align with the job description. An ATS-friendly CV improves your chance of getting past automated filters and landing an interview. Whether you are applying for the Ares Holdings Sales Assistant Vacancy position at Ares Holdings Division: Hey Dude or another opportunity, your CV must speak both to machines and people. This guide walks you through proven strategies to optimize your CV from top to bottom, offering practical examples, formatting tips, and best practices to maximize your success.
1. âś… CV Structure
- Header: Example — Thabo Khumalo | 0612 74 1234 | [email protected] | Randburg, South Africa.
- Professional Summary: Tailored to the role. E.g., “Motivated customer service agent with 3+ years’ experience in retail and a track record of increasing client satisfaction scores by 25%.”
- Key Skills: Include 6–10 bullet points. E.g., Point of Sale (POS) systems, Inventory control, Conflict resolution, Merchandising, SAP, Microsoft Excel.
- Work Experience: Reverse-chronological. Example:
- Retail Assistant | Bradlows | Jan 2022 – Present
- • Assisted 40+ daily customers with purchases and queries.
- • Maintained 98% shelf availability by overseeing stock rotation.
- Education: Highest level first. E.g., “Diploma in Business Management, UNISA, 2021.”
- Certifications: “Occupational Health and Safety, 2023 (SASSETA)”
- References: “Available upon request” unless stated otherwise in job ad.
2. 🖋️ Typography & Formatting
- Font Choice: Use clean fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica — ATS systems can misread decorative fonts.
- Font Size: Body text should be 10.5pt–12pt; Headings 14pt–16pt for readability and emphasis.
- Spacing & Margins: Use 1.15–1.5 line spacing. Keep margins at 0.75–1 inch. This ensures text isn’t cramped and is easy to scan.
- Avoid: Tables, columns, headers/footers, text boxes — most ATS software can't interpret them properly.
- File Format: Save your CV as a PDF or DOCX — PDF preserves formatting across devices, DOCX is often required by ATS platforms.
3. ✏️ Content Best Practices
- Mirror Job Language: If the ad says “inventory management,” use that term instead of synonyms like “stock control.”
- Quantify Achievements: Numbers give weight. E.g., “Managed R50,000 monthly inventory with < 2% loss.”
- Tailor for Each Job: Don't send the same CV to every employer. Highlight different skills depending on the job ad.
- Be Clear, Not Clever: Avoid vague buzzwords. Say what you did and how it helped your company.
- Proofread! ATS won't reject for spelling — but hiring managers will. Use tools like Grammarly or Hemingway.
4. đź“· Photo?
- Photos are discouraged unless required. ATS software can’t read them and they can add bias.
- If required (e.g., acting, modeling), choose a neutral background, natural lighting, and professional attire.
- Ensure file size is small if embedded. Avoid image-heavy CVs as they increase loading time.
5. 🔍 ATS Keyword Optimization Tips
Copy the exact job description and extract nouns and verbs that repeat. For example, for a Retail Assistant post: “customer service,” “cash handling,” “inventory,” “POS,” “stocktaking,” “sales target,” “merchandising,” and “teamwork.”
6. ✅ Dos and ❌ Don’ts of ATS CVs
- âś… Use job-relevant keywords
- âś… Keep formatting simple and consistent
- âś… Quantify wherever possible
- ❌ Don’t include tables or graphics
- ❌ Don’t submit images or logos
- ❌ Don’t use colored or stylized fonts
7. đź’ľ File Naming & Saving Tips
- Name format: YourName_Ares Holdings Sales Assistant Vacancy_CV.pdf
- Save as PDF unless job ad specifies otherwise
- Avoid spaces in filenames: Use underscores instead
- Check file size — keep it under 2MB
8. 🧠More about ATS
Your CV is the first impression recruiters and ATS software get of you. To pass the ATS filter, you must optimize your CV with clean formatting, appropriate keyword use, and targeted content. Focus on clearly structuring each section: headline, summary, skills, work experience, education, and certifications. Customize the content for every role by mirroring the terminology and phrasing used in the job advert. Quantify achievements wherever possible. Format with simplicity — avoid graphics and stick to standard fonts. Proofreading is non-negotiable: even small typos can disqualify you. Save and name your file properly to avoid compatibility issues. Remember, your CV must be easily readable by both algorithms and humans. By applying the principles in this guide, you will greatly improve your chances of being shortlisted for interviews and finding the right role for your skills.
Professional Summary Example
A customer-focused retail professional with proven experience in sales, merchandising, and customer engagement within fast-paced retail environments. Demonstrates the ability to deliver exceptional service by identifying customer needs, recommending suitable products, and building positive shopping experiences that encourage repeat business. Skilled in point-of-sale operations, stock replenishment, product presentation, and maintaining high store standards while supporting team sales targets. A reliable and results-driven sales assistant with strong interpersonal skills and a passion for delivering outstanding customer experiences. Adept at working collaboratively within retail teams to achieve daily sales objectives while ensuring store operations run efficiently. Recognised for maintaining excellent product knowledge, contributing to visual merchandising standards, and demonstrating a proactive approach to training, professional development, and customer relationship building. Interested candidates should submit their applications through the official recruitment channels of Ares Holdings. Applicants should prepare the following: Updated CV Relevant retail or customer service experience details Contactable references Proof of education or qualifications if requested Applications must be submitted before 24 March 2026.How to Apply
