Overview
The Exact brand, part of The Foschini Group (TFG), is seeking a Sales Associate (40hr) for their Park Station store in Johannesburg. This role offers a dynamic opportunity for individuals who are passionate about fashion retail, enjoy working with people, and thrive in a high-energy, customer-focused environment. As a Sales Associate, you will represent the Exact brand by delivering excellent customer service, driving sales, and maintaining store standards that reflect the company’s commitment to quality, style, and affordability.
Exact is known for its affordable yet fashionable range of clothing that appeals to a diverse South African market. The successful candidate will be an ambassador for the brand — embodying professionalism, enthusiasm, and a customer-first attitude. This position requires someone who is proactive, detail-oriented, and able to meet daily performance targets while maintaining a welcoming and organized store environment. If you are someone who values teamwork, communication, and continuous improvement, this role offers an excellent platform for personal growth and professional development within one of South Africa’s leading retail groups.
Minimum Requirements
- Grade 12 (Matric)
- Minimum of 6 months’ experience in retail or customer service
- Clear criminal record
- Computer literacy (Microsoft Office proficiency preferred)
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Target-driven, with a passion for sales and customer experience
- Ability to multitask and work efficiently in a fast-paced environment
Key Competencies and Skills
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Customer service excellence and loyalty building
- Sales and negotiation expertise
- Ability to identify upselling opportunities
- Attention to detail and organizational skills
- Adaptability and initiative
- Team collaboration and networking
- Decision-making and problem-solving
Responsibilities
- Serve as a brand ambassador for Exact, delivering a world-class shopping experience.
- Engage customers proactively, identifying their needs and offering the best solutions.
- Drive sales performance and track progress against daily and monthly targets.
- Maintain store cleanliness, display standards, and product organization.
- Ensure all stock levels are managed efficiently and replenish shelves as needed.
- Stay informed about current fashion and décor trends to enhance customer interaction.
- Support management with store promotions, merchandising, and administrative duties.
- Uphold TFG’s brand values, ensuring that all actions reflect professionalism, honesty, and integrity.
Important Notes
Preference will be given to candidates from designated groups in accordance with the Employment Equity Act. The successful candidate may be required to work weekends, public holidays, and shifts as part of the retail schedule. Exact promotes a workplace culture that values diversity, collaboration, and continuous development.
🧾 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 Exact Park Station Sales Associate position at Exact, a division of TFG (The Foschini Group) 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. ✅ 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. 📷 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
- ✅ Use job-relevant keywords
- ✅ Keep formatting simple and consistent
- ✅ Quantify wherever possible
- ❌ Don’t include tables or graphics
- ❌ Don’t submit images or logos
- ❌ Don’t use colored or stylized fonts
7. 💾 File Naming & Saving Tips
- Name format: YourName_Exact Park Station Sales Associate_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 highly motivated and customer-oriented retail professional with a strong passion for sales, customer service, and fashion merchandising. With hands-on experience in the retail environment, I have developed exceptional interpersonal skills and a keen understanding of how to exceed customer expectations while achieving business targets. My background includes maintaining stock accuracy, providing tailored product recommendations, and ensuring an outstanding in-store experience aligned with the Exact brand’s commitment to excellence.
I am deeply committed to fostering customer satisfaction through consistent engagement, accurate transactions, and an in-depth understanding of current fashion trends. My approach to sales combines effective communication, adaptability, and enthusiasm to drive performance and achieve company goals. As a reliable team player, I thrive in fast-paced retail settings, where attention to detail, organization, and customer-centric thinking are key to success. I aim to contribute meaningfully to Exact’s legacy of delivering stylish, affordable fashion to South African consumers.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates are encouraged to apply through the official TFG Careers Portal. Ensure that your CV highlights relevant retail experience, communication skills, and sales achievements. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interviews.
