Overview
TFG (The Foschini Group) is a leading South African retail group with an internationally diversified portfolio of 34 lifestyle and apparel brands that collectively inspire millions of customers every day. With a strong reputation for customer service excellence and fashion-forward retailing, TFG continues to shape the shopping landscape across South Africa and beyond.
Jet, one of the flagship brands within the TFG family, is currently seeking Seasonal Sales Associates to join its East Rand Mall branch in Boksburg during the busy festive season. The festive trading period is one of the most important times in the retail calendar, and Jet is looking for hardworking, enthusiastic, and energetic individuals to deliver excellent customer experiences and drive sales performance.
This opportunity is ideal for individuals with a passion for retail and fashion, a natural ability to connect with customers, and the determination to excel in a fast-paced environment. Seasonal associates play a vital role in ensuring smooth store operations, replenishing stock, maintaining visual standards, and supporting the team to meet sales targets. While the position is temporary, it provides valuable retail experience and may open the door to future career opportunities within the TFG group.
Minimum Requirements
- Must be a South African citizen.
- Positive attitude and willingness to learn.
- Strong communication and customer engagement skills.
- Ability to work retail hours, including weekends and public holidays.
- Reliable transport to and from East Rand Mall.
- Sales-driven and customer-focused approach.
- Demonstrated work ethic, initiative, and results-driven mindset.
- Ability to handle customer queries and complaints professionally.
- Must be available to start immediately.
- Advantageous:
- Prior retail or sales experience.
- Passion for fashion and current retail trends.
Key Competencies and Skills
- Customer service excellence and relationship-building skills.
- Strong sales techniques and product knowledge.
- Ability to perform under pressure in high-traffic environments.
- Professional problem-solving and conflict resolution abilities.
- Team player with adaptability and resilience.
- Attention to detail in stock management and visual merchandising.
- Initiative to identify sales opportunities and maximize performance.
Responsibilities
- Act as a brand ambassador for Jet, ensuring every customer enjoys a positive shopping experience.
- Exceed customer expectations by identifying needs and offering suitable solutions.
- Maintain sales performance levels and contribute to store targets.
- Sell across diverse product ranges while staying informed about the latest fashion and décor trends.
- Assist in replenishment of stock to maintain store readiness at all times.
- Maintain visual merchandising displays and ensure compliance with TFG standards.
- Handle customer queries and complaints with professionalism and efficiency.
- Support the team with day-to-day store operations during peak season.
Important Notes
This role is seasonal and linked to the festive period, ending after the holiday season. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Applicants who do not receive a response within four weeks should consider their application unsuccessful. Preference will be given to candidates from designated groups in line with the Employment Equity Act.
🧾 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 Jet East Rand Seasonal Associate position at TFG (The Foschini Group) – Jet 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_Jet East Rand Seasonal 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
I am an enthusiastic and customer-oriented retail professional with strong skills in sales, merchandising, and customer engagement. With the ability to thrive in fast-paced environments, I have developed a proven record of providing excellent service, driving sales, and supporting smooth store operations. My approach combines a positive attitude with a professional demeanor, enabling me to interact confidently with diverse customers and deliver solutions that enhance their shopping experience. I am highly adaptable, motivated by achieving results, and capable of maintaining high performance even during peak trading periods.
I pride myself on my ability to work collaboratively within a team while also taking initiative to identify opportunities that improve sales performance and customer satisfaction. Known for my reliability, communication skills, and resilience, I am committed to delivering excellence in every role I undertake. My career goal is to contribute meaningfully to a dynamic retail environment, while continuing to refine my skills in sales and customer service. Joining Jet and TFG offers me the platform to not only develop professionally but also contribute to a brand that inspires millions of South Africans through fashion and service.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates should submit their applications via the official TFG Careers Portal before the closing date. Ensure that your CV highlights sales experience, customer service ability, and availability for retail shifts. Applications submitted after the closing date will not be considered.
