Overview
The Foschini Group (TFG), one of South Africa’s leading fashion and lifestyle retailers, is seeking a passionate and energetic Sales Associate (120hr) to join Markham at Chuma Mall, Diepsloot. This exciting opportunity is ideal for individuals who live and breathe fashion, love working with people, and are ready to represent one of South Africa’s most iconic menswear brands.
Markham is synonymous with confidence, individuality, and contemporary style. As part of this trend-driven brand, you’ll help men look and feel their best by offering quality fashion pieces — from smart casualwear and footwear to statement accessories and fragrances. You’ll play a key role in shaping every customer’s shopping experience while driving sales and maintaining the vibrant, upbeat energy Markham is known for.
TFG provides an environment where ambition meets opportunity. Employees are encouraged to innovate, grow, and make a lasting impact within a diverse and inclusive workplace. At Markham, every team member becomes part of a brand movement that’s dedicated to empowering South Africans to express themselves through fashion.
Minimum Requirements
- Education: Grade 12 (Matric Certificate)
- Experience:
- Retail or fashion sales experience preferred
- Proven ability to meet and exceed sales targets
- Customer-facing experience with strong interpersonal skills
- Other Requirements:
- Must be passionate about fashion and people
- Available for flexible retail shifts, including weekends and holidays
Key Competencies and Skills
- Customer Engagement: Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities to build long-term customer loyalty.
- Sales Focus: Target-driven with the ability to identify opportunities and close deals effectively.
- Product Knowledge: Awareness of fashion trends, styles, and customer preferences.
- Multitasking: Ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently in a fast-paced retail environment.
- Attention to Detail: Ensures merchandise is presented according to brand standards.
- Adaptability: Thrives in a dynamic, performance-driven retail setting.
- Teamwork: Works collaboratively to achieve individual and store goals.
Responsibilities
- Act as a brand ambassador, delivering an exceptional in-store experience that reflects Markham’s energy and identity.
- Engage customers with enthusiasm, identify their needs, and provide personalized product recommendations.
- Meet and exceed sales targets by actively promoting products, accessories, and seasonal trends.
- Assist with stock replenishment, store presentation, and merchandising to ensure an inviting shopping atmosphere.
- Maintain visual standards and uphold company values in every customer interaction.
- Process sales transactions accurately and efficiently.
- Stay updated on new product arrivals, sales promotions, and company policies.
- Handle customer queries professionally, escalating issues where necessary.
Important Notes
Closing Date: 24 October 2025 Job Type: Full-time (120 hours per month) EE Statement: Preference will be given to candidates from designated groups as per the Employment Equity Act. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
🧾 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 Markham Chuma Mall Sales Associate position at Markham – The Foschini Group (TFG) 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_Markham Chuma Mall 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 dedicated and customer-driven Sales Associate with a strong background in retail sales, customer engagement, and fashion merchandising. Demonstrates a proven ability to meet sales targets while delivering superior customer service and maintaining high visual merchandising standards. Possesses excellent communication, multitasking, and organizational skills, ensuring that every customer leaves with a memorable shopping experience.
With a keen sense of fashion and a passion for helping customers express their personal style, this candidate thrives in fast-paced retail environments. They are a confident communicator, quick learner, and proactive problem-solver, committed to contributing positively to the success of the Markham brand. Their enthusiasm for fashion, strong work ethic, and results-oriented mindset make them a valuable addition to any dynamic retail team.
How to Apply
Interested candidates can apply online through The Foschini Group (TFG) Careers Portal:
And complete the online application. Ensure your CV is updated and tailored to highlight your retail and fashion experience.
