Overview
Sterns, one of South Africa’s most iconic jewellery brands under The Foschini Group (TFG), is seeking an enthusiastic and fashion-forward Sales Associate (120hr) to join their vibrant team at Jubilee Mall. This opportunity is perfect for individuals who are passionate about luxury retail, customer service, and personal growth within a dynamic and trend-driven environment.
As part of TFG’s distinguished jewellery division—which includes American Swiss and Galaxy & Co.—Sterns embodies elegance, craftsmanship, and innovation. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in delivering exceptional shopping experiences while maintaining the high standards of the brand.
Minimum Requirements
- Grade 12 / Matric certificate (essential).
- Previous retail or customer service experience advantageous.
- Strong interest in jewellery, fashion, and style trends.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends and holidays.
Key Competencies and Skills
- Customer-Centric Mindset: A natural passion for people and providing outstanding customer service.
- Sales and Negotiation Skills: Confidence in promoting products and meeting sales targets.
- Communication Skills: Clear, engaging, and persuasive verbal and written communication.
- Attention to Detail: Ensuring product presentation, display, and stock accuracy.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, ever-evolving retail environment.
- Teamwork and Initiative: Works effectively with others and takes proactive steps to improve customer experience.
Responsibilities
- Serve as a brand ambassador, promoting Sterns’ exquisite range of jewellery and luxury accessories.
- Deliver world-class service by identifying customer needs and offering tailored product recommendations.
- Maintain updated knowledge of current jewellery trends, product ranges, and special promotions.
- Assist in stock replenishment and ensure the store remains visually appealing and well-organized.
- Meet and exceed individual and store sales targets through active engagement and upselling.
- Handle customer challenges with professionalism and empathy, ensuring brand loyalty and satisfaction.
- Follow operational standards, store policies, and merchandising procedures diligently.
Important Notes
Preference will be given to candidates from designated groups as per the Employment Equity Act. Sterns encourages diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity within all hiring processes.
🧾 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 Retail Sales Associate Opportunity Sterns position at Sterns – A division of 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_Retail Sales Associate Opportunity Sterns_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 passionate and results-oriented Retail Sales Associate with a proven ability to create engaging customer experiences and drive sales within competitive retail environments. Adept at understanding customer needs, offering personalized recommendations, and maintaining brand integrity. Brings a strong sense of professionalism, creativity, and enthusiasm for luxury products and current fashion trends.
In addition to strong communication and organizational skills, the applicant excels at building long-term customer relationships, handling transactions accurately, and contributing to overall store performance. Possessing a natural flair for style and presentation, they are motivated to uphold Sterns’ reputation for excellence while pursuing ongoing career development within The Foschini Group’s dynamic retail family.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates are encouraged to apply directly through The Foschini Group’s (TFG) careers portal. Applicants should upload a detailed CV and cover letter highlighting their retail experience, sales achievements, and enthusiasm for customer service.
