Overview
Totalsports, part of the renowned TFG retail portfolio, is seeking a passionate and driven Sales Associate (120 hours) to join their team at Newcastle Mall. This role is ideal for individuals who thrive in a customer-facing environment, enjoy sports, fitness, and fashion, and are eager to contribute to a high-performance retail culture.
As South Africa’s #HomeofSport, Totalsports is more than a store – it’s a lifestyle destination where customers come for quality, motivation, and inspiration. By joining this team, candidates become part of a business that values authenticity, teamwork, and innovation.
This opportunity offers not just a job, but a career path filled with growth, development, and meaningful connections. Sales Associates at Totalsports are brand ambassadors who ensure every customer receives an unforgettable shopping experience.
Minimum Requirements
- Matric / Grade 12 qualification
- Passion for customer service and retail sales
- Target-driven with experience in meeting sales goals
- Ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
- Ability to work independently while contributing to a team
Key Competencies and Skills
- Strong sales and negotiation skills
- High attention to detail and accuracy
- Ability to build customer loyalty and resolve challenges effectively
- Team-oriented with strong networking skills
- Resilience and perseverance under pressure
- Planning and organizational ability to meet store targets
Responsibilities
- Delivering exceptional customer service and ensuring customer expectations are consistently exceeded
- Representing the Totalsports brand with professionalism and enthusiasm
- Actively tracking personal sales performance against targets
- Selling across a diverse range of sporting apparel and products
- Staying informed about the latest fashion, sports, and fitness trends
- Identifying opportunities for new sales and engaging customers effectively
- Assisting with stock replenishment to ensure shelves remain fully stocked and visually appealing
- Supporting a positive, performance-driven retail culture that motivates both staff and customers
Important Notes
Preference will be given to candidates from designated groups in alignment with the Employment Equity Act TFG is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace Applicants should have a genuine passion for sports, fitness, and customer engagement
🧾 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 Totalsports Newcastle Mall Sales Associate position at Totalsports 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_Totalsports Newcastle 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 highly motivated and customer-focused retail professional with proven experience in sales and client service within fast-paced retail environments. Adept at building strong customer relationships, identifying client needs, and delivering tailored solutions to exceed expectations. Skilled in managing sales transactions, achieving performance targets, and maintaining accuracy in stock management while demonstrating a keen eye for detail.
Recognized for excellent interpersonal communication, a strong work ethic, and the ability to thrive under pressure, I bring both passion and energy to every customer interaction. With a deep enthusiasm for sports, fitness, and fashion, I am committed to representing Totalsports with authenticity and professionalism. My goal is to contribute meaningfully to the team while growing my career within The Foschini Group’s dynamic retail environment.
đź“ť How to Apply:
Interested candidates are encouraged to apply directly via TFG’s careers portal before the application deadline of 30 September 2025, at 12:00 PM. Applicants should ensure that their CV is up to date and highlights relevant sales, customer service, and retail experience.
