Overview
Totalsports, South Africa’s leading destination for sportswear and active lifestyle fashion, is seeking an enthusiastic and energetic Sales Associate (120hr) to join their dynamic team at Totalsports Pretoria CBD. This exciting opportunity is perfect for individuals who live and breathe fitness, thrive in fast-paced environments, and take pride in delivering outstanding customer service.
As part of The Foschini Group (TFG) — one of Africa’s largest and most respected retail portfolios — Totalsports is dedicated to inspiring movement and unlocking potential through sports and activewear. The ideal candidate will not only be sales-driven but also passionate about health, fitness, and community empowerment. Joining this team means becoming part of a purpose-led brand that combines innovation, energy, and authenticity to make sports and fitness accessible to everyone.
Totalsports offers a platform for professional growth where employees are encouraged to challenge themselves, set new goals, and become ambassadors of an active lifestyle. If you have a flair for sales, a love for sports, and an eagerness to engage customers, this is your opportunity to shine.
Minimum Requirements
- Education: Grade 12 (Matric Certificate)
- Experience: Previous retail or customer service experience preferred
- Availability: Must be able to work retail hours, weekends, and holidays
- Other Requirements:
- Passion for sports, fitness, and customer service
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills
- Attention to detail and organizational ability
Key Competencies and Skills
- Sales Expertise: Confident in achieving and exceeding sales targets.
- Customer Focus: Ability to provide solutions that match customer needs and build loyalty.
- Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Multitasking: Efficient in managing multiple tasks in a busy retail environment.
- Adaptability: Thrives in a fast-paced, high-energy setting.
- Teamwork: Works collaboratively to meet store goals.
- Initiative: Proactively identifies sales opportunities and areas for improvement.
- Attention to Detail: Ensures merchandise and displays meet brand standards.
Responsibilities
- Serve as a brand ambassador by representing Totalsports’ energetic and performance-driven identity.
- Provide a superior in-store experience that inspires and motivates customers to embrace active living.
- Exceed customer expectations by identifying their needs and recommending appropriate products.
- Actively track personal and store sales performance and contribute to achieving monthly targets.
- Stay informed about new products, sportswear trends, and promotional offers.
- Maintain store presentation and restock merchandise according to visual merchandising standards.
- Handle customer transactions efficiently and accurately through the POS system.
- Participate in stock replenishment and ensure the store is always ready for customers.
- Manage customer queries professionally and escalate where necessary.
Important Notes
Closing Date: 24 October 2025 Job Type: Full-time (120 hours per month) Location: Shop 11, Pretoria CBD, 0002, South Africa Employment Equity: Preference will be given to candidates from designated groups in accordance 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 Totalsports Pretoria CBD Sales Associate position at Totalsports – 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_Totalsports Pretoria CBD 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 driven and enthusiastic Sales Associate with a strong background in retail sales, customer service, and sportswear merchandising. Known for delivering exceptional customer experiences, this candidate consistently meets and exceeds sales goals while promoting an active and performance-driven lifestyle. Adept at building strong relationships, handling multiple responsibilities, and maintaining high store presentation standards, they thrive in fast-paced, customer-centered environments.
Their passion for fitness and fashion, combined with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, makes them a valuable team player in any retail environment. With a deep understanding of sales dynamics, trend awareness, and customer engagement, they are committed to enhancing the Totalsports brand by inspiring customers to achieve their best through sports and style.
How to Apply
Interested candidates can apply through The Foschini Group (TFG) Careers Portal:
And submit your application online. Ensure your CV highlights your sales, sportswear, and customer engagement experience.
