Overview
Totalsports, part of the globally respected Foschini Group (TFG), is seeking a Sales Associate (120hr) to join their energetic Rosebank team. As South Africa’s leading destination for sportswear and performance apparel, Totalsports is dedicated to inspiring active lifestyles, empowering customers, and fostering a culture of excellence. This role offers the opportunity to be part of a dynamic retail environment where teamwork, passion, and customer satisfaction are at the heart of everything.
The Sales Associate will play a vital role in delivering an outstanding shopping experience, acting as a brand ambassador who embodies Totalsports’ core values — Performance, Authenticity, Motivation, Innovation, and Realness. The successful candidate will assist customers with enthusiasm, promote new products, and help drive sales by understanding customer needs and providing tailored solutions. Beyond sales, the role involves maintaining store presentation standards, replenishing stock, and ensuring the sales floor is always customer-ready.
Joining Totalsports means more than just a job — it’s an opportunity to be part of a purpose-driven brand that champions health, movement, and achievement. As a TFG brand, Totalsports offers growth opportunities across multiple retail divisions, ongoing training, and the chance to develop within one of South Africa’s most trusted retail families. This is a perfect opportunity for someone who loves sports, values teamwork, and is motivated by achieving results in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment.
Minimum Requirements
- Grade 12 / Matric certificate
- Minimum 6 months of retail or customer service experience (advantageous)
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Passion for sports, fitness, and retail
- Ability to work flexible retail hours, including weekends and holidays
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (advantageous)
- Clear criminal record
- South African citizen or valid work permit
Key Competencies and Skills
- Customer service excellence and relationship-building
- Sales and product knowledge (fashion and sporting goods)
- Target-driven with strong attention to detail
- Effective communication and teamwork
- Multitasking and problem-solving in fast-paced environments
- Adaptability and resilience under pressure
- Strong sense of initiative and accountability
- Time management and organizational efficiency
Responsibilities
- Represent the Totalsports brand as a professional, enthusiastic ambassador
- Exceed customer expectations by offering product solutions and expert advice
- Actively track and achieve daily and monthly sales targets
- Keep up to date with the latest sportswear trends and performance products
- Maintain store presentation and adhere to visual merchandising standards
- Ensure stock is replenished and neatly displayed at all times
- Build and maintain strong customer relationships, ensuring loyalty and repeat business
- Follow company policies regarding cash handling and operational procedures
- Work collaboratively with team members to achieve store-wide performance goals
- Continuously seek opportunities for personal and professional development
Important Notes
Totalsports is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from candidates across diverse backgrounds, including designated groups as defined by the Employment Equity Act. Applicants should be customer-centric, proactive, and passionate about sports and fashion. Successful candidates must be willing to work flexible shifts, including weekends and holidays.
🧾 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 Sales Associate Rosebank Job position at Totalsports – 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_Totalsports Sales Associate Rosebank Job_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 results-driven and customer-oriented retail professional with a passion for sports, fitness, and active living. With a solid foundation in sales and customer service, this individual brings energy, enthusiasm, and professionalism to every customer interaction. Skilled in understanding customer needs, offering tailored product recommendations, and delivering an exceptional shopping experience, they excel at driving sales targets and maintaining brand standards in a dynamic retail environment. Their strong communication skills, attention to detail, and ability to multitask allow them to thrive in high-pressure settings while maintaining excellent service quality.
Beyond their technical abilities, this professional demonstrates a deep understanding of Totalsports’ mission — to inspire movement and performance through premium sportswear and service excellence. They are a team player with strong interpersonal skills, capable of building lasting relationships with customers and colleagues alike. Their integrity, initiative, and commitment to continuous improvement make them an asset to any retail team. With a genuine enthusiasm for achieving both individual and team goals, they are dedicated to upholding the Totalsports legacy of quality, performance, and customer satisfaction.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit a comprehensive CV via the TFG Careers Portal before 11 October 2025. Ensure your application includes updated contact details and clear references. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interviews.
