Assistant managers perform a role connecting the role of management and business leaders to the rest of the employees.
They are often the people that employees come to first with a problem or when they have a question, and they can get the manager’s ear when needed.
To effectively balance both employee and manager’s delicate role, one needs to listen actively, delegate, empathize, and work independently.
Managers and businesses are looking for people who can take the reins when needed, make effective and independent choices, but know when to defer gracefully to the manager’s decisions.
Resume objective for an assistant manager
When considering what to include in your objective statement, think about a time or two that you effectively managed a situation or had to step up and fulfill the manager’s responsibilities because they were not at hand.
If your experience is in sales, you can highlight your decisions’ positive impacts on profits, loss prevention, or customer retain ability.
Lastly, think about your role as the assistant manager. Did you excel at working the floor or creating eye-catching displays, or were you highly proficient at training and onboarding new staff members?
Chron.com says the top five responsibilities of an assistant manager include supervision, assisting unhappy customers, standing in for management, handling employee complaints, and completing projects.
Use your objective statement to show how you excel at some, if not all, of these tasks.
Sample Objective
Hardworking, customer-centric, and experienced assistant manager seeks a position where they can utilize their knowledge of loss prevention, their ability to dissolve stressful customer situations, and their expertise in supervising and managing staff. Reduced shrink from 3.5% to 1.1% by employing an updated return policy and increasing staff morale and discounts.
Resume skills for an assistant manager
If you seek an assistant manager position or are already in the role, you most likely possess quality leadership skills. But what exactly does leadership skills mean?
In simple terms, it means being organized, managing your time and delegating, utilizing active listening, showing empathy, motivating employees, and assisting customers or clients with concerns and complaints.
The website workable lists additional skills that assistant managers need for success, such as math skills, familiarity with finance, knowledge of recruiting and writing reviews, proficiency in MS Office, and the ability to understand statistics.
Sample Skills
Excel | Google Sheets | Attention to Detail | Time management | Problem Solving | Handling Customer Complaints | Delegation | Active Listening
Assistant Management work experience
Assistant managers work in any business that requires employees’ management, although many in the fieldwork in retail or customer service.
The Bureau of Labor and Statistics does not list specific details for assistant managers, but they list a retail supervisor breakdown.
The largest percentage, 10.66%, work at clothing stores. The next four highest industries are, in order, gasoline stations, general merchandise, building materials and supplies, and food and beverage stores.
It would follow suit that assistant manager positions are dispersed roughly the same.
Of course, there are other industries for management positions, and some of the top-paying ones include scientific research and development, car dealerships, vehicle parts manufacturing, and automobile dealers.
Your work history is likely to reflect an industry you have a personal interest in, such as books, shoes, food service, cars, etc.
Sample Work Experience
Fairmont Pierpont Bookstore
Assistant Store Manager, 2012-2020
Assisted in supervising store management and operations. Planned and prepared work schedules and provided training on store protocol, policies, and procedures.
- Hired temporary and seasonal staff
- Greeted customers and resolved concerns
- Received and verified orders
- Operated registers, balanced drawers, and prepared deposits
- Employed shrink prevention tactics
Fairmont Pierpont Bookstore
Floor sales representative, 2009-2012
Assisted customers in locating and ordering books. Recommend titles and authors based on customers’ interests.
- Restocked shelves
- Operated the cash register
- Cleaned and vacuumed as required
- Assisted in putting up merchandise displays
- Assisted in training new hires
Books-A-Million
Bookseller, 2006-2009
Provided customer service by greeting and assisting customers as needed. Promoted the sales of all products in addition to books.
- Set up floor displays
- Stocked shelves
- General housekeeping – picking up misplaced books and merchandise, straightening displays
- Operated the cash register
Assistant manager education
There are no specific education requirements to become an assistant manager. Many people begin in the field as entry-level sales clerks, wait staff, or similar entry-level positions.
Beckoning a manager requires specific knowledge about the industry or business you are working for that is often gained in the field.
However, if you are interested in retail, tourism, restaurants, etc., having a formal education in a business field could help.
SInce management positions come in all shapes, sizes, and industries, you may wish to specialize in a particular area of business or, if you are unsure, obtain a generic business degree.
Sample Education
Strayer University
Bachelor of Business Administration, 2006-2010
- Concentration in Retail Management
Complete assistant manager resume sample
Posted below is an actual job posting for an assistant manager position in a retail store. Following that is a complete resume example and template available for your reference and use.
This posting points out the importance of assisting and supporting the manager, customer service, loss prevention, and employee management.
Objective
Experienced retail assistant manager is looking for a fun and lively environment to bring their knowledge of business operations, employee engagement, and customer service skills and to apply them. Assisted in developing a loyal customer base and increased sales by 7%.
Skills
Loss Prevention | End-cap Displays | Active Listening | Problem Solving | Assisting with Customer Complaints | Excel | MS Word Motivating Staff | Creating a Positive Work environment
Work Experience
Rue 21
Assistant Manager, 2017-2020
Assisted the manager with the daily running of the store Open and closed store as needed, cashed out registers, and supervised employees and work schedules.
- Set up product displays
- Prepared bank deposits
- Handled customer complaints and concerns
- Applied new methods of loss prevention
Claire’s
Assistant Manager, 2013-2017
Assisted the manager in training new hires and team-leading. Assisted in keeping the store stocked, clean, and well merchandised.
- Trained in ear piercing
- Assisting customers find products or making recommendations
- Handled returns and cashing out drawers
- Prepared expense reports
Hot Topic
Sales Associate, 2010-2013
Assisted customers find merchandise and place orders for out-of-stock items. MAintained the store’s cleanliness and interacted with customers in a positive and upbeat manner.
- Operated cash register
- Received and stocked shipments
- Covered designated floor area assisting customers
- Upselling at register
Education
DeVry University
Associate’s Degree in Business, 2013-16
Key Takeaways
Those who work in management usually work in fast-paced and customer-driven environments.
Knowledge is needed in businesses, management, and customer service.
Those who possess the ability to work as a liaison between customer and employee and between employee and upper management will do well in this field.
- A college education is not required although it may be preferred
- Experience in sales and retail is essential
- Having mathematical and spreadsheet skills are useful
Tips from Experts
“A key to achieving success is to assemble a strong and stable management team.” -Vivek Wadhwa, American Entrepreneur
“The art of effective listening is essential to clear communication, and clear communication is necessary to management success.” – James Cash Penney, Founder of J.C. Penney
“Management’s job is to convey leadership’s message in a compelling and inspiring way. Not just in meetings, but also by example.” -Jeffery Gitomer, Best Selling Author of business and sales books
“Employees who believe that management is concerned about them as a whole person – not just an employee – are more productive, more satisfied, more fulfilled. Satisfied employees mean satisfied customers, which leads to profitability.” -Anne M. Mulcahy, Former CEO of Xerox
Conclusion
Working in management is not for everyone, and the role of the assistant manager can be daunting at times because you are stuck between the two worlds of employee and manager.
But for those who can perfect the balance, bring their own touch to the company, and work towards the overall success of the business this is an ideal role.
