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Marks & Spencer is one of the UK’s most respected retailers and a popular choice for people looking to build a career in customer service and retail. Whether you’re applying for a part-time role, your first job, or a long-term position, competition can be high. A well-written Marks & Spencer CV helps you show professionalism, reliability, and a strong customer-first approach.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- How to write a strong CV for Marks & Spencer jobs
- Which CV format works best for retail roles
- What to include in each section of your CV, from your summary to your education
- CV examples and templates you can use today to start your Mark & Spencer career
SEARCH ALL CV EXAMPLES
Marks & Spencer CV example
Kevin Knight
London UK
07912 345 678
kevin.knight@example.co.uk
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Reliable and customer-focused retail assistant with hands-on experience in fast-paced store environments. Known for delivering high standards of service, maintaining excellent product presentation, and supporting team goals. Seeking an opportunity with Marks & Spencer where attention to detail, professionalism, and a commitment to quality are valued.
WORK HISTORY
June 2023 – current
Tesco – London
Retail Assistant
- Delivered friendly and professional customer service on the shop floor and at tills
- Replenished stock and ensured shelves were clean, organised, and well presented
- Assisted customers with product queries and promotions
- Worked collaboratively with colleagues to meet daily sales and service targets
- Followed store procedures to maintain health, safety, and hygiene standards
EDUCATION
2021 – 2023
Hammersmith Sixth Form College, England
A-level Subjects: Business Studies, English Language, Sociology
2019 – 2021
Hammersmith Secondary School, England
GCSEs including English and Maths
SKILLS
- Customer service and face-to-face communication
- Cash handling and POS systems
- Stock replenishment and product presentation
- Teamwork and reliability
- Time management and organisation
- Following brand standards and procedures
- Merchandise arrangement
- Inventory tracking software navigation
- Product labeling
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Strong understanding of the importance of product quality, presentation, and brand standards
- Confident infollowing procedures and delivering consistent service in line with company values
- Comfortable working early mornings, evenings, and during busy trading periods
Best format for a Marks & Spencer CV
Choosing the right CV format helps you present your skills and experience clearly and professionally. Whether you’re applying for your first role or already have retail experience, a well-structured CV makes it easy for recruiters to see what you can bring to the team.
The two most effective formats for Marks & Spencer jobs are the skills-based CV and the reverse-chronological CV.
Skills-based CV format
A skills-based CV focuses on what you can do rather than where you’ve worked. It groups your strengths under clear skill headings such as customer service, teamwork, or organisation, making it ideal for applicants with limited experience or those changing industries.
Use this format for a Marks & Spencer CV if you want to:
- Highlight transferable skills rather than job titles
- Emphasise experience from school, volunteering, or part-time work
- Apply for Marks & Spencer part-time jobs or your first retail role
This format works particularly well for students and school leavers, helping you demonstrate reliability, adaptability, and a willingness to learn.
Reverse-chronological CV format
The reverse-chronological CV lists your most recent experience first and is the format most recruiters expect. It’s ideal if you already have experience in retail or customer-facing roles, as it clearly shows progression and responsibility.
Use this format in a Marks & Spencer CV if you want to:
- Highlight recent retail or customer service experience
- Show career development and increasing responsibility
- Emphasise consistency and reliability in previous roles
If you’ve worked in shops, supermarkets, or service-focused environments, this format helps demonstrate your suitability for a professional retail role at Marks & Spencer.
Marks & Spencer CV formatting tips
- Keep it 1-2 pages: Focus on the most relevant skills and experience for the role
- Use clear headings: Include sections for profile, skills, experience, and education
- Choose a professional font: Use clean, readable fonts such as Calibri, Arial, or Helvetica
- Avoid adding a photo: CV photos aren’t required in the UK and can distract from your content
How to write a CV for Marks & Spencer
A strong CV includes the same key sections found in most UK job applications:
- CV header (your name and contact details)
- CV summary (a short profile about you)
- Work experience
- Skills section
- Education
- Additional information (optional)
For many applicants, Marks & Spencer jobs are a great entry point into retail, while others use them to build a long-term career. In the next sections, we’ll break down each part of a CV step by step, including what to write and how to make every section stand out.
Step 1: Add your contact details
Start your Marks & Spencer CV with your contact details at the top, so recruiters can easily get in touch with you.
What to include:
- Full name: Write your first and last name clearly
- Location: Add your town or city (there’s no need for a full street address)
- Phone number: Use a personal mobile number
- Email address: Choose a short, professional email, such as firstname.lastname@email.com
- Optional links: You may include a LinkedIn profile if you have one, though this isn’t essential for most Marks & Spencer jobs
Example contact section
Emma Taylor
Birmingham
07432 678 901
emma.taylor@email.com
Step 2: Write your Marks & Spencer CV summary
Your CV summary (also known as a personal statement) sits just below your contact details. It’s a short paragraph that introduces who you are, highlights your key strengths, and explains what you’re aiming for.
For a Marks & Spencer CV, this section should focus on customer service approach, reliability, and attention to detail rather than technical knowledge.
Be sure to include:
- Who you are – for example, “Reliable and customer-focused individual with strong communication skills.”
- Key strengths – for example, “Experienced in retail environments, delivering excellent service and working well as part of a team.”
- Goal or focus – for example, “Seeking a customer assistant role at Marks & Spencer to contribute to a high-quality shopping experience.”
Tip: Always tailor your CV summary to the role you’re applying for. Read the Marks & Spencer job description carefully and mirror relevant keywords such as customer service, teamwork, quality, or reliability.
Example CV summary
“Professional and approachable retail assistant with a strong focus on customer service and high standards. Experienced in supporting busy shop floor environments, working collaboratively with colleagues, and maintaining excellent presentation. Seeking an opportunity with Marks & Spencer where quality, reliability, and a positive customer experience are valued.”
Step 3: Showcase your experience and responsibilities
This section is where you show how you’ve handled responsibility, worked with others, and contributed in real situations.
Work experience doesn’t have to come only from paid employment. Retail teams value transferable experience just as much, especially if it shows reliability and a customer-focused mindset.
You can include:
- Part-time or temporary jobs
- Retail, hospitality, or customer-facing roles
- Volunteering or community involvement
- School or college responsibilities, such as helping at events or supporting teams
The aim is to show that you can follow instructions, support others, and take pride in your work — all cleanly transferable to Marks & Spencer jobs.
For each role or activity, include:
- Your role or responsibility
- Where it took place
- When you were involved
- Short bullet points explaining what you contributed or improved
Writing tip: Use active wording and focus on outcomes where possible. Clear, practical descriptions are more effective than long explanations.
Example experience section
Retail Assistant (Temporary)
Local Independent Clothing Store, Leeds
April 2024 – August 2024
- Supported customers with product queries and fitting room assistance
- Helped maintain visual standards across the shop floor
- Refilled stock and assisted with deliveries
- Worked closely with colleagues during busy weekend shifts
Step 4: Highlight your key skills
The skills section gives recruiters a quick overview of how you work and what you can contribute from day one. This is especially useful if you’re early in your career, as it helps show your strengths even with limited experience.
For Marks & Spencer roles, it’s important to include a mix of soft skills (how you interact with customers and colleagues) and technical skills (the practical abilities you use on the shop floor). Keep this section clear, focused, and relevant to retail work.
How to write it:
- List 6–8 key skills in bullet point form
- Use short, scannable phrases rather than full sentences
- Balance soft skills with technical, day-to-day retail skills
Examples of skills to include
Soft skills
- Customer-focused communication
- Teamwork and cooperation
- Reliability and punctuality
- Willingness to learn and take feedback
Technical skills
- Cash handling and till operation
- Stock replenishment and organisation
- Time management in busy environments
- Attention to detail and product presentation
Step 5: List your education and certificates
The education section gives recruiters a clear overview of your academic background and any relevant training you’ve completed. For Marks & Spencer roles, formal qualifications are less important than a strong foundation and a willingness to learn, as full in-store training is provided.
List your education in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent studies. If you’re currently studying or waiting for results, you can include predicted grades.
If you’ve completed any short courses or certificates, be sure to include these as well. Training in areas such as customer service, health and safety, or food hygiene is particularly useful for Marks & Spencer jobs, as it shows initiative and an understanding of workplace standards.
What to include on your Marks & Spencer CV:
- School, college, or training provider name
- Qualification type (GCSEs, A Levels, BTEC, or equivalent)
- Subjects and grades (or predicted grades)
- Dates attended or year completed
- Relevant short courses or certificates
Example education section
Greenfield Academy, Leeds
GCSEs — Completed June 2023
- English Language – Grade 6
- Mathematics – Grade 5
- Business Studies – Grade 6
- ICT – Grade 5
Additional certificates
- Level 2 Food Hygiene and Safety (2024)
- Customer Service Awareness Certificate (2024)
Dos and don’ts for a Marks & Spencer CV
You don’t need previous M&S experience to make a strong application. Use examples from retail, volunteering, education, or part-time work to demonstrate organisation, responsibility, and a positive attitude towards learning.
Show this in your CV summary, work experience, and skills section. Use short examples that demonstrate helping customers, resolving queries, or going the extra mile to improve the shopping experience. Even brief details, such as assisting customers on the shop floor or responding positively to feedback, help demonstrate your understanding of the importance of service at Marks & Spencer.
There’s no need to add your full address, date of birth, a photo, or personal information such as nationality or marital status. Keep your CV focused on your suitability for the role.
Aim for one page or two pages if you have more experience. Recruiters reviewing Marks & Spencer jobs want to see key information quickly, so keep content clear and relevant rather than adding filler.
Marks & Spencer CV FAQs
Do I need experience to work at Marks & Spencer?
No — Marks & Spencer welcomes applicants from a wide range of backgrounds, including those with little or no previous retail experience. Full training is provided for new starters. What matters most is a positive attitude, strong customer service skills, reliability, and a willingness to learn.
What qualifications do I need for a Marks & Spencer job?
You don’t need a degree to apply for most Marks & Spencer roles. Many successful applicants have GCSEs or equivalent qualifications. Any additional training, such as customer service, health and safety, or food hygiene certificates, can be helpful but isn’t essential.
Can I apply for part-time jobs at Marks & Spencer as a student?
Yes. Marks & Spencer part-time jobs are popular with students and school leavers. When applying, focus your CV on transferable skills such as teamwork, communication, organisation, and availability for evenings or weekends.
What skills does Marks & Spencer look for?
Marks & Spencer looks for candidates with strong customer service skills, a professional attitude, reliability, teamwork, and attention to detail. Experience working in retail or customer-facing roles is useful, but your approach to work and willingness to maintain high standards are just as important.
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