Marks and Spencer CV Example & M&S CV Writing Guide

Trying to write a Marks & Spencer CV? It needs to highlight more than customer service. Whether you're targeting a retail assistant role or a team manager position, M&S seeks individuals who reflect its core values: quality, service, innovation, and care.

From shop-floor excellence to team leadership, your Marks & Spencer CV must demonstrate how you deliver for both customers and the company. Read on, and let me help you create a job-winning M&S CV.

This article will show you:

• M&S CV example that will help you create your own.
• How to write a CV for Marks & Spencer.
• Best Marks & Spencer CV templates.

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Marks & Spencer CV example

What skills are needed to work at Marks and Spencer?

Marks and Spencer, a leading British retailer, prides itself on exceptional customer service and high-quality products. Working at M&S requires a variety of skills, such as customer care, teamwork skills, excellent communication, and problem-solving skills. To succeed in this environment, you should be adaptable and ready to handle diverse tasks, ensuring every customer has the best shopping experience.

How to write a Marks and Spencer CV

Let’s figure out how to write a perfect Marks and Spencer CV, such as the one above.

1. Kick off your Marks & Spencer CV with a tailored personal introduction

The first section of your CV, the personal statement or a CV profile, should immediately demonstrate that you are a strong match for Marks & Spencer (M&S) and the specific role you seek. This is your opportunity to quickly capture the hiring manager’s attention and demonstrate your understanding of M&S’s values and standards.

Here are the best tips for writing your M&S CV personal statement:

• Start your CV by stating who you are. If you have notable expertise in areas M&S cares about, like customer service, sales growth, or team leadership, bring that into the opening line.
• Choose a standout accomplishment from your previous job that would impress a retailer. Show you can deliver results – something any employer loves to see.
• Tailor your statement to M&S by highlighting what attracts you to the company or how you embody their values. M&S is known for quality, customer service, and a strong brand heritage.
• Write it last. Your CV summary is the first section of your M&S CV, but create it once everything else is ready. It will make your job easier.
• Keep it concise and impactful. Avoid empty buzzwords; instead, use specifics that demonstrate your strengths.

A strong CV summary will convince the recruiter you’re the perfect candidate. Save time and choose a ready-made personal statement written by career experts and adjust it to your needs in the LiveCareer CV builder.

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2. Showcase relevant work experience (+ retail achievements)

Whether you’re applying for an in-store role or a corporate position, your work experience section must prove you can succeed in that environment. This section will likely constitute the majority of your Marks & Spencer CV. 

How to write the work experience section for an M&S application:

• For every position, include your job title, the company name, location, and the dates you worked there. This format makes it easy for recruiters to see where and when you gained your experience.
• Under each job, list 4–6 bullet points. Start each with a strong action verb.
• Be specific about your responsibilities, especially those similar to what you’d do at M&S.
• Emphasise customer service and sales achievements. Include concrete numbers, such as sales growth, footfall increases, or reduced queues.
• Include a Key Achievement for each role if space permits. It could be the single accomplishment you’re proudest of in that job, ideally quantified. This draws the eye and immediately signals that you make a difference.

Marks & Spencer CV example: work experience

3. Include education in your M&S CV

For many Marks & Spencer roles, formal education requirements can vary. Store roles may not require a degree, whereas corporate roles or graduate schemes typically do. In any case, list your education on your CV, but keep it concise. 

Here’s how to present education for an M&S CV:

• If you have a university degree or are currently studying, place it at the top of your education section. Include the degree, institution, and graduation year. 
• Mention relevant coursework, courses or achievements. Additional information can help you stand out from competitors, especially if your professional experience is limited.
• Format neatly, one or two lines per entry, and avoid listing every subject.

The education section shouldn’t dominate your CV unless you’re entry-level. For experienced retail hires, work experience and skills are more vital.

Marks & Spencer CV example: education

4. Highlight skills on your Marks and Spencer CV

In the CV skills section, integrate both soft skills and hard skills, complemented by relevant technical skills. This part of your CV is especially useful for quickly demonstrating that you have the abilities needed to thrive at M&S. 

How to create an effective skills section for an M&S CV:

• Identify the critical skills from the job description. Whatever it emphasises, ensure those skills are included in your list, provided you genuinely possess them.
• Use the same terminology where possible – if the ad says “excellent customer service skills,” you might list “customer service” (and give an example). This helps to make your CV ATS-friendly.
• Feature customer-centric and interpersonal skills. M&S is known for outstanding customer service, so skills in this area are crucial. Include things like communication skills, problem-solving abilities, sales techniques, and teamwork. 
• Always add a brief illustration of each skill. This shows you don’t just claim a skill, you’ve demonstrated it.
• Use bullet points or a neat list format. You might bold the skill, then have a colon and explanation, as in previous examples. Aim for about 6–8 key skills, so you don’t overwhelm the reader.

The idea is that if someone skimmed your Marks and Spencer CV and stopped at the skills section, they’d immediately nod and think, “This person has what we need at M&S.”

Marks & Spencer CV example: skills

• Team Leadership – Create supportive, high-performance environments focused on service excellence
• Customer Service – Trained 20+ new hires in complaint handling and brand standards
• Sales Strategy – Increased seasonal sales through local promotions and store layout optimisation
• Stock Control – Conduct regular audits, contributing to a 9% shrinkage reduction over 12 months
• Health & Safety – Fully trained in site-level compliance and incident response procedures

5. List additional sections on your Marks and Spencer CV

When applying to a well-known employer like Marks & Spencer, it’s often the small extras on a CV that can make you stand out. Additional sections can showcase other aspects of your background that prove you’re a good cultural fit. Be selective and intentional about these sections, including only those that genuinely enhance your application. 

Here are some extra sections you might consider:

• Awards: List the award, year, and a tiny description if not obvious. This immediately tells an M&S recruiter that you deliver quality service.
• Certifications and training: This could include First Aid Certificate, Fire Safety Training, NVQ certifications, or even training certificates from previous employers.
• Volunteer experience: Marks and Spencer collaborates with charities and NGOs to lessen its impact on the environment and help people in need. Showing that you volunteer could indicate that you share its values.
• Professional memberships or programs: They show dedication to the field and personal development.
• Projects or personal initiatives: Briefly mention any project that demonstrates qualities like creativity, leadership, or initiative.
• Hobbies and interests: This is optional, but including a hobby can make you more relatable and can subtly highlight traits.

Marks & Spencer CV example: additional sections

6. Format your M&S CV for readability and professionalism

Your CV’s presentation matters, especially when applying to a well-regarded company like Marks & Spencer. A clean, clear CV format suggests that you’re organised and care about details. 

Format your M&S CV for maximum impact:

• Use a reverse-chronological CV format. It’s the most popular choice, and it also allows you to showcase your latest achievements effectively.
• Select a professional CV template. Keep it simple and steer clear of anything flashy, but consider adding a splash of colours related to the M&S brand.
• Use traditional section headings so your reader can navigate your CV easily.
• Choose the right CV font: Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman are all excellent choices.
• Use 1.15 line spacing and double-spacing after section headers to achieve a clean and organised layout.
• Maintain an appropriate CV length of 1–2 pages, emphasising key achievements and responsibilities.
• Remove outdated or less relevant details to avoid clutter.

7. Pair your Marks and Spencer CV with a consistent cover letter 

When applying to Marks & Spencer, a customised cover letter is strongly advised, even if it’s not explicitly demanded. This is your chance to directly explain why you want to join M&S and how you meet their requirements.

Here’s how to craft a cover letter that complements your CV and makes a compelling case:

1. Address the letter to the right person. For example, “Dear Mr Smith,” or “Dear Hiring Team at Marks & Spencer,” if you can’t find a name. Avoid “To whom it may concern”, as it feels very impersonal.
2. Clearly mention the position you’re applying for and where/when you saw it. Then, immediately say something that shows enthusiasm or a top qualification.
3. Highlight why you want to work for Marks & Spencer. M&S has a long history, specific values, and a particular reputation. Explain what attracts you to the company and demonstrate that you’ve researched it thoroughly, rather than applying indiscriminately.
4. Connect your experience/skills to what the role and M&S need. Don’t just repeat your CV; instead, pick 2–3 key points that align with the job requirements and elaborate on them. 
5. Demonstrate cultural fit and attitude;M&S likely values employees who are friendly, professional, and team-oriented. Use your cover letter to convey your personality.
6. Keep the right cover letter length – approximately 250–300 words, fitting on a single page and generally consisting of 3–4 paragraphs.
7. End your cover letter with a confident closing and call to action. Keep it polite and self-assured. You’ve stated your case, now you close on a positive note.

You don’t have to be a CV writing expert. In the LiveCareer CV builder you’ll find ready-made content for every industry and position, which you can then add with a single click.

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Good luck, and if you land the interview, don’t forget to prepare examples and stories that back up everything you’ve written!

Need a different CV example? See these guides:

• Customer Service CV Example
• Fashion CV Example
• H&M CV Example
• Primark CV Example
• Retail CV Example
• Retail Manager CV Example
• Sales Assistant CV Example
• Shop Assistant CV Example

How we review the content at LiveCareer

Our editorial team has reviewed this article for compliance with LiveCareer’s editorial guidelines. It’s to ensure that our expert advice and recommendations are consistent across all our career guides and align with current CV and cover letter writing standards and trends. We’re trusted by over 10 million job seekers, supporting them on their way to finding their dream job. Each article is preceded by research and scrutiny to ensure our content responds to current market trends and demand.

Sources

• WWF: Marks & Spencer
• Oxfam: Marks and Spencer and Oxfam’s Another Life scheme