For local retailers, hiring is a personal matter.

That’s the case at NOSH Good Mood Food, a health-driven grocery store located in Geneseo, Illinois. 

Since 2020, owner Tina Cooper has created a one-stop shop for those with food sensitivities, offering organic produce, meats from animals raised with environmentally restorative practices that improve soil health and biodiversity, clean supplements, and non-toxic personal care.

What sets NOSH apart is the way Tina and her team approach retail: as a journey, a service, and a relationship. She looks for employees who want to walk beside their customers, instead of just ringing them up.

If you’re crafting or updating your retail resume, Tina’s insights offer a real-world look at what independent retailers are looking for today.

1. Show You’re a Listener First, Seller Second

At NOSH Good Mood Food, listening is foundational to how the team serves its community. Owner Tina Cooper emphasizes that every customer’s needs are unique, especially in a store that caters to people navigating food sensitivities, dietary restrictions, and new health journeys. 

“At NOSH, we listen… because every individual’s body is different. So there is not a one-size-fits-all,” says Tina.

That mindset extends into hiring. Tina wants team members who will walk customers through their options, and she knows that listening is the first step in doing so.  

On your retail resume, show that you can meet people where they are. Highlight roles where you adapted to different needs, responded to feedback, or personalized the experience. For example, for a role at NOSH, you could use language like:

• “Assisted customers with product recommendations based on their lifestyle or sensitivities.”
• “Supported individuals new to wellness with judgment-free guidance and education.”
• “Focused on listening-first service to prioritize the customer’s goals over making a sale.”

A resume that reflects emotional intelligence, flexibility, and active listening will stand out, especially in values-driven retail settings like NOSH Good Mood Food. Have you helped someone feel heard, supported, or empowered through your work? Highlight that part of your experience. It’s exactly the kind of story you want your resume to tell.

2. Align With the Mission

One of the most effective ways to stand out when applying to mission-driven retailers is by showing clear alignment with the store’s values. When Tina Cooper founded NOSH Good Mood Food, she was struggling to find safe, additive-free food options in her local area. Today, that mission, rooted in helping people eat clean and live well, has made a difference for customers all over Geneseo. 

If you want to show mission alignment on your retail resume, start by:

• Including a summary statement that reflects the store’s purpose
  • e.g., “Dedicated to creating inclusive, health-conscious retail environments that empower customers on their wellness journeys.”
• Highlighting relevant life or volunteer experience, such as working with nutrition-focused organizations, supporting food access programs, or caring for someone with dietary needs.
• Replacing generic phrases like “hard-working team player” with values-based language that reflects the store’s culture. Think “customer-first,” “health-conscious,” “empathetic,” or “detail-oriented in clean product curation.”

Retailers like NOSH Good Mood Food are seeking individuals who share their passion for the work they do. Use your resume to make that belief visible, personal, and more obvious.

3. Highlight Cross-Functional Knowledge

At NOSH Good Mood Food, employees guide customers through complex dietary needs by answering detailed questions about botanicals and supplements, and helping to demystify everything from clean ingredient labels to wellness routines. 

Tina emphasizes that ongoing education is part of the job. You’ll often find her staff participating in daily mini-training sessions, attending food shows, and staying up-to-date with trends in natural health and nutrition. That curiosity is what sets her team apart.

If you’ve held roles where you’ve juggled customer education, product knowledge, or helped people navigate personal choices, this is the place to showcase those experiences. Emphasizing your ability to learn quickly, explain information clearly, and adapt to different customer needs will resonate with retailers. You don’t have to have the perfect background, but it’s important to show a willingness to grow and a commitment to helping others do the same.

4. Emphasize Experience With All Types of Customers

NOSH Good Mood Food serves a diverse customer base, including seniors seeking to reduce inflammation, mothers trying to eliminate artificial ingredients from their children’s diets, and EBT users looking for access to affordable, healthy food. Tina’s team is trained to support everyone with the same level of care, knowledge, and respect, regardless of background or budget.

A strong retail resume should demonstrate that you know how to connect with a range of shoppers and meet them where they are. Consider adding experience like:

• Helped launch [insert program name here], building stronger relationships with customers.
• Advised parents on [insert product description here] products, earning frequent repeat visits and positive feedback.
• Supported customers using [insert name of benefits here] with dignity and knowledge of store discounts.

Being inclusive and accessible is a core part of serving your community well. Demonstrating your understanding of this on your resume will make you a stand-out candidate and eventually help you get the job.

5. Show You Understand the Learning Curve

Retail is fast-paced, but at NOSH Good Mood Food, the customer’s pace takes priority. Tina recognizes that shoppers might be overwhelmed walking through her doors, so she trains her team to ease that transition by simplifying the experience and offering one-on-one support.

Your retail resume should reflect that same sense of patience and approachability. 

Highlight times when you helped someone learn something new, made a complex process easier, or took extra time so that a customer felt comfortable and informed. Employers like Tina are looking for people who mentor, guide, and support customers every step of the way.

6. Make Your Soft Skills Shine

Tina’s approach to hiring reveals that she’s looking for team members who genuinely connect with people. During interviews, she inquires about a candidate’s style, favorite shopping destinations, and personal experiences. 

These questions aren’t about finding the “right” answers. She wants to know who someone is and whether they’ll contribute to the welcoming, judgment-free environment her store is known for.

To reflect that people-first mindset, strengthen your retail resume with:

• A soft skills section that highlights interpersonal strengths, such as “Empathy,” “Active Listening,” or “Friendly Demeanor.”
• A customer testimonials or feedback section that speaks to your patience, helpfulness, or ability to make someone feel heard.
• Clear examples that show you can work independently while also being a reliable, supportive team player.

Showing off your soft skills will make it easier for employers to connect with you and get a better understanding of how you’ll fit within their company. 

7. Reflect a Commitment to Customer Education

Tina emphasizes the importance of her team being well-prepared to support individuals who are often anxious, newly diagnosed, or navigating wellness and dietary changes for the first time. To support this, she has built intentional learning into the team’s schedule. 

Every day, Tina and her staff spend time learning about key ingredients, listening to supplement training calls, and discussing how to use obscure produce so they can better answer customer questions and make thoughtful recommendations. She tells her staff that “every day is a school day” and models that mindset by attending food shows and continuing her education as well.

For your resume, show your ability and desire to keep learning so you can better serve others. Demonstrating this approach on your resume communicates that you’re not only informed but also actively invested in both your growth and that of your customers.

Conclusion

To create a standout retail resume, don’t just list past roles; instead, highlight your key achievements and responsibilities. Showcase who you are, what you value, and how you’ll deliver for customers. While retailers are looking to learn about your experience, it’s your empathy, purpose, and a genuine desire to support others that will make a difference in the competitive job market. 

By highlighting soft skills, aligning with the store’s mission, and demonstrating a commitment to learning, you’ll stand out and be remembered as a strong prospective candidate. 

If you loved learning lessons from NOSH Good Mood Food and know a retailer who has lessons to share, Nominate A Retailer to submit your nomination! 

Let’s continue to celebrate the people and places making retail personal, purposeful, and powerful.