Skills
Visual Merchandiser Skills & Tools
The technical skills, people skills and tools employers look for in visual merchandisers, and how to build and show them.
What skills do visual merchandisers need?
Visual Merchandisers need technical skills such as display design, planogram execution, and mannequin styling, plus people skills like creativity and attention to detail. They also use tools such as Ladders and tool kits and Mannequins and forms.
Technical (hard) skills
- Display design
- Planogram execution
- Mannequin styling
- Fixture installation
- Lighting and signage
- Photography for reporting
People (soft) skills
- Creativity
- Attention to detail
- Teamwork
- Time management
Tools, equipment and technology
- Ladders and tool kits
- Mannequins and forms
- Fixtures and props
- Sign holders
- Cameras and phones
- Planogram software
Skills in action: common tasks
These step-by-step guides show how visual merchandisers put their skills to work:
How to show these skills on a resume
- Lead your skills section with the technical skills from the job posting, for example, “Display design” and “Planogram execution.”
- Prove soft skills with results: instead of listing “creativity,” describe a situation where you used it.
- List credentials such as Visual merchandising certificate near the top, with the issuing organization and date.
- Use the employer’s vocabulary. Our visual merchandiser glossary covers the terms hiring managers expect.
How to build these skills
Formal training, supervised practice and certification are the most direct routes. Our Visual Merchandiser training introduces each of these skills with plain-language lessons, procedures and a final knowledge check: a strong foundation before hands-on training or your first day.