Cashiers are retail employees who check out customers with the help of a point-of-sale system. Getting a job as a cashier can be as simple as applying at your favorite store. Skills like customer service, basic math, and comfort using a computer go a long way toward landing this type of job.
How to Get a Job as a Cashier
Even as stores like Target, Walmart and CVS add self-service checkout kiosks, cashiers still have an essential role in retail businesses. Companies hire cashiers to deal with busy periods, like the holidays. Some mall brands even use cashiers as ambassadors to help leave a good last impression.
For those thinking about a career in retail, cashier positions offer the benefits of a flexible schedule, room for growth and the ability to speak to hundreds of different people daily. This story explores what cashiers do and what it takes to become one.
What Is a Cashier?
A retail cashier conducts all cash, debit, credit and check transactions in a place of business, often using a cash register or point-of-sale (POS) system. Cashiers are a standard fixture in retail stores of all sizes, from mall shops to large wholesale warehouse stores.
What Does a Cashier Do?
Cashiers are customer service professionals whose primary job is to finish customer transactions, like sales or returns, and process payments. Their typical duties include the following tasks:
A cashier’s job requirements can vary based on the store where they work. Many larger stores, such as supermarkets, hire dedicated cashiers. Others make cashiering just one part of the job. In some stores, cashiers have limited downtime to accomplish anything outside of ringing up customers. They may have shared responsibilities like cleaning, organizing or shelving products near their workstation.
How Much Do Cashiers Get Paid?
According to May 2021 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median wage for cashiers is $13.11 per hour or $27,260 per year. Some stores pay their cashiers and other associates more than others. Some of the highest-paying retail jobs in the nation include the following brands:
Skills Required for Cashiers
Many companies consider cashier positions as “entry-level” jobs. But these positions still require a balance of hard and soft skills.
Customer Service
Cashiering is, first and foremost, a customer service role. That means being polite and friendly to all customers, regardless of whether they are making a purchase or returning items to the store. Many companies view cashiers as the last impression a customer can have of their buying experience. For this reason, they strongly emphasize prompt, professional service.
Communication
Cashiers need good communication skills. In addition to being friendly and ensuring a good customer experience, they must be able to explain store policies when required. Companies often call for cashiers adept at minor conflict resolution, especially with unhappy customers.
Basic Math and Finance
Even though cashiers use computers and POS systems to do much of their work, they still need basic math and finance skills. Knowing how to add and count back exact change to customers is critical. Basic addition and subtraction skills are a must for this job. In some cases, quickly determining percentages can help, especially when customers have questions about discounts.
Leadership
Leadership might not be an immediately visible skill, but cashiers have much control over the store’s front end. Sometimes, they might need to delegate tasks to other cashiers or model behaviors to new employees. Many tenured cashiers train new employees on register best practices because they have been around long enough to know what works best.
Product Knowledge
Even if a cashier does not work on the sales floor, they should still know where items are in the store. Knowing the prices on commonly sold products is important, too, especially when items are missing barcodes or on discount. Cashiers routinely drive last-minute sales in some stores by reminding customers of promotions they could earn with additional items.
Time Management
Retail businesses place a high priority on quickly completing customer transactions. Time management is a crucial component of this, especially during busy seasons such as the holidays. Cashiers typically refine their processes and behaviors to become more efficient. This might mean:
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Computer Proficiency
Most cashiers these days use computers and POS consoles to do their work. These devices take much of the guesswork out of calculating purchases. Still, cashiers must be able to quickly scan items using the computer and navigate menus to complete purchases.
How to Become a Cashier
Becoming a cashier is easy, especially because most retail companies have few requirements for their workers. Cashier positions are typically “entry-level” jobs that require minimal education. Some companies may hire sales associates to handle multiple roles within the business, cashiering being one of them.
Earn a High School Diploma or GED
For full-time work, companies usually ask cashiers to have high school diplomas or the equivalent — usually a GED. Some stores may hire high school students to work behind the counter, but this is rare. Students often have strict requirements or curfews that limit their night and daytime availability.
Evaluate Your Skill Set
Even though becoming a cashier is simple, the job is not for everyone. Cashiers typically must be willing and able to stand for long periods, have excellent interpersonal skills (including patience) and feel comfortable using a computer and math. Cashiers will know if a job makes sense by being realistic about their abilities.
Apply to Stores You're Interested In
One of the great things about retail work is that many skills are transferable between companies. Starting a career as a cashier at one store can help a person find a similar position in another. Aspiring retail employees should apply to stores they want to work for. In some cases, stores view their most enthusiastic customers as potential employees.
Get Hired and Complete Training
The interview process for hourly retail jobs such as cashiers often takes less time than for management or corporate positions. Some companies even hold open interviews for prospective employees. Training for retail jobs usually lasts a few shifts. Most retail training focuses on products and store processes before employees learn the cash register.
Master Point of Sale (POS) Systems
POS systems are the primary tool of retail cashiers. For many employees, this is the most complex part of training. Learning one POS system often makes the process of understanding others easier. Mastery of the POS helps cashiers perform their job duties much faster, which can lead to customer satisfaction and increased sales.
Cashier Job Description Example
The following is an example of what a cashier’s job description might look like:
Hathaway’s Grocery is seeking night-shift cashiers to provide our customers with excellent customer service no matter when they choose to shop. Cashiers’ responsibilities include checking out customers with a computer point-of-sale system (POS) and bagging their purchases. Cashiers may also be required to help customers navigate the store and answer questions when needed.
All entry-level cashier positions include a two-week training period for register certification. This course teaches all the essential functions of our store’s cash register software. Other topics include customer service basics and company policies.
As a cashier at Hathaway’s Grocery, you’ll report to this location’s shift manager and general store manager for training. Hathaway’s prefers candidates who demonstrate prior retail or customer service experience.
Final Thoughts on Becoming a Cashier
Cashiers are essential to the retail experience for customers and businesses alike. Those who excel at their job can find growth potential in the retail space or transfer some of those skills to other industries such as banking.
The hourly work of being a cashier is often simple and predictable, but a career in retail rarely ever is. Each day brings new challenges and opportunities to help customers and provide valuable skills to stores. A cashier job might be an excellent fit if you are a “people person” who loves chatting with customers and leaving them with a positive lasting impression.
Top Takeaways
How To Become a Cashier
(Reporting by NPD)
