What Responsibilities Can You Expect as a Cashier?

If you’re interested in working as a cashier, you have many opportunities available to you. Cashiers process payments using a cash register or other point-of-sale systems in a variety of work environments, such as supermarkets, retail stores, florist shops, and bookstores.

There are many opportunities available, and the odds are good that you can find a cashier gig in an industry you are genuinely passionate about. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), key sectors in which cashiers are in demand include gas stations, general merchandise stores, home furnishings shops, and alcohol, food, and beverage stores.

Cashiers have gained great respect in the public eye in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Essential services like pharmacies and supermarkets relied on people in cashier roles to stay open when other businesses were closed. Grocery store cashiers were among the “unsung heroes” of the pandemic.

It’s clearer than ever before that cashiers play a critical role in society, but what exactly does a cashier do? It’s much more than simply taking money from customers. Read on to find out what you can expect from this role — and how you can land a cashier job yourself.

Cashiers work in a non-corporate environment, and their job duties are diverse. Here is what the cashier job description often includes:

1. Greeting customers. The cash register is usually located by a shop’s door. This makes sense from a logistical standpoint, as customers can quickly and easily exit after they’ve wrapped up their purchase. The placement of the cash register means that the cashier is often the first point of contact when a customer walks in, and should possess excellent customer service skills. Part of the job is maximizing customer satisfaction by greeting newcomers with a smile — and sending them off with a friendly farewell when they leave.
   
2. Helping to answer customers’ questions. Customers may also consult cashiers if they have questions about products or where to find items. Customers will usually turn to the cashier at the checkout area when they can’t find a stock person or manager on the floor.
   Being able to courteously and concisely assist customers with the information they need is essential to creating a welcoming atmosphere — plus it can boost sales, too! You also have to be able to prioritize tasks. For example, if you are ringing up a customer and another customer approaches you with a question, you have to decide where to focus your energy.
   
3. Receiving payments and giving receipts. This is the most obvious part of a cashier’s responsibilities, and likely the primary duty you think of when you think about the role. Cashiers accept payments from customers and issue receipts. Cashiers should also know how to process payments in various forms, including cash, checks, debit cards, and credit cards.
   The cashier must also make sure that a proper record is kept of each transaction, for example, by ensuring that the customer gets their receipt. The cashier must also be able to manage issues with the register. For instance, if the roll of receipt paper runs out, you have to know how to replace this promptly so customers aren’t kept waiting.
   
4. Checking daily cash accounts. At the end of a cashier’s shift, they count the register’s cash drawer. This includes counting all cash and sums that came in through other formats, such as credit card receipts. The amount of money that came in via each payment method needs to be noted. All of the cash and receipts will then likely be turned over to a manager or placed in a secure dropsafe.
   
5. Training new cashiers. The majority of cashier training is done on the job, and there is no formal education for the role. Once you have been working as a cashier for some time, you may also be tasked with training new cashiers when they join your organization. You have to be able to explain all of the above cashier duties, in addition to bagging, pricing, and more.

As mentioned, no formal educational credential is usually included in a cashier job description, although a high school diploma or GED may help. That said, you should have basic math skills, as well as reading and writing skills. You need to be able to read and create documentation when counting out the register.

Whether you work full-time or part-time, the actual cashier training will be done on the job. This is critical because different stores have different payment policies and methods. While a small “mom and pop” shop might only accept cash and use a manual register, for example, a large home furnishings store may use a digital register and accept all kinds of payment methods.

If you are a social person who likes interacting with other people, you will likely enjoy a cashier job. It’s important to offer both a greeting and a farewell and to make small talk. Being able to remember the names and faces of regular customers will enhance their shopping experience.

There are some other personality traits that will help you get the gig:

• Excellent communication skills will help you get along with co-workers, managers, and customers.
• A positive attitude is important because you are, essentially, the face of the store. Your smile will create a more welcoming atmosphere and will help you deal with customer complaints.
• A professional appearance is also helpful. For example, if you are working as a supermarket cashier, you are handling customers’ food items. A tidy appearance including hair tied back, clean fingernails, etc. is preferable.
• A good memory will help you master knowledge of the products sold in the store and where to find them in case of customer queries.
• Attention to detail will help you keep track of ongoing discounts, promotions, and sales in the store.
• Last but not least, trustworthiness is essential for any cashier’s job. This should come as no surprise given that cashiers are often handling money and collecting payments.

If you have reviewed the above list of cashier responsibilities and personal qualifications and believe you are a good fit for a cashier job — congratulations! It’s time to get started looking for your next gig behind the register.

Before you start the hunt, prepare your application materials:

• Write a resume. Emphasize any relevant work experience or skills. If you’re just starting and have zero years of experience, even highlighting stellar grades in your high school math classes can help.
• Obtain references. Since trustworthiness is such a critical trait for cashiers, references are essential. You can ask past employers, teachers, and even athletic coaches to serve as character references.
• Get ready for your interview. Set out an interview outfit that you can grab quickly in case your resume sparks interest. A button-down shirt paired with slacks or a skirt gives off a professional appearance.

With these boxes checked, you can start the search for your next cashier job. Below are four ways you can find cashier jobs.

1. Visit Local Stores. As mentioned, cashiers are needed in a range of industries. If there is a local store you like spending time in, drop off a resume. Maybe there’s an arts and crafts shop you love to peruse, for example, or perhaps you love your local smoothie spot. Whatever it is, don’t be shy about applying to your favorites first!
2. Look at Local Job Boards. Community colleges, churches, libraries, recreation centers, and coffee shops — these are just some of the local establishments that may have job ads hanging inside. Take the time to stop and check possible opportunities.
3. Start Elsewhere in the Store. If you drop off a resume at a store and are told they aren’t hiring cashiers, you might consider asking about other opportunities. It’s perfectly logical to start as a stock person at a local supermarket and then work your way up to a cashier’s role once you’ve established your employer’s trust, for instance.
4. Check Online Platforms. Last but not least, you can find local cashier jobs from the comfort of your home. Online searches let you set specific criteria, including by location, industry, or keyword.

Start your cashier job hunt today with Joblist. We help job seekers prep their application with handy guides, such as common resume mistakes to avoid and interview questions. Once you have your materials ready to go, we’re here to help you start your cashier job search!