This article will cover all the necessary information related to the role, including what Cashiers do, their responsibilities and what their typical workday looks like.
For those who are looking to become a Cashier, we have a section where we explain how to get a job as a Cashier without prior experience.
We also list the top skills that employers are looking for when hiring for the role. For more information on how to prepare for the interview, you can check out some of the most common Cashier interview questions on our site.
What Is the Role of a Cashier?
In the hospitality industry, Cashiers are in charge of processing cash and card transactions at the counter. They are also responsible for handling refunds and returns by following company-specific policies.
Depending on the job post, their duties might also include inventory management, which involves monitoring stock inventory and placing orders when products are in low supply.
Since they interact with customers on a daily basis, Cashiers are also expected to provide stellar customer service by being polite and friendly.
Typical Workday of a Cashier
While this is an entry-level job, Cashiers are expected to possess attention to detail as well as strong stamina, considering that they spend most of their workday on foot.
Some of the typical, day-to-day tasks include:
- Processing cash and card payments
- Maintaining and troubleshooting POS systems
- Providing excellent customer service by addressing questions and solving disputes
- Prioritizing customer-related tasks during busy periods at work
- Handling refunds and returns in accordance with the company’s policies
Cash register closure
As a Cashier, you will occasionally have to perform end-of-day cash box closing and confirm all of the financial records line up. You might be asked to do this at the end of the shift when your focus and energy levels are lower, so make sure this is something you can deal with before applying for a job as a Cashier.
In order to maintain clear financial records, you should follow a simple and effective approach that will ensure your reports are always accurate. Whilst different employers deploy different strategies to close the cash register, make sure to familiarize yourself with the best practices using this video below.
Cashier Top Skills
As a Cashier, you’ll need skills to perform these three key tasks:
- Operate the cash register in a timely and organized manner.
- Be polite and address customer questions with empathy and understanding.
- Proactively assist customers when they need help.
The best Cashiers also excel at math and accounting. They’re able to calculate costs quickly and efficiently, while simultaneously attending to their customers’ needs.
Cashiers might also be asked to provide a report at the end of each workday. To deliver optimal results, Cashiers should inspect the report and look for discrepancies in the balance sheet.
It’s not uncommon to run into inconsistencies while balancing the cashier drawer at the end of the day. However, it’s important to proactively address and solve problems before they can cause any financial or budget issues.
Career Objective for Cashier
Most of the time, Cashiers handle money transactions and deal with customers at the counter. While this might seem repetitive and boring, the skills and experience a Cashier gains working behind the counter can be incredibly valuable for their career.
With previous sales experience and a proven track record of providing awesome customer service, Cashiers can easily transition to similar roles that require the same set of skills – such as Host/Hostess, Waiter/Waitress and Receptionist.
How To Become a Cashier With Zero Experience?
While a high school diploma is necessary for the job, most establishments won’t hire a Cashier without any prior experience or training. The reason behind this is that even though this is an entry-level position, Cashiers are expected to multitask and perform well under pressure from day one.
- The first step in becoming a Cashier would be to get formal training. To be a good Cashier, you should focus on training that teaches excellent customer service and the basics of operating cash registers.
- You should also learn how to use POS systems. Although numerous systems are in use, learning how to operate one is usually enough. Switching between different interfaces shouldn’t pose an issue for an experienced Cashier. You can also watch informative POS system videos on YouTube such as this one:
If you’re curious to know what POS systems are currently most widely used in the U.S., refer to the graph below.
[Source: 6sense]
This chart is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the chart to see detailed data.
- Ideally, the third step would involve getting a part-time job as a Cashier and learning on the job. That way, you would be able to improve your skills with the help of a senior colleague. If that’s not an option, look for similar roles where you can gain valuable skills and experience until you transition to the Cashier role.
- While at work, focus on interacting with customers. For starters, you can try greeting them politely and asking if they need any help as they approach the counter. To hone these skills, observe your colleagues and simply replicate what they do. Over time, you will naturally become more confident in interacting with customers.
Cashier Industry Trends in 2024
The most recent data from BLS shows that there were around 3,298,660 Cashiers employed in the U.S. in 2023. However, due to the increase in the use of technology and self-service checkouts, it’s expected that there will be a 10% decline in the number of Cashiers in the next 10 years.
The good news is that, over the next decade, there will be an average of 577,600 Cashier jobs posted each year in the United States. The reason behind this is the workers who are exiting the labor force to retire as well as people being promoted to other, more senior roles.
Check out the map below to find out how many Cashiers job openings are in each state.
[Source: BLS]
This map is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the map to see detailed data.
Cashier Career FAQ
The cashier role is most certainly available for the vast majority of people. However, being a Cashier isn’t for everyone.
To excel in this role, a person should not only be excellent at handling cash and cards, but they should also be capable of solving simple math calculations on the fly.
It’s also necessary for Cashiers to be in good physical shape considering the nature of the work.
This is not a strict requirement, but your chances of getting hired are significantly higher if you’re above average or at least average at math.
Some Cashiers find it hard to interact with difficult customers. Whilst this seems to be one of the major pain points, it’s possible to reduce friction by practicing patience and professionalism.
In most cases, Cashiers acquire these characteristics at work where they can get exposed to impatient or rude customers. Moreover, physical demands can take a toll on a Cashier’s health.
Prolonged standing and heavy lifting can lead to feelings of tiredness. However, it’s possible to mitigate these side effects by wearing proper footwear and taking non-disruptive break times.
