30 Most Common Cashier Interview Questions and Answers
While a Cashier job is generally considered entry-level and you don’t need a lot of experience for this role, you can’t afford to go to the interview unprepared. Your employer will make sure to check not only your qualifications but also your professional and interpersonal skills.
To help you prepare for the upcoming interview, review the most common Cashier interview questions we’ve gathered for you down below. That way, you will be confident during your talk with the hiring manager.
10 Best Cashier Interview Questions
1. Cashier Interview Questions About Skills and Experience
Example answer: “I think that the two most important aspects of a Cashier’s job are handling money effectively and providing excellent customer service. Without being great at those two things, Cashiers will struggle no matter how good they are in other areas.”
For employers: Look for a candidate who has an understanding that handling cash and credit cards while providing excellent customer service is the key to this role.
Example answer: “I’ve worked with several platforms, such as Square and Clover. I can say that I’m confident in my ability to efficiently conduct transactions and handle various payment methods. I believe I’m a quick learner and that I can easily adapt to any new interface.”
For employers: This question will help you assess the candidate’s proficiency with POS systems. Look for someone who has experience with different POS systems and an ability to adapt to changing interfaces.
Example answer: “I have extensive experience in handling returns, making exchanges and issuing refunds. For example, in my previous company, we had to follow strict rules regarding refund authorization, partial refunds and special refund scenarios. My job involved not only following store procedures but also focusing on customer satisfaction.”
For employers: Look for a candidate who has a proven track record of following company policies. They should be able to tell you how they personally handled returns, exchanges and refunds at their previous position.
Example answer: “I enjoy doing my job even if it’s repetitive. I consider myself a people person and interacting with different customers adds variety to my days. I also like acquiring new skills that can improve the way I run the cash register. At the end of the day, knowing I performed well at work gives me a great sense of accomplishment.”
For employers: Look for a candidate with a good work ethic. You should hire someone who’s dedicated to fulfilling their job obligations and being productive.
2. Cashier Interview Questions About Customer Service and Interaction
Example answer: “In my previous role, I had a customer who was extremely agitated about an item that had a wrongly priced label. Since this wasn’t an expensive item to begin with, I apologized for the inconvenience and offered them the option to pay the advertised price for the product. The customer accepted my suggestion and calmed down. Afterward, I notified my supervisor and we changed the labels on that specific product so this doesn’t happen again.”
For employers: The candidate should demonstrate an ability to deal with difficult customers with empathy and professionalism. Look for a candidate who shows strong conflict-resolution skills while maintaining composure.
Example answer: “In my previous role, there was a customer who wanted to buy an item that was out of stock. Instead of just informing them that we don’t have it, I proactively checked our inventory and found that we have it in a nearby warehouse. After confirming with the customer, I then placed the order so that they can pick it up from our store the following day.”
For employers: This is where you get to assess the candidate’s willingness to offer superior customer service. The applicant should demonstrate initiative and resourcefulness to help out around the store whenever needed.
Example answer: “When it gets really busy, I prioritize customer-related tasks to ensure that they receive prompt and attentive service. Everything else that isn’t urgent can wait for later. However, I try to remain flexible and adjust my priorities as the need arises.”
For employers: Evaluate the applicant’s ability to prioritize customers during busy periods. Look for someone who is quick on their feet.
3. Situational Interview Questions for Cashiers
Example answer: “In case the store’s policy doesn’t allow me to resolve the issue in the way the customer desires, I would discuss it with the customer and try to find an alternative. My focus would be on transforming the customer’s negative experience into a positive one. Ultimately, even if I can’t issue them a refund, I can calmly explain why and inform them of our policies.”
For employers: This is where you will assess the candidate’s ability to resolve issues while, at the same time, communicating in a respectful manner.
Example answer: “I was once approached by an elderly customer who didn’t know how to operate a self-checkout kiosk. I showed them how to scan the items and offered to finish the process for them, which they gladly accepted. I love helping out customers, especially the elderly since not a lot of people seem to show them the patience and respect they deserve.”
For employers: It’s important for a Cashier to be able to troubleshoot basic technical issues. Ask them this question to determine their level of technical proficiency.
Example answer: “I once helped a customer who had trouble locating an item in our store. Since I wasn’t very familiar with inventory management back then, I asked a colleague to help me out. After we found the item I helped the customer by checking it out and filling his warranty card, and the customer left happy.”
For employers: This is a great way to assess the applicant’s ability to work in a team. Look for someone who values teamwork.
Download our Cashier test questions and answers PDF file to practice them before you need to go through your next Cashier interview.
Types of Job Interview Questions for Cashiers
As you can see, we categorized the Cashier interview questions and answers into three different categories. Each set of interview questions for a Cashier position plays an important role in assessing the candidate’s qualities for the role.
Expertise and Experience Cashier Questions
The interview is a great opportunity for both the Cashier and the interviewer to get to know each other and define clear expectations for the role. This set of Cashier interview questions will gauge an applicant’s skills and previous experience.
Cashier Interview Questions About Customer Service and Interaction
Cashiers usually act as the first and last point of contact for the customer. That’s why it’s crucial for a Cashier to contribute to a positive shopping experience. These Cashier questions are designed to assess the candidate’s ability to deliver superior customer service and gauge their interpersonal skills.
Situational Interview Questions for Cashiers
These Cashier job interview questions present some hypothetical scenarios to determine how you’d act in a real-life situation. They gauge your ability to respond to changing scenarios and adjust according to the situation.
What Are the Top Cashier Interview Questions and Answers?
20 More Questions for a Cashier Interview
- How would you rate your customer service skills?
- Have you ever encountered POS system failure, and how did you handle it?
- How would you describe your math skills?
- In your previous job, what were some of your main tasks and duties?
- If it’s a slow work day, how are you staying proactive and helping out the rest of the staff?
- If a customer asks you a question you don’t know the answer to, what is your response?
- Have you ever disagreed with your supervisor? If so, how did you resolve it?
- What makes you interested in working as a Cashier?
- Do you feel comfortable handling large sums of cash?
- If a co-worker calls in sick and you’re left to work alone, would you be able to manage?
- This position involves dealing with upset and impatient customers. Do you think you’d be able to keep your composure?
- If this is not your first job, why did you leave your previous job?
- Why did you apply specifically to our company?
- If you had the option of choosing a manager or supervisor, what skills would you like them to have?
- If a customer hands you a $20 bill and his total is $8.24, roughly how long would it take you to calculate how much change you owe them?
- If you’re given several tasks in addition to working the cash register, how would you prioritize them?
- How do you handle sensitive and confidential information, such as that on debit and credit cards?
- This role sometimes involves repetitive tasks. How do you make sure you remain focused and engaged during your shift?
- Where do you see yourself in five or more years?
- Do you have aspirations to eventually get promoted to a management position?
Tips for Preparing for a Cashier Interview
Besides preparing yourself by getting familiar with common Cashier interview questions and answers, you should also consider:
As a candidate:
- If you want to come across as the perfect candidate for the role, check out the must-have skills for the best Cashiers. That way, you will know exactly which traits to emphasize when discussing your previous work experience.
- Be prepared to discuss how you handle difficult customers and resolve conflicts at work. Employers value candidates who can remain calm under pressure while ensuring a positive shopping experience for customers.
- Make sure to ask your interviewer questions as well. Inquire about the company culture and promotion opportunities. That’s how you will be able to clarify expectations but also demonstrate your interest in the company.
As an interviewer:
- Go over the specific requirements and responsibilities of the Cashier role within your organization. Come up with a list of questions you will use to assess candidates’ personality traits as well as work-related abilities. Don’t forget to ask about the Cashier’s salary expectations while taking into consideration their previous work experience.
- Focus on asking different types of questions that will give you a better insight into the applicant’s personality and work experience. Think of real-life scenario questions to assess their technical and soft skills.
- Look for candidates who are able to express themselves in a clear and friendly manner. That way, you can rest assured that they will be taking the same approach when interacting with your customers.
Are Cashiers Paid Well?
The average base salary for Cashiers in the U.S. is $30,710 per year. Cashiers in Washington make the most amount of money ($38,320 per year). On the other hand, Cashiers in Mississippi make the least amount of money ($23,430 per year), which is 31% below the national average.
Written by Sasha Vidakovic
Sasha is a seasoned content specialist holding a master’s degree in English and Russian. During the week, Sasha excels in crafting impactful content for OysterLink. Come the weekend, she trades the keyboard for hiking boots, exploring scenic trails. Beyond this, Sasha nurtures a deep passion for travel, enriching both personal and professional horizons.
Reviewed by Stefan Petrov
With over 10 years of experience as a writer and editor, Stefan has worked in the automotive, IT, health and hospitality industries. Familiar with Google Search Console and other SEO tools like Ahrefs and Semrush, Stefan uses his experience to create content that’s visually appealing to the user but also ranks in the SERPs.