While the job of a Cashier 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 questions we’ve gathered for you down below. That way, you will be confident during your talk with the hiring manager.
Cashier Interview Questions About Skills and Experience
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. Here are the most common Cashier interview questions that will gauge an applicant’s previous skills and experience.
What skills would you say make a Cashier great?
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.
Do you have any experience with POS systems?
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.
Do you have experience handling returns, exchanges and refunds?
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.
How do you stay motivated while performing repetitive tasks?
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 good work ethics. You should hire someone who’s dedicated to fulfilling their job obligations and being productive.
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. The following questions are designed to assess the candidate’s ability to deliver superior customer service and gauge their interpersonal skills.
Have you ever had to deal with a difficult customer? If yes, how did you handle it?
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.
Have you ever gone above and beyond for a customer?
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.
How do you prioritize tasks during busy periods?
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.
Situational Interview Questions for Cashiers
This next set of questions poses some hypothetical scenarios to determine how you’d act in a real-life situation.
How would you handle a customer who’s demanding a refund, when store policy says that refunds are only issued for damaged items?
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.
Tell me about a time when you had to assist a customer struggling with a digital payment system.
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.
Tell me about a time you worked with a colleague to fix a client’s issue.
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. 
Tips for Preparing for a Cashier Interview
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 responsibilities and requirements 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 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.
