5 Common Cashier Interview Questions & Answers
The customer service industry is not an easy place to work, so getting an interview means that your resume and cover letter were well-crafted. Now it’s time to impress the hiring manager at your interview. Face-to-face meetings are perhaps the most important part of the hiring process because they are the first chance for you and your employer to meet in person. But first:
1. What are the duties and responsibilities of a cashier?
- Handling payments from customers, in the forms of cash, check, credit card, gift card, or store credit
- Providing excellent, helpful service to customers, including responding to general inquiries about products, services, or store/business policies
2. What are the qualities of a good cashier?
Qualities that a good cashier should have include:
- Excellent abilities with handling cash, check, credit card, gift card, or store credit payments from customers
- Polite, expedient, and effective customer service abilities
- An upbeat and positive attitude, and a willingness to display patience in the face of all types of customer interactions
3. What is considered cash handling?
Cash handling is considered to be the act of giving and receiving money (in cash format) in a business.
You can expect to get some of the more common questions at every job interview. Interviewers will likely ask you to tell them about yourself, and you will probably get asked about the experiences you listed on your resume. You should ensure you are able to answer these questions with ease, but a great way to stand out from other candidates is to ace the industry-specific questions. If you’re looking for a job as a cashier, you should be ready to talk about the job duties and skills related to cashiering.
We’ve compiled a list of commonly asked cashier interview questions, so take a look at the following as your prepare for your next interview.
5 Cashier Interview Questions & Answers
In this position, you will regularly handle cash and charge cards. Can you talk about your integrity and why honesty is important.
First, I believe it is my responsibility as a human being to treat other people and their possessions with the same respect with which I hope to be treated. Secondly, I believe that it would be my responsibility as an employee of this company to protect both the company’s assets and its reputation. I could never choose personal gain through dishonesty over performing my job with integrity.
Communication is important in this position. Describe a time when you used your communications skills to resolve a conflict.
I previously worked as a cashier at a supermarket, and once a customer became very upset that she was not getting a discount she thought she should get. I began explaining that the sale only applied to quantities of 10 or more, but the customer kept interrupting and loudly insisting that I stop trying to rip her off. I made sure to fully listen to her, and I took the time to explain how the sale worked and how she could add more items to qualify for it. After a few minutes, she finally understood. She apologized for her behavior and thanked me for being patient.
Have you ever gone above and beyond your normal job duties to help a customer? Explain.
Yes. I used to work at a home improvement store, and I worked primarily in the back room. Once, while checking inventory just inside the back room door, a customer called through the open door asking for help finding a product. I had a lot left to do, but I knew that the store was busy and that the sales associates were likely all helping other customers. I walked with the customer to the aisle where the product was and helped her determine which type was best for her project. It was inconvenient for me, but I believe in always putting the customer’s needs first.
This position requires both emotional and physical stamina. How do you deal with stress on the job?
My primary strategy for dealing with stress is to focus on the parts of my job I can control while not worrying about the parts out of my control. This allows me to devote all my energy to being the best employee I can be. Additionally, I mentally compartmentalize stress to keep problems from one area of work or life from affecting other areas.
Attention to detail and efficiency are both important in this position. How will you ensure you have high levels of both accuracy and speed?
I have several years of experience as a cashier, so I have sharpened my ability to perform at a high level. One of the most important techniques I employ is to focus completely on the task at hand instead of letting my mind wander. It’s easy to daydream when doing repetitive tasks, but I fight this tendency by maintaining cheerful interaction with customers while still keeping things moving quickly.
After studying the above answers, think about how you would answer them in your own words. Reviewing these cashier interview questions before an interview is a terrific way to increase your chances of getting hired.
Kellie is the content strategist for My Perfect Resume. She has more than 20 years of experience in digital media and is passionate about helping job seekers navigate their careers. She has a B.A. in English and writing from Temple University.
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