Cashier

Cashiers scan items, ensure that prices are quantities are correct, and collect payments. They also assist customers by explaining or recommending items, answering questions, and processing exchanges or refunds.

Cashiers typically do the following:

• Manage transactions with customers using cash registers
• Scan goods and ensure pricing is accurate
• Collect payments whether in cash or credit
• Issue receipts, refunds, change or tickets
• Redeem stamps and coupons
• Cross-sell products and introduce new ones
• Resolve customer complaints, guide them and provide relevant information
• Greet customers when entering or leaving the store
• Maintain clean and tidy checkout areas
• Track transactions on balance sheets and report any discrepancies Bag, box or gift-wrap packages
• Handle merchandise returns and exchanges.

Cashiers’ work hours vary by employer. Cashiers often work during weekends and holidays. Some cashiers employed in establishments that operate 24 hours a day, such as gasoline stations, work overnight shifts. Part-time work is common.

Employers may restrict the use of time off in periods such as from the end of November through early January because that is the busiest time of the year for most retailers.

The following job titles also refer to cashier:

supermarket cashier
check out operator
shop cashier
toll booth attendant
checkout operator
department store cashier
hypermarket cashier
checkout assistant
filling station cashier
check out assistant
checkout operative
outlet centre cashier
check out operative

Although most jobs for cashiers have no specific education requirements, some employers prefer applicants with a high school diploma or equivalent. Cashiers should have a basic knowledge of mathematics, because they need to be able to make change and count the money in their registers.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Cashier is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to cashier.

shop assistant
sales processor
checkout supervisor
press and stationery specialised seller
medical goods specialised seller

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of cashier. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of cashier with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

aeronautical information service officer
aeronautical information specialist
performance rental technician
hardware and paint shop manager
toys and games shop manager

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of cashier.

• Customer service: Processes and principles related to the customer, client, service user and to personal services; these may include procedures to evaluate customer’s or service user’s satisfaction.

These skills are necessary for the role of cashier.

• Ensure customer focus: Attitude that puts customers at the centre of the business in all cases.
• Operate cash point: Count the money; balance cash drawer at the end of the shift; receive payments and process payment information; use scanning equipment.
• Use different communication channels: Make use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.
• Apply numeracy skills: Practise reasoning and apply simple or complex numerical concepts and calculations.
• Process refunds: Resolve customer inquiries for returns, exchange of merchandise, refunds or bill adjustments. Follow organisational guidelines during this process.
• Process payments: Accept payments such as cash, credit cards and debit cards. Handle reimbursement in case of returns or administer vouchers and marketing instruments such as bonus cards or membership cards. Pay attention to safety and the protection of personal data.
• Provide customer follow-up services: Register, follow-up, solve and respond to customer requests, complaints and after-sales services.
• Issue sales invoices: Prepare the invoice of goods sold or services provided, containing individual prices, the total charge, and the terms. Complete order processing for orders received via telephone, fax and internet and calculate the customer’s final bill.
• Manage theft prevention: Apply theft and robbery prevention; monitor security surveillance equipment; enforce security procedures if needed.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of cashier. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Sales argumentation: Techniques and sales methods used in order to present a product or service to customers in a persuasive manner and to meet their expectations and needs.
• Sales promotion techniques: The techniques used to persuade customers to purchase a product or a service.
• Teamwork principles: The cooperation between people characterised by a unified commitment to achieving a given goal, participating equally, maintaining open communication, facilitating effective usage of ideas etc.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of cashier. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Maintain transaction’s reports: Maintain regular reports related to the transactions performed via the cash register.
• Weigh materials: Weigh materials and products, record weight and other relevant data on tags or labels.
• Count money: Count money by sorting and wrapping money and coins.
• Put up price tags: Put price tags on products and ensure the prices are correctly displayed.
• Process loyalty schemes: Provide customers with applications for loyalty schemes. Register customer to loyalty schemes by assigning the card on their account. Exchange bonus for loyalty benefits.
• Pack merchandise for gifts: Gift-wrap merchandise at the customer’s request.
• Reserve merchandise for customers: Reserve items for customers and make follow-up calls to ensure that reserved items are picked up within the reservation time frame.
• Package purchases in bags: Packet purchased items and place them in shopping bags.
• Maintain check-out area cleanliness: Keep check-out areas in a clean and orderly condition.
• Train employees: Lead and guide employees through a process in which they are taught the necessary skills for the perspective job. Organise activities aimed at introducing the work and systems or improving the performance of individuals and groups in organisational settings.
• Direct customers to merchandise: Inform customers of where they can find the products they are searching for and escort them to their desired product.

5230 – Cashiers and ticket clerks

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References

1. Cashier – ESCO
2. Cashiers : Occupational Outlook Handbook – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
3. Cashier Job Description – Betterteam
4. Cashier job description sample with Responsibilities and Duties | Workable
5. Featured image: Photo by Karolina Grabowska