How To Become A Cashier: What It Is and Career Path - Zippia (2024)

Key steps to become a cashier

1. Explore cashier education requirements

   The educational requirements for a cashier are typically a high school diploma or equivalent. According to Michael Grossman Ph.D., Professor of Political Studies and International Studies at the University of Mount Union, "experiences such as internships are crucial for cashiers." While certifications like Professional Credit Associate, Certified Professional - Food Safety, and Certified Food Manager can also be beneficial, they are not as important as hands-on experience. Other relevant majors for cashiers include Business, General Studies, Criminal Justice, Psychology, and Nursing. Top schools for these majors include the University of Pennsylvania, SUNY Farmingdale, SUNY College of Technology at Delhi, Purdue University, and Baylor University.

   Most common cashier degrees

   High School Diploma

   45.0

   %

   Bachelor's

   21.4

   %

   Associate

   17.5

   %

2. Start to develop specific cashier skills

   A cashier's skills go beyond handling cash transactions and operating a cash register. They must possess strong initiative and decision-making abilities, provide exceptional customer service, and maintain a positive approach. They should also have the ability to monitor customer preferences, resolve complaints, and manage front-end responsibilities. As Sonya DiPalma Ph.D., Associate Professor and Director of MCOM Internship Program at the University of North Carolina at Asheville, puts it: "Be personable and a person someone wants to talk with and work with on a continuing basis. Listening and note-taking skills will be critical."

   Skills	Percentages
   Front End	14.12%
   Cash Handling	10.29%
   Basic Math	9.77%
   POS	9.61%
   Customer Service	8.01%

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3. Complete relevant cashier training and internships

   Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New cashiers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a cashier based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real cashier resumes.

4. Research cashier duties and responsibilities

   A cashier's responsibilities include operating cash registers, accepting payments, and providing excellent customer service. They also maintain inventory and order products, ensure customer preferences are fulfilled, and handle customer complaints. Cashiers are responsible for processing payments and balancing tills at the end of their shifts. They must also possess strong decision-making skills, show initiative, and have competency in math.

   As Cynthia Krom, Associate Professor and Department Chair at Franklin and Marshall College, puts it, "They need to know Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) or similar programs. You need to know how to work collaboratively on projects through things like Google Drive."

   In addition, cashiers must maintain a clean and organized store, stock front-end products, and use supply items efficiently. They must also be able to open bakeries for retail sales, prepare food orders, and maintain a safe environment.

   According to Ekin Pehlivan, Associate Professor of Marketing at California State University Channel Islands, "They get to experiment without fear of losing a job and find what they would like their entry-level positions to look like."

   Overall, a cashier's responsibilities involve operating cash registers, maintaining inventory, providing customer service, and possessing the necessary skills to perform their job effectively.

   • Manage employees by making schedules, doing payroll, and maintain an all around comfortable working environment.
   • Develop, implement, and update standard operating procedures relating to daily operations, financial transactions and management, customer service.
   • Demonstrate basic math skills and record daily earnings without error.
   • Perform basic math computations, such as addition subtraction, and division.

5. Prepare your cashier resume

   When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your cashier resume.

   See Also

   Cashier Job Description Template: Skills, Qualifications And MoreWhat does a cashier do?

   You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a cashier resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

   Choose From 10+ Customizable Cashier Resume templates

   Build a professional

   Cashier

   resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume.

   Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Cashier resume.

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

6. Apply for cashier jobs

   Now it's time to start searching for a cashier job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

   1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
   2. Consult your professional network
   3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
   4. Watch out for job scams

How do cashiers rate their job?

Have more questions?

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The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.