EXAMPLES OF JOB TITLES
- Cashier
- Cashier/wrapper
JOB DESCRIPTION
In permanent contact with customers, cashiers are in charge of ringing up product sales and receiving payments. Depending on the type of business, their duties may vary quite a bit; they may have various departmental tasks to do or be assisted by a wrapper.
In general, their day-to-day duties involve the following:
- Greeting customers
- Informing customers
- Reserving items for customers
- Establishing or identifying prices of goods
- Weighing fruits and vegetables and applying the price stickers
- Keying in or scanning the price of merchandise
- Determining the total price
- Receiving payments
- Controlling and checking outgoing merchandise
- Wrapping or bagging products
- Receiving payments and reconciling them with total sales
- Preparing deposits, closing the till and putting back the float
- Maintaining clean and orderly checkout areas
In small retail stores, sales consultants regularly handle cashier duties.
MAIN SKILLS
- Attention to detail
- Submit to controls
- Remain attentive in an often busy environment
- Be comfortable with numbers
PERSONAL QUALITIES
- Like customer contact
- Able to prioritize the workload
- Be naturally calm and focused
- Be versatile, if participation in other types of activity is required
WHAT THE PROS SAY
MICHELLE, CASHIER IN A LARGE DRUGSTORE, CALGARY
Sometimes filled by students, the job of cashier is often part time. This is the case with Michelle, who is a cashier in a drugstore. “We get between 400 and 500 customers a day,” she says. “We have to be patient, quick and able to maintain a good relationship at all times.” With so many customers, it stands to reason that there may be a few conflicts. Interpersonal skills and politeness are therefore a priority. “The benefit is of always being in contact with customers. We can also take breaks from time to time, because the pace of work varies depending on the schedule,” Michelle adds. The busiest times are around 1 p.m., evenings around 7 p.m. and all weekend.
Since there are always supervisors and co-workers around, cashiers have someone to ask if they are not sure about a price or a procedure. “This job can also quite quickly lead to other retail jobs, ” she explains. “I became a floor clerk, in which I was in charge of putting products on the shelves, in just a few months.” Landing a sales job is another career path, such as cosmetician in a drugstore, or going into delivery, which is more popular with men. Finally, other openings include working with numbers by becoming office clerks and adding up the till.