16 Restaurant Cashier Interview Questions (With Example Answers)
It's important to prepare for an interview in order to improve your chances of getting the job. Researching questions beforehand can help you give better answers during the interview. Most interviews will include questions about your personality, qualifications, experience and how well you would fit the job. In this article, we review examples of various restaurant cashier interview questions and sample answers to some of the most common questions.
Common Restaurant Cashier Interview Questions
- How do you handle difficult customers?
- What is your experience with handling money?
- How do you stay calm under pressure?
- What would you do if a customer refused to pay?
- What is your experience with using a cash register?
- How do you handle it when things get busy?
- What is your experience with customer service?
- How do you deal with difficult situations?
- What would you do if you were short on change?
- How do you handle it when there is a line of customers waiting?
- What is your experience with multitasking?
- How do you stay organized during a shift?
- What would you do if a customer became angry or belligerent?
- How do you handle it when a mistake is made?
- What is your experience with upselling?
- How do you deal with a customer who is not happy with their purchase?
How do you handle difficult customers?
An interviewer would ask "How do you handle difficult customers?" to a restaurant cashier because it is important for the cashier to be able to handle difficult customers in a professional and courteous manner.
Example: “There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best way to handle difficult customers will vary depending on the situation. However, some tips on how to deal with difficult customers in a restaurant setting include:
- remaining calm and professional at all times
- trying to understand the customer's perspective
- diffusing the situation with humor, if appropriate
- being willing to compromise or offer alternatives
- escalating the issue to a manager or supervisor if necessary”
What is your experience with handling money?
An interviewer might ask "What is your experience with handling money?" to a restaurant cashier in order to gauge the level of responsibility and trustworthiness the cashier has. Handling money is an important responsibility for a cashier, as they are responsible for keeping track of the money coming in and going out of the register. The interviewer wants to make sure that the cashier is able to handle this responsibility in a mature and trustworthy manner.
Example: “I have experience handling money as a cashier in a restaurant. I am responsible for handling the cash register, taking payments, and giving change. I have also worked as a teller in a bank, so I am familiar with handling large sums of money and counting it accurately. I am confident in my ability to handle money and give accurate change.”
How do you stay calm under pressure?
Some possible reasons an interviewer might ask how a restaurant cashier stays calm under pressure are:
-To see if the cashier can handle fast-paced and potentially chaotic environments
-To gauge the cashier's ability to stay calm and collected when dealing with customers
-To determine if the cashier would be able to maintain a professional attitude even when under stress
It is important for a restaurant cashier to be able to stay calm under pressure because they need to be able to handle fast-paced environments, deal with customers in a professional manner, and maintain a positive attitude even when things are chaotic.
Example: “There are a few things that I do in order to stay calm under pressure. First, I try to stay organized and keep a clear head. I also take deep breaths and count to 10 when I start to feel overwhelmed. Additionally, I try to delegate tasks and ask for help when needed. Lastly, I try to focus on the positive and remember that the situation is not permanent.”
What would you do if a customer refused to pay?
There are a few reasons why an interviewer would ask this question to a restaurant cashier. Firstly, it allows the interviewer to gauge the cashier's customer service skills. Secondly, it allows the interviewer to see how the cashier would handle a difficult situation. Finally, it allows the interviewer to see if the cashier has a good understanding of the restaurant's policies and procedures.
Example: “If a customer refused to pay, I would first try to resolve the issue with the customer. If the issue could not be resolved, I would then contact a manager or supervisor.”
What is your experience with using a cash register?
As a restaurant cashier, it is important to have experience with using a cash register in order to efficiently and correctly handle transactions. This question allows the interviewer to gauge the level of experience the cashier has and to assess whether or not they would be able to effectively perform the job duties.
Example: “I have experience with using a cash register from working at a fast food restaurant. I am able to accurately ring up orders and take payments. I also know how to handle customer complaints and refunds.”
How do you handle it when things get busy?
An interviewer might ask "How do you handle it when things get busy?" to a restaurant cashier to gauge their ability to stay calm and collected under pressure. This is important because it is one of the most important qualities for a successful cashier.
Example: “When things get busy, I handle it by staying calm and focused. I prioritize the tasks that need to be done and delegate when necessary. I also make sure to stay organized and keep a clear head so that I can continue to provide excellent customer service.”
What is your experience with customer service?
The interviewer is asking this question to get a sense of the candidate's customer service skills. It is important for a restaurant cashier to have excellent customer service skills because they are the first point of contact with customers and play a key role in creating a positive customer experience.
Example: “I have worked in customer service for over 10 years. I have experience dealing with all types of customers, including those who are difficult or unhappy. I am patient and efficient, and I always work to resolve any issue the customer is having. I am confident in my ability to provide excellent customer service, and I know that I would be an asset to your restaurant.”
How do you deal with difficult situations?
An interviewer might ask "How do you deal with difficult situations?" to a restaurant cashier in order to gauge the cashier's problem-solving skills. It is important to know how a cashier would deal with difficult situations because it is a position that requires excellent customer service skills and the ability to handle money.
Example: “There are a few ways to deal with difficult situations. The first way is to stay calm and try to think of a solution. If you can't think of a solution, then try to ask someone for help. Sometimes, it is also helpful to take a break from the situation and come back to it later.”
What would you do if you were short on change?
The interviewer is trying to gauge the applicant's customer service skills. It is important for restaurant cashiers to be able to handle customer complaints and inquiries in a professional and courteous manner.
Example: “If I were short on change, I would ask the customer if they had any smaller bills that I could break. If the customer didn't have any smaller bills, I would tell them that I was sorry but I couldn't make change for their purchase.”
How do you handle it when there is a line of customers waiting?
An interviewer would ask "How do you handle it when there is a line of customers waiting?" to a restaurant cashier because it is important to know how the cashier would handle a situation where there are multiple customers waiting to be served. This question is important because it can help to determine whether or not the cashier is able to handle customer service situations effectively.
Example: “When there is a line of customers waiting, I handle it by staying calm and organized. I first take care of the customer who has been waiting the longest, and then work my way down the line. I make sure to keep track of each customer's order so that I can efficiently serve everyone in a timely manner.”
What is your experience with multitasking?
The interviewer is asking this question to get a sense of the restaurant cashier's ability to handle multiple tasks at once. This is important because a restaurant cashier needs to be able to take orders, handle payments, and keep track of various other tasks simultaneously.
Example: “I have experience with multitasking in a restaurant environment. I am able to take orders, handle payments, and keep track of inventory while also providing excellent customer service. I have learned how to prioritize tasks and stay calm under pressure.”
How do you stay organized during a shift?
The interviewer is asking this question to gauge the restaurant cashier's ability to stay organized during a shift. It is important for a restaurant cashier to be organized during a shift because it helps them to keep track of orders, ensure that customers are being served in a timely manner, and avoid mistakes.
Example: “I like to use a checklist to stay organized during my shift. I start by making sure that the register is stocked with change and that the drawer is organized. Then, I take care of any customers who come in and make sure their orders are correct. Finally, I close out the register and count the money at the end of my shift.”
What would you do if a customer became angry or belligerent?
There are a few reasons why an interviewer would ask this question to a restaurant cashier. First, it is important for a restaurant cashier to be able to handle customer complaints in a professional and calm manner. Second, the interviewer wants to know if the cashier is able to stay calm in difficult situations. Finally, the interviewer wants to know if the cashier has a plan for dealing with angry or belligerent customers.
Example: “If a customer became angry or belligerent, I would try to calm them down and diffuse the situation. I would ask them what was wrong and see if there was anything I could do to help. If they continued to be angry or disruptive, I would ask them to leave the premises.”
How do you handle it when a mistake is made?
There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question to a restaurant cashier. First, it can help them gauge the cashier's level of responsibility and accountability. Second, it can give the interviewer some insight into the cashier's problem-solving skills. Finally, it can help the interviewer understand how the cashier handles stress and pressure. All of these factors are important in the restaurant industry, where things can move quickly and mistakes can be costly.
Example: “If a mistake is made, the first thing to do is to stay calm. It is important to remember that mistakes happen and that they can be fixed. The next step is to apologize to the customer for the mistake. After that, take the necessary steps to fix the mistake. Finally, thank the customer for their understanding.”
What is your experience with upselling?
There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask a restaurant cashier about their experience with upselling. First, upselling is a common practice in the restaurant industry, so the interviewer wants to know if the cashier is familiar with it. Second, upselling can be an important part of a cashier's job, as it can help increase the restaurant's sales. Finally, the interviewer wants to know if the cashier is comfortable with upselling, as it can sometimes be difficult to do.
Example: “I have experience with upselling from my previous job as a sales associate. I am comfortable approaching customers and asking if they would like to add on to their purchase. I am also familiar with different techniques to upsell, such as suggesting complementary items or offering discounts for purchasing multiple items.”
How do you deal with a customer who is not happy with their purchase?
The interviewer is trying to gauge the cashier's customer service skills. It is important because it shows whether or not the cashier is able to stay calm and professional when dealing with a difficult customer.
Example: “If a customer is not happy with their purchase, the first thing I would do is try to understand why they are not happy. Was the product not as they expected? Did it not meet their needs? Once I understand the reason for their dissatisfaction, I would try to offer a solution. For example, if the product was not as expected, I would offer to exchange it for something else. If the problem was that the product did not meet their needs, I would offer a refund. In any case, my goal would be to resolve the issue to the customer's satisfaction.”