19 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 cashier interview questions and sample answers to some of the most common questions.
Common Cashier Interview Questions
- How would you deal with a customer who was unhappy with their purchase?
- What would you do if you had a customer who was short on cash and needed change for a large bill?
- What would you do if a customer became angry or verbally abusive?
- What is your experience with handling money and making change?
- Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer.
- How do you handle it when multiple customers are waiting in line and one is taking a long time?
- What is your experience with using a cash register or point-of-sale system?
- Tell me about a time when you had to handle a large amount of cash.
- What do you do if you make a mistake while ringing up a purchase?
- Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a customer who was returning an item.
- What is your experience with using a credit card machine or processing credit card transactions?
- What do you do if a customer's credit card is declined?
- Tell me about a time when you had to give someone change for a large bill.
- What would you do if there was no one else around and you needed help with something?
- Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult situation.
- How do you handle it when you are busy and there is a line of customers waiting?
- What do you do if you need to take a break and there are still customers waiting in line?
- What is your experience with handling returns or exchanges?
- Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond for a customer.
How would you deal with a customer who was unhappy with their purchase?
An interviewer would ask "How would you deal with a customer who was unhappy with their purchase?" to a/an Cashier to find out how the Cashier would deal with an upset customer. This is important because it shows how the Cashier would handle a difficult situation and whether they would be able to resolve the issue.
Example: “If a customer is unhappy with their purchase, the first thing I would do is try to understand why they are unhappy. Is it because the product is defective? Or did they simply change their mind? Once I understand the reason for their dissatisfaction, I can try to offer a solution. If the product is defective, I can offer to refund or exchange it. If they simply changed their mind, I can offer a store credit. In either case, I would apologize for the inconvenience and do my best to make the situation right.”
What would you do if you had a customer who was short on cash and needed change for a large bill?
An interviewer would ask this question to a cashier to determine if the cashier is able to handle difficult customer service situations. It is important for a cashier to be able to handle difficult customer service situations because they are the face of the company and the first point of contact for customers. A cashier who cannot handle difficult customer service situations will likely result in the customer having a negative experience and will not return.
Example: “If a customer is short on cash and needs change for a large bill, the best course of action would be to ask the customer if they would like to use a credit or debit card instead. If the customer does not have a credit or debit card, the next best option would be to ask the customer if they have any smaller bills that can be used instead. If the customer does not have any smaller bills, the next best option would be to ask the customer if they would like to use a check.”
What would you do if a customer became angry or verbally abusive?
The interviewer is asking this question to see if the cashier can remain calm and professional in the face of difficult customers. This is important because it is a key skill for cashiers, who often have to deal with angry or abusive customers.
Example: “If a customer became angry or verbally abusive, 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 abusive, I would ask them to leave the premises.”
What is your experience with handling money and making change?
As a cashier, one of the most important responsibilities is handling money and making change. The interviewer wants to know if the candidate has experience with this and if they are able to do it accurately. This is important because it shows that the candidate is able to handle one of the most important aspects of the job and can be trusted with handling money.
Example: “I have experience handling money as a cashier and making change for customers. I am able to handle large sums of money and make change quickly and accurately. I also have experience using a cash register and credit card machine.”
Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer.
The interviewer is trying to gauge the applicant's customer service skills. It is important for a cashier to be able to handle difficult customers because they are the face of the company and often the first point of contact with customers. A cashier who can handle difficult customers calmly and professionally is an asset to any company.
Example: “I had to deal with a difficult customer once when I was working as a cashier at a grocery store. The customer was angry and demanding, and she refused to listen to reason. I remained calm and polite, and eventually diffused the situation by offering her a discount on her purchase.”
How do you handle it when multiple customers are waiting in line and one is taking a long time?
An interviewer would ask this question to a cashier to gauge their customer service skills. It is important because it shows whether the cashier is able to handle difficult customers and keep a calm demeanor.
Example: “If I have multiple customers waiting in line and one is taking a long time, I would first ask the customer if they are okay and if they need any assistance. If they are taking a long time and it is holding up the line, I would politely ask them to move to the side so that other customers can be helped.”
What is your experience with using a cash register or point-of-sale system?
The interviewer is trying to gauge the candidate's experience with handling money and using a point-of-sale system. This is important because cashiers need to be able to accurately handle money and understand how to use a POS system in order to ring up customers' purchases correctly.
Example: “I have experience with using a cash register and point-of-sale system. I am familiar with how to operate the register and how to process transactions. I am also familiar with how to troubleshoot problems that may arise during a transaction.”
Tell me about a time when you had to handle a large amount of cash.
The interviewer is trying to gauge the candidate's experience and comfort level with handling cash. This is important because it is a key responsibility of a cashier. The candidate's ability to handle cash efficiently and accurately is essential to the role.
Example: “I was working as a cashier at a busy grocery store when we had a power outage. The backup generators kicked in, but the registers were down. We were only able to take cash payments. I had to open the register drawer and start counting out people's change by hand. It was a lot of money, and it took a while, but I got through it.”
What do you do if you make a mistake while ringing up a purchase?
An interviewer would ask "What do you do if you make a mistake while ringing up a purchase?" to a/an Cashier because it is important for the interviewer to know how the Cashier would handle a mistake. The interviewer wants to know if the Cashier is able to stay calm and handle the situation in a professional manner.
Example: “If you make a mistake while ringing up a purchase, the first thing you should do is apologize to the customer. Next, you will need to void the incorrect transaction and start over. Be sure to double check your work before finalizing the purchase.”
Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a customer who was returning an item.
There are a few reasons why an interviewer would ask this question to a cashier. Firstly, it tests the cashier's ability to handle difficult customer service situations. Secondly, it allows the interviewer to gauge the cashier's level of patience and professionalism. Finally, it allows the interviewer to see how the cashier deals with upset or angry customers. All of these qualities are important in a cashier, as they will likely have to deal with many different types of customers on a daily basis.
Example: “I had a customer who was returning an item that she had purchased from our store. She was not happy with the quality of the product and wanted to return it for a refund. I explained the return policy to her and helped her process the return. I also offered to help her find a similar product that she would be happier with.”
What is your experience with using a credit card machine or processing credit card transactions?
An interviewer would ask "What is your experience with using a credit card machine or processing credit card transactions?" to a/an Cashier in order to gauge the level of experience the Cashier has in handling credit card transactions. This is important because it helps the interviewer determine whether or not the Cashier is able to efficiently and accurately handle credit card transactions, which is an important skill for a Cashier to have.
Example: “I have experience with using a credit card machine and processing credit card transactions. I am familiar with the different types of credit cards, how to process them, and the various fees associated with each type of card. I am also familiar with the different types of fraud that can occur with credit card transactions, and I have procedures in place to prevent and resolve any fraudulent activity.”
What do you do if a customer's credit card is declined?
There are a few reasons why an interviewer would ask this question to a cashier. For one, it tests the cashier's knowledge of company policy. Additionally, it allows the interviewer to gauge the cashier's customer service skills. Finally, it gives the interviewer insight into how the cashier handles difficult situations.
In general, it is important for a cashier to have a strong understanding of company policy. This ensures that the cashier is able to properly handle customer transactions and resolve any issues that may arise. Additionally, it is important for a cashier to have excellent customer service skills. This includes being able to effectively communicate with customers and handle difficult situations in a professional manner.
Example: “If a customer's credit card is declined, the first thing you should do is try to process the transaction again. If the second attempt is also declined, you should ask the customer if they have another form of payment. If the customer does not have another form of payment, you may offer to process the transaction as a debit transaction. If the customer still cannot pay, you will need to cancel the transaction and void any items that were purchased.”
Tell me about a time when you had to give someone change for a large bill.
This question is important because it allows the interviewer to gauge the cashier's ability to handle large transactions and give change. This is a key skill for a cashier, as they must be able to handle large bills and give change quickly and accurately.
Example: “I was working as a cashier at a grocery store when a customer came up to my register with a large bill. I had to give them change for the bill, and I did so by counting out the correct amount of bills and coins. The customer was happy with the change I gave them, and they went on their way.”
What would you do if there was no one else around and you needed help with something?
The interviewer is asking this question to gauge the cashier's ability to handle difficult situations on their own. This is important because it shows whether the cashier is able to think independently and make decisions quickly.
Example: “If I needed help with something and there was no one else around, I would try to find a solution myself. If I couldn't find a solution, I would reach out to someone via phone or online.”
Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult situation.
There are a few reasons an interviewer might ask this question to a cashier. First, it can give the interviewer insight into how the cashier handles difficult situations. Second, it can help the interviewer understand how the cashier deals with customers. Finally, it can help the interviewer determine if the cashier is a good fit for the company.
Example: “I was working as a cashier at a busy grocery store when one of our registers went down. We were already short-staffed, so I had to take on the extra workload. I kept calm and did my best to keep the line moving, but it was a challenge. After a few minutes, our manager came over and helped me out. Together, we were able to get the register up and running again and keep things moving smoothly.”
How do you handle it when you are busy and there is a line of customers waiting?
In order to gauge how the cashier would handle a difficult situation, the interviewer asks this question. It is important to see how the cashier would handle being busy and having customers waiting because it can be a difficult situation to deal with. If the cashier is able to handle it well, then that is a good sign.
Example: “When I am working as a cashier and become busy with customers, I handle it by staying calm and efficient. I try to move the line along as quickly as possible without skipping any steps. I also apologize to customers for the wait and let them know that I am doing my best.”
What do you do if you need to take a break and there are still customers waiting in line?
The interviewer is asking this question to gauge the cashier's customer service skills. It is important for a cashier to be able to handle customer complaints and requests in a professional and courteous manner.
Example: “If I need to take a break and there are still customers waiting in line, I would ask one of the other cashiers to cover for me while I step away. I would then let the customers know that someone else will be helping them momentarily.”
What is your experience with handling returns or exchanges?
An interviewer may ask "What is your experience with handling returns or exchanges?" to a cashier to gauge the level of customer service experience the cashier has. It is important to have some experience with handling returns or exchanges because it shows that the cashier is able to handle difficult customer service situations.
Example: “I have worked as a cashier for over 3 years now and have had plenty of experience handling returns and exchanges. I am always polite and professional with the customer, and do my best to resolve the issue as quickly and efficiently as possible. I have had to deal with a wide variety of return/exchange situations, so I am confident that I can handle anything that comes my way.”
Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond for a customer.
The interviewer is asking this question to see if the cashier is able to provide excellent customer service, even when it is not easy. This is important because providing excellent customer service is one of the most important duties of a cashier.
Example: “I once had a customer who came in to my line at the grocery store I was working at and she had a lot of items. She also had a lot of coupons, which she was very organized with. I could tell she was getting frustrated with the process because it was taking a while. So, I offered to help her count out her coupons and bag her groceries. She was really grateful and it ended up being a nice conversation.”