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In conjunction to our Employment Guide to Careers and the help of the Department of Labor Career Guide, I'll be doing a blog post series on different careers that are popular on EmploymentGuide.com. This hopefully will give you insight as to what a particular job will entail, the types of qualifications and skills that you'll need to get the job and any other relevant information. Please feel free to comment or email suggestions as to what you'd like to see in this series.

Retail Jobs: Cashier or Sales Associate

On the Job
Supermarkets, department stores, gasoline service stations, movie theaters, restaurants, and many other businesses employ cashiers or sales associates to register the sale of their merchandise. Almost all cashiers total bills on a cash register, receive money, make change, fill out charge forms, and give receipts.

Although specific job duties vary by employer, as a cashier you are usually assigned to a register at the beginning of your shift and are given a drawer containing a specific amount of money with which to start. You'll probably be required to count your drawer to ensure that it contains the correct amount of money and adequate supplies of change. Cashiers also handle returns and exchanges of purchased merchandise. They must ensure that returned merchandise is in good condition, and determine where and when it was purchased and what type of payment was used.
After entering charges for all items and subtracting the value of any coupons or special discounts, cashiers total the customer’s bill and take payment. You'll deal with all different forms of payment including cash, personal checks, credit cards, and debit cards. Cashiers must know the store’s policies and procedures for each type of payment the store accepts. For checks and credit and debit card charges, companies may request additional identification from the customer or call in for an authorization. They must verify the age of customers purchasing alcohol or tobacco. When the sale is complete, cashiers issue a receipt to the customer and return the appropriate change. They may also wrap or bag the purchase.

At the end of their shifts, cashiers once again count the drawers’ contents and compare the totals with sales data. An occasional shortage of small amounts may be overlooked but, in many establishments, repeated shortages are grounds for dismissal. In addition to counting the contents of your drawer at the end of your shift, you'll usually need to separate and total charge forms, return slips, coupons, and any other noncash items.

Most cashiers use scanners and computers, but some establishments still require price and product information to be entered manually.

Depending on the type of establishment, cashiers may have other duties as well. In many supermarkets, for example, cashiers weigh produce and bulk food, as well as return unwanted items to the shelves. In convenience stores, cashiers may be required to know how to use a variety of machines other than cash registers, and how to furnish money orders and sell lottery tickets. Operating ticket-dispensing machines and answering customers’ questions are common duties for cashiers who work at movie theaters and ticket agencies.

Benefits and Salary
As a retail cashier you'll probably make about $6.00 and $9.00 an hour.
Benefits for full-time cashiers tend to be better than those for cashiers working part time. In addition to typical benefits, those working in retail establishments often receive discounts on purchases, and cashiers in restaurants may receive free or low-cost meals. Some employers also offer employee stock option plans and education reimbursement plans.

Customer Interaction
Again depending on the type of store you're working at, depends on the amount of customer interaction you'll have. Generally, you'll be at the point of sale at the end of a customer's visit to the store. Customers will ask you questions about prices and discounts regarding merchandise.

Daily Routine & Work Environment
Most cashiers work indoors, usually standing in booths or behind counters. Often, they are not allowed to leave their workstations without supervisory approval because they are responsible for large sums of money. Depending on the store's location and security measures, cashier work can present a risk for robberies.

About 46 percent of all cashiers work part time. Hours of work often vary depending on the needs of the employer. Generally, cashiers are expected to work weekends, evenings, and holidays to accommodate customers’ needs. However, many employers offer flexible schedules. Because the holiday season is the busiest time for most retailers, many employers restrict the use of vacation time from Thanksgiving through the beginning of January.

Experience & Required Education
Cashier jobs usually are entry-level positions requiring little or no previous work experience. They require good customer service skills.
Nearly all cashiers are trained on the job. In small businesses, an experienced worker often trains beginners. The trainee spends the first day observing the operation and becoming familiar with the store’s equipment, policies, and procedures.

Personality
People who enjoy interacting with others would probably like working in retail. The work environment varies but most cashier positions are working on their feet. So people who have high energy and who don't like to sit still for long periods of time will appreciate working as a sales associate or cashier.

If you're someone who enjoys fashion or enjoys shopping might like helping customers find the merchandise that will best suit them.

Read more about Retail Cashier Jobs.
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