Cashier
Start a career as a cashier
Job in about 50 words:
Comb your hair and put on a big smile, because you are the restaurant's first impression. Your responsibilities include providing outstanding customer service, food preparation, cash management and cleaning. Slackers beware: prompt service and attention to detail are essential to thrive as a cashier.
Job skills/requirements:
The good news is that your training will teach you everything you need to know to succeed on the job. But there are a few skills you should have from the get-go:
- Communication skills: You're not going to be able to text message the customers back and forth. In other words, you should be comfortable talking to strangers – even if only one of you is wearing a nametag.
- Patience: Most customers are real swell people; a few are not. Be nice to them all.
- Teamwork: You don't need to high-five someone every time you successfully break a $20 bill, but you need build some professional rapport with your co-workers.
- Multi-tasking: Can you walk and chew gum at the same time? Good. Can you fulfill one customer order while taking another? Even better.
- Basic computer knowledge: If you can handle MySpace and a calculator, then you can manage the register.
Expected hours:
Hours will depend on your employer's scheduling availability, as well as your own availability. Part-time shifts typically last between four to eight hours, and schedules range from five to 34 hours a week. Depending on what your employer offers, you can work nights, weekends, graveyard shifts (around 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.) or early mornings. Full-time schedules are generally 35 hours or more a week.
Dress the part:
If you're employed by a large restaurant chain, odds are you'll be supplied with a free uniform, including a shirt and pants. Who knows – you might even get to wear suspenders, a visor or a wacky propeller hat. Just have fun with it, even if your friends do show up to snap pictures on their camera phones. Independently owned restaurants typically provide guidelines of what to wear – you'll usually need to buy clothes yourself. In both cases, be sure to wear safe, durable and comfortable shoes. The best place to show off your new pedicure is not behind the counter.
Job myth:
Cashiers stand behind the register all day.
Don't worry, cashiers aren't change-making robots standing stiffly at their posts. Far from it. Remember those comfortable shoes we mentioned above? Well, you'll need them. From restocking supplies to cleaning up the dining room, you'll have plenty to keep you busy and you'll never have to worry about being bored.
Expert advice:
Here are a few helpful pointers for landing a cashier gig, courtesy of Chick-fil-A® Manager Dan Stanko:
- Using proper spelling and punctuation on your application is important.
- A follow-up visit or telephone call after applying makes you stand out.
- Email addresses (on SnagAJob.com profile/applications) tell me a lot! Choose something professional and appropriate.
Career path:
Those who start out as successful cashiers lay the groundwork for the following possible career moves:
- Assistant Manager ($35,000/year)
- General Manager ($60,000/year)
- Corporate VP of Operations ($200,000/year)
- Franchise Owner (a lot of money!)