Counter and rental clerk jobs
If you’re looking for some valuable experience and you love working with people, this job is worth 'checking out.'
What do counter and rental clerks do?
This job includes anything from selling home improvement equipment to renting out cars to vacationers. You can expect to answer customer questions about product availability, cost and rental provisions. You will also take orders, calculate fees, receive payments and accept returned merchandise. Customers may ask your advice on certain products, and you’ll need to inform them of things like when the item is due back. You could even be asked on advice about films if you work at a video rental store—a good excuse to take a personal day and catch up on every Chucky movie ever made. And it’s O.K. if you keep the lights on.
Depending on the type of establishment, counter and rental clerks use their special knowledge to give advice on a wide variety of products and services, ranging from hydraulic tools to shoe repair. In some establishments, they write out tickets and order forms when taking orders, although most use computers or bar-code scanners. Most of these computer systems are user friendly, require very little data entry, and are customized for the firm.
What are the working conditions?
Some employers require their employees to work nights and weekends, so you may need to maintain a flexible schedule. This can sometimes be a stressful position because you are constantly interacting with the public, so hiring managers are looking for someone with a lot of patience. Rental clerks are also often confined to small work areas and are required to be on their feet a lot, so if you’re a claustrophobic with sensitive feet, this may not be the job for you.
What skills do I need and how can I get promoted?
Most counter and rental clerk jobs are entry-level positions that don’t have a requirement for education or work experience because most clerks are trained on the job; however, a high school diploma is a plus. You do need to be able to handle difficult customers in a tactful manner, so those with a hot temper need not apply. And if you’re going to be talking to people all day, make sure you have good written and oral communication skills.
Looking to get promoted? Many employers in this field reward experience with a job in management, sales or event planning.
Show me the money!
The benefits for this job include paid vacation and sick leave, as well as health and life insurance. But if you do get sick and you want to be covered, you may need to be a full-time worker as part-timers don’t usually reap as many benefits. All employees usually get the same discount on services and products, so whether you’re planning on renting a convertible for that beach date this weekend or spending a Saturday cleaning floors in your house with a rug shampooer, you can do it all at a discounted price.
For more specific information, go to our Wage Calculator to determine the hourly pay for this job in your neck of the woods.
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