Cashier: Job Description, Resume, Cover Letter, Skills

Many job opportunities are available for cashiers. From small to big-box retailers, you’ll find employers that are hiring. Most positions offer a flexible schedule, and you may be able to select the hours you’re available to work. Companies are often willing to work around school schedules for students as well as parents.

What’s involved in being a cashier? Cashiers operate cash registers. Most, but not all, work in the retail industry:

• In small stores, all personnel may take their turn at the cash register, no matter what other responsibilities they have.
• Larger locations typically maintain an entire division of associates who work primarily or even exclusively as cashiers.

Often, the cashier position is treated as a stepping-stone to more prestigious positions, such as sales associate, but there are career cashiers as well.

Cashier Job Description

Cashiers work in grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, medical offices, and many other types of establishments, and spend their workdays scanning purchases and processing transactions. They accept credit cards, mobile and contactless payments, checks, and cash for merchandise, bag purchases, and may also gift wrap merchandise and welcome customers.

Cashiers answer customers' questions about merchandise and store policies. Processing returns and exchanges may also be something they do. Cashiers are responsible for promoting store credit cards and rewards programs, and often help to shelve merchandise and clean establishments. They count and reconcile cash and credit card receipts at the beginning and end of shifts.

Employment Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects a decline in job growth for cashiers from 2019 to 2029. The trend toward self-service checkout and the increase in online retail purchasing will limit opportunities. However, there were over 3.6 million cashier jobs in 2019.

Cashier Salary

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly wage for cashiers in May 2019 was $11.37. The lowest 10% earned less than $8.73 per hour, while the top 10% earned at least $15.04 per hour. Many states and cities are instituting increases in the minimum wage, which will enhance the wages for some cashiers. 

What to Include in a Cashier Resume and Cover Letter

Retail stores that are seeking cashiers require a very specific skill set in their job candidates. The most sought-after job candidates will, of course, be able to describe job-specific cashier skills on their resume. These include tasks like cash handling, credit transfers, and experience in sales, inventory, merchandising, and customer service.

Use the “Qualifications” list included in the job description as your guide. This list will contain basic keywords that you should echo, if possible, on your resume and in your cover letter. Employers often use automated applicant tracking systems that are programmed to sort and rate resumes based on how often they use job-specific keywords (typically those used in the job description). The more of these phrases you incorporate, the more likely you will land a personal interview.

However, even if you are an entry-level candidate who lacks a certain skill, you can and should still mention the skill on your resume. It’s all a matter of phrasing. An experienced cashier can include a line like “5 years’ experience in cash handling within high-volume retail environment,” while an entry-level candidate should say, “Able to leverage strong mathematical aptitude to swiftly master and perform cash-handling functions.”

Both resumes will be reviewed because they both use job-specific keywords—and an enthusiastic entry-level candidate who demonstrates how they have transferable skills that will enable them to quickly learn a skill like cash handling is likely to be seriously considered for employment.

Use quantifiable examples of your cashiering skills. If you have cashier experience, try to provide specific examples of how you have successfully utilized your skills in the workplace. This experience can be mentioned both in the initial qualifications summary of your resume and in the career history you include in your “Professional Experience” section.

For example:

• If you have used specific point-of-sale systems, mention these by name.
• If you have trained others in specific cashiering skills, emphasize this point on your resume.
• Definitely be sure to include any awards you have earned, such as “Employee of the Month.”

Don’t forget soft skills. Particularly if you are an entry-level candidate, mentioning solid soft skills will be your key to being considered for a cashier job. Many stores are willing to train new employees on the hard skills needed for the job—technical knowledge such as how to operate a cash register—but they still prefer to hire people who at least possess the soft skills that will allow them to provide a positive store experience for their customers.

These interpersonal talents include competencies such as friendliness, proactive initiative, a professional appearance, strong verbal communication skills in English, and, depending on the location, perhaps Spanish or another language, and the flexibility to work different shifts or overtime.

Highlight your achievements and contributions. In order to stand out from your competition, you should highlight previous work achievements both in your cover letter and in your resume. In your cover letter, key achievements will pop on the page if you list these in a bulleted section and selectively use boldface font to emphasize quantifiable numbers or percentages.

In your resume under “Professional Experience,” first provide a narrative description of your specific duties as a cashier at your previous employer, followed by a bulleted list of your major achievements or contributions. Separating the achievements from the actual job description helps to showcase them by catching the reader’s eye; these examples will help to provide a convincing argument for an employer to give you a personal interview for a cashier position.

Cashier Cover Letter Example

This is an example of a cover letter for a cashier position. Download the cashier cover letter template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see below for more examples.

Cashier Resume Example

This is an example of a resume for a cashier position. Download the cashier resume template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see below for more examples.

List of Cashier Skills 

The duties of a cashier vary somewhat from one business to another, so the necessary skills do as well, but there is considerable overlap. Because most cashier positions are entry-level, they typically include extensive on-the-job training, so you might not need much in the way of focused retail skills when you apply—although prior experience does not hurt. Being able to demonstrate that you already possess many of the necessary skills will give you a leg up on otherwise equally qualified candidates.

Here’s a list of cashier skills to incorporate into your resume, and to share with prospective employers.

Basic accounting and money skills. While the cash register automatically adds up purchases and calculates change, it will only be as accurate as the numbers you enter into it. Miscounted change or an item with the wrong barcode could result in a discrepancy. You should be able to keep a running tally in your head of what numbers the cash register is supposed to be giving you, so that when someone makes a mistake, you notice. These money skills include:

• Accepting Payments
• Integrity
• Basic Math
• Attention to Detail
• Accuracy
• Bagging Calculations
• Cash Management
• Gift Cards
• Making Change
• Managerial
• Managing Cash Drawers
• Math
• Money Handling
• Monetary Transactions
• Payment Types
• Pricing
• Returns
• Store Reward Programs
• Transactions

Basic Computer Literacy. Modern cash registers are computers. Your employer will train you in the use of the specific model your location uses, but that training will go smoother if you are already familiar with how computers work. Related skills for cashiers are:

• Cash Register Use
• Point of Sale Systems (POS)
• Merchant Processing
• Scanner Use
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Bookkeeping Software
• Creating Receipts
• Credit Cards
• Exchanging Purchases
• Inventory Software Systems

Familiarity with products. If a label has come off, you should be able to identify the item and either enter the product code from memory or direct someone to find the correct barcode quickly. You can also add significant value to a customer’s experience if you know enough about your store’s products to notice if an item is damaged or to answer questions about the item. 

• Product Knowledge
• Sales
• Customer Service
• Memory
• Inventory
• Tracking Seasonal Promotions

Customer service and interpersonal skills. As the last face—and sometimes the only face—the customer sees, you will have to answer questions, explain store policy, and cope with customers irritated by long lines or other issues, all while maintaining a friendly, professional demeanor. For serious problems, you will probably be able to summon a manager or customer service representative. Here are the interpersonal skills that employers value:

• Customer Service
• Friendliness
• Handling Returns
• Hands-on Assistance
• Informative 
• Interpersonal
• Positive Attitude
• Verbal Communication
• Wrapping purchases
• Written communication
• Approachability

Flexibility and punctuality. Your employer will depend on you to come to work for your scheduled shifts. It’s important to be flexible as well as dependable. Your schedule may change, you could be asked to work overtime, or you may be asked to help out in a different department. These skills are important in a cashier role:

• Dependability
• Efficiency
• Flexibility
• Punctuality
• Team Player
• Teamwork
• Timeliness
• Willingness to Work Unusual Shifts