Cashier interview questions
A cashier interview should test accuracy with money, friendliness under pressure, and honesty. Include a quick change-counting exercise and ask about real situations like long lines and difficult customers.
What to assess
Behavioral questions
Tell me about a time your cash drawer did not balance. What did you do?
What it reveals: Tests honesty and accountability with money.
A strong answer: Describes recounting, reporting to a supervisor promptly, and changing habits to prevent repeats.
Describe a time you stayed friendly with a very long line of impatient customers.
What it reveals: Shows composure and service under pressure.
A strong answer: Mentions acknowledging the wait, working efficiently, calling for backup, and staying courteous.
Tell me about a time a customer was rude to you at checkout.
What it reveals: Tests emotional control.
A strong answer: Shows not taking it personally, staying polite, and involving a manager when appropriate.
Give an example of catching a mistake, such as a wrong price, before the customer left.
What it reveals: Reveals attention to detail.
A strong answer: Describes noticing the error, correcting it per policy, and explaining it to the customer.
Tell me about a job where you had to be very reliable with attendance.
What it reveals: Tests dependability.
A strong answer: Describes consistent attendance and how they handled the rare conflict responsibly.
Role-specific questions
If a purchase is $13.37 and the customer hands you $20.02, what change do you give?
What it reveals: Tests quick, accurate math.
A strong answer: Answers $6.65 and counts it back clearly.
What POS systems have you used, and how did you handle voids or price overrides?
What it reveals: Tests system experience and policy awareness.
A strong answer: Names systems and explains getting manager approval when required.
How do you check for counterfeit bills?
What it reveals: Tests cash-handling awareness.
A strong answer: Mentions feel, watermark, security strip, color-shifting ink, a counterfeit pen, and calling a manager.
Walk me through balancing your drawer at the end of a shift.
What it reveals: Tests closing procedures.
A strong answer: Describes counting by denomination, matching to the register report, and documenting any variance.
How do you handle a sale that requires an age check, like alcohol or tobacco?
What it reveals: Tests compliance with legal sales rules.
A strong answer: Checks valid ID every time per policy and refuses the sale if requirements are not met.
Situational questions
A customer insists they gave you a $50 bill, but you remember a $20. What do you do?
What it reveals: Tests calm handling of cash disputes.
A strong answer: Stays polite, calls a manager, and follows the drawer count procedure rather than arguing.
A friend comes through your line and asks you to skip scanning an item. How do you respond?
What it reveals: Tests integrity.
A strong answer: Refuses clearly and scans everything.
The card reader goes down with a full line. What do you do?
What it reveals: Tests problem solving.
A strong answer: Alerts a manager, informs customers, directs them to other registers, and follows backup procedures.
Motivation and fit
Why do you want to work as a cashier here?
What it reveals: Gauges motivation and interest in your store.
A strong answer: Gives a genuine reason such as liking customer interaction or the store's reputation.
What makes a checkout experience great for a customer?
What it reveals: Reveals service mindset.
A strong answer: Mentions speed, accuracy, a friendly greeting, and making customers feel appreciated.
Red flags
- Treats drawer shortages casually
- Would bend rules for friends or family
- Argues with customers over disputes instead of calling a manager
- Struggles with basic change calculation and does not double-check
Questions not to ask
- How old are you? — age discrimination risk; you may only confirm they meet any legal minimum age, such as for selling alcohol
- Do you have reliable childcare? — family status discrimination risk; ask if they can work the scheduled shifts
- Have you ever been arrested? — many states restrict arrest record questions; check your state's rules on criminal history and timing
- Is that your real name, or where is it from? — national origin discrimination risk
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Frequently asked questions
What is a good test for cashier candidates?
A quick change-counting question or two shows math comfort and how the candidate checks their work. Pair it with a question about a past drawer variance to assess honesty.
Can I ask a cashier candidate about criminal history?
It depends on your location. Many states and cities have fair chance or ban-the-box laws that limit when and how you can ask, so check your state's rules before including it in the application.
Should cashiers be required to stand for the whole shift?
Only if standing is truly essential to the job. Many employers provide stools, and the ADA may require accommodation, so describe the actual tasks instead of a blanket standing requirement.