A retail cashier job can be a great stepping stone into the workforce, a part-time job or the perfect source of extra cash when you're in a pinch. In other cases, it can also be your entry point into a career in retail, fashion, distribution or marketing. If you're looking to land a retail cashier position, you're going to need a great resume to stand out from other candidates with similar skillsets.
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Resume.io is here to help. With 300+ resume examples and writing guides for every field and career level, we'll show you how to create an application that catches the hiring manager's attention and lands you that interview. Here's what we'll cover in this guide, along with our adaptable retail cashier resume example:
- What does a retail cashier do?
- How to write a retail cashier resume (tips and tricks)
- The best format for a retail cashier resume
- Advice on each section of your resume (summary, work history, education, skills)
- Professional resume layout and design hints.
What does a retail cashier do?
Retail cashiers are people who work in retail stores, helping customers to complete transactions and purchase or return items. Retail cashiers are required to be knowledgeable about store products and offerings, and work to offer the highest level of customer service possible. Retail cashiers should have good basic math skills and be able to complete financial transactions with precision and ease. They should be wiling and able to work collaboratively with team members and complete projects when assigned. Due to the financial nature of this role, honesty and integrity are crucial to the success of a retail cashier. Retail cashiers are often required to assist with other store duties, which can vary depending upon the nature of the store they work in.
With a nationwide labor shortage due to the pandemic, the odds are in your favor when it comes to finding a retail cashier job. About 4 million workers* have left the labor force for a variety of reasons workers, meaning companies are looking to entice more employees with better pay and benefits. If it's time to get a retail job, make sure to look around for the store willing to give you the best hourly wage.
*Source: Yahoo! Finance
Ever wondered how other retail resumes look? Check out these related retail resume examples below:
How to write a retail cashier resume
A resume for a retail cashier should follow the same basic structure as many other CVs. Here are the essential components to include:
- The resume header
- The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
- The employment history section
- The resume skills section
- The education section
A retail cashier resume should effectively convey a candidate's ability to assist customers in retail stores during shopping and check-out. A winning retail cashier resume should have an impressive profile section that effectively summarizes your qualifications and skills that support a retail cashier role. Your employment history should include any impressive positions with a special emphasis on positions in retail. If you do not have any places of employment to list, be sure to include experiences, membership in clubs or organizations and interesting hobbies. Your resume should also include a skills section with a strong mix of soft and hard skills necessary for success as a retail cashier. It is always advised to review the job description for the position you are applying for and include key skills listed if appropriate. The main goal of a retail cashier resume is to present yourself as a trustworthy, organized, and hardworking individual capable of working productively in a retail environment.
Choosing the best resume format for retail cashiers
When it comes to the best resume format for retail cashiers, you have a few options depending on your level of experience. If this is not your first job (even if your other jobs were in different sectors) then you should stick with the reverse chronological resume format. This structure centers on an employment history section where you can list your previous roles and describe how your skills apply to the retail cashier role. This format is preferred by hiring managers and the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) in use at most medium and large companies.
If you have zero previous experience to show, you may consider using a functional resume format which omits the employment history section in favor of a more robust skills section. The hybrid structure may also be an option if your experience is limited. You can read more about this in our guide to alternative resume formats.
Don't overlook the ATS.
Hiring managers are busy people. To help cut down on their workloads, many medium and large companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter applications. These algorithms scan resumes for keywords and rank them against the other candidates. Only the top-scoring are passed along to the hiring manager for review. While there's no guarantee you won't be filtered out, there are some steps you can take to minimize the risk:
- Read the job description closely and look for keywords emphasized by the employer – these could be duties, skills or experience measurements.
- Place these keywords into the appropriate resume sections while being completely honest about your experiences.
- Use common section headings like "Summary" or "Employment History" to tell the ATS where to look for information.
Resume summary example
In such a customer-facing role, your personality and demeanor count for a lot. The few sentences of your summary are a great place to sum up your experiences, achievements and work style. This is the one place on your resume where you'll be able to speak directly the the hiring manager so make sure to communicate your interest and qualities. Retail doesn't have to be your life-long passion, but make sure it's clear why you want to work in this particular environment and that you'll be a helpful and friendly face for as long as you're employed.
Check out the summary from our adaptable retail cashier resume example below.
Enthusiastic and reliable Cashier, dedicated to providing excellent customer service with a smile. Organized, detail oriented, and experienced in properly handling daily accounts and managing inventory. Several years of experience in various retail settings with a proven track record of job success.
Employment history sample
The employment history section is the place to list all positions of importance and those that have transferable duties and/or required skills necessary for a retail cashier job. List your positions in reverse chronological order starting with the most recent. After giving the job title, employer name, dates worked and location, add a few bullet points detailing your duties and achievements. Remember to use powerful action verbs and offer numbers or statistics whenever possible. Check out the employment history section from our retail cashier resume sample below.
Cashier at Nordstrom, Seattle
June 2017 - August 2019
- Greeted customers with a smile and encouraged feedback pertaining to their shopping experience.
- Handled all merchandise with care and packed customer bags neatly.
- Settled customer disputes in a professional and pleasant manner.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of all retail promotions.
- Prevented long waits by quickly and carefully ringing up items, adding to the hassle-free experience of the customer.
- Mentored junior cashiers and new employees.
- Took on extra shifts based on the needs of the store.
- Remained punctual and professional at all times.
Cashier at Viola's Flowers and Gifts, Seattle
March 2014 - June 2017
- Put forth excellent customer service efforts at all times.
- Recorded and processed all flower orders in an organized and accurate manner.
- Provided relevant information and suggestions regarding floral arrangements and purchases.
- Ensured proper delivery times for all events and coordinated travel for deliveries.
- Answered phones, relayed important messages, and served as a general liaison between the florist and customers.
Inventory Monitor at Wal-mart , Hartford
July 2011 - April 2014
- Carefully and accurately monitored and recorded all refrigerated items ready for stocking.
- Delivered inventory reports to my supervisor in a timely fashion each and every week.
- Coordinated and scheduled deliveries based on sales and future needs.
- Worked well with other employees to ensure proper running of the inventory department.
Retail cashier resume education example
Retail cashiers aren't required to have formal training but the education section of your resume is a great place to let the employer know a bit about your background and career path. List degrees in reverse chronological order. If you hold a degree higher than a bachelor degree, you may leave out your high school. A degree in progress is fine to include here, too. Just be sure to add your expected graduation date. You can list certifications here, or create a separate section highlighting them. Here is our adaptable resume sample:
Associate of Business Administration, WCC, Valhalla
August 2015 - May 2017
High School Diploma, Valhalla High School, Valhalla
September 2011 - May 2015
CV skills example
Your skills are at the heart of your job as a retail cashier so make sure to highlight them in this CV section. The bullet point format means it is best to add abilities that can be summarized in a word or two. Make sure to include any specific skills mentioned in the job description to increase your chances of beating the ATS. As a retail cashier, it's important to have a good mix of hard skills and soft skills on your CV.
Check out the skills section from our resume sample below.
- Excellent Organizational skills
- Superior Customer Service Skills
- Strong Mathematical Skills
- Teamwork Skills
- Multitasking Skills
- Honesty and Integrity
Resume layout and design
For entry-level positions like retail cashier, creating an attractive and professional resume layout can give you a major boost compared to other candidates who didn't put thought into their design. Focus on creating a clean and organized header section that highlights your name and contact information with a touch of color (depending on what's appropriate based on the store's branding). If you're applying to work at many stores at once, you may want to consider using different resume templates to give a customized look to each application. Leave a balance of white space to text so that the resume won't be tiring on the reader's eyes.
Retail Cashier text-only resume example
Profile
Enthusiastic and reliable Cashier, dedicated to providing excellent customer service with a smile. Organized, detail oriented, and experienced in properly handling daily accounts and managing inventory. Several years of experience in various retail settings with a proven track record of job success.
Employment history
Cashier at Nordstrom, Seattle
June 2017 - August 2019
- Greeted customers with a smile and encouraged feedback pertaining to their shopping experience.
- Handled all merchandise with care and packed customer bags neatly.
- Settled customer disputes in a professional and pleasant manner.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of all retail promotions.
- Prevented long waits by quickly and carefully ringing up items, adding to the hassle-free experience of the customer.
- Mentored junior cashiers and new employees.
- Took on extra shifts based on the needs of the store.
- Remained punctual and professional at all times.
Cashier at Viola's Flowers and Gifts, Seattle
March 2014 - June 2017
- Put forth excellent customer service efforts at all times.
- Recorded and processed all flower orders in an organized and accurate manner.
- Provided relevant information and suggestions regarding floral arrangements and purchases.
- Ensured proper delivery times for all events and coordinated travel for deliveries.
- Answered phones, relayed important messages, and served as a general liaison between the florist and customers.
Inventory Monitor at Wal-mart , Hartford
July 2011 - April 2014
- Carefully and accurately monitored and recorded all refrigerated items ready for stocking.
- Delivered inventory reports to my supervisor in a timely fashion each and every week.
- Coordinated and scheduled deliveries based on sales and future needs.
- Worked well with other employees to ensure proper running of the inventory department.
Skills
- Excellent Organizational skills
- Superior Customer Service Skills
- Strong Mathematical Skills
- Teamwork Skills
- Multitasking Skills
- Honesty and Integrity
Education
Associate of Business Administration, WCC, Valhalla
August 2015 - May 2017
High School Diploma, Valhalla High School, Valhalla
September 2011 - May 2015
Key takeaways for a retail cashier resume
- A clean and organized resume can go a long way in helping you stand out from other entry-level candidates.
- Make sure to include an employment history section where relevant experience is listed starting with the most recent.
- Don't overlook the ATS – the summary and skills sections are great places to sneak in those keywords!
- Check out our adaptable retail cashier resume sample for more ideas on creating a great page layout.
