First Time Working | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

First Time Working

My first experience as a cashier

7
First Time Working
calpersloan

"Please swipe and sign" is my new catch phrase.

As the customer line slowly starts to get longer and longer, I start to panic as I do not want to keep anyone waiting for an extensive amount of time. I ring up customer after customer, making simple mistakes that take too much time to fix, making the line even longer and the customers even angrier. My manager walks in and helps clear out the line and then gives me instructions on how to improve. She always says "after some time, you will get the swing of things." I try to let her words reassure me that everyone makes stupid mistakes but in the back of my mind, I feel like I do not deserve to be paid for not working at my greatest potential.

Sometimes, it takes me five minutes to ring customers up, while other times I can ring up a customer in thirty seconds. I have tried and failed to master the art of returns, always printing too many receipts or swiping the customer's card the wrong way. I answered phones time after time and would tell people wrong information. They would ask when we are open until and I would say a time later than the store is actually open. However, the saying practice makes perfect could not be more true.

I work two week days and one weekend, equaling about 12 hours a week. Every time I have gone to work, I retain more skills and gain more confidence behind the register. I am able to deal with impatient customers without my supervisor looking over my shoulder. I answer the phone, kindness and knowledge seeping through my voice. I call managers and different departments over the loud speaker.

Being a cashier has given me working skills and experience that can help later in my life. In college, I can get a job as a cashier knowing I can get the hang of it because of my previous practice. It is a job anyone can do, where you can make easy money and improve your people skills. The longer you work in one place, the more like a family the work place can feel. My employer hosts a secret santa for all employees: cashiers, salespeople, and managers. Every Thursday after we close (at six in the afternoon) there are pickup volleyball games between the salespeople and the cashiers.

I love working where I do and I love being a cashier. It is a job where I get paid more than money; I get to meet people I now consider friends instead of just coworkers and I get practice for the real working world. Baby steps is what my mom always tells me and for the first time, I am taking her advice.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
I'm serious

There are tons of unisex names that are popular: Taylor, Alex, Bailey, etc. There are also numerous names that are used for both sexes, but they’re not seen as “unisex” yet. People are slowly becoming accustomed to the dual use of these names, but for the most part, in their minds they associate certain names with certain sexes. And that leaves those of us with these names in many awkward situations.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

16 Secrets Anthropology Majors Never Admit To

You know that all of these things apply to you. You'll just never tell.

5780
cave
CSU

I'm an anthropology major, and I love every minute of it. I couldn't tell you why, but I guess there's just something about studying different lifestyles that absolutely fascinates me. But anthropology majors definitely have our weird sides, especially when you go to a school that is filled with mostly Business and Bio majors. But us weirdos definitely have a lot in common, specifically these 16 things.

Keep Reading...Show less
pale girl

Everyone has insecurities, that's just a fact. You didn't ask to be born this way. You didn't ask to inherit the one trait no one else in your family has. And you definitely didn't ask to be this ghostly white. But as soon as you've learned to live with it for a while (less wrinkles later on in life, right? right???) someone has to ruin it for you. They have to flaunt they're perfectly tanned body from Spring Break and hold their sun-kissed skin against yours. But I've had enough... here are the things that perpetually pale individuals are tired of hearing.

Keep Reading...Show less
music sheet

Being a music major is not all kicks and giggles. In fact, there are days when I question my sanity and doubt myself as a musician. I know I am not the only one going through the struggle, and so here are 13 GIFs that I know my fellow music majors can relate to...

Keep Reading...Show less
Bob's Burgers
Flickr

1. The witty burger names.

Blue is the warmest cheese burger

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments