Retail and hospitality
A cashier first round should check three things: will this person be careful with money, can they stay pleasant with a long line, and will they say no when a friend asks for a favor at the till. Ten minutes of situations covers all three.
A short, scripted audio screen is enough for an entry-level role and easy for candidates to finish on a phone.
What to screen for
The questions
Ask them in order. Listen for specifics: what happened, what they did, how it ended.
Strong answer
Tells the supervisor straight away, recounts with them, and follows the store’s process, even if it means an awkward conversation.
Weak answer
Covers it from their own pocket quietly, or says nothing and hopes it isn’t noticed.
Strong answer
Stays calm, checks the shelf price or calls someone to check, and follows the price policy, while keeping the line informed.
Weak answer
Argues with the customer, or changes the price without authority to make it go away.
Strong answer
Doesn’t accuse, explains what they remember, and asks a supervisor to count the drawer or check the camera according to policy.
Weak answer
Gives the extra change to avoid a scene, or insists the customer is lying.
Strong answer
Tells customers what’s happening, offers other payment options, calls for help, and directs people to another till if one is open.
Weak answer
Keeps retrying silently while the line grows.
Strong answer
Says no clearly and without drama, scans everything, and would mention it to a supervisor if it happened again.
Weak answer
Hesitates, or says it depends on the item.
Strong answer
Names specific habits: counting change back, keeping large notes aside until the transaction is done, checking the screen before bagging.
Weak answer
“I’m just careful”, with no habits to point to.
Strong answer
Quietly and without embarrassing them, suggests trying again or another method, and gives them a moment.
Weak answer
Announces it loudly, or looks impatient while they sort it out.
Strong answer
Owns a real mistake, explains how they caught it, who they told and what they now do differently.
Weak answer
Can’t think of one, or describes something that was someone else’s fault.
Before the interview
Quick facts to read alongside the interview. They aren’t scored.
Listen for
Avoid
Use this in LessRounds
Paste the questions into a scripted interview, add the scorecard skills, and share one link. Every cashier candidate gets the same questions, and you get a score for each skill with the quote behind it.
Honesty. Speed comes with practice on the till. How someone handles a short drawer or a friend asking for a favor is much harder to change.
About 10 minutes. Five or six short situations are enough, and candidates applying from a phone are more likely to finish.
Start with 10 free interviews a month. No card, no sales call.