Checkout Operator

Typical Salary

£11,500 To £17,000

Typical Hours

37 to 39 a week

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How To Become a Checkout Operator

You can get into this job through:

a college course
an apprenticeship
applying directly

College / University

You can start by taking a college course like:

Level 1 Certificate in Skills for Retail
Level 2 Certificate in Retail Knowledge

2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course

2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

Apprenticeship

You may be able to get into this job through a retailer intermediate apprenticeship.

some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

Routes into this Career

Routes into this Career are not listed for this job.

You can apply directly to job vacancies.

There are no set entry requirements though some employers may ask for GCSE passes at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in maths and English.

Experience of handling cash and serving customers will be helpful.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
the ability to work well with others
customer service skills
sensitivity and understanding
maths knowledge
excellent verbal communication skills
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day To Day Tasks

Your day-to-day duties could include:

working quickly so that customers in the queue don't have to wait too long
scanning items for customers
weighing and pricing fruit and vegetables
using special tools to remove security tags
checking customers' ages for restrictions on items like alcohol
packing and wrapping purchases
processing store loyalty cards, coupons and vouchers
taking payments and making sure the till balances at the end of the day
spending time away from the till, filling shelves, checking stock or working on a customer service desk

Working Environment

You could work at a store.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career Path & Progression

Career Path & Progression are not listed for this job.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Restrictions & Requirements are not listed for this job.

Restrictions & Requirements

You'll need to:

be over 18 to sell alcohol and other restricted goods