Working in a bank as a teller can be exciting. Cashiers are in contact with many people and learn a lot of new skills. If you want to work with money or one day rise to a higher position in a bank, working as a teller is a great start. This job is not for everyone, but if you are a person committed to your goals, there is a path you can follow.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Prepare to look for work
Step 1. Ask yourself if you really want to be a bank teller
Do you do it for the money? In many cases, bank tellers have a lot of work and must carry a great responsibility, but they do not pay them as much. If you enjoy working with the general public and want to meet new people, then this might be the job for you. You may be interested in pursuing a career in a bank and this is a good way to take the first step. You might be excited about the idea of working with money! Those are all good reasons, the important thing is that you have a good reason to do it. In the interview they will surely ask you why you want to be a bank teller.
Step 2. Decide what type of bank you would like to work for
There are many options. You could work in a small bank, a village bank, a national bank, or a regional bank. Regional banks have many branches, but in few states. Keep in mind that regional and national banks operate similarly, while village banks have a closer relationship with customers.
Step 3. Make sure you are qualified for the position
Before applying for the job, keep in mind that banks will want and expect you to meet certain requirements. You must have a good credit history, you must not have a criminal record, you must have several personal or professional references and a verifiable previous job. They will at least want to know how long you worked at your last job. You will also need to have computer skills, for example, understand how to use the Windows operating system. For most teller jobs, you must have at least one year of experience in customer service and managing and balancing money. If you have sales experience, you will have an important advantage.
- If you don't have computer skills, many libraries offer free classes on weekends. Sign up for one of those classes.
- If you have no prior customer service experience, try landing an entry-level cashier job anywhere. If you work as a cashier for six months, you will gain experience in customer service and money handling. You can use this to your advantage to get your job as a bank teller.
- You may also need to take a basic math proficiency test.
- Keep in mind that in most cases, filling a bank teller position requires a high school diploma.
Step 4. Start looking for a job in a bank
You can look for work in the local newspaper, but it would also be good to visit the websites of several banks that operate in your town or city. Almost all banks have a human resources section where they provide information on the areas for which they need staff and the expectations of the jobs. If you do not have work experience in banks, you will need to look for a position labeled "Cashier" or "Cashier level 1". That is the entry level for cashier positions.
Method 2 of 4: Get an Interview
Step 1. Apply for the available job on the Internet or send your CV to the bank
Keep in mind that if you submit a resume without an application form, you will most likely be asked to complete an application. The bank will want to have all of your information, including the addresses where you lived for the last seven years (or more), your education, employment, skills, recognitions, references, social security number and driver's license number. You can also find other questions such as "Why would you like to work at this bank?"
If they ask you why you want to work for that particular bank, be specific. Tell them about how much you like interacting with the townspeople and how you would like to make that visit to the bank special for each customer
Step 2. Try to make interpersonal connections
Try to network if possible. Many people get their job because they know someone who has spoken well of them. If you don't know anyone, maybe you know someone who knows someone. Try contacting them through Facebook or other social networks. If you really dream of being a bank teller, you will surely find someone who is willing to help you.
Step 3. Go in person to the bank where you want to work and tell them that you would like to apply for a job
Sometimes when you go personally to apply for a job, you can get an interview directly. Especially if you can establish a good relationship with the person you spoke to to apply for the job. If you go personally to the bank to ask for work, make sure you dress appropriately, showing a professional image.
Step 4. Phone to find out about available jobs
Call different banks and ask to speak to someone from HR. Tell them you'd love to submit your resume or take it to them in person. Try to briefly explain why it would be so important to you to work there. Send them an email to keep in touch with them.
Step 5. Wait to be called for an interview, but keep in mind that this process is generally slow
HR often works only on certain days. Unless they are desperately looking for a cashier, they will surely want to go through all the requests. Try to be patient and apply for as many jobs as you can while you wait for them to call you.
Method 3 of 4: Stand Out in the Interview
Step 1. Dress to impress
It's cliché, but you should try to dress well. You don't need to wear a suit, but donning a shirt and tie is a good start. Bank tellers generally dress well so it would be nice if you dress like you are going to work that day. This can be decisive for the interview.
Step 2. Make eye contact and give the person who is interviewing you a firm handshake
Also, don't use too much force when shaking hands or act like you're in a staring contest. Try to show your personality while still acting like a professional.
Step 3. Prepare to answer questions about your customer service experience
They will likely ask you specific questions about how you would handle different situations with clients. Banks expect their employees to be gifted even when the customer is wrong, so they try to answer questions with the idea that the customer is always right. They could also ask you how you would act in the face of a difference in money and how you would go about balancing that difference. Be prepared to answer questions about sales. The manager will most likely ask you to sell him something, for example, he might say "convince me to buy this pen." They will want you to go out and offer their products. Get ready!
For example, if you are asked in the interview if you have ever done something good for a client but bad for the company, try to answer that you think no because what is good for the client is almost always good for the company as well
Step 4. Try to demonstrate qualities that position you as a good candidate for the job
The qualities the manager will look for will be honesty, trust, strong judgment, and the ability to multitask.
Method 4 of 4: Keep going
Step 1. Send a thank you note after the interview
This will make you stand out from the other candidates and let them know that you are grateful for having dedicated their time to you. When you leave the interview, always thank whoever interviewed you and shake your hand. If there are many applicants, you are more likely to be considered as a candidate if you send them a thank you note.
Step 2. Wait to receive news
If you got the job, congratulations! But if not, try harder next time and just remember: each bank needs different people, with different profiles. There are many bank teller jobs available. Try to strengthen your customer service experience and keep looking for job openings as a bank teller.
Step 3. If after a few weeks you haven't heard anything, call to find out if they have already filled the job
If it's been a couple of weeks and they haven't contacted you, call to find out if there's news. However, if they told you it was going to take a month to make the decision, then wait a month. Don't be too pushy, just tell them you were calling to ask how long it would take for them to make the decision.
Advice
- Banks offer exciting benefits such as medical, dental and vision coverage, paid holidays, vacations after one year, and days off for personal reasons. They often also include the possibility of working part-time, but you should check with HR. All employees typically receive free checking accounts and similar discounted banking products.
- Don't think you're going to get a great, modern job - it's hard work. Keep in mind that you will work a lot on Fridays and Mondays because those days are the busiest for banking.
- Generally the most sought after skills to fill these positions are precision, attention to detail and communication.
- Be careful if you work for a bank that is inside a supermarket. They are often open on weekends and work later than most traditional banks. They also have a higher turnover of employees and work on holidays (including official holidays is like Independence Day or Good Friday; something that traditional banks do not do). Get ready to work hard!
- Being a bank teller is not as glamorous a job as it sounds. It's a lot of work, customers can be very irritating, and you'll need to meet and exceed sales goals on a daily basis.
- If you don't like selling, this job is not for you. Your job will consist mostly of selling products. Bank tellers often work harder than personal bankers, when it comes to balancing their variety of tasks.