Health Store Cashier Registers Few Complaints About Work
When Nyala O’Brien moved here a little more than a year ago, she discovered Mother’s Market and Kitchen, a health food store and restaurant on 17th Street.
“I liked shopping here, since the products are geared toward a healthy lifestyle and the selection is huge,” said O’Brien, 28, who also happened to be job hunting. She liked the store so much that she applied and was hired as a cashier. “Mother’s has a good training program,” she said, “and I got to spend a lot of time learning about products in all the departments.”
For O’Brien, learning how to operate the cash register was simple because she had some experience from a previous job in retail.
“It doesn’t take long to learn all the codes and feel confident at the register. But that’s only a small part of the job. The most important thing is getting to know the customers, especially at a store like this where we have so many regulars. But if you are people-oriented, that will come naturally,” she said.
Even though the job means spending long hours on her feet, O’Brien still makes an effort to keep a smile--even when she might not feel like it.
“Sometimes it’s not easy. You have to be able to deal with a difficult customer and then turn around and be friendly to the next one. People expect good service here and we try hard to give it to them.”
OCCUPATION: Cashier
* What’s involved: Assisting customers and operating cash registers in a variety of environments, including supermarkets and discount stores.
* Qualifications: At least a high school diploma. Most employers conduct their own training programs.
* Outlook: By 1998, the number of jobs in Orange County is expected to increase 7.3% to 23,110.
* Salary range: Minimum wage to $9 per hour, depending on experience.
* Pros: Flexible day or evening shifts in a people-oriented environment.
* Cons: Long periods of standing and possible injury to arms and wrists from repetitive motions required to move merchandise through scanners.
* Advancement: Cashiers often advance to department managers and other administrative positions.
* Quote: “I like working in a store that sells products I believe in.”--Nyala O’BrienResearched by JANICE L. JONES / Los Angeles Times
