Hey everyone, it's your girl Aaliyah Jirra! Today, I'm sharing five things I wish I had known before starting as a seasonal cashier at Target. I was hired during their National Hiring Event, and I want to give you the real scoop from a cashier's perspective. Let's dive in!
1. Minimal Training
I wish I had known that Target's training would be almost non-existent. They throw you into the deep end! You shadow someone for just 30 minutes to an hour, and then you're expected to manage the register on your own.
2. Lengthy Check Processing
WIC checks take an incredibly long time to process—over 30 minutes! You need to verify the items, check the user's ID, ensure the check is signed, and more. While you're doing this, the line backs up like the DMV.
3. Guests, Not Customers
At Target, customers are called "guests." It feels like working in a hotel, and this was a tough adjustment for me. I'm used to referring to people as customers, so constantly saying "guests" was frustrating.
4. Red Cards Obsession
Red Cards are everything at Target. Management pushes you to sell them relentlessly. Even if a customer declines, you're expected to keep pushing. This pressure made the job incredibly stressful, and I often had nightmares about Red Cards.
5. Self-Checkout Duties
Aside from the register, you'll also manage self-checkout, overseeing six to seven stations at once. You need to ensure no one is stealing, assist with any issues, process returns, and complete reports. It's a lot to handle!
Those are the five things I wish I had known before working at Target. If you want to hear the full story of how I eventually walked out, let me know in the comments. Share your experiences too—I’d love to hear them!
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