Betting Shop Cashier Job Interview
A betting shop cashier is responsible for taking bets, explaining odds, serving customers and working the computerized system.
In the job interview, you need to highlight several key skills; customer service, mathematics and having the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
Each interview question will be based on these betting shop duties.
10 Betting Shop Cashier Job Interview Questions
Betting Shop Cashier Job Interview Question 1 Please start by sharing your experience in retail or customer service?
To answer the ‘what is your experience?’ interview question, start by summarising your combined retail experience: ‘I have over 12 years of experience working in customer facing roles…’ before making the answer more specific to the betting shop cashier role: ‘…with 8 years of this being in betting shops.’
Next, explain what type of employers you have worked for; trackside betting shop, high street betting shop and/or small estate betting shop. Then go on to describe a list of your duties; taking bets, handling cash, dealing with, sometimes, angry customers.
End the interview answer by describing why you enjoy working, nit just in a customer facing role, but in a betting shop specifically.
Betting Shop Cashier Job Interview Question 2 How would you explain odds and betting options to new customers?
Explain how this situation is common – as this shows experience.
Here you probably have an explanation that you frequently use, if so, use the same explanation in the job interview. If not use something along the lines of ‘When you look at the odds, the odd represents the ratio between what you bet (your stake) and the amount you could possible win (the Odds) As an example if the odds are 3 to 1, for everyone £1 you bet, you could possibly win £3 – as this is a 3 to 1 odds.
Also make it clear how you tell new customers that there are different types of bets and how all bets are risky.
Betting Shop Cashier Job Interview Question 3 Do you have experience of using a computerized system for recording bets and taking payments?
Each betting shop may use a different computerised system, and once employed the successful applicant will be trained on all systems.
This interview question, therefore, is checking if you have IT abilities. Ideally you will know and have experience in using the same systems the betting shop employs.
Here then, make it clear that you have used a range of different betting computer systems and how your IT skills are of a good standard.
Betting Shop Cashier Job Interview Question 4 Give an example of when you have used excellent customer service skills and what was the outcome?
Customer service is key to increasing customer retention. Stating this at the interview question start helps to seed the idea of your understanding of the business.
When giving a customer service example, start by describing the situation – maybe this was Grand National day and the shop was full of customers; regulars and first timers. Explain why a certain customer was frustrated or angry.
It is important here to explain in detail the steps you took, using excellent customer service, to support the customer to find a solution to their problem.
Betting Shop Cashier Job Interview Question 5 Give an example of dealing with an angry customer?
When asked specifically about ‘angry’ customers, this means the betting shop where the cashier job has been advertised for deals with ‘angry’ customers on a regular basis.
It is important to highlight your experience of working with ‘angry’ customers: ‘In my last role, working at Big Bens Betting shop we would dealt with customers who regular placed large bets. When unsuccessful, many customers, after losing thousands of pound’s would be angry…’
Once the situation has been explained, you need to explain how you overcome this issue: ‘…When the customer became angry I would….(add in explanation; as an example this could be diffusing the situation getting a different member of staff who didn’t take the bet to answer the queries, this helped to diffuse the situation as the customer wanted to take their anger out on the person who they placed the bet with.’
Betting Shop Cashier Job Interview Question 6 Why is it important to report suspicious gambling patterns?
Explain how all betting shops have a reasonability to report suspicious behavior.
Next list what suspicious behavior is and what type of behavior you would look out for. Go on to explain, that once you suspect criminal behavior that you would first inform your line manager.
Ending with a real-life example helps to end this interview answer.
Betting Shop Cashier Job Interview Question 7 Do you have experience of balancing takings at the end of the day?
For most experienced cashiers, balancing the takings at the end of each shift is a day-to-day duty.
When answering this question talk about the steps you take regarding cash taking.
- Initial I will check the till float amount is accurate at the start of my shift
- When taking bets I check, and double, the betting slips and payments.
- For large bets I inform a supervisor who will double check the amount and agree/disagree to the bet.
- I never leave the till open and ensure that no other staff member uses my till.
- At the end of the day I run the till receipt and check the takings before passing the cash to the betting shop manager for double checking
Betting Shop Cashier Job Interview Question 8 Give an example of working within a team?
When asked for an ‘example’ the employer is looking for a story that will highlight the skill, in this case ‘teamwork’. Ideally, the example should be based in the workplace – but doesn’t have to be.
For ‘example’ answers you can use the 4 steps below:
- Set out the team task you had to perform
- Explain what your part within the team was and any actions you took
- Discuss how you helped other team members
- State the outcome; that you achieved the task.
Betting Shop Cashier Job Interview Question 9 Why is communication a key skill in a betting shop?
In all customer service and retail job roles communication is a vital skills.
In the betting shop industry, and when working as a betting shop cashier communication is of high importance.
You can give any ‘communication’ example to show how you possess excellent communication skills, but the best example that is highly relevant to the advertised job roles is the communication when taking a bet.
Explain that when a customer places a bet, you verbally repeat their bet – which is on the betting form, and wait for their agreement. This checking and communication of taking a bet, ensures no mistakes are made and forestalls any ‘angry’ customers.
Betting Shop Cashier Job Interview Question 10 what questions do you have for us?
- What are the operational hours of the business?
- Which events do the majority of your customers bet on?
- Do you have a number of regulars or does the shop generally get walks-in’s and new customers?
- What training is offered to new staff members?
- What is the busiest time of year?
