
Nov 14, 2016 ● Kate Lopaze
New and Useful Information on How to Become a Bank Teller and Achieve Your Goals
when you think of bank tellers, you probably think of someone who sits behind a counter and counts money all day. but really, they’re customer service professionals who also happen to count money and provide banking services. it’s a job that requires strong math skills, a high dependability factor (after all, you’re being trusted with other people’s money and banking information), and excellent people skills. the truth is, you’re not just dealing with money all day—you’re dealing with people.
if you're looking for information on how to become a bank teller, the following guide will let you know everything you need in order to make it happen.
the many benefits of a bank teller job
being a bank teller is a great entry job if you’re thinking about a career in the finance world, or if you have strong cash-handling and people-handling skills from retail experience. depending on the bank that hires you, you could be looking at:- paid, on-the-job training (or, for some banks, reimbursement for courses taken to prepare for the job)
- medical, dental, and life insurance
- a 401(k) retirement plan
- paid vacation and holidays
- a calm, quiet, and secure working environment
- a path forward to manager positions and beyond
- resume building, especially high-demand soft skills like trustworthiness, organization, and being detail-oriented
the qualifications you'll need
bank tellers don’t necessarily need tons of experience if they have the right skill set, but if you go down this path you should expect to be able to:- do math quickly, and with total accuracy.
- handle money responsibly.
- look presentable and well-groomed at work (usually no obvious tattoos, odd piercings, or crazy hair).
- dress in business casual (or standard business attire if it’s a more formal bank).
- able to work legally in the u.s.
- fluent in english.
- a high school graduate, ged recipient, or higher.
- focused on providing fast, friendly customer service.
- able to multitask, while still doing things accurately and quickly.
the decision: is it the career for you?
if you have the base skills and interest in becoming a bank teller, it’s time to move into the gut-check phase, and ask your self these questions.- can you pass a criminal background check and a drug test? you’ll be handling money, physically and electronically—the bank will need to know you’re a trustworthy investment.
- can you serve customers with good cheer and diplomacy?
- are you good with details, with an eagle eye for possible mistakes? for bank teller, mistakes can come with a very real price tag either for the customer or the bank itself.
- are you comfortable learning and offering a range of financial services to customers?