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Counter Person: Easy Reading Job Profiles - alis
Counter persons serve customers and take their orders.
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Easy Reading Job Profiles

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Counter Person

Help or serve people

Other names for this job

  • Cashier
  • Clerk
  • Food Counter Attendant
  • Counter Help

Word Meanings

Do you see red words on this page? Click or tap these words to learn what they mean. Or visit the Easy Reading Dictionary.

What do counter persons do?

Counter persons serve customers at a counter. For example, in a fast food restaurant or coffee shop. Counter persons take customers’ orders.

iStock-000007877826

Meet a counter person

Sue works in a fast food restaurant. She often works behind the counter. She works with other people. They are called the counter crew.

Here are things that Sue does:

  • She greets customers.
  • She takes customers’ orders. Customers come into the restaurant or use the drive-thru window.
  • Sue makes coffee. She pours coffee and gets other drinks.
  • She puts orders on trays and in bags.
  • She cleans the tables and the counter.
  • She uses a cash register. She enters the orders and prints receipts. She takes customers’ money and gives them change.
  • She uses a credit and debit card machine. She may need to change the roll of paper in the cash register or credit card machine.
  • Strength Required Lift up to 10 kg

What is a counter person’s work like?

Counter persons work in shifts. Sue works an 8-hour shift from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

She works from Tuesday to Saturday.

Sometimes she works other shifts or other days.

Sue must stand and walk a lot at work. She has to work fast when the restaurant is busy. She has to give customers the correct change. Sue has to be polite to everyone.

Do you want to be a counter person?

  • You need to work well under pressure. For example, sometimes Sue is very busy. She has to make coffee, serve customers and clean tables. She has to decide what to do first.
  • You need to understand customers’ questions. You need to understand their coffee and food orders.
  • You need to be able to talk about different products. For example, drinks and sandwiches.
  • You have to work well with people. For example, coworkers and customers.
  • You should have a good memory. For example, you need to remember prices and orders
  • You need to be able to work with money. For example, you need to give change to people.
  • You need to be able to follow instructions. For example, the manager might tell you to do something.

What education do counter persons need?

Counter persons usually learn on the job. They don’t need a high school diploma. They may need a short course about food safety.

What can counter persons do in the future?

Counter persons may work as cashiers in other businesses. For example, grocery stores, drugstores and department stores. A counter person with experience may become an assistant manager or a manager.

How much does a counter person make?

$15.00
to
$19.94
Per Hour

Source
 2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

As of June 26, 2019, the minimum wage in Alberta is $15.00 per hour for most workers. For more information, see Minimum Wage.

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iStock-000005589973

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You can ask your career advisor or tutor about other jobs that are like counter person.

Do you want more information?

Do you want more information? You can ask your career advisor or tutor for help.

You will see some red words on this page. Click or tap these words to learn what they mean. Or visit the Easy Reading Dictionary.

For career advisors

Updated Oct 15, 2024. The information contained in this profile is current as of the date shown.

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