Teller. Bank tellers are the people who work at the front desk and handle transactions. They must have skills in basic arithmetic and also customer service. Usually a high school education is sufficient for this position, though some banks may want some college experience. Pay is usually hourly and is relatively low. Because of low pay, most tellers take this position temporarily while working on a degree or waiting for another position. [1] X Trustworthy Source US Bureau of Labor Statistics U. S. government agency that collects and reports labor-related information Go to source Manager. Bank mangers oversee the day to day operations of the bank, including supervising staff, making schedules, and reaching sales goals. This increase in responsibility also brings a higher salary. Banks will usually require a bachelor’s degree in management, business, or a related field for this position. Banks may hire managers directly, or promote especially hard-working tellers to the position. [2] X Research source Accountant. Banks also have accountants on staff. They oversee the bank’s financial records. Pay is usually comparable to the manager’s. Accountants will need at least a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field. [3] X Trustworthy Source US Bureau of Labor Statistics U. S. government agency that collects and reports labor-related information Go to source
To be a teller, you’ll need a high school education. If you didn’t finish high school, then you’ll need to get your GED to qualify. Read Get a GED for tips on making this happen. Management and accounting positions almost always require a bachelor’s degree. Major in a field like finance, business, management, or accounting to get the necessary skills to succeed in these positions. [4] X Expert Source Dmitriy FomichenkoFinancial Planner Expert Interview. 30 June 2020.
Emphasize your customer service experience. Most bank positions will have you working with customers at some point, so experience with the public is essential. Any job where you interacted with customers will work: cashier, stock boy, pizza delivery, barista, fast food worker, etc. Since banks specialize in providing financial services for their customers, your skills in customer service will be essential. Volunteer work also counts towards customer service experience. If you’ve volunteered at a day camp, for example, your work probably involved interacting with campers and their parents. List this to further demonstrate your qualifications. Also mention any experience you’ve had handling money. A cashier, for example, handles money and cashes out the register at the end of a shift. A delivery driver collects payments and brings money back to the store. There are skills that you should mention, since bank jobs will require you to handle money on a regular basis. Remember to make a new resume for every position you apply for. Different jobs may be looking for different skills and qualifications, and you increase your chances of getting an interview if you’ve tailored your resume to specific jobs.
Make a list of all the banks in your area and take down their contact information. Visit each one on your list and ask if they have any openings for the position you’re looking for. You could also make phone calls, but in-person visits are more effective for building a relationship with a potential employer. Sometimes they will say they don’t have any openings but always take resumes. If so, have yours on you to hand in.
Remember to say in your cover letter where you heard about the position and if anyone is referring you. This will show that you’re not a random applicant and will improve your chances of getting the job.
If you responded to an ad on a job site, it will probably be several weeks before the company even starts looking at all of the applications. You shouldn’t plan on inquiring again on this for at least a month, maybe more. If you were referred for a position and sent your resume to a specific person, a week or two after applying is a good window. This person probably has less applications to sift through and has probably had the time to look at yours in this time.
Have a few situations in mind about when you’ve had to deal with angry or irritated customers. Customer service is a huge part of a bank job, so you’ll want to be able to emphasize your skills here. Make sure you’ve investigated the company and can find ways to insert this into the conversation. Mention the bank’s mission statement, for example. Mention any contacts you have who recommended the position to you. Dress appropriately. Bank employees are expected to look presentable at all times. Both men and women should plan on wearing a business suit to the interview.
