You must be at least 18 or have your high school diploma or GED in order to work at most banks, but what banks prioritize more than your age or education is how many years of relevant experience you have. Your availability matters too, as does your experience working with and using computers.
Job Duties
Bank tellers process hundreds of transactions during the course of a day. These transactions can include deposits, withdrawals and bill payments. Their attention to detail must be impeccable, as mistakes can be costly, not just for the customer but also for the bank. Some banks require tellers to process a certain number of transactions every hour. Wells Fargo, for example, expects tellers to make few if any mistakes while processing between 20 and 25 transactions an hour.
Experience Counts
The more experience you have working with customers or handling money, the better your chances at landing a job working as a teller. For example, Wells Fargo expects its tellers to have at least one year of customer-service experience and prefers tellers have cash-handling experience. JP Morgan Chase expects tellers to have at least six months' experience handling cash, though will waive this requirement if you have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree or are currently enrolled in a degree program.
Other Requirements
To succeed as a teller, you must be able to work well with others, identify and solve problems, be able to multi-task and be able to work when the bank is open. Some banks, such as Bank of America, also require applicants to pass a test before being hired as a teller. Depending on the bank where you want to work, you may also have to pass a background check in order to be hired. You may also need to pass a drug screening.
Training
Most banks provide on-the-job training to new tellers. You’ll learn how to use the bank’s computer system and also about the products and services the bank offers, such as home loans or investment vehicles. Wells Fargo expects tellers to tell their customers about bank products and generate leads for other bank employees. JP Morgan Chase requires its tellers to do the same and offers incentives to those tellers who help increase business at the bank.
Job Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for tellers should remain relatively the same over the next several years. Expect banks to reconsider staffing needs, as more people bank online or use mobile banking apps, but this doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to find a job working as a teller. Job prospects should remain robust, according to the BSL.
References
Writer Bio
William Henderson has been writing for newspapers, magazines and journals for more than 15 years. He served as editor of the "New England Blade" and is a former contributor to "The Advocate." His work has also appeared on The Good Men Project, Life By Me and The Huffington Post.