A dear friend agreed to let me interview her about her job as a Cashier Supervisor at a major department store. Her job involves a lot of responsibility and long hours, and I am thankful that she took the time to answer a few of my questions.

What led you to this job?

Originally, I was just looking for work in general. I, among many others lost my job in Novemeber 2008 and found that there wasn't much work to be had as far as entry-level management goes, I finally just took a minimum wage cashier gig at a major department store in the mall. Within a few months I was promoted to my current job as cashier supervisor.

What are the hardest parts about your job?
Really, there aren't many hard parts about working in retail- the occasional difficult customer that doesn't understand why we can't take returns without a receipt or doesn't get approved for a credit card can be tough, but really, it's not a hard job. As far as my job goes, I have a staff of 18-25 people to supervise and most of them are friends; sometimes it's hard to keep them working when it's so easy for them to sneak away and talk to their friends, but I've got a good staff of smart, motivated individuals who believe in good customer service and having integrity and pride in their work, so, I'm grateful in that respect.

What do you enjoy most about this job?
I enjoy working for a company that cares so much about customer service. My purchases are usually driven by the kind of service I receive when shopping- for this reason, I avoid places like Wal-Mart and McDonald's where customer service is almost unheard of. It's easy to work for a company that is good to their customers; they'd rather take a hit on money sometimes to ensure that the customer comes back happy.

What have you learned from this job?
I've learned a lot about how to work with difficult people and that I have to change my perceptions of being in charge. I used to think that, as an employee, you do what your boss tells you, no matter what, otherwise it's insubordination and that can get you fired; but, since I've become a supervisor, I've found that if you want to have a staff that has pride in their work and perform well, you have to bend a little. I go out of my way for them and they, in turn, go out of their way for me. I don't like to be called 'boss', I stretch that my position isn't much different from theirs except that I get more paperwork to fill out. (Laughs.)

Would you recommend this career? Why or why not?
I would recommend a career in retail as a stepping stone. My current career goals are being fulfilled as a manager in retail. I don't think anyone should look into work as a cashier as a life-long career because there are just so many opportunities out there where you could make more money, but, if someone is interested in moving up in business management without having to get a degree, it's one of the few careers you can be successful in if you're not fond of the idea of going to college.

What advice would you give to other people interested in this career?
To be successful in retail, all you have to remember is that your customers are your bread and butter. If you neglect them or treat them badly, you're going to starve.