Bank teller CV skills: examples, and how to improve them

Banking establishments employ bank tellers to help people with transactions. These professionals use customer service skills and financial expertise to assist people with deposits, withdrawals and other routine banking tasks, such as ordering new debit cards. Knowing which skills bank tellers' CVs contain can help you determine whether this career is right for you, or it may help you craft your own CV. In this article, we explore which essential skills bank tellers possess and how to highlight them on a bank teller's CV.

What are bank teller CV skills?

Bank teller CV skills are the abilities that bank tellers possess that enable them to complete their duties, and they list them prominently on their CVs. These skills include mathematical, customer service, organisational and financial skills, to name a few. This skill set equips them to help customers with various kinds of transactions, such as deposits and withdrawals. Skills such as organisation and customer service skills help bank tellers deliver these services in a professional, personable and orderly fashion.

Examples of CV skills for bank tellers

Bank tellers may use different skills depending on the situation they're dealing with. For example, they may use customer service skills when speaking to a potential customer who is enquiring about opening an account. When a customer asks about interest rates, the bank teller may use their mathematical skills to answer questions. Here's a list of some skills that bank tellers possess and apply in their jobs:

Cash handling and mathematics

Handling cash is a central part of a bank teller's job. This means that it's essential for these professionals to have good mathematical and cash handling skills. Banks also train their tellers to use the cash drawers where they safely store people's money.

Customer service

Good customer service requires strong communication and interpersonal skills, and the role of bank teller is in a customer service position. When customers aren't using online banking, they typically approach bank tellers as the first port of call when they have an inquiry. This means that banks train tellers to help people, and if a customer asks a banking question and they don't know the answer, they usually know how to find out.

Computer knowledge

Banking has become highly computerised, so bank tellers typically access information pertaining to customer accounts using a computer. This means that bank tellers possess a reasonable level of computer literacy. Banks usually offer training programmes to employees to teach them how to use their systems, but a sound understanding of IT can be very helpful.

Organisation

Having organisational skills is important for bank tellers for various reasons. These position holders have a lot of documentation to organise and manage. They are also responsible for keeping cash drawers tidy and balancing them at the close of each day.

Read more: How to be organised at work (plus benefits and tips)

Problem-solving

Strong problem-solving skills are useful for bank tellers. Because customers often approach bank tellers with various problems, it's essential for the teller to think quickly and devise appropriate solutions. If they don't have answers at hand, they typically have ways of finding answers, either using their computer or by asking a supervisor, so it's also important that they be resourceful.

Written and verbal communication

Good verbal communication is necessary because bank tellers are customer facing employees. They also relay potentially complicated financial concepts to people, so being able to communicate effectively is important. Bank tellers also use written communication when sending freehand letters to customers, for example, or when writing internal emails.

Processing transactions

Processing transactions is a central part of the bank teller's job. Being able to process transactions accurately and at a reasonable speed is important. Sometimes banks can experience busy periods, during which it's necessary for the bank teller to remain composed and maintain accuracy when conducting transactions.

Attention to detail

Mistakes can potentially cost people money when working as a bank teller. For this reason, one essential skill is the ability to pay close attention to details. This helps bank tellers maintain accuracy when performing their job.

Basic accounting

Basic accounting skills are essential for bank tellers. Aside from doing various accounting tasks, bank tellers also maintain an accurate and balanced cash drawer. They use their accounting knowledge to do this task effectively.

Teamwork

Bank tellers often work with other banking employees. These include lenders and other bank tellers, so strong teamwork skills are necessary. Often, bank tellers direct customers to the person or department they need, so good interdepartmental teamwork is important.

Honesty and integrity

Bank tellers handle large amounts of cash when performing their job and they also see a lot of sensitive information. For these reasons, it's vital that bank tellers be honest people with integrity who are capable of discretion. These skills are necessary because bank tellers are in a position of trust.

Project management

Bank tellers sometimes manage multiple projects at one time. The ability to assist multiple customers at one time, while still being accurate and efficient, is a requirement when working as a bank teller. For example, while one transaction is processing, a bank teller may schedule an appointment for another customer with a personal banker.

Related: What is time management? (Importance and how to improve it)

Technical

Good technical skills assist the bank teller in operating banking equipment and completing computer transactions. These skills also help with data entry when updating customer records. Technical skills are also becoming increasingly more useful as banking further digitises.

Typing and telephone

Clear and accurate typing skills are important when communicating with other tellers and inputting numerical values into the computer system. Bank tellers often assist customers over the phone. Clear and effective phone skills help them do this.

Conflict resolution

The ability to effectively handle conflict can be useful when working as a bank teller. Bank tellers may often come across distraught or confused customers. A bank teller with conflict resolution skills can work closely with such a customer to solve their problem and maintain a high level of professionalism.

How to improve bank teller skills

Fortunately, bank tellers can develop many of the required skills they may need in their role. For example, you can work on improving your organisational and communication skills in your everyday life when communicating with friends or service professionals. You can also develop your computer skills by taking a class or practising using common computer programs. Here are a few ways that you can improve your bank teller skills:

1. Ask a trusted friend or coworker for feedback

By asking a trusted friend or coworker for feedback, you can understand specific skills and areas where you can improve. With all feedback, consider specific steps that you can take to improve each skill. For example, if you learn that your coworkers don't turn to you for assistance because they assume you are busy, you can make it a point to offer your assistance more frequently.

Related: What is 360 feedback? (With examples, benefits and FAQs)

2. Create a list of possible improvements

It can also be useful to consider your own feedback. Make a list of the most important bank teller skills and then consider how well you match up. This exercise gives you a list of a few key skills to work on immediately.

3. Volunteer for more responsibility

More responsibility, whether it is in your current position or at school, is a great way to develop additional bank teller skills. By accepting more shifts or assisting customers with tasks, you can develop important skills like customer service and communication. Consider asking your supervisor for areas where they need additional assistance.

4. Sign up for developmental courses

Organised courses can help you develop your computer and mathematics skills. You can also list these courses on your resume which could make you a more competitive candidate when applying for jobs. By becoming more aware of the necessary skills and making an effort to improve on them, you might find that you can better handle the responsibilities that come with a bank teller's role.

Read more: 14 of the best paid jobs in finance

How to highlight bank teller skills on your CV

A resume that highlights the most important bank teller skills can assist you in securing an interview for an open teller position. You can list your bank teller skills in your resume by including specific skills with each job description or by creating an individual skills section. Be sure to include specific details about skills, when possible. For example, you might list your bank teller skills like this:

Cash handling/mathematics skills: Proficiency in balancing drawers and handling transactions

Computer skills: Proficient in Microsoft Office programs including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access

Customer service skills: Clear and active communication skills, problem-solving skills

Organisational skills: Timely and accurate organisational skills. Effective at delegation and decision-making.