How Do You Get A Job At Barnes & Noble? (Everything To Know!)

I’m not sure what would be better than working around books and the smell of coffee all day.

Barnes and Noble seems like such a great place to work, but how do you get a job at Barnes and Noble? We looked into it and this is what we found…

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How Do You Get A Job At Barnes & Noble?

Barnes & Noble Booksellers have over 600 retail stores across the United States. They employ many people in a diverse range of jobs. You can apply in person or make an account with Barnes & Noble and apply online. Barnes & Noble advise that they do not post job positions anywhere but on their own website.

This article takes a look at Barnes & Noble Booksellers as employer: what they are like to work for, how to get a job there, and what it’s like to work in the industry.

What’s The Barnes & Noble Job Application Process?

Job applicants for Barnes & Noble advise that applying online is the most efficient and effective way to find and apply for positions with the company.

This is because once you’ve made an account, you’ll be able to view all the available jobs in each of the different job categories all at once.

You start on the Barnes & Noble Careers page. This is where you can learn more about the company or go straight to job locations. On this page, you can view all the available jobs for

Say you’re interested in a retail position. Click on the corresponding link – it will take you to a “search by location and distance” bar, or you can simply scroll through all of the bookseller, barista and café manager positions.

Once you’ve clicked on something that looks interesting, you’ll be taken to the location, a job summary, and the time classification.

The job summaries are generally very clear and detailed. They include explicit lists of what you will have to do, the knowledge and experience you will need, and a statement of the type of employer Barnes & Noble claim to be.

For example, a bookseller is expected to:

Demonstrate a knowledge and love of books
Create a welcoming environment
Self-educate (about the publishing, reading, book industry in general)
Participate in and communicate with teams regarding merchandise and displays
Maintain a clean and attractive store
Help with events and community outreach
Respond to both customers and team members
Work on the selling floor
Model appropriate behaviours and attitudes

When you’ve read as many job details as you need, you can click the “apply now” button at the bottom of the page. You’ll have to sign in to your account and follow the prompts from there.

What Kind Of Knowledge And Behaviour Does Barnes & Noble Value?

First of all, you’ll need to show that you love reading, you value books, and you can work on a team. If you get an interview, the questions will begin with these values. Enthusiasm is a valuable asset in a bookstore. If you have it, flaunt it!

Barnes & Nobles will want you to be able to make book recommendations and know as much as possible about things trending in the industry. You’ll have to know when to advise a customer and when to step away and leave them to browse.

You’ll have to be comfortable accepting responsibility, taking initiative, and being creative. They like team players and for you to actively support company goals and ethos.

Show that you can handle (even value) coaching and feedback from line managers and that you’re always willing to learn.

Always be kind. You’ll be asked how you might respond to particular scenarios in a busy retail bookstore. How you demonstrate compassion for others will be noted.

How Will I Know If I Get The Job?

Job applicants advise that the wait time between interview and job offer can be up to three weeks depending on the demand for workers.

You’ll receive an email confirmation of your application immediately. Some job applicants report having heard back about the position within a couple of days. Others have waited for up to three weeks.

Managerial positions may require more than one interview, making the overall process a little longer, and the length of the interviews will be longer.

Is Working For Barnes & Noble A Good First Job?

Barnes & Noble employees (and ex-employees) have recorded mixed responses to their first ever jobs there (something which is normal for large chain companies).

Barnes & Noble have a smooth and streamlined application process and the job training is clear and easy to follow. Most employees feel that the B&N workplace is fair and inclusive. However, this can change from store to store.

How well you get on with your first line manager plays a huge part in how good your first job will be.

Employees consistently comment that being “amongst and around books” is wonderful. Some workers feel that the pay “isn’t very good” and never “seems to change”.

One of the best places to get genuine feedback about working for Barnes & Noble is the Barnes & Noble Employee Review page on Indeed. Here you’ll find a range thoughtful and detailed reviews.

How Much Does Barnes & Noble Pay?

How much you earn at Barnes & Noble depends on the role you have there. The average pay per hour is slightly different for retail, warehouse and management positions.

Retail workers – around $11.12 per hour
Cashiers – around $14.07 p/h
Warehouse – $13.02 p/h
Assistant manager – $15.81 p/h
Store manager – $18.96 per hour

How Old Do You Have To Be To Work At Barnes & Noble?

Part of the B&N job application process is an age declaration and submission of your date of birth. B&N state that you must be at least 16 years old to work for them.

In some states, you will also need working papers (or legal documents that certify a minor can be employed).

Want to learn more about Barnes and Noble? Check out our related posts:

Conclusion…

Barnes and Noble have pretty good reputation for fair and reasonable employment and they’re a great place to begin your career.

They also have a centralized job application process that’s easy to access and search through.

Remember you can always read though the feedback of previous (and current) employees to get a feel for the place before you apply.