Barnes & Noble Bookseller Interview Questions & Reviews
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Updated Jan 11, 2012 – Interview questions and reviews posted anonymously by interview candidates.
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Difficulty Rating [?] Based on 33 ratings 
“Easy” Interview
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Interview Experience [?] Based on 33 ratings
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| 1–10 of 33 Barnes & Noble Interviews | Sort by |
Bookseller at Barnes & Noble
Posted Jan 11, 2012
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Negative Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Jul 2011 in Williamsburg, VA (took a day)
B&N has you print out a hand-filled application. An in-person 1:1 follows. The good part: no psych' test. The bad: some managers need one, and B&N acts the part of the only game in town.
I interviewed at two B&Ns, submitted to two others. Other than an invisible disability, I'm pretty flexible and capable, and have always put customers first. I like brick-and-mortar stores because, as I emphasized to them, that's where many (once-)loyal customers like myself come to relax from the grind; plus you get the best look at what you're buying. I researched the Nook and the Kindle. I showed interest in the various aspects of "bookselling" - stocking, inventory, cashiering, etc. I might have actually appeared over-eager the first sit-down, but the second in a different district went very well, so I thought. That manager keenly noted that I take the initiative, and didn't ask silly B&N questions. She treated an adult like an adult, so I thought. I asked if schedule were an issue; I was assured if it were, I wouldn't have been called in.
Now if any of my tidbits work in your interview, great. Me, I was told the store didn't quite know when they were hiring, then got a rejection letter in two days. I called the manager, who replied, "I can only say - you do not fit our profile." Within a week I was temping again for Follett, which runs, voila, college bookstores!
So what is B&N's "profile"? In this case, it may have been, 'need to be from Williamsburg, because that's largely how the town works. Otherwise, I'm tempted to say it's a young, un-degreed someone who will just shut up and cart books, or a corporate hack who can contain stress under a thin veil of angst; neither of which, honestly, cares about their customers.
Follett also pays minimum wage, but the store I've worked at has excellent service - sometimes a bit over-the-top, racing to ask, "Can I help you?" Silly maybe, but once so trained, you're more aware of who does bother to help you or at least offer some human acknowledgement, and who, like those in my Newport News B&N, manager to cashier, offer nothing but, "Do you have our discount card?" Oh well, off to Amazon.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I applied In-Person and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Bookseller at Barnes & Noble
Posted Dec 18, 2011
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Nov 2009 (took a day)
I handed my resume to the manager (who happened to be the Store Manager) and asked for a job. She called me for an in person interview soon after. The interview was fairly basic considering it was for an entry level position. They need help for the holiday season. I believe that as long as a good impression was made (dress nicely, groomed, practice talking and answering questions) then the interview would go smoothly. The manager was nice and organized.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I applied In-Person and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Bookseller at Barnes & Noble
Posted Nov 20, 2011
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Oct 2011 (took a day)
Dropped an application off at multiple stores and was contacted within a week to set up an interview. Arrived early at the interview where everything went according to schedule. I interviewed with manager and then the general manager of the store. Most important thing to plan for is responding to how you would treat a difficult customer.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Bookseller at Barnes & Noble
Posted Sep 12, 2011
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Jul 2011 (took 6 days)
I walked in, applied, and had two one-on-one interviews. I liked the environment, the people, and the interview process. They asked me what my favorite book was, where I had worked before, if I wouldn't get a good reference from any of my former employers and, if not, why I wouldn't. Lots of small talk, put me at ease.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Bookseller at Barnes & Noble
Posted Sep 10, 2011
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Negative Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Aug 2011 (took 3 weeks)
I applied in-person to Barnes & Noble and received a call three days later for an interview the next week. The first interview went well. The manager that interviewed me told me that I would be receive a call for a second interview within a week. After five days, I got a call from the assistant manager to come and sit down for a second interview. The assistant manager just asked me questions such as "how do you deal with stress?" "what hobbies do you have?" etc.
He then told me that he needed to review two other candidates and said we would be in touch. After a week of not hearing back from the store, I decided to call and ask if they had made a decision yet (which was on a Tuesday), I was told by the same assistant manager that I would get a decision by Friday. After Friday passed, no call came so I had to call the store again on Saturday. I was basically told by the manager that first interviewed me that they had given the position away to a candidate who had a lot more retail experience which baffled me because I had a friend who got hired despite having no retail experience (but it could have been the time that he applied as well since it was a month before summer break started).
Overall, the interviews were easy but I strongly suggest having some retail experience/background before applying or apply before the summer.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview and a Personality Test.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Bookseller at Barnes & Noble
Posted Jul 16, 2011
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Jun 2011 (took a day)
I applied in person because I was told a position would be opening up soon. I heard back about five days later about a position opening up and if I was interested I could come in for an interview. I was suppose to meet with the store manager but I had a quick before interview with another manager. It was really relaxed and she just asked simple questions about past work experience. Once that was finished, I moved on to the store manager interview. That was really relaxed as well. The more you are open with your availability and interest at staying with the company for awhile, the more they want to hire you.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
No negotiation.
Other Details
I applied In-Person and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview and a Background Check.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Bookseller at Barnes & Noble
Posted Jun 29, 2011
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1.0
Very Easy Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Sep 2010 in Plano, TX (took 6 days)
I walked in & asked if they were hiring, which they were. They called me a week later, I had a 1on1 interview with the asst mgr, few days later with the store mgr and three days later got a call offering me the job.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
NO negotiation. Take it or leave it.
Other Details
I applied In-Person and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Bookseller at Barnes & Noble
Posted Jun 23, 2011 — 1 of 1 people found this helpful
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Oct 2010 (took 3 days)
I put in a application during a time that they were not hiring. About a month later I was called by the hiring manager and scheduled an interview with him. During the interview he asked me about my background as far as work experience and education as well as my hobbies and interest. He explained what the job would consist of and different things about the company. Afterwards he scheduled an interview with the Store Manager. She asked me the same questions and then asked what the hiring manager told me about the job to see if I paid attention. It was overall a good experience.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Bookseller at Barnes & Noble
Posted Jun 13, 2011
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Jun 2011 (took a day)
I had a group interview and was nervous bc it was my first. There were 5 people interviewing and 2 interviewers. The questions were pretty typical and the interviewers called on different candidates each time to start the answering, or they'd wait to see if someone started on their own. Mostly, though, they'd call on specific people. Then they'd move from person to person until everyone had a chance to answer. It seemed like a relaxed conversation. We had the interview in the store's cafe and there were other customers sitting around but it wasn't distracting. I didn't get the job but wanted to post something for others who might want to know what to be prepared for. Dress professionally, all but one person in my group interview was dressed professionally. Relax, and tell youself you're just having a nice small-talk conversation. I didn't try to one-up anyone and felt that others showed that same courtesy which was nice.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Bookseller at Barnes & Noble
Posted May 27, 2011
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1.0
Very Easy Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed May 2011 (took 3 days)
I was called by one of the AMs for an interview the next day. I was asked to take a seat in the cafe while he helped a customer. After a couple minutes, he sat down with me and went over my application with me. He asked me a few questions about my previous jobs and was incredibly friendly. It was comparable to talking with a friend. At the end of the interview, he explained they were interviewing a handful of people that afternoon and he would have to go over all the interviews with the SM. I got a call from the SM the next morning requesting a second interview the next day. The SM was late for the interview because there was a terrible storm, but the employees were hospitable and even offered me a free coffee while I waited. The SM came in about 15 minutes later and immediately greeted me and took a seat. He asked more in depth questions, but never came across as intimidating. He promised to call me that night to let me know about the position. Three hours later, he called offering me the job. After the overall enjoyable experience I had just interviewing, I, of course, accepted. My advice is to dress nicely (I wore a blouse, knee length skirt, tights, and flats), smile honestly and often, speak clearly and positively, and try to make a connection with the employees and interviewer.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
I didn't have to negotiate, they gave me my asking salary. I was informed they determine salary by previous experience, but don't expect to be able to negotiate for much more than they offer.
Other Details
I applied In-Person and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
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