Barnes & Noble Interview Questions & Reviews
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Updated Feb 7, 2012 – Interview questions and reviews posted anonymously by interview candidates.
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Difficulty Rating [?] Based on 95 ratings 
“Easy” Interview
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Interview Experience [?] Based on 95 ratings
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| 1–10 of 95 Barnes & Noble Interviews | Sort by |
Sales Associate at Barnes & Noble
Posted Feb 7, 2012
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Negative Experience
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Received and Declined Offer
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Interviewed Mar 2011 in Vero Beach, FL (took 2 days)
Probably the strangest interview that I have ever been on. The interview took place in the employee lunch room. As I sat in the corner, with about one minute's worth of reading material about the company, provided by the interviewer, she the the first 15 minutes of my interview disciplining another one of her employees for coming in to work late.
When the interviewer finally returned to me, the interview process went pretty smoothly, until she answered her cell phone in the middle of it. She didn't excuse herself, or silence it, but just answered her phone, while putting her finger up, gesturing for me to wait until her conversation was over. When she was done, she forgot where we were in the interview, and asked me to start over. From that point on, it was a normal interview.
Interview Questions
Reason for Declining
In the end, I declined the offer due to the inflexibility of the manager when it came to my course load.
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview and a Personality Test.
More Barnes & Noble Sales Associate Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Part Time Book Seller at Barnes & Noble
Posted Jan 19, 2012
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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 in Independence, MO (took a day)
I applied in store then they called me back after 2 weeks. I went in and got an interview with the assistant store manager and then the manager right after. Got hired on the spot.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
No Negation, Minimum wage.
Other Details
I applied In-Person and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Seasonal Bookseller at Barnes & Noble
Posted Jan 11, 2012
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3.0
Average 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)
I interviewed with one other candidate and we took turns answering questions.
Examples of questions: "Describe a situation when you had to overcome a challenge or confront a frustrating situation." "Explain your customer service ideas and/or methods. How do you sell?" "Why did you apply for a position at B&N, why do you want to work here?" "Describe skills you have from other jobs or experiences you think would be useful or beneficial to a position at B&N."
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
There was little room to negotiate wage because starting wages for seasonal positions were set by the company.
Negotiating availability and desired amount of hours came with ease.
Other Details
I applied In-Person and the interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
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.
More Barnes & Noble Bookseller Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
DSL at Barnes & Noble
Posted Jan 9, 2012
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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 Aug 2011 (took 3 days)
Three interviews in a friendly low stress environment.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
I was able to come to terms with a reasonable offer.
Other Details
The interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Sales Clerk at Barnes & Noble
Posted Jan 8, 2012
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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 Aug 2011 in Chicago, IL (took 2 days)
Filled out application,turned into store. Contacted 1 day later by asst. manager, interviewedd next day. Very basic interview. Contacted 2days later for follow up with manager. Again very basic, offered position 2 days later. They actually contacted references for just a part time position.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
none
Other Details
The interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview and a Background Check.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Cashier at Barnes & Noble
Posted Dec 19, 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 Apr 2010 in New York, NY (took 1+ week)
I decided to apply to Barnes & Noble because a friend said she loved working there. I got an application from the store, asked to speak to the manager the same day, and handed it in. He was very friendly, and liked the fact that I seemed passionate about the job. 3 days later he called me for an interview, it lasted about a half hour. Same basic questions that every place asks. He asked me to take a drug test, & a few days later I was offered the job.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I applied In-Person and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview, a Drug Test and a Background Check.
More Barnes & Noble Cashier Interviews
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.
More Barnes & Noble Bookseller Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Music Seller at Barnes & Noble
Posted Dec 7, 2011
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Dec 2009 in Wauwatosa, WI (took 2 days)
The interview in person was casual I went right after high school. I was interviewed by the music department manager. Barnes and Noble really enjoys hiring those who show a passion for books and music.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
This is a retail job, you don't have much wiggle room, you don't make that much over minimum wage just starting up, but you do receive periodic raises.
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Digital Sales Manager at Barnes & Noble
Posted Dec 6, 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 2011 (took a day)
Interviewed with Store Manager in the cafe of the store. Interview questions were Tell me a little about yourself? Give an example of how you would handle a dissatisfied customer? How would you resolve a disagreement with a co-worker. Be prepared to ask a lot of questions about your store manager and district manager. This is who you will be reporting to. Make sure you understand the culture at the location you want to work at and that you would feel comfortable there.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
Was not able to negotiate -
Seasonal.
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview and a Background Check.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
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