Borders Interview Questions & Reviews
Overview |
| |
Salaries |
| |
Reviews |
| |
Interviews |
| |
Photos |
| |
Jobs |
| |
|
Updated Jan 24, 2012 – Interview questions and reviews posted anonymously by interview candidates.
|
Difficulty Rating [?] Based on 47 ratings 
“Easy” Interview
|
Interview Experience [?] Based on 47 ratings
|
See who your friends know who've worked at Borders and could give you an inside look.
See who your friends know who've worked at Borders and could help you prep for an interview.
| 1–10 of 47 Borders Interviews | Sort by |
Bookseller at Borders
Posted Jan 24, 2012
|
2.0
Easy Interview
|
Overall Positive Experience
|
Received and Declined Offer
|
Interviewed Jan 2010 in New York, NY (took 2 days)
I submitted an online application and customer service exam. I received a telephone call the next day from the training supervisor asking me to come in for an interview. Had a great interview with him and shortly after (within a few minutes) had a similar interview with an Ops Manager. Received an offer the next day.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a 1:1 Interview.
More Borders Bookseller Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Barista at Borders
Posted Jan 18, 2012
|
3.0
Average Interview
|
Overall Positive Experience
|
Received and Accepted Offer
|
Interviewed May 2010 in Tucson, AZ (took a day)
Called to come in for a group interview with the store manager and cafe manager. Ask typical interview questions (name positive, negative about yourself etc.). They were looking someone to fill in for typical retail hours and offered after only one interview. Positive process overall.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview and a Background Check.
More Borders Barista Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Bookseller at Borders
Posted Oct 4, 2011
|
1.0
Very Easy Interview
|
Overall Positive Experience
|
Received and Accepted Offer
|
Interviewed Oct 2009 in Houston, TX (took a day)
I went to a job fair at a local staffing agency and was interviewed by the general manager. She asked me why I wanted to work at Borders, what my work history was like, and what kind of books I liked and to what degree. That was it. I was offered a job that day.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
I was not able to negotiate, but I did receive a (small) raise every review period.
Other Details
The interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.
More Borders Bookseller Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Bookseller at Borders
Posted Sep 25, 2011
|
2.0
Easy Interview
|
Overall Positive Experience
|
Received and Accepted Offer
|
Interviewed Aug 2011 (took a day)
Came in to turn in a paper application and asked for a manager. Sat down with store manager for 20 minutes and interviewed for job.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I applied In-Person and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.
More Borders Bookseller Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
General Manager at Borders
Posted Sep 22, 2011
|
3.0
Average Interview
|
Overall Positive Experience
|
Received and Accepted Offer
|
Interviewed Jun 2009 (took 2 weeks)
Borders had a thorough interview process. There were many situational questions about possible work situations and they asked questions about previous work experience. I visited several stores to see what the environment was like and to see how the morale was in the stores. The DM interviewed me for about an hour and a half and asked what my favorite books and movies were. We also discussed music and customer service. Overall it was a good experience and it led to my being hires soon after that.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
no negotiations
Other Details
I applied In-Person and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a Background Check.
More Borders General Manager Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Cashier at Borders
Posted Aug 10, 2011
|
2.0
Easy Interview
|
Overall Positive Experience
|
Received and Accepted Offer
|
Interviewed May 2011 (took 1 week)
I applied online and received a call from the GM a few days later to set up an interview. I went in for my interview with the Sales Manager and was asked basic sales questions. I had to describe the last book I had read cover to cover and tell him why he would like it, talk about previous experiences with customers, etc. I was nervous because I had never had any real experience in retail, but they must have liked my answers. After about a 15 minute interview with the sales manager, he took me back to speak with the GM. She asked me the same types of questions and that part of the interview only lasted about 10 minutes. A few days later, I was offered the job.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.
More Borders Cashier Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
I Was Actually the Interviewer at Borders
Posted Aug 9, 2011
|
3.0
Average Interview
|
Overall Positive Experience
|
Received and Accepted Offer
|
Interviewed Jun 2011 in Houston, TX (took a day)
This was an employee referral and I had heard good things about the individual. I would say having a can do attitude really helped this person. We were looking for someone self motivated, positive, and quick learner. The best question I ever got from an HR person in my first interview with the company was: "What motivates you?" I have used that question throughout my career with Borders/Waldenbooks and the answers are very tellingabout the the candidate.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I got the interview through an Employee Referral and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview and a Background Check.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Cafe Seller at Borders
Posted Jul 19, 2011
|
1.0
Very Easy Interview
|
Overall Neutral Experience
|
Received and Accepted Offer
|
Interviewed Jul 2010 in Coeur D Alene, ID (took 2 days)
I received a call from the GM of the store. He asked if I was available for an interview the following day. I accepted and was pretty excited.
When I walked in, I was not greeted by anyone in particular. I walked to the cashier and told him I was looking for the GM. He sent me to the Customer Service desk and said he would radio the GM and announce my arrival. I was about 3 minutes early. So I stood at the desk. and stood at the desk. and stood at the desk. For 17 minutes. I was wearing my lucky, sky high, interview heels so believe me I counted every minute. When the GM finally arrived he apologized for his tardiness with the excuse of a telephone call. (After being employed with the store I found out that the "tardy-ness" was due to a ritual of having every employee working that day do a 'drive-by' of the potential candidate.)
The GM escorted me ,not to a back room, but paraded me through the customers of the day that were seated in the cafe section. Talk about an audience for my personal information that was spread across the table. We sat and began the interview. The GM then began to ask the general questions. My past employers. My skills and abilities. "Give me an example of a time when..." It was normal. But what was not normal was that about every other minute the GM would hold a hand up to me, in a stop talking manner, to listen and direct the constant chatter pouring out of the handheld radio connected to the GMs ear. It caused me to lose my train of thought almost every time. Plus it was super aggravating. We concluded the interview with a handshake and the promise of a phone call.
The next day I received said phone call and was asked to return to meet with the GMs second in command. I arrived and went straight to the Customer Service desk where I was instructed to wait again. I had learned and wore flat shoes. Turns out there was no need for the change in footwear because I was greeted promptly by the Second-in-Command. The Second directed me to the same table as before and dove right into conversation by educating me on the open position. Basics like Compensation, Hours, Duties and Responsibilities. Thankfully the Seconds radio remained in the off position for the duration of the interview. The Second was clear and concise. Afterwards The GM approached and had a hushed conversation with the Second. Then they offered me the position with smiles. I accepted.
One of the most Idiotic things I have ever done.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
Not even almost. There was the position open and it was made clear to me that other people would take the offer immediately. I needed the work so I just took it. My advice would be to actually read the fine print.
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.
More Borders Cafe Seller Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Sales Associate at Borders
Posted Jun 28, 2011
|
2.0
Easy Interview
|
Overall Neutral Experience
|
Received and Accepted Offer
|
Interviewed Mar 2009 in Burlington, VT (took 2 days)
Easy questions - but manager was sketchy.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
they give everyone the same pay - which is very low.
Other Details
I applied In-Person and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview and a Background Check.
More Borders Sales Associate Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Cafe Supervisor at Borders
Posted Jun 6, 2011
|
4.0
Difficult Interview
|
Overall Positive Experience
|
Received and Accepted Offer
|
Interviewed Jul 2010 (took 1 week)
I had been working for Borders as a bookseller/cafe seller when the position became available. I had previous experience in the cafe and a good relationship with my bosses. I went through a preliminary interview with my stores GM and he asked a lot of difficult questions pertaining to increasing sales and holding my current coworkers accountable. Next I interviewed with a different supervisor in the store who I hadn't become very acquainted with. She asked me questions regarding how I would handle the transition from coworker to supervisor and why I think I should be hired over someone with supervisory experience.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
Yes, because I knew the GM and was comfortable with this process...for any other interview I don't think I would have pushed my luck.
Other Details
I applied In-Person and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview and a Background Check.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
RSS Feed for Borders
Interviews
Embed
