Barnes & Noble Reviews

Pros

Great people to work with. Everybody is good about helping out when it gets pretty busy. The benefits are pretty amazing as well. I love the books.

Cons

The starting salary was not that good but over time it got increased. It takes a while for the company to implement change.

Pros

book discount for avid readers

Cons

retail outlook for actual books will suffer as more e-readers hit market -poor job market

Advice to Senior Management

how will the CRM position fare as e-readers take over

Pros

being around books and culture, learning about current trends in literature, friendships with the other employees, engaging conversations, suggesting media to the public, good hours for me, many different roles and positions to try within the company.

Cons

some rude customers, but you get that everywhere. Some upperlevel managment issues, favoritism at play, but again, you get that everywhere.

Pros

- The environment is laid back
- Management is pretty understanding when it comes to scheduling
- Everyone gets along and there is little drama between coworkers
- The job itself is pretty easy, and you get a good combination of mental and physical stimulation
- Most of the managers are genuinely interested in the employee's well being
- Employees are intelligent and competent

Cons

- Beyond a lead or head cashier position, there is a little room for advancement within company
- Scheduling can be inconsistent at times due to sales determining how many hours are given out
- There is no reward for being a hard working employee and no punishment for being a lazy employee
- As a whole the company is becoming more sales driven, and less understanding of the employee
- The company's recent obsession with the nook has caused closing to become less efficient, and has made customers who are against the ereader concept to feel isolated
- There is not enough communication on a one to one level about how you are doing your job
- The pay is stagnant and nowhere near enough to live on

Advice to Senior Management

The focus of the company needs to be on customer service, not nook. Nook will unfortunately be the ultimate downfall of the company. Also, rechange the member program. The fee should not be $25, that is absurd. Lower the fee to $15 or so dollars. The member program also should not have to have a credit card number. That has been such a turn off for many potential cardholders.

Pros

Good place to meet people. Flexible schedule.

Cons

Low compensation for non management positions.

Pros

Good benefits. Friendly staff. Interesting interaction with customers.

Cons

Can get repetitive and unchallenging.

Advice to Senior Management

More flex time.

Pros

good health insurance nothing else. at one point devoted to books and writers. not so much anymore.

Cons

pay horrific and capped at a very low level. embarrassing to have to inform my employees that their salary will be frozen forever--at $12.50 hour in nyc! but they must still perform all the tasks BN has decided are important--memberships, emails, nooks, warranties for your nook. everything but books. sad to say but B&N will probably go the way of Borders, even sadder, will deserve to do so.

Advice to Senior Management

make believe it's a bookstore and not a sales portal for memberships--who thinks up these things?

Pros

If you enjoy reading books, and income is not your number one priority, perhaps Barnes & Noble is the job for you. Most employees, during their breaks, can be found, in the break room or coffee shop, reading the latest bestsellers. Another positive thing about Barnes & Noble is the fact that they strongly adhere to the principles of non-discriminatory hiring. Lastly, they have excellent benefits. Besides medical, there is dental coverage available.

Cons

The most glaring downside is that B&N does not pay their workforce enough money. That is why there is such a large employee turnover. Most young employees learn very quickly that this is not the place where one decides to make a career.

Advice to Senior Management

Leadership should be better trained on how to delegate authority. If management is not physically at a work zone, often enough during each shift, then their mandates may become unrealistic and impractical.

Pros

Great hourly staff
Very experienced staff
Friendly staff

Cons

Manager of store had favorite employees
Manager of store unapproachable

Advice to Senior Management

Actually listen to what the staff has to say, not what you want to hear.

Pros

You work with Books and the people are great.

Cons

Digital books are killing the business and the company is reacting to it by getting rid of its tenured employees.

Advice to Senior Management

Value the people that built your business.