Books-A-Million – “It is what you make of it.”

Pros

Books-A-Million's book checkout program and employee discount are both great incentives for working there. The pay isn't great, and if you are a part-time employee who sucks at the register, you won't be getting many hours--so the book checkout and employee discount are certainly nice perks to help compensate for that. They are pretty flexible schedule-wise and will certainly work around second jobs, school schedules, etc. BAM has does have advancement opportunities within the store. There are several specialist positions, some full-time and some part, that provide great experience in one area of expertise (magazines, kids' section, general merchandise, receiving, merchandising). There are computer training quizzes available to any interested associate so that you can learn more about any area of the store.

Cons

When the store is meeting its two most important goals, discount card percentage and Magazines for Millionaires solicitations, it is a good job. When the store isn't, things can get stressful. We are often understaffed, and if the one or two cashiers on duty aren't making the goal, things go downhill fast and there's no digging out.

The pay is pretty low. Part-timers generally make minimum wage or just over it. Raises come once a year, if that, and aren't much (I got 20 cents at my 90 day evaluation in 2006; this past year, there were no raises).

Management schedules can be rough. You do a minimum of 45 hours a week, but it quickly turns into more if you are salary. Schedules range 9.5 hours a day anywhere from 6am to 1am. Often feels like you just left when you get back (and sometimes that isn't far from the truth).

Advice to Senior Management

Ditch the MFM program. Everyone hates it. Yes, we get money from it, but customers are so sick of it. It feels like a scam even as the words cross your lips.