Bookseller - PT

About the role

A Barnes & Noble bookstore is a gathering place for readers and the community. As a Bookseller, you are an integral member of the bookselling team at the heart of our stores. You welcome customers in a cheerful and helpful way by saying hello, answering questions, and consistently going out of your way to connect readers with the right titles and products. You maintain the attractive presentation of the store and ensure its efficient running by unpacking and shelving deliveries, tidying displays, and working registers quickly and professionally.

Behaviors

We term these “behaviors.” Expect your colleagues to demonstrate them and to hold you, and themselves, to high standards.

• Maintain reliable and punctual attendance for scheduled shifts.
• Fill scheduling gaps when able, being flexible and responsive to the needs of the store — we are open from early mornings to late evenings every day, including weekends and most holidays.
• Be positive and willing in your approach to work, performing assigned tasks with purpose and energy, working hard and reliably.
• Be supportive and considerate of colleagues, going out of your way to help others on the team and showing them kindness.
• Be always cheerful with customers, consistently going out of your way to help them.
• Show aptitude and willingness to learn new skills and acquire new knowledge in the store.
• Above all, show that you enjoy being a bookseller!

Operational competencies

As a Bookseller, you will be trained and expected to be proficient in:

• Using varied technology, including registers, computers, tablets, programs and other tools comfortably and efficiently.
• Developing strong merchandising skills to maintain the book presentation and cleanliness of the store.
• Developing effective visual merchandising skills to maintain the presentation in gifting, toys and other product categories.
• Running a register competently to serve customers quickly and reliably.
• Supporting the receiving and unpacking of deliveries, and the efficient and accurate shelving that follows.
• Finding books and other products with ease and accuracy, using a combination of your own knowledge or that of your colleagues, BookMaster and the available information tools.
• Supporting the café team willingly and effectively when needed.
• Understanding loss prevention procedures and de-escalation techniques, identifying theft, spotting and seeking support for problematic behavior and issues in the store.

All this work requires physical activity which includes prolonged standing, repetitive bending, lifting and a lot of walking. You may work in other stores if able and this is needed, collaboratively supporting the wider Cluster.

Development and growth

As you gain experience, your bookselling knowledge and skills will develop. You will increasingly contribute as you build expertise. You will:

• Build book knowledge of the subjects and categories we stock across fiction, nonfiction and children’s books.
• Use this knowledge to maintain sections and present books in an interesting and attractive manner.
• Make effective book recommendations to customers throughout varied sections.
• Learn how to sell books in a positive way appreciated by customers, supporting key sales objectives such as Our Monthly Picks, Book of the Year, Membership, preorders, etc., and sharing this knowledge with customers and colleagues.
• Build knowledge and expertise in Educational Toys and Games, Specialty Games, Hobby and Collectibles, music and movies, and Newsstand, learning new areas throughout the store.
• Use this knowledge to maintain all sections and backstock effectively, and to help customers with their shopping.
• Support the success of key sales objectives, products and new releases.

As you develop and demonstrate mastery of these skills, you are expected to advance to the next step in the career path — Senior Bookseller — where you will take on new challenges and gain further opportunities for growth.

Benefits

Benefits vary by scheduled hours per week:

• Less than 20 hours: Employee Discount, EAP and Sick Pay.
• 20 to 29.99 hours: Employee Discount, EAP, Sick Pay, Paid Time Off including paid Maternity and Parental Leave, Company Paid Holidays, Transit and 401(k) with Company Match.
• 30 hours or more: Employee Discount, EAP, Sick Pay, Paid Time Off including paid Maternity and Parental Leave, Company Paid Holidays, 401(k) with Company Match, Comprehensive Health Benefits (Medical, Dental and Vision), Healthcare and Dependent Care Spending Accounts, Healthcare Spending Account, Disability Benefits, Life Insurance, Transit, and Tuition Reimbursement.

All benefits are provided in accordance with the terms of the current plan and may be subject to future change. Benefits may vary depending on location/state regulations.