Barnes & Noble provides stable entry-level work and careers to hopefuls throughout all 50 United States. The company offers print books as well as electronic readers and needs thoughtful and passionate individuals to fill part-time and full-time positions.

Facts About Working at Barnes & Noble

Minimum Age to Work at Barnes & Noble: 16 years old (How old do you have to be to work at Barnes And Noble?)

Barnes & Noble Hours of Operation: Mon-Thurs: 9:00am-10:00pm; Fri-Sat: 9:00am-11:00pm; Sun: 9:00am-9:00pm

Available Positions at Barnes & Noble: Barista, bookseller, cafe manager, cafe server, cashier, head cashier, merchandise manager

Printable Application: Yes. Print Barnes & Noble application (PDF) or Search Job Openings.

Barnes & Noble Employee Interview Videos


Barnes & Noble Employment Opportunities

The book retailer commits to equal opportunity employment and receives recognition for remaining a safe space for workers of varying backgrounds.

No experience needed
With high rates of in-store promotion, Barnes & Noble offers job candidates without previous employment experience or formal educations chances to start fulfilling careers. However, individuals interested in or possessing knowledge of retail, foodservice, and management prove valuable potential hires.

Requirements
Applicants must be at least 16 years of age to receive consideration for available jobs. Hiring managers remain considerate of student schedules, so job hopefuls attending high school and college may find lucrative work in one of the following entry-level positions:

What they look for in candidates
As a company, Barnes & Noble values the following characteristics:

  • customer service
  • quality
  • empathy
  • respect
  • integrity
  • responsibility
  • teamwork

Individuals able to demonstrate commitments to such attributes during the hiring process may receive preference from managers. Additionally, familiarity with the company and understanding of retail practices persist as advantageous for job candidates.

Barnes & Noble Positions and Pay Scales

As a combination bookstore and coffeehouse, the retailer requires entry-level employees to occupy both areas of the store.

Bookseller

Job hopefuls familiar with upcoming trends in the publishing market, admiration for books of all kinds, and sales capabilities should check out bookseller jobs.

Duties & requirements

  • Full time & part time; must be available evening and weekend hours
  • No past experience or education needed
  • Must be able to stand, bend, lift, squat, and walk around for the duration of shifts
  • Shift responsibilities include:
    • greeting customers
    • answering questions
    • offering product suggestions
    • maintaining the cleanliness of the store and cafe
    • helping in other areas of the store as needed
    • building knowledge of store products and technology
    • replenishing stock
    • notifying managers of sales trends to ensure inventory orders reflect store needs.
  • Booksellers earn average hourly wages between $9.00 and $10.00 to start.

Barista

Individuals experienced in food preparation and safety, as well as candidates in possession of knowledge of various roasts and blended drinks, may find suitable work as baristas.

Basic requirements include:

  • multi-tasking in fast-paced environments
  • ability to operate cash registers
  • ability to stand for long periods of time.

Regular duties include:

  • remaining friendly with each customer
  • preparing drinks and specialty foods to customer specifications
  • maintaining the cleanliness of the station
  • ensuring safety standards remain met
  • assisting other areas of the store as necessary

Baristas garner pay rates of about $8.00 to $9.00 an hour.

Head Cashier

A transitory managerial position, head cashiers must possess leadership skills, excellent communication skills, and time management abilities. Generally, individuals must hold at least one year of previous employment as leaders, preferably in retail settings, to receive consideration for head cashier jobs.

Duties include:

  • employees must efficiently ring up and bag customer items
  • manage and cover subordinate cashier breaks
  • optimize the presentation of gift cards and other storefront merchandise to enhance sales
  • balance registers
  • authorize returns and exchanges
  • maintain accurate cash logs
  • sign up customers for store memberships
  • suggest store promotions
  • train new workers

Usually a full-time position with heightened responsibility, the head cashier job title yields salary packages of about $24,000 to $28,000 a year.

Seasonal Job Openings

During the holidays and other high traffic seasons, Barnes & Noble often hires temporary workers to accommodate the shopping rush.

Seasonal workers with Barnes & Noble may choose from a wide range of jobs. Booksellers and cashiers stand as some of the most popular jobs with Barnes & Noble. These positions involve a heavy amount of communication and customer service.

The starting pay for seasonal workers at Barnes & Noble stores largely depends on position. The average wage for cashiers and booksellers stands at around $9.00. Many seasonal baristas and coffee shop workers with Barnes & Noble make roughly $8.50 an hour.

Tips For Applying

Job hopefuls wishing to submit applications to Barnes & Noble may visit the company website. Individuals may browse available positions with the job hosting platform and create profiles in order to apply.

Candidates may connect to LinkedIn profiles to expedite the application process. Additionally, collecting personal information, availability, employment history, education information, and references allows individuals to submit applications within 10 to 15 minutes.

Hopefuls retain the option of uploading resumes and should edit documents to showcase pertinent experience and skills to improve chances of callbacks. Job candidates also benefit from reading over answers to ensure information proves accurate.

Application Status

Checking on application status may reiterate genuine desire for available work and lead to consideration for interviews. Applicants should generally make inquiries within a week or so of submitting application forms.

Calling stores, emailing HR representatives, visiting stores to speak to hiring managers, or any combination of methods remain acceptable ways to reach out about application status. Job candidates should keep communications professional and demonstrate regard for other responsibilities of hiring managers.

Benefits of Working at Barnes & Noble

Both full-time and part-time employees qualify for most job benefits at Barnes & Noble.

Healthcare coverage includes dental care, flexible spending accounts, short- and long-term disability, and life insurance.

Other benefits may include:

  • paid time off
  • holiday pay
  • vacations
  • 401(k) retirement plans
  • tuition assistance
  • associate discounts

Uniquely, the retailer also offers employees the option of borrowing products in the interest of expanding associate knowledge of products.

More Information About the Company

To support literacy, Barnes & Noble holds in-store book fairs to support schools with grades pre-K through 12 and non-profit arts and literacy organizations. Reading materials along with funding can be provided to those in need as a result of these book fairs. The company's goal is to allow children of all walks of life to have access to reading material.