Barnes & Noble Sales Associate Interview Questions
& Process

It was a pretty straightforward interview, no frills. Started with a phone interview with really basic questions. Then, an in-person interview where they asked more in-depth questions. They asked what I was reading, so you should have something ready to talk about!

It was a really simple process, we just met at the cafe. I appreciated that it was straightforward and they were upfront about what the job entails. It was a breath of fresh air compared to other companies that give a long personality test for an entry-level retail job. They asked me about my retail experience, customer service skills, and my interest in the company.

Barnes & Noble didn't let me know their decision after the interview, which is disappointing. The interview was typical for a retail store. We were a group sitting at a table while the store manager and cafe manager asked questions about how we handle rudeness and how we'd suggest items to customers. The whole thing took about two hours. Afterward, the store manager, who seemed inexperienced, said not to take it personally if we weren't contacted. I do take it personally, though. A simple email saying thanks for interviewing and that we weren't selected takes only a couple of minutes and is basic courtesy, especially for a retail company. As a customer, I'll shop elsewhere now because of this lack of common courtesy. Very unprofessional.