I applied online. The process took 3 weeks. I interviewed at Barnes & Noble
Interview
The process started with a phone screening, then followed by three interviews. The first interview was with two of the store managers I would be working with; the second was with an assistant manager and a bookseller. The third interview was with the district manager. I just wrapped up my third interview a day ago and am waiting on a final decision. The questions in the first two interviews were pretty common ones related to customer service, literature, and communication skills. The final interview contained some obscure questions that I had to take a moment to answer, but I was never asked anything that really threw me off too much.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Tell me about a time where you approached a situation one way and then realized you needed to take another approach? How did you handle it? -This is a question where your response can really hurt you if you come up with an answer that isn't more on the positive side. Try to steer away from saying you were dealing with a customer that was so difficult you had to become overly stern in order to make them understand your business' policy, etc.
I applied online. I interviewed at Barnes & Noble (Manchester, CT) in Jul 2015
Interview
There was no follow through on the interview. The position was filled, but no communication. I would expect more from a company like Barnes & Noble to have sent a follow up email..."Thank you for interviewing with us...
Get actionable career advice tailored to you by joining more bowls.
Want the inside scoop on your own company?
Check out your Company Bowl for anonymous work chats.
Average interview
Application
I applied through an employee referral. The process took 3 months. I interviewed at Barnes & Noble (San Francisco, CA) in Jan 2015
Interview
I was referred to the position by an existing employee who knew that I would be a good fit. After that, the initial interviews were conducted really quickly, but the placement process took a very, very long time. Months. Partly because there a layers upon layers of management. For this type of position, the store manager had to agree, as did the district manager, and then the Community Relations Manager. Then there were salary negotiations and getting placement.