You are viewing an individual career profile of a 25 year old Female from Mountainside, NJ who is or was employed as a Bookseller. This person shared his/her experiences and insight with TheCareerProject in order to help those who are considering a career in this field to better understand what working as a Bookseller in Mountainside, NJ is really like.
35, I work part time as well as go to school.
As I work in retail, it requires lots of customer service as well as store maintenance and knowledge of popular book titles and the ability to recommend books for any type of reader. Knowledge of e-reader devices (electronic readers) and troubleshooting though it is not what I usually do.
I get a week of vacation time as well as a week of sick leave.
I work very hard at my job and would like my pay to reflect that, however after having lost my job at Borders (a former bookchain) and wishing to work in a bookstore again, I was willing to take the job offered with little pay negotiation.
Yes, I work in retail, so there is a daily interaction with customers and coworkers, which is usually great, though there is the occasional customer that can tire one's patience quickly.
Working in a retail store can be great, but the hours can be long and the store I work at rarely closes for holidays.
Apply in person is the best starting point. Not bringing your own pen or knowing what the job you are applying for entails will be noted by employees, (your fellow coworkers-to-be) and interrupting someone who is helping a customer will get you noticed in a negative way. Likewise, dressing too casual even for a relaxed setting, or dressing in an extremely self-expressive way, (shirts flaunting any sort of inappropriate slogans, expressions, attitudes, etc) will not make anyone take you seriously.
While typical retail skills will help you with a job as a bookseller, (organization, customer services skills) having a passion for reading and books will take you further. In any retail job, feeling passionate for the product in the store will help give you the right attitude and make you more knowledgeable in the field.
There is less emphasis on education levels than there is on being well read. Even if it's for a specific genre of books, being well versed is better than any level of schooling.
Having an abundance of patience in the first few days/weeks is key. In any training, a lot of information is being thrown at you in the orientation time, and no one expects you to remember all of the information. Asking in a positive way will make an impact that will make you look attentive and respectful, rather than forgetful.
A job fair, though frequently checking newspaper ads can be productive.
A paper application, with a meeting at a job fair.
Yes, there were two interviews with two different managers. During the job fair, there was one interview, and I was interviewed later by the store manager before given a job offer.
Why would I be a good fit for the store? What are my best assets? What are my worst? How do I react in stressful situations?
I'm still going to college now, but I wanted to work at a job I knew I would enjoy while going to school, while not being too bogged down with work outside of the store.