Home » Career Resources » Jobs For Teens » Can Teens Work at Barnes & Noble?

Can Teens Work at Barnes & Noble?

Can Teens Work at Barnes & Noble

Do you have a love for books and reading?

Could you confidently advise customers on different genres and interesting new books?

If this sounds like you, and you are new to the job search, you will be pleased to know that Barnes & Noble hires 16-year-olds! The Fortune 1000 company is the largest retail bookseller in the United States. With an impressive 609 stores throughout all 50 states.

If you’re wondering, ‘Can Teens Work at Barnes & Noble?’ You’ve come to the right place. So, let’s get started!

can teens work at barnes noble

Child Labor Laws

However, don’t rush to apply for a job yet. Ensure to check the labor laws in your state and if you require working papers for being a minor. According to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FSLA), a young person’s minimum age to apply for a job is 14.

With that being said, it doesn’t mean a 14-year-old can apply for any job. Actually, between the ages of 14 and 18, there are several jobs that young people are not legally allowed to perform. For example, working with heavy machinery or vehicles is prohibited until you are the legal age to drive or hold a license.

Read more: What Time Does Barnes and Noble Close-Open?

Who Is Barnes & Noble?

Not only do Barnes & Noble boast hundreds of stores all over the states, but they are also responsible for supplying and selling academic texts to over 4.5 million students and college faculty members.

Barnes & Noble was selling books online long before Amazon! Their first online sale was in the 1980s, believe it or not, using a system named Trintex. The store is a reputable company and has opportunities for growth and career building. But that’s not all…

Browse while we brew…

Barnes & Noble decided that it would be a good place for people to linger, contrary to newsstands where customers were encouraged to buy their paper or book and leave. Barnes & Noble decided to invite customers in by providing bathrooms and coffee. These incentives worked well, and voila, several larger stores have a cafe to relax in.

Jobs for 16-Year-Olds at Barnes & Noble

Barnes & Noble is an amiable entry-level company, and there are roles available for people without university or college qualifications.

Cashier

A cashier is responsible for managing transactions and returns. They should be friendly and have excellent communication skills. Be comfortable guiding customers to the correct products and answering any queries or questions.

Cashiers may also be responsible for helping on the shop floor and returning unwanted books to their shelves. A cashier can earn between $8 and $15 per hour, depending on the store. The average wage for a Barnes & Noble cashier is $11 per hour.

Bookseller

This job is incredibly suited to passionate readers. You should be knowledgeable about different books and educate yourself on new books and the store’s monthly picks. A bookseller should be a team player and help customers and staff with urgency.

If applying for this role, you should be a confident individual who is happy to recommend books and promote deals in store. A bookseller can expect around $7 to $12 per hour.

can a teen work at the barnes noble

Barista

A barista is responsible for taking orders and delivering food and beverages to customers. With busy periods baristas should work quickly and maintain an excellent standard of service and taste.

Barnes & Noble expects baristas to be familiar with their products which means trying them and recommending new products to customers. Teamwork is essential, and you must take direction from supervisors and managers during this role.

Full-time baristas can expect excellent benefits such as:

  • Sick pay
  • Employee discount
  • Vacation, personal days, and company holidays
  • 401(k)
  • Health benefits, disability, and life Insurance
  • Tuition reimbursement

A barista can expect an hourly rate starting at $12.50 per hour, depending on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law.

Jobs For Older Teens At Barnes & Noble

If you have more experience in retail and hospitality, it is possible to apply for jobs with a higher salary and more responsibility. There are different opportunities available.

Cafe Manager

A cafe manager should have previous hospitality experience and have excellent customer service skills. A manager should delegate tasks to staff, ensure food hygiene standards are being met, and maintain a strive to maximize sales.

Managers are responsible for creating rotas for the team and should be prepared to give feedback and coaching to staff. The average salary for a cafe manager at Barnes & Noble is around $19 per hour.

can teen work at the barnes noble

Loss and Prevention Employee

Loss and prevention staff are responsible for ensuring that product losses and shrinkage are low. They are responsible for dealing with theft and ensuring the store is safe for both employees and customers. Staff are required to stand for long periods and be vigilant.

A loss prevention employee can expect an average salary of $58,000 per year. This job does, however, need at least five years of retail loss prevention experience.

Barista

As stated previously, a barista should withhold excellent communication skills and attention to detail. They should be able to work in a busy environment and keep their area and cafe clean.

Values of Barnes & Noble

  • Customer service
  • Quality
  • Empathy
  • Respect
  • Integrity
  • Responsibility
  • Teamwork

Barnes & Noble prides itself on being a non-discriminatory workplace that employs people from different backgrounds and ages. This is positive for teens as it means they can find employment in entry-level positions. Part-time jobs are also available for those still studying and attending school.

How To Apply?

The application process for landing a job at Barnes & Noble is pretty simple. The Barnes & Noble website provides a list of jobs available with a filtered selection to choose your preferred job role. Once you find something that suits you, you can directly apply through the website and submit your application.

You will be required to create an account and upload all your information. If you have your documents organized, the overall application should only take around 15 minutes, and you also have the option to upload your resume. Remember to include a short cover letter stating why you would like the job.

Checking the status of your application…

Once you have created an account and uploaded your information, you can sign in and track the progress. If you have any queries, you may also visit a store and speak with a manager regarding your application.

Employee Benefits

Now for the part you’ve been waiting for. Does working for the US largest bookseller come with any benefits? You’ll be pleased to know it does and most part-time staff are also eligible for the benefits along with full-time employees. A bonus to most benefit program options available includes eligibility for spouses and children.

These benefits are:

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Personal days
  • Paid vacation time
  • Sick pay
  • 401k savings plan
  • Discount on products

The company also assists if an employee wishes to further their career by completing a job-related degree.

can the teens work at barnes noble

Barnes & Noble Book Fair Opportunities

Barnes & Noble also offers book fairs both online and in-store. The book fairs are a great fundraising opportunity for pre-k-12 schools and non-profit arts and literacy organizations.

The company tailors the book fair to fit your ideas and wishes. Whether you land the position of a bookseller or a cashier, you will be part of these book fairs and can join in the fun; plus, it’s an extra experience to add to your resume!

For The Love Of Coffee And Books!

Firstly, let’s see which position would suit you best with our Barista Job Description, my Shift Leader Job Description, and Assistant Restaurant Manager Job Description, and finally, my Restaurant General Manager Job Description.

For additional coffee shop applications, take a look at my Gloria Jeans Coffees Application, The Coffee Bean Tea Leaf Application, and of course my Starbucks Application, Caribou Coffee Application, and my Perkins Restaurant And Bakery Application in 2023.

If you’re looking to become a professional barista or just love to brew your very own coffee at home, these are the books for you! So, check out THE BARISTA REFERENCE BOOK: FOUNDATION, and The Curious Barista’s Guide to Coffee, the Coffee Obsession, The Ultimate Coffee Bar Cookbook for Coffee Lovers, or how about The Barista Book: A Coffee Lover’s Companion with Brewing Tips and Over 50 Recipes, or even The Professional Barista’s Handbook: The Expert Guide to Preparing Espresso, Coffee, and Tea.

But we have even more percolating with The Coffee Book: Barista tips * recipes * beans from around the world, Latte Art: The Ultimate Barista’s Guide To Stunning Coffee Art, as well as The Home Barista: How to Bring Out the Best in Every Coffee Bean, and lastly the Top 100 Coffee Recipes: A Cookbook for Coffee Lovers all available online today.

Final Thoughts

Ideally, a career with Barnes & Noble would be perfect for book lovers and people with a passion for reading. You can expand your knowledge through different texts.

It is vital to have excellent communication skills and a drive for satisfying customers. The wonderful part of it all is you can start your career at the young age of 16. The benefits and company ethics are an attractive part of the job too!

All the very best Working at Barnes & Noble!

5/5 - (108 votes)
Share:

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top