Job Description for a Bookshop Salesman
Erudite people fascinated with the written word may want to consider a career working in bookstores. Bookshop salespeople possess a unique skill set that consists of customer service and of course, a knowledge of, and love of, books.
Other People Are Reading
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Areas of Employment
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Bookshop workers are employed in a variety of settings, each employing different kinds of workers. Students looking to find textbooks for their fall classes are usually assisted by bookshop workers who find books based on course descriptions. These workers usually do not know the content of the books and focus on finding the appropriate title that matches the course name. Some bookstore workers are employees at large retail chains like Borders, Barnes & Noble, or Bookstar. They may have a wider range of knowledge regarding the content of books than a textbook worker. Smaller bookstores specializing in children's books or another specific niche also select individuals who fit the theme of the store.
Job Duties
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Bookshop salespeople offer a number of services to customers who frequent the store. They can offer recommendations to the patrons, find a specific product, and act as a cashier to patrons ready to purchase their items. Bookshop salespeople take orders for special publications and search for books requested by patrons and are also expected to be well-versed in literature in general or in the specific type of material the store offers. For example, bookstore employees working in an antique book store should be knowledgeable about the history of book production, limited editions, and other information pertaining to the job, such as rare book catalogs and dealers. Salespeople also take inventory of the products.
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Skills
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Bookstore employees should be helpful and courteous to customers. They should also have an understanding of different demographics and their reading preferences; this is especially important in providing recommendations. If a mother has an 8-year-old girl, the bookshop salesperson should know the books read by that demographic. Bookstore employees should also be informed of the sales trends in the publishing world. For example, the Twilight series in the late 2000s inspired an explosion of vampire books hoping to replicate their success. Bookshop salespeople would then advise purchasing more books according to budding tastes and preferences. Additionally, bookstore workers should know how to use a computer to find out-of-print books and other products electronically.
Salary
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The role of the employee in the store determines the salary. Those with little experience who are working part time make approximately minimum wage. Bookshop salespeople who own their store can earn a salary determined solely by the success of their business. Managers of a chain bookstore earn a salary comparable to one of a retail manager. According to payscale.com, in 2009 a retail manager can earn between $28,000 and $65,000, depending on experience and years in the industry.
Considerations
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Though some may view the job of a bookshop salesperson akin to a part-time summer job, some people dedicate their entire career to selling books. These people have gained a unique understanding of American culture by analyzing people's tastes and inclinations in literature over time. Certain societal trends can be observed according to which books are top sellers; bookstore employees are in a unique position to view these trends. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Larry McMurty expresses how such a connection with books can be deeply gratifying; he also describes in vivid detail the eccentricities of the bookseller community. To many individuals, being a bookshop employee is a career, not a job.
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