Bookstore Sales Associate

Association for Research and Enlightenment, Inc.•Virginia Beach, VA

About The Position

The Bookstore Sales Associate provides customer service to customers, members, visitors, and guests through sales of books, healthcare products, information, and gifts related to topics in the Cayce readings. The role serves the public by greeting visitors, answering telephone inquiries, and providing information about bookstore merchandise, memberships, programs, and other A.R.E. services. The position requires an energetic, enthusiastic, service-oriented person dedicated to the ideals and goals of the A.R.E. and its Bookstore. It is a front-line position that regularly interacts with visitors and people throughout the organization and directly affects the bookstore’s public image, public relations, and revenue accountability. The associate may open and close the bookstore, handle transactions and cash drawers, maintain merchandise and inventory, respond to customer messages, and support mail and special orders. Evening and weekend availability is required, and special events may involve extended hours and long days. Employment is contingent on satisfactorily passing a background security check. Employees must maintain a neat appearance and wear appropriate business attire. The organization provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities unless doing so would cause undue hardship.

Requirements

High school education or equivalent.
Twelve months of retail or related experience.
Excellent oral, written, and listening communication skills.
Strong customer service skills and the ability to be knowledgeable, helpful, and congenial with visitors, coworkers, students, faculty, and other professionals.
Tact, diplomacy, objectivity, and a professional sales demeanor.
Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to identify potential problems and resolve situations tactfully and promptly.
Strong organization, attention to detail, accuracy, and ability to multitask.
Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
Analytical ability, a high degree of accuracy, and close attention to detail.
Ability to process merchandise and information through a computer system, including a POS register system.
Ability to represent the A.R.E. and its purpose, work, administration, staff, volunteers, Board, and membership positively.
Ability to work a schedule that includes evenings and weekends, and extended hours that may result in long days during special events.
High emotional intelligence and maturity, including adaptability, engagement, and enthusiasm.
Ability to perform physical activities including stocking shelves and moving books or merchandise weighing up to 20 pounds unassisted, as well as bending, standing, climbing, and walking.
Ability to stand for long periods for most of the workday.
Ability to move between buildings over uneven ground and use staircases in historical buildings without elevators.
Must be neat and clean in appearance and wear appropriate business attire.
Must satisfactorily pass a background security check.

Nice To Haves

Computer-related experience or training preferred.
Knowledge of and acceptance of key principles in the Edgar Cayce readings, particularly kindness, active patience, and a service orientation, desired.
A good sense of humor.

Responsibilities

Provide excellent customer service to visitors, customers, and conferees.
Answer customer questions and recommend books and products that may be of interest.
Develop knowledge of bookstore subjects, titles—especially those related to Edgar Cayce—and products.
Accurately handle cash and credit card transactions.
May open and close the bookstore, balance cash drawers, and print daily reports.
Check bookstore voicemail, email, and social media regularly and respond to customer messages promptly.
Notice trends in frequent customer requests or questions and share them with management.
Shelve books and keep stock neat and in the proper sections.
Price, display, and shelve products received by the store.
Keep the sales floor, sales counters, and back room clean and orderly.
May receive and process mail orders and special orders by telephone and in person.
Prepare customer purchases for shipping when requested.
Stay up to date and knowledgeable about A.R.E. programs, services, and activities.
Periodically spot-check inventory to ensure the computer database is accurate.
Perform other related duties, activities, and responsibilities as needed.