We’re Hiring!

 
 

Bookseller

AUGUST 2025: Rough Draft is hiring a part-time bookseller! We're looking for an eager, book-loving individual to join our close-knit team. Booksellers at Rough Draft are often the first point of contact for anyone not just getting coffee or a snack at the shop. Ideal candidates are friendly, professional, and excited about books. Specific genre or literary specializations are a plus, but all candidates should have a passion for reading and some pre-existing knowledge of the literary world. 

This position starts at $20/hr, working approximately 20-25 hrs/wk. Off-site and evening hours will be required occasionally for special events. 

Main responsibilities for this position include guest service, manning the point-of-sale, inventory management, maintaining the shop floor, and some marketing/promotional tasks:

  • Guest service includes greeting guests, answering the phones, offering recommendations, researching titles, as well as point-of-sale operation—sales, special orders, and more.

  • Inventory management includes receiving books, shelving books, creating and updating displays, organizing books and merchandise, and more.

  • Maintaining the shop floor includes keeping the shop clean, safe, comfortable, and welcoming. Dusting, sweeping, cleaning, emptying the trash, and more. 

  • Marketing/promotional tasks might include managing the store's social media calendar, prepping content for our weekly newsletter, updating the website, creating displays and online book lists, and more.

Skills required for this role include: 

  • Basic computer skills

  • Ability/willingness to learn our point-of-sale (Square, other bookselling software)

  • A self-starter and creative thinker, able to work independently and in close quarters with other staff. 

  • Strong attention to detail.

  • Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.

  • Time management skills and ability to prioritize without explicit instructions from management.

  • Must genuinely enjoy engaging with people, as you will talk to lots of them in person, over the phone, and via email. 

  • Genuine enthusiasm for books/reading — the ideal candidate is independently keeping up on new titles, trends, and reading widely.

  • Ability to bend, stoop, and lift boxes up to 50 lbs. Ability to be on your feet for hours at a time.

Some nights and weekends will be required. Hours/daily schedule may vary. 

Rough Draft is an equal opportunity employer and does not tolerate discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender identity, disability, religion, or sexuality.

To Apply: Please fill out this Google Form. (There will be a place to upload a résumé in the form.) Once you have completed and submitted the form, you’ll receive an automatic notification that your application has been accepted. We are expecting a large number of applications, so we can only guarantee a further reply if we are interested in moving forward with your candidacy.