At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive a van, set up book displays, and engage with children and school staff.
- Company: Join The Roving Bookshop, a beloved children's bookshop with a national reputation.
- Benefits: Earn £14.00 – £15.50/hr, flexible hours, and the chance to meet authors.
- Other info: Dynamic role with varied daily experiences and opportunities for extra events.
- Why this job: Make a difference by bringing the joy of books to schools across the country.
- Qualifications: Must be physically fit, have a clean driving licence, and enjoy working with kids.
A unique opportunity to join a small team with a big mission: based in Leicester, The Roving Bookshop has a national reputation for its carefully curated stock of children’s books. Travelling all over the country, from our Leicester base, we provide primary children with a unique opportunity to experience a full size bookshop in their own school. We also provide specialist bookselling at author performances, conferences and other training events.
Start Date – 1 month - £14.00 – £15.50/hr. Flexible, Full/Part Time. This role combines delivery driving, manual handling, display setup, and customer‑facing retail work. Driving a company van to and unloading at a new venue each day, you’ll experience first-hand the excitement that the bookshop brings to children - you’ll also meet authors and illustrators at book signings. Every day and every event is different.
Responsibilities:
- Drive a medium van to schools across the country
- Load and unload heavy trolleys containing book stock
- Erect up to 54 display cases and set up the mobile bookshop
- Sell to children and interact with school staff throughout the day
- Manage stock, take payments, and do simple admin
You may opt for a part time contract, but will need to be flexible. Term time is very busy, particularly around World Book Day in February and March. If you’re physically fit, love keeping busy and want to do a job that makes a difference, we look forward to receiving your application.
QualificationsEssential skills:
- Physical strength to load/unload up to ~1 tonne of books on trolleys, and heavy lifting to erect book displays (experience of working in warehouse or delivery roles would be valuable)
- Confidence driving a medium van and clean UK driving licence
- The flexibility to start early and finish late, when visiting schools, including paid overnight stays for long distance events
- The flexibility to work extra events during school term time (particularly February and March, World Book Day)
- Ability to work independently and set up displays in different school environments
- Friendly communication style with teachers and children
- Ability to obtain an enhanced DBS check (we work in schools and are committed to safeguarding)
Desirable skills:
- An interest in children’s books (training given).
- A familiarity with computers for Point of Sale (training given).
Delivery Driver, School Bookshop Assistant in Leicester employer: The Roving Bookshop
The Roving Bookshop is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to be part of a passionate team dedicated to inspiring children through literature. Based in Leicester, employees enjoy a dynamic work culture that values flexibility and creativity, with opportunities for personal growth as they engage with schools and authors across the country. With competitive pay and the chance to make a meaningful impact on young readers, this role is perfect for those who thrive in a vibrant, community-focused environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Delivery Driver, School Bookshop Assistant in Leicester
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like The Roving Bookshop, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like The Roving Bookshop!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at The Roving Bookshop, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at The Roving Bookshop and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show The Roving Bookshop that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Roving Bookshop
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
