As you fill out a Follett application, know that you’re striving to join a company that is a trusted partner with multiple Pre-K, K-12, and college campuses across the country. They want to empower education in every possible place that they can. Links to apply for jobs at Follett are listed at the bottom of the page.
Originally, Follett was founded in 1873 by Charles Banes in his Wheaton, Illinois home. Three years later, it was moved to Chicago, focusing on selling various school supplies, including textbooks. In 1901, C.W. Follett joined the company, which now focused on wholesaling throughout the Midwest. Seventeen years later, Follett had moved up to manage the company and quickly brought his sons into the business, after buying the company in 1923.
With the help of his sons, the company grew, establishing a publishing company, a college book wholesaler, and a college retail store just outside of Chicago. In 1957, the company was officially named the Follett Corporation. Since that time, the company has worked to innovate and grow within the changing textbook and media landscapes.
By bringing together educators and students with content, products, and technologies geared towards teaching, the company aims to prepare the next generation with the information that they’ll need to succeed. From Pre-K through college, Follett is there for all the successes that students may go through.
Follett Careers
There are several positions available at the corporate level. Store management positions are still considered corporate work, even though it’s more local work. Within corporate, there are positions around the country, several of which will require traveling to various schools.
Local Follett jobs are either in the bookstores or in the warehouse, preparing books for shipment to customers around the country. In stores, you’ll do a lot of customer service, stocking shelves, and answer general customer questions about the store and the items that you stock.
How old do you have to be to work at Follett? Age requirements vary by position. As you browse Follett jobs online, make sure to read all job requirements closely as some positions will require you to have had various degrees, experiences, or certifications before applying.
Those with Follett careers do get benefits, depending on their location, employment status, and position. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as accidental death and dismemberment insurance options. For employees’ lifestyles, there’s retirement plans, tuition reimbursement, pet insurance, educational scholarships, and adoption assistance.
Follett Job Descriptions
Sales Associate – You will greet and aid customers as they walk through the door in order to point them towards the information and items that they are looking for. If a customer calls, you’ll need to be able to answer any questions that they’ll have.
Fulfillment Specialist – While working in the warehouse, you’ll pack boxes for customers, making sure that every order is correct. If something runs out of stock, you’ll report it to your specialist in order for it to be restocked.
Account Executive – As you travel from school to school, you’ll buy extra textbooks from their inventory. Once you’ve purchased the books, you’ll be in charge of making sure that they’re shipped back to corporate headquarters after being package properly.
Assistant Store Manager – By assisting the Store Manager, you’ll help the store run smoothly and make sure that all staff members are working to their fullest potential. You’ll work and train all new Associates before they take to the floor.
Follett Interview Questions
These are some questions that you may be asked during your interview:
Why do you want to work for Follett? This is an extremely common interview question, so you should be prepared for it. Talk about what drew you to the company, whether it was the company benefits or culture, and why it’s your first choice in places you work.
What experience do you have? If you have relevant experience, make sure to highlight it. As some positions don’t require experience, and if you don’t have it, instead talk about what you can bring to the position and company. Make sure to use plenty of examples to back up your claims.
Where do you see yourself in the next few years? This question is more geared towards permanent and full time positions as the interviewer is mostly looking to see if you’re planning on staying with the company. Be realistic in your career expectations, but make sure they know you’re willing to take on extra challenges and responsibilities in order to move up in the company.
For those that work with customers, this question may be posed to you in the form of a hypothetical situation: How would you take care of an upset customer? Be practical and realistic, talk about how you would work on turning their experience around, making sure to explain the logic behind your answer.
If you’ve applied to work in the warehouse, you may be asked this question: How much can you carry? Be honest as being able to carry things is a big part of the warehouse position. If there’s something that could keep you from carrying boxes or items, make sure to talk about it.
Advice for the Application Process
How to apply for Follett online: start by deciding if you would like to work at the corporate or local level as they have different places to apply. For a local or warehouse position, follow the first link, corporate jobs are through the second link. After you’ve selected the position that you’re interested in, start filling in your Follett application. There is no printable application for Follett.
Before attending your interview, do research on the industry and Follett in order to create a list of questions that you can ask. This may seem excessive, especially for an entry level position, but it will place you ahead of the other candidates as it will show that you’re prepared.
Your interview will be in a formal setting, so dress appropriately. If you’ve applied for an entry level or a warehouse position, business casual will work well. For a corporate level or a managerial position, a suit would be more appropriate and expected. Make sure to have a friendly and positive demeanor when you attend your interview because it will leave your interviewer with a good impression.
Make sure to show gratitude at the opportunity to interview with Follett. Afterwards, inquire about the best way to check on your hiring status as few applicants will learn whether or not they got the position during the interview because Follett will want to screen all candidates before making a final decision.
Also See:
Certapro Painters: For career opportunities, fill out the Certapro Painters online application.
U-Haul: See our resource page for more information on U-Haul careers.
Hastings: Use the Hastings job application to apply here.
Lifeway: Checkout the application page for work at Lifeway.
Progressive: For career opportunities, fill out the Progressive online application.