You work in a games store?

[Hey Joe]

Okay, so apart from being the most pimpin' freelance journalist of all time (read: broke) I'm applying for all sorts of jobs. Among these are a couple of sales assisstants jobs at video games stores.

So, I was wondering given the level of gamers on this site, there's got to be at least a couple of people who work in similar roles. So, before I go for interviews and make a complete hash of them (note: people don't like to be told they're "crackers", who knew?)I was wondering if you could dispense with some sage words.

What can I do to impress during the interview? Should I be spending more time talking about video games or sales techniques? In short, what sort of qualities would you like to see in a new employee?

I'm hoping I can take a cross-section of these and prepare a good interview strategy for if and when I get a call back.

Cheers,

Hey Joe

 

[The Shade]

I'd have a job at EB Games by now if it weren't for that job being in high demand. EVERYONE wants a job at a game store, and they aren't fans of hiring short-term employees. (No summer job for ME!)

 

[pantsoffdanceoff]

Supposedly their job is hard. On Youtube all they (being people who work at gamestop) do is complain about battle toad prank calls and how it makes their life a drudgery at a gamestop even more unbearable.
Which is probably, of course, total garbage but I wouldn't know. And also, good look finding such a desirable job as a game retailer in this economy.

 

[Chaz D]

I worked at GAME over Christmas, and I can safely say it destroyed my soul. But that's principally because I was never any good at anything, and that even when I caught a shoplifter I didn't get a single "well done" from any other member of staff.

Anyway, enough angst.

Basically, they're looking for people who know lots about computer games and consoles, and have the ability to communicate that to old women, since that's basically all you'll be doing.

That, and repeating the phrase "no, we don't have any WiiFits in stock at the moment, but we should get some in before Christmas" over and over again.

 

[UpSkirtDistress]

I Work In an Xtravision (DVD and Game Rental Store) I Find the most useful knowledge when it comes to games is just the general stuff. It Would be useless to give detailed reviews of every game you have ever loved, people are only concerned with whats new and shiney or dirt cheap. Most importantly is knowledge of the consoles someone on the fence with hundreds of euro to spend will want to know everything bout the console they are thinking of buying (Online capabilities,availabilty of games, memory etc) so getting across you know all the specs is good.

In short Sales technique is the most important, having an interest is curcial but the sheer amount of people applying who like playing games is of course going to be huge. Just say you like keeping up to date on new releases and release dates,you have a huge interest in all formats of gaming and mention what you do on the the escapist briefly. Overall though you want to be focusing on being well spoken, social,showing how helpful and knowledgable you can be and show confidence.

p.s. pretentious bender was a bit harsh sorry

 

[JamminOz07]

the manager at my local eb games gets all the new games for free a couple of weeks before the rest of us are allowed to have them... but he drives a crappy car, so I don't think he earns a fantastic salary...

 

[Erana]

Why would you want to work at a game store? Go to Korea and become a prefessional gamer.

 

[bikeninja]

I have only heard bad things about working at game stores: low to minimum wages, harsh bosses, dealing with stupid customers, working on midnight releases, to name a few.
I haven't worked at a VIDEO game store, but I did work at a hobby shop selling board games, comics, and all other things geeky (conveniently across the hall from an EB games) and it was the best job I ever had. even got paid more then the game store employees

 

[Maet]

I am paying you to sell video games, not be an omniscient deity of them!

When I worked at the local EB for a few months, the manager didn't care about how much I knew about video games, just as long as I knew how to sell them (though she did admire my music/rhythm game knowledge because I managed to move a tonne of Rock Band/Guitar Hero bundles that no one else would buy).

I got the job because I knew the people who worked there fairly well. Had I been a complete stranger with no edge, they'd gloss right over me. People want a charismatic, approachable retailer, and I'm not one of them. Those are the key factors though, charisma and approachability!

 

[thiosk]

Retail sucks. Stay in school and major in something practical.

 

[Altorin]

Try to show how you can make the company money, and not yammer about how much you love video games

they really don't care that you can beat the Battletoads Speederbike Level.

 

[CrafterMan]

Retail sucks. Stay in school and major in something practical.

Oh god heed this persons words.

I am in retail only because I have no choice.

 

[Ignignoct]

Be a busboy.

Make 2x your minimum wage in cash tips.

Profit.

No ???'s required.

 

[Arayis]

I worked at EB for a year, and it didn't really matter how much backround knowledge I had on games, although it certainly helped because customers constantly ask your opinion on them, and it helps if you at least know a little about it...

 

[Hey Joe]

Why would you want to work at a game store? Go to Korea and become a prefessional gamer.

It's not so much that I have this burning ambition to work at a games store, it's just that I need money for projects and what have you, and I can sell things. Also, I should mention that I actually have a degree, it's just that not too many people are hiring full-time staff in this climate.

 

[bikeninja]

Be a busboy.

Make 2x your minimum wage in cash tips.

Profit.

No ???'s required.

It's very true. I work at a bar, and some of the waitresses make more in tips then the manager does in her salary. Even in this drooping economy, people still waste money in bars and leave a big tip.

 

[Good morning blues]

If you work at a game store, you will need to be able to convince people to buy video games and then convince them to buy a bunch of bullshit with their video games such as disc warranties and magazine subscriptions. Customers will resent you for this. You will need to deal with the rudest and most irritating sections of the public, and more than likely the social stuntees from the local high school will come over on a daily basis to talk about their new sword in World of Warcraft. For this, you will almost certainly be paid minimum wage.

What I'm saying is "get a job at a restaurant." I hated working retail, and working video game retail can only be hundreds of times worse. If you want a shit job that a monkey could do, at least make decent money at a restaurant.

 

[Sixties Spidey]

I had a job there as a summer job to get some quick cash. I quit in like...3 weeks. The salary was so small, and whoever had the bright idea of giving me a fucking card that nickels and dimes you on transactions, needs to have his balls kicked so hard they blast out of his skull.

 

[Hey Joe]

Be a busboy.

Make 2x your minimum wage in cash tips.

Profit.

No ???'s required.

It's very true. I work at a bar, and some of the waitresses make more in tips then the manager does in her salary. Even in this drooping economy, people still waste money in bars and leave a big tip.

Tipping is a largely American phenomenon. It doesn't happen often in Australia, because our minimum wage is at a good level so there's no real need to tip waitresses and the likes.