Game Stop Interview Tips

Jess18

Hi Everyone, I'm and 18 year old, girl and I have managed to get an interview with Game Stop on Tuesday. Thing is I'm not really a gaming girl. I do know the basic games like nintendo wii, nintendo DS, playstations, etc but havn't a clue how anyting like Xbox works. Do you think this will affect me in my interview? I was thinking if I just point out that i'm a quick learner I should be ok.

Also was wondering if anyone has any other tips, what to wear, hair/make up, etc. And what kind of questions they'll ask and what questions I should ask.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Chris Hansen

Jess18 wrote: »

Hi Everyone, I'm and 18 year old, girl and I have managed to get an interview with Game Stop on Tuesday. Thing is I'm not really a gaming girl. I do know the basic games like nintendo wii, nintendo DS, playstations, etc but havn't a clue how anyting like Xbox works. Do you think this will affect me in my interview? I was thinking if I just point out that i'm a quick learner I should be ok.

Also was wondering if anyone has any other tips, what to wear, hair/make up, etc. And what kind of questions they'll ask and what questions I should ask.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

I would read up on games and the internetz, theyre all geeks in there!!*


* Geeks in a knowledgable way

Healium

Not being mean or anything, but.... Can I ask why you applied at GameStop if you're not really a gamer? Just kinda baffles me. One of the things I like about GameStop is that their staff usually know what they're talking about, when they're not shoving disc insurance down your throat

Creamy Goodness

read up on it before you go, but best thing is to be honest.

online gaming is a huge draw for anyone using consoles (mainly xbox and ps3) so learn about the respective networks they have.

* xbox uses xbox live (xbl).
* ps3 uses playstation network (psn).

Dress casual formal - don't think you'd need a lady suit (not sure what else to call it), wear your hair the way you normally do.

They will most likely ask you how would you deal with an irate customer (assuming here as I've never worked in retail), or to recommend games to a stereotypical customer; think a mother coming in a christmas after hearing the latest grand theft auto is the game to get etc.

best of luck

dreamers75

Healium wrote: »

Not being mean or anything, but.... Can I ask why you applied at GameStop if you're not really a gamer? Just kinda baffles me. One of the things I like about GameStop is that their staff usually know what they're talking about, when they're not shoving disc insurance down your throat

Told me recently Portal 2 wouldnt run on my I5 2500k.

Job is a job tbh

Chris Hansen

Healium wrote: »

Not being mean or anything, but.... Can I ask why you applied at GameStop if you're not really a gamer? Just kinda baffles me. One of the things I like about GameStop is that their staff usually know what they're talking about, when they're not shoving disc insurance down your throat

Phew! had to take a second look at that one!

Also OP, remember the delete sys32 troubleshooting method for PCs

Redlion

Healium wrote: »

Not being mean or anything, but.... Can I ask why you applied at GameStop if you're not really a gamer? Just kinda baffles me. One of the things I like about GameStop is that their staff usually know what they're talking about, when they're not shoving disc insurance down your throat

In all fairness, people are just applying for jobs, in the hope of picking anything up. I work in a clothes shop, doesn't mean I keep up to date with latest fashions or trends. It's like starting anywhere, ya learn as ya go along. I'm sure the OP will be capable of picking up gaming tips and knowledge from just working there a few months.

Best of luck OP!

ShadowHearth

if you are good looking, then you dont need knowladge about games.

seen lots of girls working in shops like that and dont have a freaking clue how to hold controller.

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

they're store clerks not your lan buddies, christ. it's just a job.

Dyr

ShadowHearth wrote: »

if you are good looking, then you dont need knowladge about games.

seen lots of girls working in shops like that and dont have a freaking clue how to hold controller.

Maybe they only play games on the PC, as everyone should

Jess18

Healium wrote: »

Not being mean or anything, but.... Can I ask why you applied at GameStop if you're not really a gamer? Just kinda baffles me. One of the things I like about GameStop is that their staff usually know what they're talking about, when they're not shoving disc insurance down your throat

To be honest I applied at Game Stop because I need a job, and in the recession, one can't be too picky! I am a fast learner and think I will pick up on it fairly quickly! To everyone else, thanks so much for all the help, Some great advice here, I'll be taking all your advice on board. Feel a bit more relaxed now

Notorious

I work in a game store. My advice would be to dress smart, like you would to any job interview and make sure you bring a copy of your CV along with you (even if you've already given yours in). Too many come to interviews dressed down, and that never goes well. At the end of the day, the company want you to sell for them and want someone who takes the job seriously, not just a gaming nerd who smokes dope all day.

A big plus (would get you major bonus points in my place) would be to make sure you know the big games that are coming out soon - it's always a question asked. So that'd be Gears of War 3, Fifa 12, Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 and Battlefield 3.

Gaming knowledge would be handy in the job, but it's not a requirement. At the end of the day, you're just selling stuff. It's something that you'd pick up in the job by either playing the games, or by talking to the gamers you work with.

Any other questions feel free to PM me.

jaykhunter

If u wanted something to chat about, why not pick up the current edition of Gamesmaster and have a read-through. tbh I bet they're looking for someone who will be punctual and efficient, not someone who's just finished a 40-hour dungeon crawling session!

In short :

Wii - casual fans, there's a newer version coming out next year (Wii U)
Xbox 360 - better for shooters, have to pay for online but a better service, better downloadbable service. Main exclusives are Halo series and Gears of war Series.
Xbox's motion controller - Kinect - casual gaming like the wii, but the gimmick is that there's no controller (you are the controller)
PS3 - some great exclusives (God of War, Heavy Rain, Uncharted series); excellent media player, plays Blu-Rays.
PS3's motion controller - Move - very similar to the Wii's controller but is quietly implemented in some games.

DS/DSi/DSLite : Excellent, diverse back-catalogue of games. Recommend to all.
3DS : DS's 3D upgrade. Few games at the moment but some big ones coming out soon. Recently had a price drop.
PSP : Good sales but their best games are generally portable versions of their biggest PS3 franchises.
PSVita : PSP's successor, out next year.

PC gamers : Ask him (point to someone else in the store)

If they're asking what you're looking forward to you could lie and say :
Xbox : Gears of War 3 (out in a few weeks)
PS3 : Uncharted 3 (out in a few months)
Wii : New Zelda game : November.

Hope that helps!

Jess18

@Notorious and @jaykhunter ....THANK YOU Best help so far, I'm making a list of all those games, and I'll google them, try learn abit more about them! Thanks

Notorious

Bear in mind that your manager won't care if you're not a gamer, but a little knowledge would go a long way. Good luck!

KilOit

Really can't see someone being hired at a games shop with little knowledge on games, i'm very well up on gaming news, but if i wasn't and asked a staff member a question and they didn't know i'd be very put off from purchasing anything there.
Luckily pretty much all staff i encountered in Gamestop are passionate about gaming and eager to help.
Sorry to burst your bubble op, maybe a jobs a job but even in retail the're speciality jobs that not just any joe soap can blag their way in.

Jess18

KilOit wrote: »

Really can't see someone being hired at a games shop with little knowledge on games, i'm very well up on gaming news, but if i wasn't and asked a staff member a question and they didn't know i'd be very put off from purchasing anything there.
Luckily pretty much all staff i encountered in Gamestop are passionate about gaming and eager to help.
Sorry to burst your bubble op, maybe a jobs a job but even in retail the're speciality jobs that not just any joe soap can blag their way in.

While I appreciate your opinion, I don't plan to just 'blag my way in'. I really am making an effort to learn more about gaming, and to be fair I honestly don't think it will take that long to learn if I start working there. Maybe I'm just being naive, but I could really do with getting this job, so am going to do my very best to get it!

Killinator

As someone who works somewhat in a similar role,
It would help to know some recent history regarding consoles(PC games rarely come up), or to be more specific, the problems one may encounter when owning a console,
So when someone comes in saying there is 3 red lights flashing on the front of their XBOX(general hardware failure) or that there is a perfectly circle scratch on their disc(laser burn) or PSN network outage(hackers), you will know what they are talking about,

Use this knowledge if a question comes up in the interview, ie:
"If a customer has a problem with a console, how would you deal with it"
"I would try to understand from the customer what exactly is happening with the console, for example does it have 3 red rings showing, is the disc unusually scratched..........."

It may not be much but it may give the idea that you actually know what a customer may be complaining about or that you know about the various problems already, showing an experience with consoles that betrays the truth of your actual experience;)

Jess18

Killinator wrote: »

As someone who works somewhat in a similar role,
It would help to know some recent history regarding consoles(PC games rarely come up), or to be more specific, the problems one may encounter when owning a console,
So when someone comes in saying there is 3 red lights flashing on the front of their XBOX(general hardware failure) or that there is a perfectly circle scratch on their disc(laser burn) or PSN network outage(hackers), you will know what they are talking about,

Use this knowledge if a question comes up in the interview, ie:
"If a customer has a problem with a console, how would you deal with it"
"I would try to understand from the customer what exactly is happening with the console, for example does it have 3 red rings showing, is the disc unusually scratched..........."

It may not be much but it may give the idea that you actually know what a customer may be complaining about or that you know about the various problems already, showing an experience with consoles that betrays the truth of your actual experience;)

Great help Thank you

KilOit

Jess18 wrote: »

While I appreciate your opinion, I don't plan to just 'blag my way in'. I really am making an effort to learn more about gaming, and to be fair I honestly don't think it will take that long to learn if I start working there. Maybe I'm just being naive, but I could really do with getting this job, so am going to do my very best to get it!

Yeah fair play even coming here and asking for tips, shows you're interested, but unless you got a super brain and absorb info from reading it once, it's gonna be tough being asked gaming questions on the fly in a interview.

If i went for a sports job like Paddy Power or so i'd find it extremely tough if they started asking about football teams or horse racing questions, it's the sort of info you get by being passionate about a subject and not just reading it from a website for the sake of using it to gain a job.

Retr0gamer

You're going in to sell games not play them. Having knowledge of games isn't important at all but a very minor bonus. I'd read up on the company and study yuor CV and prehaps read up on the consoles. They might ask you to do a mock sell where you have to sell a console to a pretend customer so knowing the features of each console and their pros would be good.

KilOit

Retr0gamer wrote: »

You're going in to sell games not play them. Having knowledge of games isn't important at all but a very minor bonus.

Don't agree at all, you need to know a game if you want to sell a game, of course you have the 80% of people walking in and going straight to the game they want and picking it up, but the other 20% you have the mothers/fathers buying for their kids or the people buying presents for family or friends etc and telling you they like this sort of game or are into this kind of activity, with the snippets of info they can tell you, you could direct them to a certain genre of games and become much better of selling a game.
how could you give advice on games if you don't play them, would be like a deaf person describing music to you

Jess18

KilOit wrote: »

Don't agree at all, you need to know a game if you want to sell a game, of course you have the 80% of people walking in and going straight to the game they want and picking it up, but the other 20% you have the mothers/fathers buying for their kids or the people buying presents for family or friends etc and telling you they like this sort of game or are into this kind of activity, with the snippets of info they can tell you, you could direct them to a certain genre of games and become much better of selling a game.
how could you give advice on games if you don't play them, would be like a deaf person describing music to you

I understand that I will need to be able to give people advice on games, etc. But I think that when I start out other more experienced staff members will be able to give me advice and help me out with customers. I think that if I am working with games on a day to day basis, and talking to other staff it won't take me long to learn about the games, but again maybe I'm being naive.

deathrider

In fairness (and I mean no offense here), every Gamestop I've been in seems to have a girl working there that doesn't know anything about video games. So you should have nothing to worry about.

KilOit

Jess18 wrote: »

I understand that I will need to be able to give people advice on games, etc. But I think that when I start out other more experienced staff members will be able to give me advice and help me out with customers. I think that if I am working with games on a day to day basis, and talking to other staff it won't take me long to learn about the games, but again maybe I'm being naive.

Few years back i worked in a wine company selling wine, loved the job and was alright at selling it when they didn't ask the questions, but when they did i felt so inadequate, i just couldn't give sound advice since i hated wine and never drank it (back then )
So although you could technically work at Gamestop and be a good employee and stand at the till and restock shelves, you will face the difficult questions the odd time by not being that passionate about it. all the advice and talking to other staff won't help that much if you don't play them, it will just give a sense you're reading from a script and just going through the motions.

Jess18

@KilOit Ok, I do get where you're coming from and appreciate your opinion, but I'm going to do my best to get this job by taking on board everyone's advice and suppose we'll just have to wait and see what happens on Tuesday

mrm

I am sure Gamestop understand that all the relevant games info can be easily and quickly learned in the job, but a suitable personality can not be developed if it is not there initially. So present yourself well, both visually and communicatively. Cite any experience you have acquired previously in dealing with the public. I finished a Business and Sales course a few months ago and a key point to understand was 'customers are more likely to make a purchase if they like the sales person'. So just show them you are a nice person!

I would say that the best starting place for you is to familiarise yourself with the Gamestop website, It displays the upcoming big releases per platform (xbox 360. PS3. DS, wii, PC, etc), demonstrates their deals, general relevant information you could use in the interview. Majority of customers will walk in with prior knowledge of the game they want and just purchase it (this will constitute the majority of the job requirement). A small number (usually parents of young gamers) might ask for recommendations; so ask what platform they have, understand the age ratings on games, link recommendation to other games they previously liked, etc. Have a look at some of the stickys in the boards.ie gaming sections to gain info on differences in consoles (I think one clearly lists pros and cons of each, I think).

The girls in the local gamestop always (100%) refer any gaming questions to the manager, who is suitably knowledgeable(ish). Still, it would be nice to be able to converse with the customer about games, so if you get the job- start gaming! Damn enjoyable hobby. BTY FYI, 1. busy games release period coming up over the next few months and 2. the games industry is now supposedly the largest entertainment sector (having last year posted larger sales figures than music and cinema).

Best of Luck with the interview!

Jess18

@mrm Thanks for the advice, greatly appreciated!

calex71

Hi Jess good luck with the interview!!!!!!!!!

Really taking advice on here regards games etc. is pointless, anyone who has played the games / has the system could spot a spoofer a mile off I'm afraid.

Like most jobs these days you will be part of a team , and collective knowledge is always best, nobody knows everything. They will be looking for someone who shows a willingness to learn and an interest in the field and work as a team member and not bullsh*it the punters, who would rather you went and checked rather than give them bad advice !!!!!!!

Being honest means you dig no holes you need to dig deeper later or lie your way out of.

As for dress, go with the sunday best. Imagine you are the person doing the interview, you want some one who looks presentable to the public and has a nice polite manor , can deal with criticism and has common sense first and foremost.

Edit: Despite my earlier comment about it being pointless coming on and asking here , it actually shows you have some get up and go and cop on and initiative already by doing that and getting prepared for the interview so don't sweat it you'll be grand !!!!!

While you're there put in a good word in for Calex , he really needs a job too

deathrider

Oh, and just in case I came across kinda crappy in my earlier post- Best of luck with the interview

iMuse

Just make sure you know what "Call of Duty : Modern Warfare 3" is. Thats all you will need to know

Healium

iMuse wrote: »

Just make sure you know what "Call of Duty : Modern Warfare 3" is. Thats all you will need to know

Booooooo. Want to report this post. AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH. Sad that MW3 will out-sell Skyrim, Gears, Saints, Assassin's, Battlefield and whatever the hell else is coming out in November+. Will likely sell more than some of them combined. HissBooHiss

Liam O

Healium wrote: »

Booooooo. Want to report this post. AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH. Sad that MW3 will out-sell Skyrim, Gears, Saints, Assassin's, Battlefield and whatever the hell else is coming out in November+. Will likely sell more than some of them combined. HissBooHiss

That's kind of the point.

Even after that people like COD. Apart from maybe Saint's Row it's the most casual and easy to get into out of all the games you have mentioned there and the best social game because everyone gets it.

Skerries

I would have said BF3 will take the crown this year for sales

Andy!!

So, did you get the job?

ShadowHearth

Omfg nerds. Job interview tip thread went in to bf3 vs cod fanboy fight...

KilOit

Skerries wrote: »

I would have said BF3 will take the crown this year for sales

It's a nice thought, but they're far too many young people into cod so imagine all the school kids getting it because their mates in class are getting it also

Liam O

ShadowHearth wrote: »

Omfg nerds. Job interview tip thread went in to bf3 vs cod fanboy fight...

Where? Except the comment above mine there's not really anything fanboyish said

F1ngers

Andy!! wrote: »

So, did you get the job?

Jess18 wrote: »

Hi Everyone, I'm and 18 year old, girl and I have managed to get an interview with Game Stop on Tuesday.

Ask tomorrow evening.

Doctor DooM

Dunno if it's too late to offer advice...


While yes a basic knowledge of games would be a boon, you are entering a retail environment and product knowledge is something that can be learned as you are there. However things like enthusiasm, warmth, and brightness (as in awareness) are things which people either have or don't in a sales job and they're important.

So look enthusiastic, smile warmly, try to have some confidence and if you're put in a position where you don't know an answer look willing and interested to learn. As others have said, dress well, show respect for the job (if you see no one else dressed well don't feel out of place, feel encouraged because you have an edge they dont).

I interviewed people for retail positions for 4 years, I know of what I speak. They are not going to want an 18 year old girl to be some uber game fan. They're going to want a hard worker who can put money in the till.

iMuse

Healium wrote: »

Booooooo. Want to report this post. AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH. Sad that MW3 will out-sell Skyrim, Gears, Saints, Assassin's, Battlefield and whatever the hell else is coming out in November+. Will likely sell more than some of them combined. HissBooHiss

Yeah it is sad but if anyone wants to work in a gaming store, the amount of people coming in to pre order /ask about MW3 will outweigh the rest of the games.

Retr0gamer

iMuse wrote: »

Yeah it is sad but if anyone wants to work in a gaming store, the amount of people coming in to pre order /ask about MW3 will outweigh the rest of the games.

All you need to know is the release date which you cab find on the computer. What else would a shop assistant really need to know about it?

Jess18

Andy!! wrote: »

So, did you get the job?

The interview is not till tomorrow

Everyone else,Thanks for all the help and advice

Asmodean

Best tip for a Gamespot interview? Know absolutely nothing about games! That seems to be the trend lately in the shop here anyway. Jk, you'll be grand. As wth any other retail job if you're a polite, eager person you'll fly it! You'll learn a tonne about games right from the get go anyway once you're in there so don't worry. I know a few people who have worked in GS over the years, both in cashier and management positions and to be honest some of them started there without a bloody clue while others were hardcore gamers.

mrm

Hello Jess18, just an update on my previous post. I was in Gamestop today changing a pre order from one game onto another. The lad dealing with it was struggling with the transaction and he asked for assistance from a colleague who was hidden from view in the backroom, who it turned out to be one of the girls who I mentioned in the previous post (i.e. who always turned to the manager for assistance), who duly advised him accordingly. So not only does games knowledge appear not to be essential but neither does understanding the basic workings of all of the transaction types. One thing I notice in the local shop is they are all polite, nice people who are always willing to assist each other when required. You'll be grand. DoctorDoom above hit the nail on the head. A decent personality with a basic ability to learn should suffice.

Jess18

mrm wrote: »

Hello Jess18, just an update on my previous post. I was in Gamestop today changing a pre order from one game onto another. The lad dealing with it was struggling with the transaction and he asked for assistance from a colleague who was hidden from view in the backroom, who it turned out to be one of the girls who I mentioned in the previous post (i.e. who always turned to the manager for assistance), who duly advised him accordingly. So not only does games knowledge appear not to be essential but neither does understanding the basic workings of all of the transaction types. One thing I notice in the local shop is they are all polite, nice people who are always willing to assist each other when required. You'll be grand. DoctorDoom above hit the nail on the head. A decent personality with a basic ability to learn should suffice.

Aw thank you, I hope the staff in the store I am interviewing at are just as nice and helpful

Skerries

Well!!! put us out of our misery, did you get it or not?

krudler

Skerries wrote: »

I would have said BF3 will take the crown this year for sales

not a chance, it'll be huge no doubt, huge huge, but COD is a behemoth of sales, wouldnt surprise me if it breaks day one records again. I'll be buying both though

I'll survive october-december on rice and water right?

Vicxas

Gamestop interviews are fairly laid back. I got a job by just knowing what games were out soon and by just playing games, just be confident and fake the rest

Best of luck, fun company to work for.

Jess18

Skerries wrote: »

Well!!! put us out of our misery, did you get it or not?

The interview went well, They said it will be late next week when they get back to me as they have more interviews to get through this week So fingers crossed!

dreamers75

mrm wrote: »

Hello Jess18, just an update on my previous post. I was in Gamestop today changing a pre order from one game onto another. The lad dealing with it was struggling with the transaction and he asked for assistance from a colleague who was hidden from view in the backroom, who it turned out to be one of the girls who I mentioned in the previous post (i.e. who always turned to the manager for assistance), who duly advised him accordingly. So not only does games knowledge appear not to be essential but neither does understanding the basic workings of all of the transaction types. One thing I notice in the local shop is they are all polite, nice people who are always willing to assist each other when required. You'll be grand. DoctorDoom above hit the nail on the head. A decent personality with a basic ability to learn should suffice.

Avoid awkward people like that if you get the job :pac: