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Hunting a second job (was Gamestop, now starting own business?)
Beltaine
BOO BOO DOO DE DOORegistered User regular
BOO BOO DOO DE DOORegistered User regular
So, I've come to the conclusion that I will remain in debt forever if I don't do something to yield more income. I'm currently a Network Admin for a public school system. Been here for 8 years and love the job. However, there's not much room for raises and/or promotion, so I've started applying for part-time employment nights and weekends that I can work in addition to my day job for about 18-24 months to get all my debts paid off.
This week I'm hitting the local Best Buy and Gamestop.
I've hit a snag on the Gamestop application, though.
There's a section titled "Video Game / Software Knowledge" with the following blanks to fill in:
I'm not sure what kind of answer they're looking for, especially since I'm only given enough space in each one for just a fairly short sentence.
I've gamed ever since the original Atari system and have owned every console worth owning since then. (and some that weren't worth owning).
I've also gamed on PC since I got my first Intel 8088(XT) IBM compatible when I was 12, and have built my own PC's updating them every 18-24 months religiously since I got out of High School.
This week I'm hitting the local Best Buy and Gamestop.
I've hit a snag on the Gamestop application, though.
There's a section titled "Video Game / Software Knowledge" with the following blanks to fill in:
- Video Game Systems
- Game Software Knowledge
- PC Knowledge
I'm not sure what kind of answer they're looking for, especially since I'm only given enough space in each one for just a fairly short sentence.
I've gamed ever since the original Atari system and have owned every console worth owning since then. (and some that weren't worth owning).
I've also gamed on PC since I got my first Intel 8088(XT) IBM compatible when I was 12, and have built my own PC's updating them every 18-24 months religiously since I got out of High School.
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it will make you hate games. It will also make you hate people but all retail work does that.
It's also shitty minimum wage with inconsistent shifts and crappy benefits.
You'd make the most money sidelining as a consultant. Consultants get to charge absurd fees.
Second is waitering or bartending at a nice-ish restaurant or club.
Retail jobs are a terrible time investment for what you want and you'll probably see a conflict in hours anyhow.
CUZ THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE MIDDLE AND IT'S GIVING ME A RASH
As Pheezer said:
Lack of hours
No benefits
Minimum wage
Relatively minor discounts
Absolutely nothing to advance your career.
It was a fun job to have when you and your friends work there in high school or college... not beyond that.
It's essentially a throwaway question, just put forth whatever level of knowledge with the current gen systems without coming off as a cocky jackass. Just focus on the current gen stuff. Everyone that turns in an application has owned every system.
That's the thing, I don't want/need a whole lot of hours 20-25 would be plenty. I already have great benefits with my real job. Minimum wage is fine, it's brainless work to make extra money for a little while, and I'm not real worried about discounts.
Yes, my question was in regards to the Gamestop application, but I'm hitting up other places as well. I'm starting with places close to where I live because I don't want to burn all my extra income on gas. Gamestop just happens to be one place that's close by, and I'd like to at least land something related to what I do already so I at least have a shot over the flood of new teenagers looking for summer jobs right now. I even applied to Geek Squad even though I think they're completely worthless and ripping people off.
I have considered doing computer work as a moonlighting job, but getting everything in line as far as the business license, taxes, insurance, and all that other mess is really daunting and a significant investment to risk when my goal is to reduce debts, not create them at the risk of making nothing in return. Not to mention the possibility of people calling at all hours and/or coming to my house at all hours. (No way I can afford to rent an office space)
PSN: Beltaine-77 | Steam: beltane77 | Battle.net BadHaggis#1433
I don't know what it's like in your state, but a business license is not very expensive usually. Also, in my state, you don't even have to have a license unless you clear more than $3000 annually, otherwise it's just considered a "hobby" by definition.
I ran a fairly successful side business doing computer work while I was employed by a big box office supply chain that, at the time, didn't have a "geek squad" type of service. I charged $20 minimum per call, which was a lot less than best buy was charging, used a pre paid wireless phone for the business so no one would be calling me at home, and had all clients sign release papers just like the larger chains do to protect myself in case one of them mistakenly messed up their machine and then tried to blame me after the fact.
It was pretty simple to do really, and at that time I had no technology certifications, and still managed a pretty sizable (20+) client base.
They are a store about games, so they want to make sure people they hire have some type of background.
As for all the other nonsense in this thread, he's asking for specific information on an application.....not how to open his own computer business.
Gametstop =/= job for anyone with actual bills to pay.
That said, when I filled out the application that got me hired I just made a list of everything I had experience with.
If these guys have your area in the system they are legit work from home. I have a friend who worked for them and vouched for them. You can work 20 hours a week and they'll give you a set schedule. I was going to do it, but decided against it because Comcast is really bad here and I have random disconnects pretty much every day.
PSN Hypacia
Xbox HypaciaMinnow
Discord Hypacia#0391
I think I may just print up some business cards and drop them around the local spots and see if I get any bites on computer work.
I've done work for co-workers and friends of co-workers at $75 a call. Which I thought was too much at first until I saw that the Squad charges $150 just to do a virus cleanup. But, when I checked in with the local SBA about starting my own business with it, it seemed so overly complicated. They wanted a three-year plan and how much start-up capital I'd need, blah blah. I figured it was too much of a hassle.
PSN: Beltaine-77 | Steam: beltane77 | Battle.net BadHaggis#1433
You can call an accountant, a city clerk, or usually just go online to see exactly what is needed to do this. It's not a hassle in the long run if you enjoy doing it and it comes easily to you. If it's just a side project, and you won't be taking out a business loan or operating within certain fields, you shouldn't need a letter of intent or three year plan, but that can vary state to state.
A few things to look out for though. You need to be very careful when it comes to virus/spyware removal. I only did this for my customers in very rare cases, because some people are just REALLY protective of their data and like to blame others if it goes missing.
You might want to start out just doing hardware maintenance and software support for those upgrading to Win7 and once you've built a good client list, consider upgrading to virus scrubbing and spyware removal.
Also, don't be afraid to use your customers as good word of mouth. If you open a website for your services (which you should, it's cheap and professional) use a blogging platform like Wordpress and give them the opportunity to comment on the good work you've done. Maybe even give some simple self service tips on the site. People like free, even if they don't have a use for it.