Help me Get this Job. Computer Gamer Sale Rep.

EliteLamer

I really need this job and it sounds like it would be kick ass even though it doesn't exactly say what I would be doing, I guess Pushing Vista?. My main concern is that I don't really know much about DX10 or Vista because I have been told by many people to stick with XP. Here are the stats, what should I respond with?

Pay Range: $20-25 Per Hour-Depending on Exp.
Location: HERE WHERE I AM
Description:
Computer Gamers Wanted
Help promote an exciting new technology in a retail setting, for the holidays. Good customer service skills are a must, marketing/sales skills are a bonus. The product focus is Microsoft Vista as it relates to gaming including MS games and DX10. Job begins November 17th and runs through December 30th.

Hours: (exact schedule to be determined)
4 hours every Saturday & Sunday.

Candidate Profile:
You must commit to full program
You must play video games or be familiar with current gaming trends
You must have general knowledge of graphic cards, computer components, operating systems, etc…
A solid sales experience is preferred

His Corkiness

EliteLamer wrote: »

what should I respond with?

Your resumé?

Pojaco

You should reply telling them either :
a. you can commit, have good knowledge of the things they ask, and have solid sales experience
b. i can' t sell a product i know to be frustrating/inferior/disappointing/inadequate/unimpressive/etc.

The first option, in résumé format, would be your best bet if you want the job.

DrFrylock

I did a job like this once hawking WordPerfect at CompUSA. I got a shirt and a free copy of WordPerfect too. Paid about $100 for the day and it was fun. I was the "demo guy" so I sat by a computer and demoed the product to anybody who wanted to know about it. There were other demo guys - local college kids mostly - demoing worse products. One of them was some comedy CD-ROM (CD-ROMs were fairly new then and "multimedia" was a buzzword) with Gilbert Gottfried doing schtick for 8 hours. I was glad I was not that guy but I had to sit across from him and listen to Gilbert all day through the speakers...

vonPoonBurGer

EliteLamer wrote: »

what should I respond with?

Well, aside from sending your resume, you might want to send along a cover letter mentioning how you're up on the info regarding the new mainstream DX10 video card that won't break the bank, and the hot new games that support DX10. You might also want to say how you're convinced that now is DX10 and Vista's time, and that you really believe it's a worthwhile upgrade for gamers. Of course, if you actually want that last statement to be true, I'd avoid reading any of the articles out there on how many current DX10-capable games don't actually look that much better in DX10, or how going from DX9 to DX10 incurs a big performance hit in many games on current hardware. Personally, I think DX10's time is actually going to be next year, on the next generation of DX10-capable hardware, but that's just me.

Æthelred

At least try and get some experience using Vista before the job/interview starts; you'll look like a nub if you don't even know how to use the software you're supposed to peddle.

EliteLamer

vonPoonBurGer wrote: »

EliteLamer wrote: »

what should I respond with?

Well, aside from sending your resume, you might want to send along a cover letter mentioning how you're up on the info regarding the new mainstream DX10 video card that won't break the bank, and the hot new games that support DX10. You might also want to say how you're convinced that now is DX10 and Vista's time, and that you really believe it's a worthwhile upgrade for gamers. Of course, if you actually want that last statement to be true, I'd avoid reading any of the articles out there on how many current DX10-capable games don't actually look that much better in DX10, or how going from DX9 to DX10 incurs a big performance hit in many games on current hardware. Personally, I think DX10's time is actually going to be next year, on the next generation of DX10-capable hardware, but that's just me.

I agree and that is why I don't have Vista or a DX10 card.

LittleKey

Just buy a big book with tons of info about vista, dx10, games, and stuff. Likely more than one book, really. Basically, study your ass off, then stun the interviewers with your brilliance.

Seattle Thread

EliteLamer wrote: »

vonPoonBurGer wrote: »

EliteLamer wrote: »

what should I respond with?

Well, aside from sending your resume, you might want to send along a cover letter mentioning how you're up on the info regarding the new mainstream DX10 video card that won't break the bank, and the hot new games that support DX10. You might also want to say how you're convinced that now is DX10 and Vista's time, and that you really believe it's a worthwhile upgrade for gamers. Of course, if you actually want that last statement to be true, I'd avoid reading any of the articles out there on how many current DX10-capable games don't actually look that much better in DX10, or how going from DX9 to DX10 incurs a big performance hit in many games on current hardware. Personally, I think DX10's time is actually going to be next year, on the next generation of DX10-capable hardware, but that's just me.

I agree and that is why I don't have Vista or a DX10 card.

That doesn't matter. The job is to sell DX10 cards and Vista, so you are going to have to put your personal opinions on hold. If you start telling people "oh, you should hold off until next year," especially when this job has been created specifically to boost sales through the holiday season, you will get fired. And if you go into the interview with that mentality, you aren't going to get the job in the first place.

blanknogo

Don't get too caught up on the technical side of things. Yes, that's an important part of the job, but it sounds like you're big goal is to push the product on people during the holiday season. That means you should have sales on the front of your mind. Focus not just on your technical knowledge, but emphasize your passion for the product you're about to sell (please hold back your personal feelings about it). Show them you're excited about it and able to portray and sell that excitement to others.

Brolo

They're not really going to want you to know too much of the technical side - if you're selling Vista to people they'll give you the information they want you to repeat. For the most part as long as you can remember the facts and repeat them back enthusiastically you don't really need to know too much about it.