EB games resume - job

mooshoepork

So, a new EB games (gamestop etc...) is opening near where I live (Australia for reference), and I'm going to apply. I've worked at a supermarket for over a year now, but not on register. In the fresh produce department. This doesn't transition very well. I have a passion for technology and all that, but that won't be enough.

Those who have successfully been employed at EB or gamestop, what did you do? What should I be including on my resume to set me apart from the rabble? I'd love to have a job in something I'm actually interested in, but don't have prior experience with registers. I, however, do extremely well in school, and have volunteered too numerous times.

How do I get a job at EB?

edit: if anyone has a resume that they used, it'd be great if I could give it a glance even, just to get an idea

PhealMe

The only thing I have heard about them is they don't want some guy who knows all the games back to front, they want someone who can sell the games and upsell the trade in's over the new games.

The best thing that I have heard is to rock up in a suit, be proffesional and out going, They will not hire the geeb that can't communicate.

It's like any sales/retail job, if you have a personality then you can do it.

mooshoepork

Here in Australia the "pushing trade ins" doesn't seem as big of a deal. I've never had any employee try to sell me a trade in. But maybe?

I have personality. I'm definately not a "shut in" who knows everything about the games. While I do have a good knowledge of games, I also have good people skills.

Cryogen

PhealMe wrote: »

The only thing I have heard about them is they don't want some guy who knows all the games back to front, they want someone who can sell the games and upsell the trade in's over the new games.

The best thing that I have heard is to rock up in a suit, be proffesional and out going, They will not hire the geeb that can't communicate.

It's like any sales/retail job, if you have a personality then you can do it.

Truth.

As long as you know the basics of gaming, thats enough. Everything else will be provided to you via training. Or you'll be notified of upcoming releases, whats expected to sell well, etc. There's really not much more you can do than what PhealMe says.

On a related note, if you dont get that job, try speaking to your supermarket manager about getting some time on registers. Yes, it sucks and isnt fun, but the experience is valuable if you want to stand a better chance at moving into other types of retail. Otherwise, investigate the chance of working as a christmas casual at a department store like Myer or Target or such. Then you get register and sales experience. Depends how much you'd like to hold on to your supermarket gig in exchange for a (probably) temporary christmas season job.

Sentry

when in doubt, play up customer service. Any brain dead monkey can work a cash register... focus on your ability to help customers and you should be fine.

Antihippy

Would this happen to be the EB on the 2nd floor of the new Westfield?

mooshoepork

Antihippy wrote: »

Would this happen to be the EB on the 2nd floor of the new Westfield?

Holy shit!

No.

But still! Mad. Fellow Melbourne guy!

Do you know someone? :O

Elin

I worked at EB in the US as a manager. Now, it may be different there, but here, non managers got 10 hours a week max at minimum wage. Make sure you ask about hours. Even the managers were part time other than the Store Manager and the Assistant Store Manager. As for the interview, you don't really have to go for a full suit but look nice. Business casual and a clean cut look is nice. Have an extra copy of your resume with you in a folder in case you have an interview with more than one person so everyone can have a copy. Don't look nervous, don't fidgit, do make eye contact. Do not look at your watch if you wear one.

mooshoepork

Elin wrote: »

I worked at EB in the US as a manager. Now, it may be different there, but here, non managers got 10 hours a week max at minimum wage. Make sure you ask about hours. Even the managers were part time other than the Store Manager and the Assistant Store Manager.

Well, hours aren't that big of a deal. Anyone know the pay rate in Australia for a casual?

At the moment I get about 10-15 hours (don't really care how many hours I work, a hundred or two a week is enough for me) and get paid...uh..14..51? or something? AUD of course.

PhealMe

mooshoepork wrote: »

Here in Australia the "pushing trade ins" doesn't seem as big of a deal. I've never had any employee try to sell me a trade in. But maybe?

I have personality. I'm definately not a "shut in" who knows everything about the games. While I do have a good knowledge of games, I also have good people skills.

I am in Australia. EB loves the trade ins, they make 150% on thoses games. It might be a bit diffrent in QLD to VIc though. Who knows what you Mexicans are doing.

W2

mooshoepork wrote: »

Elin wrote: »

I worked at EB in the US as a manager. Now, it may be different there, but here, non managers got 10 hours a week max at minimum wage. Make sure you ask about hours. Even the managers were part time other than the Store Manager and the Assistant Store Manager.

Well, hours aren't that big of a deal. Anyone know the pay rate in Australia for a casual?

Depends on your age, I believe. I'm over 21 and I'm working a casual job now that's paying me about $22/hr.

mooshoepork

PhealMe wrote: »

mooshoepork wrote: »

Here in Australia the "pushing trade ins" doesn't seem as big of a deal. I've never had any employee try to sell me a trade in. But maybe?

I have personality. I'm definately not a "shut in" who knows everything about the games. While I do have a good knowledge of games, I also have good people skills.

I am in Australia. EB loves the trade ins, they make 150% on thoses games. It might be a bit diffrent in QLD to VIc though. Who knows what you Mexicans are doing.

Yeah, I dunno. Come to think of it, I've only been offered a trade in once.

mooshoepork

W2 wrote: »

mooshoepork wrote: »

Elin wrote: »

I worked at EB in the US as a manager. Now, it may be different there, but here, non managers got 10 hours a week max at minimum wage. Make sure you ask about hours. Even the managers were part time other than the Store Manager and the Assistant Store Manager.

Well, hours aren't that big of a deal. Anyone know the pay rate in Australia for a casual?

Depends on your age, I believe. I'm over 21 and I'm working a casual job now that's paying me about $22/hr.

I'm nearly 19. Getting raped on 14 dollars I assume. The pay isn't a big deal. I'd just enjoy it more I think.

edit: I'll have a bit of a google, but the main question I'm asking here is what should I be highlighting on my resume in terms of customer service or other attributes they would be looking for? I currently work with customers...and fruit so it's a bit difference. How do I sell that?

Thylacine

Customer service is customer service. I would just emphasize how you have good communication skills and like helping people. *shrugs* Selling fruit isn't much different than selling games. It's all just making people happy and knowing the product you're selling so you can give them informed information. Oh and restocking the things they leave all over in the wrong spot.

GungHo

Go to the interview with your resume in a nice, clean envelope. Don't hand it to them. Instead, do the interview. At the end, hand them a crumpled resume in an envelope that's all torn to shit, but sell it like it's the same as the resume in the nice, clean envelope.

mooshoepork

GungHo wrote: »

Go to the interview with your resume in a nice, clean envelope. Don't hand it to them. Instead, do the interview. At the end, hand them a crumpled resume in an envelope that's all torn to shit, but sell it like it's the same as the resume in the nice, clean envelope.

You aren't serious are you?

I have to GET the interview first :P I should work on that.

Drez

GungHo wrote: »

Go to the interview with your resume in a nice, clean envelope. Don't hand it to them. Instead, do the interview. At the end, hand them a crumpled resume in an envelope that's all torn to shit, but sell it like it's the same as the resume in the nice, clean envelope.

No.



Gimmicks such as this have a very low probability of working.

mooshoepork

Hmm, the place I'm applying for isn't even open, but there's a number listed on the website now. I'll give it a ring.

I just gotta update my resume before I go in.

edit: I haven't really applied for a job in this way before (only via the internet).

I think I can manage callling and going in to hand in my application, but should I call back later? How many days? Three? To confirm it has been received/show I'm interested?

Organichu

GungHo wrote: »

Go to the interview with your resume in a nice, clean envelope. Don't hand it to them. Instead, do the interview. At the end, hand them a crumpled resume in an envelope that's all torn to shit, but sell it like it's the same as the resume in the nice, clean envelope.

I don't understand.

mooshoepork

Organichu wrote: »

GungHo wrote: »

Go to the interview with your resume in a nice, clean envelope. Don't hand it to them. Instead, do the interview. At the end, hand them a crumpled resume in an envelope that's all torn to shit, but sell it like it's the same as the resume in the nice, clean envelope.

I don't understand.

I think he means it as a gimmick to show you can "sell" something.

Cryogen

Organichu wrote: »

GungHo wrote: »

Go to the interview with your resume in a nice, clean envelope. Don't hand it to them. Instead, do the interview. At the end, hand them a crumpled resume in an envelope that's all torn to shit, but sell it like it's the same as the resume in the nice, clean envelope.

I don't understand.

I would guess its a ploy to say "I'm saving this good-quality resume for another job i'm going for, so you better snap me up before i'm off the market". I could be very wrong of course, thats just how i saw it. If it IS something like that though... i can tell you that if an interviewee tried that on me there would be no chance they would get a callback. It would demonstrate that they were either ill-prepared for the interview, or they dont take the chance at the job seriously.

Mooshoe, we pay our retail casuals around the $19/hr mark. Being 19 years old you'll get a little less, but i'd expect it should be roughly in that ballpark for that type of work. Keep in mind my company is neither EB nor in the videogame/electronics industry, so it may vary.

It goes without saying that a job at a new EB store will likely receive a LOT of applications, so dont go in expecting to play any silly mindgames or try any gimmicks. Given your experience (ie, little to no relevant experience) you should go in with a mindset of being polite, enthusiastic, and outgoing, and you should be willing to work flexible hours. These things will help your chances.

mooshoepork

Cryogen wrote: »

Organichu wrote: »

GungHo wrote: »

Go to the interview with your resume in a nice, clean envelope. Don't hand it to them. Instead, do the interview. At the end, hand them a crumpled resume in an envelope that's all torn to shit, but sell it like it's the same as the resume in the nice, clean envelope.

I don't understand.

It goes without saying that a job at a new EB store will likely receive a LOT of applications, so dont go in expecting to play any silly mindgames or try any gimmicks. Given your experience (ie, little to no relevant experience) you should go in with a mindset of being polite, enthusiastic, and outgoing, and you should be willing to work flexible hours. These things will help your chances.

I've actually worked on register once...when we were busy, but that hardly counts :P I talk to customers and such though probably the most. This EB that is opening is in a tiny "mall" (wouldn't even call it a mall). I'll work whatever hours I have to really. I would've thought a years experience in another job would count for something. At least show I'm a good worker given the right reference.

Speaking of which, I haven't quit my other job yet. So...that's going to be tricky. Should I just say "references if requested". Or just include other references such as past year 12 teachers and such. I did extremely well in my final year of school too (top 5% in the state) Should I be including things like that? ie: "enter score" (I don't know what the equivilant American thing is. SAT?)

Jimmy King

Drez wrote: »

GungHo wrote: »

Go to the interview with your resume in a nice, clean envelope. Don't hand it to them. Instead, do the interview. At the end, hand them a crumpled resume in an envelope that's all torn to shit, but sell it like it's the same as the resume in the nice, clean envelope.

No.



Gimmicks such as this have a very low probability of working.

I'm pretty sure that was a joke. A jab at the quality of the used games they sell... tore up cases if you get a case at all, usually missing the manual, etc. They tend to look like the previous owner stored them in their cat's litter box or something. Especially the ones you buy from them online. Even the new games you get are all covered in stickers and shit.

Drez

Jimmy King wrote: »

Drez wrote: »

GungHo wrote: »

Go to the interview with your resume in a nice, clean envelope. Don't hand it to them. Instead, do the interview. At the end, hand them a crumpled resume in an envelope that's all torn to shit, but sell it like it's the same as the resume in the nice, clean envelope.

No.



Gimmicks such as this have a very low probability of working.

I'm pretty sure that was a joke. A jab at the quality of the used games they sell... tore up cases if you get a case at all, usually missing the manual, etc. They tend to look like the previous owner stored them in their cat's litter box or something. Especially the ones you buy from them online. Even the new games you get are all covered in stickers and shit.

I don't think it was a joke.

Go look up real stories of what people do on interviews because they think gimmicks make them "stand out".

And even if it was a joke, I'd rather err on the side of giving good advice.