How to Get a Job at GameStop
GameStop operates as one of the largest gaming retail chains in the world. Through a network of over 6,600 locations, the retailer provides jobs to roughly 17,000 individuals. Employment hunters looking for work with the international gaming retailer find the hiring process relatively simple but thorough. The company conducts candid and informal rounds of interviews but screens applicants intensively for knowledge of gaming systems, software, and accessories. Applicants must also prove abilities in customer service and sales.
How Many Interviews To Expect
The GameStop hiring process generally begins either online or in-store with the necessary employment forms. Applicants submit the required documents, even if referred by a current employee, and await contact to schedule a job interview. Depending on eligibility, candidates generally receive a phone call to interview within a few days. In instances of numerous applicants vying for the same job, workers may not hear back from the retailer for a couple weeks or even a few months. Some stores may impose multiple interviews for hiring consideration regardless of position. Candidates may encounter between one and three job interviews, on average.
Keep Up With Gaming Trends
Video games, gaming systems, accessories, and gaming trends represent some of the most important topics to brush up on for the interview process. Hiring managers regularly ask about favorite video game series, favorite consoles, favorite characters, or thoughts on certain trends, such as gameplay, graphics, new releases, and publications. Other standard GameStop interview questions run the gambit from, "Why do you want to work at GameStop?" to, "Where do you see yourself in five years?" Applicants sometimes must complete alphabetizing and categorizing exercises to demonstrate abilities to stock and organize.
Typical Interview Questions
GameStop hiring managers also pose situational interview questions. Applicants may respond to: "If you're with a customer and a manager needs you, how do you divide your attention?" or "If you're unsure about a question a customer asked, how do you handle the situation?" While employee knowledge of gaming and systems pulls rank, applicants must also exude strong customer service and decision-making skills. Providing decisive and customer-oriented answers best suits potential store associates during job interviews. Questions that could come up are:
- Do you know anyone who works for us?
- Can you handle stress?
- Where do you want to be in a year?
- What annoys you?
- Who do you look up to? Why?
Show You Enjoy the Industry
In addition to providing customer-oriented answers and brushing up on general gaming knowledge, applicants should attend interviews in professional attire. Appropriate dress includes polos, button-down shirts, khakis, and sensible tops. Easygoing and laidback individuals who genuinely enjoy gaming receive job offers over other applicants with regularity. The more an applicant demonstrates a firm command of the industry, the better chances the worker has of gaining employment at GameStop stores.
GameStop Game Advisor Interview Video
Video Transcript
Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties.
GameStop Game Advisor: I was hired in as a game advisor, and our main duties were to assist customers with all their questions. Usually, you needed a basic knowledge of games, help them find something if we didn’t have it – like, “Can you see if the GameStop five minutes down the street has it?” – or do trades and sales and cleanup.
Interviewer: What was the work environment like?
GameStop Game Advisor: A lot of good employees there, usually. Usually a place like that, you work with a lot of good people. I haven’t met a whole lot of bad people there, but it’s in the mall, so there are people constantly inside of there, always asking different questions.
Interviewer: Please describe a typical day as an employee.
GameStop Game Advisor: Talk a lot about games and a lot of trade-ins on some of them. That was the biggest part of the day – answer questions and take in trades.
Interviewer: How would you describe the application and interview process?
GameStop Game Advisor: You go in, get the application. Standard application – availability, where you’ve worked before, references, education. And, actually, they did ask what you know about each system: Xbox, Xbox 360, PS3, and the Wii.
Interviewer: What questions did the interviewer ask during the job interview?
GameStop Game Advisor: I don’t really remember them wanting much. I mean, there are the personal information, social security, and tax information, and all that stuff. But, apart from your gaming knowledge – that was one of their biggest concerns. They didn’t want somebody working there that didn’t know anything about games.
Interviewer: What set you apart from other candidates?
GameStop Game Advisor: To be honest, there were two things… one, I know a lot about games, love them, and I answered everything they asked. Plus, I was also friends with one of the current employees. He’s one of the gaming advisors, and he put in the good word for me. His boss said, “See what he knows about his stuff first, and then we’ll hire him.”
Interviewer: What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?
GameStop Game Advisor: Biggest thing you need to know, honestly, is your games and your knowledge of all the systems. That’s what they really want because you’re not going to be of any use if you don’t know anything about any of the games. That was the biggest part of the job. It’s in the title, GameStop.
Joe says:
I have an interview this saturday with the manager of my gamestop. Anyone know what questions he will ask?
maurice johnson says:
what can you bring to gamestop?
Jamal Knott says:
the reason why i came here cause its something that i know about and that i choose this job cause i love to play games.
Elonna Smith says:
wear jeans but still look presentable. ex) guy-shave girl-pull your hair back
you dont really need to bring anything except maybe a pen to look ‘prepared’
they will ask you simple ?’s ex) do u own a system? why would you be a good addition to the store?
Mike says:
I am currently interviewing for a position as 3rd tier management.
This maybe an opportunity for me to accelerate to a position of Store Manager.
My question is in-regards to preparedness:
Know all up and coming releases
Know your companies inner structure and organizational system.
Understand hiring procedures and interview formal/informal
Comprehension: What is IT! What is EPIC customer service. What is the companies sale system?
I hope I helped out with this little forums informational on how to get hired for positions. As someone shooting for a bit higher than entry level. Make sure to check out Game Stop’s webpage for up to date information.
anthony rodriguez says:
i have an interview tomorrow. do they drug test on site?
Dion says:
I was a Gamestop store manager for 7 years and I can tell you that a majority of what the interview guide asks isn’t that usable. There are questions about your gaming knowledge, customer service experience, morality questions, and value to the store. Just make sure that you answer with the PC correct answer on the morality. When it comes to value let them know what you can do for them, but you have to stand out so make sure that you can make yourself look good. The gaming knowledge is moot because you can learn that, but helping people and connecting with them is something that takes more time to learn.
I hope this helps.
Jacob says:
@Jake, I don’t know how often they hire 16 year olds(I’m 16 myself) but you should wear a button-up shirt and jeans. Nothing to formal but nothing too casual either.
Shane says:
Is there hair restrictions for men? I have long hair, but I tie back most of the time. Is that acceptable?
Sean says:
Im trying to get a job at gamestop as a first job kind of thing. Im 16 and i was wondering how broad of the knowledge of games you have to have. Because i mostly play Call of Duty on the Xbox. Anyone know how often they hire 16 year olds and how broad of gaming knowledge do you have to have?