To future Gamestop Applicants! Please Read!

I've been with Gamestop for 3 years now.  And this blog certainly isn't going to bash the company but it may bash those who don't have a complete clue what it's like to work for them.

Gamestop is a great company.  They treat their employees well, offer great benefits, if you have a problem most likely you'll get help in some form or another.  But there are downfalls.  The hours suck.  If you're a part time employee (a Game Advisor or GA) you'll get at max like 8 hours a week in most stores, most of which will be from 5 to close.  You rarely work day shifts and, if you have another job, most of the time managers won't even look at your application. 

For those of you looking to get into Gamestop as a "highschool" job, think again.  At least all the stores I've been in rarely hire "kids".  Usually its college students or people over 18 who don't have anything else to do.  Gamestop looks for people who can come in whenever they are needed and don't have other priorities.  Highschool kids may get hired during the holidays for the seasonal help but that's about it.

If you are looking to get into Gamestop for a career, let me warn you that once you get promoted to a "key-holder" (Senior Game Advisor, Asst. Manager or Store Manager). then you can forget about anything outside of work.  Your life will revolve around your job.  Especially if you're the Store Manager.  Store Managers are required to be there for ALL midnight game releases, ALL fridays and saturdays and work 44 hours a week while ONLY getting paid for 40 hours (since they are salary).  Most Managers follow the requirements in the store procedure manual and there are those who don't.  If you do follow what you're supposed to, then you can forget the time to actually play most of the games and still keep your social life. 

Working for Gamestop does not mean "yay we get to play games all day" which is the most common mistake people think we get to do.  It's "yay, you get to deal with the dumbasses in the general public who treat you like dirt because they are having a bad day".  We RARELY or almost NEVER get to play any games while working.  Occasionally if the store is completely empty you can mess around on the interactive and check out a few demos.  If you don't like dealing with people, then Gamestop is not the place for you.  It's a typical retail job, just like any other.  Now, you may get to talk about games all day, but again, forget about playing them.  And most of the time it's talking to the moms and grandmas who know nothing about the games, trying to explain them what each one is and they still don't get it.

The majority of the customers come in the store angry, try to rip you off, or think they are smarter than you, especially if you're a female.  Guys assume you don't know jack shit and as I always tell them "I wouldn't work here if I didn't know what I was talking about."  The general public are full of idiots, morons and whatever else I can call them.  Sorry but it's true.  People NEVER read the receipt with the return policy and just assume you can bring back an open ps3 and return it just because "you need the money for something else".  How is that my problem?  Maybe you should've thought about that BEFORE you bought the ps3 huh?

Don't apply to Gamestop if you all you want to do is play games.  ITS NOT WHAT WE DO THERE.  You have to deal with people well, know a SHIT TON about games and how each system works.  If you just play WoW, that's not enough, if you just own an Xbox360, that's not enough.  If you're 16, that's not enough.  Go to college, get a degree and work at a real job.  Don't make the same mistake I did!