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Made in gb
Fresh-Faced New User




I applied for a job as a staff member at Games Workshop in Bristol, UK, and I recieved an email informing me I had an interview in 3 days time!

My question is can anyone with experience (ie is currently or has previously been employed by GW) give me any advice? The email said that I will be asked questions and will have an opportunity to ask questions myself. I want to be as prepared as I can for the interview, and to be honest, this is actually only my second interview ever (the first was for Tesco.) I am 19 by the way.

The other thing is that I have actually not actively played either Warhammer or 40K for about the last year and a half, do you think this will hinder my chances at getting the job as I'm not familar with the changes to rules in the current edition? I am of course planning to purchase the new rules and learn them thoroughly.

advice from people who have never been employed by GW would also be appreciated if there is anything you know. Thanks a lot guys.
   
Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut




Louisiana

Yea, don't tell them you read DakkaDakka.

Kirasu: Have we fallen so far that we are excited that GW is giving us the opportunity to spend 58$ for JUST the rules? Surprised it's not "Dataslate: Assault Phase"

AlexHolker: "The power loader is a forklift. The public doesn't complain about a forklift not having frontal armour protecting the crew compartment because the only enemy it is designed to face is the OHSA violation."

AlexHolker: "Allow me to put it this way: Paramount is Skynet, reboots are termination attempts, and your childhood is John Connor."
 
   
Made in us
Enigmatic Chaos Sorcerer




Tampa, FL

weeble1000 wrote:
Yea, don't tell them you read DakkaDakka.


Said in jest but might actually be true, given GW's disdain for the internet.

- Wayne
Formerly WayneTheGame 
   
Made in us
Stoic Grail Knight





Raleigh, NC

Just be really enthusiastic. Know things about the brand, try to understand what the company's goals are (while still showing that you are open to learning the "company way").

Attitude is noted as one of their big reasons for recruitment so I think if you show the right mindset combined with the desire to represent the company proudly, you'll stand a good chance.

EDIT: As noted before, don't mention that you peruse any of the 40k forums. Maybe Bolter & Chainsword, but you're probably better off talking about using White Dwarf as reference material than you are getting things off the internet.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2014/10/25 16:20:33


 
   
Made in us
Big Fat Gospel of Menoth





The other side of the internet

Just but a big dopey grin on and act like a corporate tool that's excited to be selling The Hobby and the greatest miniatures in the world. They want someone who can sell their stuff and drink the kool aid.

(╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻

RAGE

Be sure to use logic! Avoid fallacies whenever possible.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fallacies 
   
Made in jp
Sinewy Scourge






USA

Yikes, beware the jaded vets...

Anyway, attitude is what they want so just be eager to share your passion for the hobby. Don't mention the internet other than their awesome new site. Might want to reference how great the rules are in allowing players to make up their own stories i.e forging the narrative.

"drinking liqueur from endangered rain forest flowers cold-distilled over multicolored diamonds while playing croquet on robot elephants using asian swim suit models as living wickets... well, some hobbies are simply more appealing than others." -Sourclams

AesSedai's guide to building a custom glass display case for your figures

Kabal of the Twisting Abyss--Blog Laenea, A Tendril of Hive Fleet Hydra--Blog

Always looking for games in/near Raleigh! 
   
Made in gb
Dakka Veteran






United Kingdom

Congratulations on the interview

I can only tell you from my experience of a recruitment day I went to a few years back. I completed an application, got the interview and I was a little surprised that the process had nothing to do with the hobby, I bought along some minis I painted and they didn't even ask to see them. Instead we were split into teams and had to work together to build the tallest paper giraffe we could manage (I guess to assess how we work as a team and to see how good our paper engineering skills are?) and were asked to recount as excitingly as possible the plot of a film. Needless to say I hate this sort of bull gak and failed quite spectacularly, but I had a good time with the other applicants so it wasn't all bad, it became like a mad HR tainted day out

It may be very different for you but I wouldn't worry too much about not being up to date with the rules or with anything to do with the hobby, going by my own experience. Remember GW is a company who prefers attitude over knowledge, so if you're like me and can't really hide the fact that you feel making a paper giraffe is a stupid thing to do and can't recount the plot of a film out of the blue, then prepare to improvise. I made sure I refreshed my knowledge of the fluff and games, but it didn't matter at all as far as I can remember. They may tell you they are recruiting for the company in general, more than any given position, so if you do well, who knows where you'll end up?

This being said I wish you the best of luck. Their recruitment process may have changed but be prepared for some things out of the left-field. GW are a crazy company after all

   
Made in au
Yu Jing Martial Arts Ninja






Goodluck on your interview!

   
Made in gb
The Daemon Possessing Fulgrim's Body





Devon, UK

Don't get side tracked with hobby stuff - this is a sales position, what you'll be selling is largely irrelevant to your aptitude for the job.

Have examples of times when you've provided good service in the past prepared, if you're not familiar with the concepts of upselling and link-selling spend 5 minutes on Google, if you want to ask intelligent questions, discuss what your KPIs will be (key performance indicators) if it hasn't already come up, it also comes across quite well if you ask about possible future development opportunities and promotion (suggests you're committed long term and not just after a job for now.)

Expect that you may be tested on product knowledge, but don't expect anything too in depth, so I wouldn't expect being out of the game for a while to be too much of an issue. Be enthusiastic, but not explicitly about the product, but more about the job, they're looking for capable salespeople, not fanboys.

We find comfort among those who agree with us - growth among those who don't. - Frank Howard Clark

The wise man doubts often, and changes his mind; the fool is obstinate, and doubts not; he knows all things but his own ignorance.

The correct statement of individual rights is that everyone has the right to an opinion, but crucially, that opinion can be roundly ignored and even made fun of, particularly if it is demonstrably nonsense!” Professor Brian Cox

Ask me about
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Made in kh
Lesser Daemon of Chaos





Pretty much what the above said. Just be enthusiastic about the hobby, they won't expect you to know everything about the rules from the get go, they just want people who will make the game fun for beginners and draw in the customers.

It's been awhile since I've been in there but the guys in the Bristol store were always pretty nice guys when I used to shop there. I don't know most of them any more but I think Zack is still there and he is a great guy. He worked there when I started 15 years or so ago (Bristol is my hometown).

I haven't played a game in years and currently live in Cambodia, but who knows, when I'm back it might be you selling me my latest BL fix.

Good luck mate!
   
Made in gb
Ruthless Interrogator





The hills above Belfast

weeble1000 wrote:
Yea, don't tell them you read DakkaDakka.


This was my first thought when I saw the post title!

If you havnt played 40k and you have been dabbling in other games don't mention that either!

Seriously though well done getting the interview. I do on occasion envy the staff in GW. Not when they are dealing with kids who are trying to shoplift or make fun of hobbyists. But in my local GW store the staff seem to have good fun most of the time. Im not keen on the 'what brings you in today line' and 'what are you working on at the moment' but once I have got past those two lines of lodge acceptance I find the staff a good bunch. I've no advice on the interview, farming tends to ignore such pleasantries but i just wanted to wish you all the best and ignore any rubbish you get on here.

EAT - SLEEP - FARM - REPEAT  
   
Made in us
Confessor Of Sins




WA, USA

Just echoing what has been said above, you're being hired to sell things and run a store, not to be a master of the games. Your skills as a charismatic and approachable salesperson are far more important than how much you love Warhammer/40k.

 Ouze wrote:

Afterward, Curran killed a guy in the parking lot with a trident.
 
   
Made in gb
Fresh-Faced New User




 KorPhaeron77 wrote:
Pretty much what the above said. Just be enthusiastic about the hobby, they won't expect you to know everything about the rules from the get go, they just want people who will make the game fun for beginners and draw in the customers.

It's been awhile since I've been in there but the guys in the Bristol store were always pretty nice guys when I used to shop there. I don't know most of them any more but I think Zack is still there and he is a great guy. He worked there when I started 15 years or so ago (Bristol is my hometown).

I haven't played a game in years and currently live in Cambodia, but who knows, when I'm back it might be you selling me my latest BL fix.

Good luck mate!


Thanks a lot mate, Zack actually left the company a little while ago, he was an excellent, friendly and enthusiastic guy. A guy called Alex is in charge now who is just as cool as Zack was, a very friendly guy, all the guys in the bristol stores are. Im actually applying for the store at Cribbs Causeway mall, but the interview will be held at the store in the town centre.

Thanks to all you guys for the great advice, please keep it coming, you've already been incredibly helpful and I'm looking into all of the stuff you've suggested, I want to be very prepared, but I've never worked in retail (that interview I had at tesco I didnt get the job) so I really will need to brush up my sales skills

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2014/10/25 17:15:23


 
   
Made in gb
The Daemon Possessing Fulgrim's Body





Devon, UK

Ok, so you've not got much/any retail experience?

We find comfort among those who agree with us - growth among those who don't. - Frank Howard Clark

The wise man doubts often, and changes his mind; the fool is obstinate, and doubts not; he knows all things but his own ignorance.

The correct statement of individual rights is that everyone has the right to an opinion, but crucially, that opinion can be roundly ignored and even made fun of, particularly if it is demonstrably nonsense!” Professor Brian Cox

Ask me about
Barnstaple Slayers Club 
   
Made in gb
Fresh-Faced New User




 warspawned wrote:
Congratulations on the interview

I can only tell you from my experience of a recruitment day I went to a few years back. I completed an application, got the interview and I was a little surprised that the process had nothing to do with the hobby, I bought along some minis I painted and they didn't even ask to see them. Instead we were split into teams and had to work together to build the tallest paper giraffe we could manage (I guess to assess how we work as a team and to see how good our paper engineering skills are?) and were asked to recount as excitingly as possible the plot of a film. Needless to say I hate this sort of bull gak and failed quite spectacularly, but I had a good time with the other applicants so it wasn't all bad, it became like a mad HR tainted day out

It may be very different for you but I wouldn't worry too much about not being up to date with the rules or with anything to do with the hobby, going by my own experience. Remember GW is a company who prefers attitude over knowledge, so if you're like me and can't really hide the fact that you feel making a paper giraffe is a stupid thing to do and can't recount the plot of a film out of the blue, then prepare to improvise. I made sure I refreshed my knowledge of the fluff and games, but it didn't matter at all as far as I can remember. They may tell you they are recruiting for the company in general, more than any given position, so if you do well, who knows where you'll end up?

This being said I wish you the best of luck. Their recruitment process may have changed but be prepared for some things out of the left-field. GW are a crazy company after all


also, your answer in particular was very helpful and I very much appreciate it. The thing is, they said in the email that the "interview should take no more than 30 minutes" so I'm kinda doubting that they'll get me to do any of that stuff, probably just questions? but I can definitely see what you mean about attitude being prefered over knowledge, I got that vibe.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
 Azreal13 wrote:
Ok, so you've not got much/any retail experience?


No retail experience, that's the problem :(

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2014/10/25 17:19:35


 
   
Made in gb
Dakka Veteran






United Kingdom

Thanks

Yeah it was weird, I was expecting a typical interview, a chat with the local manager and maybe some hobby related stuff, not a weird day trip to Reading to improvise with paper with a pair of strangers

If they say it's only 30 minutes and not a recruitment day then that's probably for the best. Mine was a little longer on account of them having to interview all the other guys. Mine was originally scheduled much the same as yours but I got a phone call asking me if I'd like to attend the recruitment day instead, I couldn't exactly refuse it


Automatically Appended Next Post:
I don't think a lack of retail experience matters tbh, not for GW. If they don't much care about hobby experience or recounting of hobby knowledge then retail experience shouldn't matter either. I had some, I got the interview, so, like I said they're looking for a kind of attitude I couldn't quite zero in on

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2014/10/25 17:31:20


   
Made in gb
The Daemon Possessing Fulgrim's Body





Devon, UK

No, no retail experience isn't inherently a problem, but it does somewhat inform the advice I'd offer.

What you'll need to do is think about occasions in the past that you can parlay into relevant anecdotes.

So, anything you've done involving cash handling, any history of holding any sort of position responsibility or leadership? Any school/college projects you've undertaken which might offer relevant experience to the job? Done anything for charity that perhaps involved selling and distributing a product?

At 19, you're not going to be expected to be able to produce the sort of evidence that someone twice your age (like me, almost) may be able to produce, but what you'll need up your sleeve is some sort of evidence from your life to back up your assertion you can do the job, alongside showing plenty of enthusiasm to do it.

So you'll need to be able to say "I feel I am able to do x because, when I was 17, I did y, and I feel that shows the qualities a, b and c."

We find comfort among those who agree with us - growth among those who don't. - Frank Howard Clark

The wise man doubts often, and changes his mind; the fool is obstinate, and doubts not; he knows all things but his own ignorance.

The correct statement of individual rights is that everyone has the right to an opinion, but crucially, that opinion can be roundly ignored and even made fun of, particularly if it is demonstrably nonsense!” Professor Brian Cox

Ask me about
Barnstaple Slayers Club 
   
Made in au
Grizzled Space Wolves Great Wolf





 warspawned wrote:
Congratulations on the interview

I can only tell you from my experience of a recruitment day I went to a few years back. I completed an application, got the interview and I was a little surprised that the process had nothing to do with the hobby, I bought along some minis I painted and they didn't even ask to see them. Instead we were split into teams and had to work together to build the tallest paper giraffe we could manage (I guess to assess how we work as a team and to see how good our paper engineering skills are?) and were asked to recount as excitingly as possible the plot of a film. Needless to say I hate this sort of bull gak and failed quite spectacularly, but I had a good time with the other applicants so it wasn't all bad, it became like a mad HR tainted day out
How long ago was this? GW's these days only have 1 man stores, I'm not sure how relevant teamwork is any more

I can see the idea behind explaining the plot of a film... intro games to draw in new customers are about getting people interested in the story you're telling, and even getting them to try an intro game is about selling how awesome and exciting the universe and game is over any technical aspects.
   
Made in us
Cosmic Joe





 Azreal13 wrote:
Don't get side tracked with hobby stuff - this is a sales position, what you'll be selling is largely irrelevant to your aptitude for the job.

Have examples of times when you've provided good service in the past prepared, if you're not familiar with the concepts of upselling and link-selling spend 5 minutes on Google, if you want to ask intelligent questions, discuss what your KPIs will be (key performance indicators) if it hasn't already come up, it also comes across quite well if you ask about possible future development opportunities and promotion (suggests you're committed long term and not just after a job for now.)

Expect that you may be tested on product knowledge, but don't expect anything too in depth, so I wouldn't expect being out of the game for a while to be too much of an issue. Be enthusiastic, but not explicitly about the product, but more about the job, they're looking for capable salespeople, not fanboys.

This.
They're not looking for a fan, they're looking for a salesman. Go into like that.



Also, check out my history blog: Minimum Wage Historian, a fun place to check out history that often falls between the couch cushions. 
   
Made in gb
Lord Commander in a Plush Chair





Beijing

They'll be after a positive person that will be a good salesman, like all shops. Be prepared for those questions like "tell us about a time when you were creative/innovative". Spend some time to consider customer related scenarios on which you could be asked a question or expected to partake in a role play, these could either involve a complaint or require you to sell the interviewer something.

They're not after someone interested in the hobby. It's best not to mention your online involvement with the hobby because it'll almost certainly viewed negatively. They don't want a loose cannon or something with contradictory ideas to the GW kool aid. I recall hearing GW employees are asked to quit fan sites or at least never mention they work for GW. It'll just create a mess, best not tell them anything about your hobby unless they specifically ask, and even then it's probably best to say "buying GW".
   
Made in gb
Fresh-Faced New User




Once again, thanks a lot for your help guys, I am considering all of this carefully. Another small matter is attire/dress code for the interview, what do you think would be an appropriate thing to wear to a GW interview?
   
Made in gb
Lord Commander in a Plush Chair





Beijing

Like any other interview, almost certainly a suit an tie unless told otherwise. You can't really overdress for a job interview and its shows you're serious.
   
Made in us
Fixture of Dakka





When interviewing at GW, one should bear in mind they don't care one bit whether you play the game, much less how much you love it.

What they want to know is how well you can SELL it. Everything else is secondary, at best.

CHAOS! PANIC! DISORDER!
My job here is done. 
   
Made in us
Regular Dakkanaut




Bothell, WA

So out of curiosity, what did you put in your letter?
   
Made in gb
Arch Magos w/ 4 Meg of RAM





-

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2017/01/09 19:06:24


Bye bye Dakkadakka, happy hobbying! I really enjoyed my time on here. Opinions were always my own :-) 
   
Made in gb
Lone Wolf Sentinel Pilot





Nottinghamshire, UK

If you have the opportunity to ask your own questions at the end, you can ask about the games themselves as one of them if it hasn't already come up. Just something quick and simple, like "what kind of experience of the hobby/games would you expect someone in this role to have?"

Driven away from WH40K by rules bloat and the expense of keeping up, now interested in smaller model count games and anything with nifty mechanics. 
   
Made in au
Owns Whole Set of Skullz Techpriests






Versteckt in den Schatten deines Geistes.

It's a job interview:

1. Don't spend ages answering questions. If you can't get an answer out in less than a minute something is wrong.
2. HR people are there to screen you out, not to give you a job.
3. Suit'n'tie. Doesn't matter if the job requires you to wear a singlet and shorts, you wear a suit'n'tie to that interview.
4. When they ask about previous employment never, ever bad mouth your previous employer even if they fired you for no reason and shot your dog as a severance package.
5. If you have their details, make sure to send a thank you E-mail the second you return home.
6. Be enthusiastic about the product, but don't be manic about it. We've had the experience here of a previous member who failed to get a job at GW because he was too enthusiastic (READ: sycophantic).
7. "I'm a perfectionist" is not a valid answer to "What do you consider to be your biggest flaw?", so make sure you have an answer to that question.
8. "Working for you!" is not a valid answer to "Where do you see yourself in five years?", so make sure you have an answer to that too!


 Howard A Treesong wrote:
You can't really overdress for a job interview and its shows you're serious.


Top hat and tails might be going a bit far though.

This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 2014/10/26 11:23:33


Industrial Insanity - My Terrain Blog
"GW really needs to understand 'Less is more' when it comes to AoS." - Wha-Mu-077

 
   
Made in gb
Fresh-Faced New User




 prplehippo wrote:
So out of curiosity, what did you put in your letter?


This is the contents of my letter, looking back, the first paragraph especially is a little cheesy but hey, I guess it got me the interview, it's served it's purpose:

Dear Games Workshop,
I remember the first time I walked into the Games Workshop store at the Cribbs Causeway Mall, I would have been around ten years old, and it was a fascinating experience for a young boy that loved everything to do with fantasy and gaming. I think that even then, I thought to myself how incredible it would be to work in a place that was so well suited to my personal interests. I have played and enjoyed all three gaming systems at various points in my life since then. Now, ten years later I find myself writing this letter in order to convince you that I am right for the job.

Although I am passionate about fantasy and gaming, I also understand that there is another side to the job, and that it is equally important to be professional. Therefore prior to writing this letter, I took the time to read the Games Workshop Careers Handbook available on the internet. I noticed one particular line in the “welcome” section; “We would like our employees to behave with consistency, clarity, firmness, fairness, openness and integrity” and I feel that I exemplify these qualities very well. I am a very friendly person who enjoys helping other people and understands the passion for the hobby that so many individuals have, and am very capable of helping and advising customers as I have a broad knowledge of the products already.

Another part of the handbook that grabbed by attention was the part about it being necessary to work well with young people, which I think I would be well suited to because of a prior work experience placement in a primary school. I worked as a teaching assistant and had to learn to deal with young people appropriately and fairly. I also instructed pupils how to play guitar and ukulele during a college project which trained me to be clear, concise and patient.
I am a punctual and organized individual who is also a perfectionist and will always endeavour to complete any task given to me to the best of my abilities. At the heart of it I understand that Games Workshop is an unusual workplace in the best possible way and the friendliness of the employees and their passion for the hobby has inspired me. Another of my favourite things about Games Workshop is the sense of progression and efforts to branch out that it displays, while still keeping to the roots of what the hobby is about and understanding the importance of classic elements. I feel that a good example of this is the company’s decision to remake many of the older, much loved metal models exactly as they were before, but in resin cast.

To summarise, I would be honoured to be considered for a job working for your company and think that I have all of the desired qualities to fit in as an excellent employee. I have also included my CV for your consideration.

Yours sincerely, (my name)
   
Made in fr
Violent Enforcer







That's a really good letter. Bold move praising finecast, but the bit about reading the handbook before is really good.

I recently succeeded in an interview for the same post at another GW (I took another job in the end) and here are some of the main things that I took away from it:

- Your purpose is to find out what the customer is interested in and then sell it. You may be crazy about converting but if your customer just wants to paint you have to sell him that.

- Models are a luxury: we don't need them to live. Therefore be prepared to develop a knowledge of the products, such as battleforces and how much money they save, but also to big up the quality of the products.

- Don't be afraid to admit you don't know stuff. In fact use it to your advantage; you are willing and excited to learn new things and grow as a person.

- I was asked where I saw myself in 1 year, 3 years and 5 years.

- There are 2 main things they're looking to do: recruit new customers and then gain/ keep their loyalty (and that of existing customers). Have ideas on how do do this.

-There is one goal and one goal only: to increase the amount of money the shop makes. How you do this is up to you, but don't make the mistake of thinking you're going there to have a super fun time and make lots of friends.

Good luck with the interview! For what it's worth I just wore a smart jumper and it was fine. If they already know you then they know how you present yourself.

This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 2014/10/26 19:47:13


 
   
Made in gb
Wrathful Warlord Titan Commander





Ramsden Heath, Essex

That is a very good letter, I can see why you got an interview offer.

Assuming that you are straight up like the letter states (you didn't copy it did you? ) then all you will have to do is be personala or and friendly.

The interviewer will want to know what you are like. Most people give the job to the person they would most like to work with. So if you can connect on a friendly level you will be more likely to land it.

The only other thing I'll add is don't try to BS and questions you don't know, it will not likely work and if your seen to be a changer you'll probably not get the job. An "I don't know" or "that something I'll will be looking to improve on" should be sufficient.

Good luck.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2014/10/27 08:03:22


How do you promote your Hobby? - Legoburner "I run some crappy wargaming website " 
   
 
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