Interviewing at Guitar Center Tomorrow! Any tips/suggestions?

[JUSTINKP]

Hey guys,

I filled out an online application and passed the pre-employment test online for the local Guitar Center.

Within 25 minutes I got an e-mail saying that based on my answers of the assessment, they invited me to complete a full application on their website.

I completed the full app, and about 15 minutes later, received an e-mail from the General Manager of the store offering an interview. I go in tomorrow at 2:30PM!

Are dress pants and a polo shirt too dressy for this interview? Should I do jeans and a polo shirt?

What do I need to know for the interview process? As far as product knowledge?

I applied for the Guitar/Bass Floor Sales position.

Thanks guys, I'm a little bit nervous.

Oh, and anyone who's worked at GC before, or currently works there, do you like it?

[jaywa]

They're gonna ask you if you have current musical commitments (i.e., a band or regular solo gigs or whatever). So if you are, you need to decide if you're going to lie about it or if you're willing to give those up cause GC doesn't like its employees to be out gigging. Or at least that used to be the case.

[dmonroe]

If you know how to do a proper set-up for the love of God tell them! Then explain how much their sales would increase just by having things set up as they should be. That will show them you are thinking of the company, they may not care, but then again....

[JUSTINKP]

jaywa, really? I know someone who works there that is in a band, and wouldn't lie about it to them. I'll just be up front with them and tell them I am in a band that gigs once or twice a month. If they don't like it, it's their loss (I won't say that to them though).

[zachoff]

Make sure to tell them you're not into helping customers that don't look like they're going to buy something. That's sure to get you hired.

[Floyd Eye]

Dress nice. Regardless of what job you are applying for you should always dress nice. Focus on your strengths. Once you get the job, be the GC employee that actually makes customers go on internet forums and talk about what a great experience they had.

Good luck.

[Eric Albany]

Wear dress pants and dress shirt. Ask to speak with the manager directly and don't give another employee your resume, they might throw it away. Don't wear any jewelry except for a watch and coverup all tattoos. Also speak formally, don't use any slang. An greet them with a smile on your face, shake their hand with a firm grip, but not to firm, make eye contact when talking or listening to them, tell them your name first when shaking their hand. Say "Hello, my name is ..." When they ask you why you applied don't say that you applied because you needed a job, say that you applied because you wanted to work at Guitar Center. Brown nosing and sweet talk will only make you seem desperate and if they sence that, they won't hire you.

[jaywa]

I'm not advocating he lie if he's in a band. I'm just saying be prepared for the question... and also for the possibility that how he answers may affect whether he gets the job.

Like I say, maybe GC has changed its policy but I'm pretty certain that back in the day being a gigging musician pretty much crossed you off their list. I would welcome correction or clarification on that point from any GC employees or management that hang out here.

[JUSTINKP]

Originally Posted by jaywa

I'm not advocating he lie if he's in a band. I'm just saying be prepared for the question... and also for the possibility that how he answers may affect whether he gets the job.

Like I say, maybe GC has changed its policy but I'm pretty certain that back in the day being a gigging musician pretty much crossed you off their list. I would welcome correction or clarification on that point from any GC employees or management that hang out here.

Ugh. I really hope my cover band that plays a couple gigs a month on a weekend isn't gonna kill my opportunity at a job.

[Stinsok]

Show up dressed like you want the job. Business casual (polo shirt/slacks) will be fine. Press your pants for pete's sake!

[jaywa]

Personally, I wouldn't want to make a major purchase from anyone who's NOT out there onstage on at least a semi-regular basis.

But GC stores are open weekends and they need to know they can schedule their salespeople and not have them bailing 4 hours before their shift or calling in sick or whatever cause their band snagged a hot, late breaking gig. I would think that especially with enough advance notice, 1 or 2 gigs a month wouldn't be a deal breaker but I have no idea what GC policy is on that.

The flip side of course, is if/how your band activities will be restricted in the event you get the GC job... but that's gonna be an issue with any day job.

[dee rob]

Originally Posted by jaywa

I'm not advocating he lie if he's in a band. I'm just saying be prepared for the question... and also for the possibility that how he answers may affect whether he gets the job.

Like I say, maybe GC has changed its policy but I'm pretty certain that back in the day being a gigging musician pretty much crossed you off their list. I would welcome correction or clarification on that point from any GC employees or management that hang out here.

I gigged pretty regularly when I worked there back in 01-04. I even went out on a few short tours (2-3 weeks at a time) and never had any issues.

dee

[JUSTINKP]

Originally Posted by dee rob

I gigged pretty regularly when I worked there back in 01-04. I even went out on a few short tours (2-3 weeks at a time) and never had any issues.

dee

I hope this is still the case.

[powderfinger]

Make sure to tell them you can "slap" if someone asks for a bass demo.

[jaywa]

Post-Interview Update, please?