Selling my soul to Guitar Center? (okay, not really... but it's a job opportunity!)

[TheMutt]

So I have an interview with Guitar Center tomorrow for a position. The economy hasn't been very kind to the hotel or restaurant industry (my major in college, which I just graduated) so at this point in time I am open to just about any job that I can get my hands on. It just happens to be a plus that I can work for the company that would be taking most of my paycheck anyways (whether through Guitar Center, Music123, or Musicians Friend).

Just wondering if anyone had any advice for me on the interview or if any past/present GC associates or managers had any tips for how to be a standout candidate/salesman.

Also, feel free to offer your condolences/snarky comments/what have you.

[bongomania]

I have one request: do not put the phrase "not your average GC associate" or any variation thereof in your TB user title, affiliation field, or sig line. There have been a few of those here already, and all but one of them ("TheBurgerMeister") were/are totally average GC salespeople, IMO.

[I<34080]

Gotta make that bread.

[jp58]

May Xenu bless your soul...

J/k.

I went to GC today and had a great salesperson attend to me, much to my surprise. He got me a cable, we talked for a bit and answered questions, then he let me rock out. And finally at the very ed, he asked about purchasing it, what I thought, what my budget was, etc.

[TheMutt]

Originally Posted by bongomania

I have one request: do not put the phrase "not your average GC associate" or any variation thereof in your TB user title, affiliation field, or sig line. There have been a few of those here already, and all but one of them ("TheBurgerMeister") were/are totally average GC salespeople, IMO.

I have met with TheBurgerMeister (what did he change his name to again?) in person and he indeed was an above average GC manager. I wouldn't profess to be as such because:
1. I'm not employed by them yet.
2. That title has to be earned, and this will be my first venture into music department sales. So I'd think more of GC noob would be in order.

I may put which store I will be working at in the affiliation disclosure field (in the realm of hypotheticals at current depending on how the interview goes) as I am suspecting that would be in line with this board's policy, but that would be as far as it goes.

[champbassist]

Originally Posted by TheMutt

(what did he change his name to again?)

Isn't this his profile: TalkBass Forums - View Profile: The BurgerMeister?

[king koeller]

We need more players and less pusher/dealer/seller types. I would rather be waited on by someone who is a professional musician than some HSC, QVC saleman trying to sell me the latest Fender Squire. If you get the job, Please learn your product knowledge. nothing is more frustrating than when you ask for strap locks and they look at you like WHAT?, or I need a set of flatwounds and they hand me a pack of round wounds... you get the picture...
Good Luck!!!
"King"

[EvolLove13]

Well dude I am an employee, and I don't kno how your regions GC manager is, but mine was chill as hell. I was nervous cause I wanted the discount really, but he joked around and **** with me. You'll prob know within 10 min if you are gonna get it. Its not your average work place, and its really laid back. So just don't be really... uhh I guess like you are new to music... whatever, but just let em knowthat you know your ****.

Good Luck Bro.

P.S. The reason I got hired prob won't help you, but I am one tall melonfarmer, standing at 7' tall. So it saves them money and hassle of ladders, lol.

[king koeller]

Thanks and good luck at your new job!

[TheMutt]

Originally Posted by champbassist

Isn't this his profile: TalkBass Forums - View Profile: The BurgerMeister?

So it is! I figured that he changed his name since I haven't seen him on here in quite a while. Now I know why... he hasn't logged in since October last year.

Originally Posted by king koeller

We need more players and less pusher/dealer/seller types. I would rather be waited on by someone who is a professional musician than some HSC, QVC saleman trying to sell me the latest Fender Squire. If you get the job, Please learn your product knowledge. nothing is more frustrating than when you ask for strap locks and they look at you like WHAT?, or I need a set of flatwounds and they hand me a pack of round wounds... you get the picture...
Good Luck!!!
"King"

Thanks! I'll definitely be sure to do that because it's also a constant frustration of mine when that happens at any store.

Originally Posted by EvolLove13

Well dude I am an employee, and I don't kno how your regions GC manager is, but mine was chill as hell. I was nervous cause I wanted the discount really, but he joked around and **** with me. You'll prob know within 10 min if you are gonna get it. Its not your average work place, and its really laid back. So just don't be really... uhh I guess like you are new to music... whatever, but just let em knowthat you know your ****.

Good Luck Bro.

P.S. The reason I got hired prob won't help you, but I am one tall melonfarmer, standing at 7' tall. So it saves them money and hassle of ladders, lol.

Hahaha! Only 6'1" here, so that's not going to fly. Thankfully I know more now than when I started playing (mostly thanks to TalkBass), but I will admit that there is much more that I need to learn. Hopefully I'll end up in accessories where my lust for effects might be sated by being surrounded by them all day long... or it might just add fuel to the fire and make me broke... either way it's win-win.

[Hawaii Islander]

Good luck with the interview. I hope you get the job.

[VS]

Go for it man! I wish you the best. I like GC. -Luke

[Diplowmatt]

Good luck.

I applied when there was one down the street from me when I was in my early 20's. They didn't call back, a few months later they closed.

[Kawai-chang]

Well, I have been in sales on and off for about 20 years. So, here's my 2 cents: Be pleasant, first and foremost. Introduce yourself, get their name if possible. Always ask open ended questions, such as "What instrument are you looking for/at?" This allows for more questions (probes). When you ask a question that be answered with a "yes" or a "no", that's a closed ended question and causes a lapse in the conversational flow.

When you engage someone in a sales process, you need to find out what it is they want, not what you want to sell them. Thus, probe, probe, probe. but don't be interrogational. (Is that a word? Moving on.) Ask in a nice friendly way. The cool thing is, we're all gear heads. Talk about gear, talk about wood, pickups, tone, strings, throw in your knowledge to help them get the best instrument for them.

As a person who goes to GC all the time, and is an occasional purchaser (a few basses, amp, strings, accessories), I know most of the guys at least by face if not by name, they know me and my spending habits, they treat me cool, we talk gear, and such. The point is, while I may not get something THAT day, chances are good that I'll be getting something in the future, and I do pick my salespeople on how I like them.

[jp58]

Originally Posted by Kawai-chang

As a person who goes to GC all the time, and is an occasional purchaser (a few basses, amp, strings, accessories), I know most of the guys at least by face if not by name, they know me and my spending habits, they treat me cool, we talk gear, and such. The point is, while I may not get something THAT day, chances are good that I'll be getting something in the future, and I do pick my salespeople on how I like them.

This is 100% true. If you want someone to be a return customer, especially when they buy a $500 or $1000 bass or guitar, you have to treat them right, even if they are just browsing or buying strings.

[Papa Dangerous]

Music stores tend to be a relaxed laid back environment, but of course, professionalism is always required. Be honest about yourself when talking to the hiring staff, and definitely ask them questions.
-When I was on an interview, I asked "What kind of environment do you typically have with your employees." Thats where I got the answer of professionally relaxed.
-Customer service is a huge thing in music stores because you will dealing with new and prof players. So, a good thing to not only keep in mind, but to practice, is that when people are asking you questions on something you do not know, ask them to hold on a moment, and ask a hirer up/ someone with more exp in your department. If no one is around, or they do not know. Tell them you would go online and look it up on the internet and call them back/ email them back. This has worked great for me, and I have been working for a music store for about 2 months now.
-Learn the products is the best thing you can do, and not only for your department, but other departments as well. If they ask you what you can offer to the company, tell them you are willing to not only learn the details of what you are selling, let them know that you will look into the other products they offer in case they need someone to float there. I sell keyboards, but I wrote out a lengthy email to someone I knew about what to look for when buying a guitar, as a new person. This forced me to learn all about the wood, the neck , the electronics, and other specs. Hell, I even ask my co workers how to sell acoustic guitars cause I have no idea what to tell customers about them when they ask.
You have to be a lively cat, show a good persona to the employer, let them know you are determined to do what it takes to get that position, and of course sell yourself as to why they want YOU, and not the next person.

[TheMutt]

First interview done this weekend. Second interview scheduled for tomorrow.

[6jase5]

Let me know which store. I expect the insider email when something shows up used that I can't live without.

[foq1978]

If you get a chance, try lowering the international shipping cost for us!

Good luck with your second interview!

[TheMutt]

Originally Posted by foq1978

If you get a chance, try lowering the international shipping cost for us!

Good luck with your second interview!

For that I'd need to work for the shipping companies, and I've already worked for UPS. Terrible terrible place to work for.

But, thanks!