Had an interview at Geek Squad.... went HORRIBLE

[DS9VOY]

Hi everyone -

I am trying desperately to get a job. I am 27 years old.

Basically my career history is this:

Target - 4 years after high school - two promotions ended up a department manager.

AT&T after that as an I&R technician. (basically was one of the outside techs dealing with the POTS lines) Did that for about 2 years before being laid off.

State government after that as a clerk. Did that until 6 months ago when I got laid off.

I have been trying to get a job at Office Max, Best Buy, Wal Mart, other retail places as I figure that is probably the best I am going to be able to get.

I had an interview today for Geek Squad and Best Buy. I am thinking maybe it is my college transcript that is hurting me???? I have been showing it to every place I apply at interviews. I showed it to the interviewer at Best Buy today and he looked at it and said "Hm honestly not that impressive" I am currently taking college classes, but here is what is on my college transcript right now and the grades:

Introduction to Business - B
Personal Finance Planning - B
Police Systems and Practice - B
Environmental Science - B
US History after 1877 - B
Introduction to Computers - B
Introduction to Economics - C
English Comp 1 - C
English Comp 2 - C
Art Appreciation - B
Microeconomics - C
Human Relations - B
Business Law - B
American Government 1 - C
American Government 2 - C
US History to 1877 - C
Computer Applications - A
Astronomy Stars and Galaxies - B
Interpersonal Communication - A
Ethics - B
Fundamentals of Speech - A
Intro to Computer Maintenance - A

I also have a CompTIA A+ certification and Microsoft MCDST/MCP certification. (yea I know those are low level joke certifications, but I have them and have been showing them too.... so maybe that isn't such a good idea either?)

Anyway I know it's a pretty crappy list of college classes and it is almost totally devoid of the sciences/math, but next semester that will be my focus.

Anyway - should I pretty much stop showing this transcript when I am interviewing until I pickup some more advanced classes? Or maybe just not even bring it up at all? I know it makes me look like a slacker having a bunch of liberal arts credits only, but it will be at least two more semesters before I have added more advanced classes.

I know my job history is also kind of weak, but I am not sure what else I can do to make myself look better?

 

[Aluvus]

Don't give them a transcript unless they ask for it. This would apply even if your transcript were amazing, which it isn't.

 

[zerocool84]

If you haven't noticed, millions of people are still out of a job. People with more experience and better qualifications than you. All you can do it keep trying. Also why are you showing Best Buy your College grades???

 

[Leros]

Not to be rude, but you're taking non-challenging classes and getting lousy/average grades. It's nothing to brag about.

 

[guyver01]

Why are you even showing them a college transcript? noone gives a shit that you got a B in Environmental Science.

 

[Farang]

1) Showing transcript is not typical
2) Your transcript is not impressive

 

[guyver01]

In before the LOL You couldn't even get hired at worst buy... they hire retards.. apparently you're not smart enough to work there. comments.

 

[Bryf50]

Why would you show your transcript to apply to Best Buy. I've worked a ton of retail jobs and interviewed at Best Buy. The topic never even came up.

 

[misle]

I don't see how showing your transcript during an interview is going to help. Definitely stop doing that.

 

[MJinZ]

You should really consider doing research online on what to bring to an interview or include your resume.

A college transcript is used by one person only - a Grad School entrance evaluator.

A GPA is all you need to put on your resume.

Since you haven't completed college, you should just put "University of XYZ - 200X to Present"

 

[HappyPuppy]

You guys are assholes. The guy is trying, but I have to agree that Best Buy couldn't care less about his college curriculum or grades. He sounds like a whiney little bitch who wants a job when there are 500 other applications in front of his. Most of them are likely Masters or Ph.D.'s with 4.5 gpa's and 20 years of experience.

 

[Patrickz0rs]

It's not what you know it's who you know.

 

[borisvodofsky]

You guys are looking at this wrong.. If you want a Job at best buy, you need to be

1: INDIAN or white trash looking, being indian helps more.

2: People skills, not actually that much of it, but this is weighted far more heavily than your grades.

That's about it. Your knowledge of electronics help, but that isn't really even necessary because they'll tell you all of those things..

START hanging out with indian people, and get hooked up. LOL Thats how I would do it.

MANY of us are not academically motivated, that doesn't mean we suck. Getting good grades and being good at halo takes the same investment, time.

So he doesn't like school, so what, there are plenty of possibilities outside of school.

It's not a matter of better/worse, it's about what you like and enjoy.

 

[Leros]

You guys are looking at this wrong.. If you want a Job at best buy, you need to be

1: INDIAN or white trash looking, being indian helps more.

2: People skills, not actually that much of it, but this is weighted far more heavily than your grades.

That's about it. Your knowledge of electronics help, but that isn't really even necessary because they'll tell you all of those things..

START hanging out with indian people, and get hooked up. LOL Thats how I would do it.

MANY of us are not academically motivated, that doesn't mean we suck. Getting good grades and being good at halo takes the same investment, time.

So he doesn't like school, so what, plenty of possibilities outside of school.

It's not a matter of better/worse, it's about what you like and enjoy.

I've never seen an Indian employee at Best Buy. Where are you from?

 

[Fritzo]

he looked at it and said "Hm honestly not that impressive"

LOL

I honestly think at that point I would have said

"WTF? I'm applying for a job with BEST BUY---not trying to get into Harvard! This is a job where people in black tie costumes, to portray the 15 year old stereotype of a computer nerd, fix computers by running restore disks and then overcharge old people! I don't know how prestigious a place you think this is to work, but you're judging me on my grades, and you're what....35? 40? You work in a place where you have to wear a tag with your name on it to work everyday. Me thinks your grades weren't so hot either, and, well, here you are! Now cut the intimidation crap and either give me this pathetic job or not."

 

[Crono]

You guys are looking at this wrong.. If you want a Job at best buy, you need to be

1: INDIAN or white trash looking, being indian helps more.

2: People skills, not actually that much of it, but this is weighted far more heavily than your grades.

Damn, I should be working at Best Buy

 

[eits]

don't give them a transcript.

instead, during the interview, briefly mention your skills at public speaking and interpersonal relationships as well as computer applications. if he asks for proof, give it to him, but make sure you try and change the subject soon enough that he won't dwell on it and ask for proof or anything... just inject the notion that you know your way around computers and you're probably great to work with or talk to into his mind and move onto the next point. in order to do that, find a good segue... for example, "something that i feel qualifies me for the job is my superior knowledge of computer applications, as well as my high marks in public speaking and interpersonal communications.... funny story, there was one time when i was working at my former state government job where someone was having computer problems... everyone always comes to me when they had a computer problem... anyways, the mayor needed to print off something for a meeting and couldn't. so, he called me over to help him and, i was expecting it to be (fill in the blank with some technical computer jargon) or (fill int the blank with some technical computer jargon), but all it really was was a bad usb port where his mouse was plugged in!"

etc. you get the idea. make the guy like you and make him think "this guy knows what he's talking about and he's fun to talk to... our customers would like that"

 

[Ksyder]

LOL

I honestly think at that point I would have said

"WTF? I'm applying for a job with BEST BUY---not trying to get into Harvard! This is a job where people in black tie costumes, to portray the 15 year old stereotype of a computer nerd, fix computers by running restore disks and then overcharge old people! I don't know how prestigious a place you think this is to work, but you're judging me on my grades, and you're what....35? 40? You work in a place where you have to wear a tag with your name on it to work everyday. Me thinks your grades weren't so hot either, and, well, here you are! Now cut the intimidation crap and either give me this pathetic job or not."

That is some sig worthy stuff, man.

And as far as the college transcripts to work at Best Buy, I'll echo everyone who says don't bother. Showing them all of those B's and C's is just screaming that you are mediocre at everything. I'm not saying that you are, but that's what it looks like on the surface. Maybe you just don't try hard at school, buy it could looked at as a predictor of job performance.

If you have the right attitude and great sales skills you should be able to land that job easily. I doubt Best Buy really cares about whether or not you truly know computers.

 

[CRXican]

who the crap cares about your grades?

they aren't even worth showing off

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

The reason you didn't get the job was because you didn't include high school transcripts as well.

 

[eits]

The reason you didn't get the job was because you didn't include high school transcripts as well.

lol

 

[trungma]

I don't post much but I gotta say you guys are rough. LOL

 

[Powermoloch]

Transcripts = FOR SCHOOL USE ONLY



They want to know your history on the job market...not the grades in some classes you took.

Work experience and a good interview about yourself is a plus.

 

[Patrickz0rs]

Circuit City would have hired you.

 

[pontifex]

unless you're a complete retard, with your amount of experience you should be able to get something better than Best Buy...

what about working for a Telco like you used to?