Getting a job with GeekSquad?

[cpu killer]

So..I am currently thinking about making a major career change in my life. I am currently managing a pizza place, don't want to name any names, and am wondering really why I never got into IT in the first place.

My summarized life story..I started going to college for Finance, started working as a delivery driver at a pizza place (a big chain), and eventually got the opportunity to become the store manager of a campus store doing $1mil/year. I seized that opportunity,put college on hold, but I now realize I have all my life had tremendous talent and vocation for everything IT related, I just decided to never do anything with it. I was building my first computer at age 7, had built a few by age 9, started programming PHP/MySQL at age 14 and running my own website, and it was failrly well regarded until I recently lost interest and started pursuing other career options.

I'm sure this sounds familiar to many on this website..

Anyhow, I've had great knowledge/experience in computer hardware, software, networking, troubleshooting, and the works. I have not held any official title as IT/Tech support but surely enough I'm the one everyone goes to when they have computer problems, and I have never failed to be able to assess and fix problems.

So, I would like to take some of the experience I have gained in leadership/management, intrapersonal skills, and my vocation for IT and get started back into the field. I think the easiest way for me to do this would be to start at an entry-level position, and the first place that comes to mind is GeekSquad. I see they have positions open in my city and want to apply, but I am a firm disbeliever in online applications (having dealt with them myself, being a hiring manager).

I know some of you on here MUST have worked for GS/BB in the past..how did you land the job, and what kind of experience did you walk in with? I am still currently employed and would be seeking to leave my current job for GS if the pay and hours are right (meaning, I can get full time).

I would like to go in and personally talk to a manager to hand in an application, has this worked for anyone? I know that the way to make an impression is to go in personally and make sure you are known, but I truly want this job and see myself as qualified for the position, I just don't know what tricks it takes to actually get into the squad at best buy.

If anyone has any advice, it would be greatly appreciated.

- Vic

Edit: Included a copy of my resume for critique and possible evaluation for possibility of landing a job at GS.

[MightyJordan]

I guess most people on Neowin would say you need no experience with computers to work in the Geek Squad. What they mostly do is charge Apple-high prices for simple repair jobs, and try to sell you crappy security software, usually Norton.

Does anyone else here think it'd be a good idea to have a Neowin member on the inside the belly of the beast? :p We can tell them how to actually do their jobs!

[AimLXJ]

  On 26/08/2010 at 07:37, MightyJordan said:

I guess most people on Neowin would say you need no experience with computers to work in the Geek Squad. What they mostly do is charge Apple-high prices for simple repair jobs, and try to sell you crappy security software, usually Norton.

Does anyone else here think it'd be a good idea to have a Neowin member on the inside the belly of the beast? :p We can tell them how to actually do their jobs!

Yep...I remember they had to charge my friend for about $100 just for reformatting her laptop <_<

[MightyJordan]

  On 26/08/2010 at 07:43, AimLXJ said:

Yep...I remember they had to charge my friend for about $100 just for reformatting her laptop <_<

$100?! Point proven then. That could only be considered sort of reasonable if they replaced the hard drive with a better one.

[homeboyrocketshoulders]

Sounds like you would be way overqualified for geek squad.

You dont necessarily need to start at the bottom. With your real world experience in management and your what appears to be natural skill for IT work, I would look for something along the lines of a junior sysadmin, or maybe look for a consulting firm and join an IT project management team.

The only problem would be your lack of any formal job experience working in IT. But if you can build a hell of a resume and make it to a technical interview (and you really know your stuff as you say) you shouldnt have any problems landing a job like that.

[+bomberh Subscriber²]

I?ve been in places like that where the floor staff haven?t got a clue and ?The Squad? well they try and sell you loads of crap you don?t need and when they do try and fix your PC, they charge way over the top for the repair.

But I like the idea of ?The Mole? on the inside. :D

[cpu killer]

  On 26/08/2010 at 08:03, homeboy rocketshoulders said:

Sounds like you would be way overqualified for geek squad.

You dont necessarily need to start at the bottom. With your real world experience in management and your what appears to be natural skill for IT work, I would look for something along the lines of a junior sysadmin, or maybe look for a consulting firm and join an IT project management team.

The only problem would be your lack of any formal job experience working in IT. But if you can build a hell of a resume and make it to a technical interview (and you really know your stuff as you say) you shouldnt have any problems landing a job like that.

Thanks, it's not as easy in the small town I am in. I'm looking to find a job here or nearby at least for the next year or so, because of my current apartment lease. If the right opportunity did arise I could relocate to a different state, I am willing to go anywhere and experience something new.

As for being overqualified..I do somewhat feel the same way. But I feel that maybe being at GeekSquad I can get some official IT experience and perhaps while I'm there build on my IT certifications (MCP, A+, Network+, MCSE), and climb up the ladder. There aren't many jobs in this town, unfortunately.

I'm going to go ahead and attach a copy of my resume, feel free to critique and provide any feedback. I'm going to get this printed on super heavy-weight gloss paper tomorrow and go in to BB dressed in my finest and hope that the hiring manager gives me the time of day.

[Minifig]

GeekSquad isn't worth the reputation they're name is staked on.

http://videosift.com/video/KCAL9s-Computer-Repair-Fraud-mostly-Best-Buys-Geek-Squad

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/49412/best_buys_geek_squad_conquest_of_branding.html?cat=15

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-07-25/business/ct-biz-0725-problem-berry-20100725_1_laptop-geek-squad-computer

http://arstechnica.com/old/content/2006/04/6596.ars

http://www.itjungle.com/two/two041906-story06.html

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/oregon_news_team_finds_geek_squad_incompetent

http://redchaos.wordpress.com/2007/05/04/the-10-page-geek-squad-confession-stealing-customers-nudie-pics-was-an-easter-egg-hunt/

There's many many more horror stories.

Find yourself a better job that will appreciate your skill set.

Bestbuy is a TERRIBLE company to work for... and I should know, I used to work for them.

[cpu killer]

  On 26/08/2010 at 08:44, Minifig said:

GeekSquad isn't worth the reputation they're name is staked on.

http://videosift.com/video/KCAL9s-Computer-Repair-Fraud-mostly-Best-Buys-Geek-Squad

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/49412/best_buys_geek_squad_conquest_of_branding.html?cat=15

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-07-25/business/ct-biz-0725-problem-berry-20100725_1_laptop-geek-squad-computer

http://arstechnica.com/old/content/2006/04/6596.ars

http://www.itjungle.com/two/two041906-story06.html

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/oregon_news_team_finds_geek_squad_incompetent

http://redchaos.wordpress.com/2007/05/04/the-10-page-geek-squad-confession-stealing-customers-nudie-pics-was-an-easter-egg-hunt/

There's many many more horror stories.

Find yourself a better job that will appreciate your skill set.

Bestbuy is a TERRIBLE company to work for... and I should know, I used to work for them.

Well, where do you reccomend starting?

[Minifig]

  On 26/08/2010 at 08:46, cpu killer said:

Well, where do you reccomend starting?

http://www.pcdirect.com/

For one..

Or a local business that needs an IT guy.

They'd be a MUCH better choice, and pay you better.

Believe it or not, they told me I was too qualified to work for GeekSquad back when GeekSquad was starting out because I've been using computers/working with them since the Apple 2c, back when I was four years old.

They're cocky-sons-of-*****es.

[Quattrone]

:p

[homeboyrocketshoulders]

I live in a smallish town myself, so I can relate to not having many nearby opportunities, and it can really make a search difficult. I would look for a reputable company that will allow you to do tech support remotely. Theres a few out there, I know EVGA does that as I applied there a while back. I think it would look better on a resume as well, because BB/GS is still essentially a retail job and doesnt usually transition into corporate IT like a tech support job could.

Personally, if I was in your position I would stick with my current job (or look for something like EVGA and do remote work) and go for the certifications in my spare time. Once you've got those you'll have some weight to throw around when applying for IT jobs. If you get MCP or CCNA or anything like that, having worked in geek squad probably wont do you much good over a regular job as the certs will show you're beyond that point technically anyways.

By all means, go ahead and apply, it cant hurt anything.

[Minifig]

  On 26/08/2010 at 09:17, nicelife said:

really??

Really, to ... which part?

If you're asking about the Apple 2c part, yes, really.

[#Michael]

Piece of advice....take off your CV from neowin. It contains your full name/address/phone number/email address. I now know where you live, your phone number, and an email address...enough info for some good old fashion identity theft.

[sn00pie]

You sound like your way to experienced to be in GS. Being in GS is all about bringing in the money, charging customers more than they need to fix problems is the key...usually people who work in Geek Squad have little computer knowledge and basically 'learn' as they go.

[Xilo]

Going from a manager of a top store to going to Geek Squad is quite a step down...

Most of the people at Geek Squad are idiots and know nothing about IT.

[Sethos]

"Domino's Pizza

Managing a staff of 30 employees, ranging from assistant managers to customer service representative and delivery experts."

I just had to laugh at that, delivery experts :laugh:

[COKid]

  On 26/08/2010 at 13:39, BlendedFrog said:

Piece of advice....take off your CV from neowin. It contains your full name/address/phone number/email address. I now know where you live, your phone number, and an email address...enough info for some good old fashion identity theft.

I agree. What are you thinking, man?! :no: At least delete your personal info.

Good luck if you decide to apply. Although I agree with some that your skill set is far beyond GS.

"Delivery experts" was kind of funny. "If you accept this dangerous mission, you will bring this pizza to 123 Main St. Good luck. This tape will self-destruct in 5 seconds."

[Minifig]

  On 26/08/2010 at 15:11, COKid said:

"Delivery experts" was kind of funny. "If you accept this dangerous mission, you will bring this pizza to 123 Main St. Good luck. This tape will self-destruct in 5 seconds."

It's not the tape that'll explode.

It's the pizza. :rofl:

I also, find it a modest irony that the OP is named "CPU Killer".

Maybe we're discounting his ability to work for Geek Squad? :blink::laugh: *Kidding.*

[Rudy]

GeekSquad a career? I thought it was a job mostly for high school kids and university students

[Skyfrog]

If you know how to use a mouse you're probably qualified to work for geek squad. :laugh:

[Minifig]

  On 26/08/2010 at 16:52, Skyfrog said:

If you know how to use a mouse you're probably over-qualified to work for geek squad. :laugh:

Fixed. :rofl::laugh::rofl:.

[treemonster]

tech support in a big box store is not something i would want on my resume if i was looking for any job anywhere in teh tech industry, including anything IT in a small business, such as a cybercafe.

personally i'd far sooner put "posted in aion's tech support forums" or "posted on neowin's hardware hangout" on my resume before i admitted to working for something like geeksquad.

[ShiFteDReaLitY]

I think posting in "Neowin's Hardware Hangout" would also over qualify you to work at geek squad. :laugh:

[Ionium]

I applied to geek squad over 8 times or more, never got a call back from them, even went to the store itself where I applied to, can never get a hold of someone in charge.