Geek Squad

M

mission17

New Member
Hey guys I have a few questions about the Geek Squad. I have an interview with them next week and I was wondering if anyone had an inverview with them and had any tips. I know some of you guys are probably against them, but I am just an 18 yr old guy looking for a job to get started in the computer world and there really aren't too many other options. I am getting ready also to start my A+ certification classes so do you know of any requirements to be in the Geek Squad besides being 18? I hope you guys could help any offer some tips and I would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
 
Nope, no requirements. Geek squad looks more for personality than knowledge... it's a lot easier to take someone with a good personality and teach them computers than to take a computer geek and teach him how to be good with people.
 
no kidding, i was looking at motherboards and one of the guys did not even know what a nForce chip or sli was.... i was like :rolleyes:.... he was telling me the "nforce 4" was the best out right now...lmao

But i agree, from what i heard they look for personality
 
It's helpful to have a basic knowledge for a range of different products and technologies. It's also helpful to be able to run built-in Windows diagnostic test, both with XP and Vista. That goes without saying, having extensive knowledge of both XP and Vista.
 
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Hey guys I appreciate the posts. The interview is tomorrow and I am review my A+ book plus looking at things like what is a virus and spyware because they deal with those things on a daily basis. And the more research I do the more I see they are more about hiring salesmen anymore so I guess I need to sell myself as well. But I appreciate the posts.

Thanks!
 
You gotta start somewhere with no real world experience and I think the Geek Squad would be a place to start. However, they do have a bad rep, and well I have cleaned up their botches many times...

I would try to maybe get a tech job at a Microcenter, a CompUSA, or a Frys Electronics. Those seem to be more reputable than geek squad and may look better on paper. They probably pay better too, but are harder to get.

Or go to a Mom and Pop computer store, they always need at least one tech to help build and support their PCs.
 
As has been said already they want people persons if you can talk to the public in terms that they can understand (not talk over their heads).
also will have to sell items that you yourself would not buy.

I had one try to sell me a Linksys wireless router with speedboost and DLink wireless cards.

there is really no easy way to get into the IT field.
study and take the Certs.
signup for contract work at a IT Temp agency and do some deployments/refreshes.

Post a resume on monster and other IT job boards note any work you have done on computer such as set up, OS installs and any repairs or upgrades.


such companys as Tak world wide or tek systems may not be local to your area but the do contracts all over. and lots of time just need a willing hand to help setup systems
 
Yeah my buddy is a contractor for Tek Systems. he has worked all over the city with them. Contract work doesn't offer benefits but its better than not working.

Really, honestly the best method of getting hired is recommendation. Know somebody to help get you in. Every job I have ever gotten is because I was recommended by someone. I do side work all the time for businesses and people's homes on the side. All of my side jobs I get by recommendation. I just fixed several Macs a local newspaper because someone recommended my name, same goes for every other side job I have had. My current job I got by knowing someone who worked there and they got me hired.
 
tlarkin said:
Yeah my buddy is a contractor for Tek Systems. he has worked all over the city with them. Contract work doesn't offer benefits but its better than not working.

Really, honestly the best method of getting hired is recommendation. Know somebody to help get you in. Every job I have ever gotten is because I was recommended by someone. I do side work all the time for businesses and people's homes on the side. All of my side jobs I get by recommendation. I just fixed several Macs a local newspaper because someone recommended my name, same goes for every other side job I have had. My current job I got by knowing someone who worked there and they got me hired.
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Ahhh connections and referrals. :D
 
Then you know what I mean tlarkin
Doing the contract work is to have the experience on your resume. I have done alot of contract work in the past and its kinda cool. you get to see alot and meet alot of people. (connections)

The Company I work for hires contractors for (40 hours a week) for the helpdesk, we also have a few in networking that pull cat 5 cables and help setup routers and switches. some of our perminate employees started here as contractors.

All that work looks good on a resume. and thats what you want to get in the field.
 
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Deepblue said:
Then you know what I mean tlarkin
Doing the contract work is to have the experience on your resume. I have done alot of contract work in the past and its kinda cool. you get to see alot and meet alot of people. (connections)

The Company I work for hires contractors for (40 hours a week) for the helpdesk, we also have a few in networking that pull cat 5 cables and help setup routers and switches. some of our perminate employees started here as contractors.

All that work looks good on a resume. and thats what you want to get in the field.
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experience does speak over everything, certs, and even education. I know people who have a 4 year tech degree and well college can't teach you a lot. A lot of people will cry that you need to understand the theory of computers so you can better make decisions at work. I disagree, you need to know the application of technology so you can apply it better. In my experience nothing teaches better than hands on.

Sure there is always trial and error and sure there is always a learning curve. I had never set up cisco switches before in my life, never even touched one and I landed a side job setting up three switches for a small business. I took it and used google and wikipedia to configure them, and it worked. Sure I applied my existing network experiences, but overall I used the internet to teach myself how to do it.

You have to start somewhere and while your young contract work is nice because you can get experience doing the labor all over in IT.
 
Hey guys I appreciate the posts. I agree with you guys that this is a beginning step in the computer process and probably not the first step in the IT field but I am just getting started with getting certifications and getting ready to start college so I just want a simple part time job for some extra money and I want to deal with computers. Hopefully I will get the chance to get this job to at least get some experience in the computer industry and then within a few yrs move out from that and move on to bigger and better things because you gotta start some where. I do understand that the conract work is a good idea and I may try that as well. I did an internship for a day at a local computer store and after I get my A+ cert. I could do contract work for him. So I am hoping for that as well as the best buy job, but I will also look to maybe post my resume on monster if you think its a good idea. Please offer your opinions because the ones already have been very informal and greatly appreciated!

Thanks so much again!
 
CompUSA is a very good place to work. I could have gotten a job there with my buddy, he said all you need to be able to do is let the customer be right, even though he/she is dead wrong. If infact you don't know everything..they always have training no matter what job you go for.
 
my friend worked at compusa and he hated it. the store is in it for the money they dont care for their customers and services. they hire way too many employees, when you walk in you see few dozen standing still talking stories.
 
kof2000 said:
my friend worked at compusa and he hated it. the store is in it for the money they dont care for their customers and services. they hire way too many employees, when you walk in you see few dozen standing still talking stories.
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Yeah well when is a retail store not about just making money? You have to put your time in somewhere, and that is a big problem I think in today's work world. Everyone wants a job but no one wants to work their way up to it. Sure, certifications and a degree might get you in the door but even then you will probably start down at the bottom unless you have years years experience on top of it.

You have to start somewhere and being a computer tech at a retail store is a decent start. Most of those places pay for your certs, so its good to start there and build yourself up.
 
Hey guys I just want to give you an update. I went for my interview today and it was successful. I am going back on monday for an interview with the store manager and then go for a drug test so I think the chances are pretty decent. I would start out on the floor as a sales guy and then make my way up to the Geek Squad. I know its probably not some peoples favorite jobs but I am excited to just get a chance to get started in the computer field. How do you think my odds are now and do you guys have any other tips or advice? I appreciate all the help again!

Thanks!
 
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