If I’m hired I’ll be full-time sales in the Microsoft section of their hardware space.
What makes this a big deal is I haven’t worked since 2016. Suffering from mental illness (anxiety and panic disorder) and taking care of an elderly family member, I’ve been out of the workforce for 8 years.
I’m extremely nervous. I turned 41 last year, and I don’t want to be a NEET anymore. I’ve had nightmares about working again with all the stress and anxiety that comes with it, and now I’m thrusting myself head first into that reality.
I feel like being employed again will give me a huge boost in self confidence, but I’ve also never been this scared in my entire life.
Oh something I can help you with! I put in 5 years at geek squad so I know bby fairly well.
So, first off go in confidently. Not arrogant, but confident. This position is going to be at its heart, a sales position.
They see sweaty nerds a dozen times over who are just arrogant and want to talk about how this processor is only more expensive because it’s an Intel when they don’t even have super hyper threads or something. They want you to know the tech, but more importantly they’re going to be asking soft questions on if you can SELL the tech.
Your customers aren’t going to be people who want to know the processing speed of this processor, or even how much ram it has. They’re going to ask if they can run word, or if their niece can do the tiktoks with it. Your job will be to sell surfaces and Microsoft products, and to grit your teeth and say yes, it’s the perfect machine to do the tiktoks with.
Just truly be yourself, they’re looking for people who are relatable. I was so nervous when I started that I was afraid to go talk to people, but it ended up being great for me. I was able to learn how to strike up a conversation with randos and talk about tech in a simplified way. On top of that I was really good at it it turns out, because I didn’t bullshit my customers. Oh you want to just email your grandson? Take this 300 dollar computer. Maybe get the tech support so if you get a virus you don’t panic. Oh you’re a gamer? Well here’s an 800 bad boi that can play most games, maybe not top notch but it’s in your budget. Don’t need accidental coverage? Don’t worry about it then, enjoy!
I went from not being able to even say hello to a stranger to the best part time sales person they had, simply because I liked feeling out with people a bit. So that’s the job. They’re not going to ask you what certs you have, but they are going to see if your likable, if your someone people would want to talk to.
Go online (or hell even chatGpt honestly) and ask it to do a mock interview based around retail sales focusing on soft skills. It’s going to prep you pretty well. “Tell me about a time you disagreed with a coworker”, “tell me about when you had a boss who was mad at you”, that sort of thing.
Okay I know that’s a lot, but I hope you feel a bit better. Just be you, don’t try to be who you think they want. That’s a trap a lot of people who get turned down at best buy fall into. They don’t want a sysadmin or anything, they want a friendly face who customers will enjoy talking to
Good luck, we’re rooting for you!
If you’re not scared, it’s not the job for you. Feeling like you’ve bit off more than you can chew means it’s going to be challenging and interesting.
I love this perspective. Thank you 😊
wow, that’s great to hear.
you can definitely do this. it’s only scary until you start doing it, and then you’ll get right into the swing of things.
I currently work at Best Buy and have previously worked in sales positions within Best Buy as well as elsewhere. If you message me I’d be happy to give you any specific and personal advice you could ever need.
I’m really proud of you. You’re gonna do amazing!
I wish you the best luck.
I know this feeling, when you’ve been so long removed from certain work or social environments and situations, that it becomes scary. But in my experience, as someone who has struggled with anxiety, it’s like ripping off a bandaid and you adapt quickly.
Thank you all so much for the sweet comments. It’s really helped me stay positive ❤️
Hey, honestly, you’ve spent the last era of your life helping the elderly, and you’ll have that opportunity again in properly guiding your customers.
Take pride in that and other aspects of your work. I was once in your shoes, cared for my mom in her dying years while also suffering from my own mental and medical issues.
Now I’m married with a corporate career, associates degree, wife, and house, all things I would have never thought I’d accomplish when I was at my worst.
Enjoy this change. Keep your head held high. You’ve got this!
you’re awesome and brave! let us know when you can hook us up with sweet codes.
Hey, I used work for Microsoft managing that program. Hit me up with any questions that may ease your mind.
I assume it’s just training on Microsoft hardware like Surface Laptops and such?
It’s an interesting position. From the Microsoft lens, It’s a sell down approach. It’s showcase Surface first, then premium oems from like hp or Dell or whoever you prefer, then your everyday pc. With that in mind, read your customer. If they tell you I just check email, just take them to value pcs. If they say they need Photoshop, perfect lead in to Surface. Just showcase Surface whenever it makes sense.
From the Best Buy lens, it’s sell warranties and attach stuff. I’d say 80% of management in Best Buy doesn’t give 2 shits about the vendors. Be it Microsoft or Apple or Google or whoever. Just sell warranties and credit cards. Your KPIs are your lifeblood.
When I was overseeing the program, I told my specialists to listen to their bosses first. Microsoft funds your position, but Bestbuy prints your check at the end of the day. A happy boss is a happy job. If you’re in a location that has a Microsoft rep that visits on a weeklyish pace, be their best friend. You will hopefully learn 10x more from them, then Bestbuy training programs. When you are settled in a bit, you may be asked to train some of your associates. It’s nothing crazy, just make sure they are attaching Office to ANY machine, be it a pc or Apple or Chromebook. Drink a little Microsoft kool-aid, mix it with Bestbuy expectations, and you’ll be golden.
I left when Windows 11 was coming out. I hated 11, but I knew I had to train it and sell it. Whatever your opinion about anything is, put your Microsoft glasses on and just be honest. Don’t talk shit about competitors like Apple or Chrome, just be authentic to yourself. Keep in the back of your mind that your position is paid by Microsoft, but your #1 job is to have that customer leave informed and happy, so they come back to you and your store. Take a deep breath and just do what’s right for the customer.
If you don’t mind, what general location are you working in? It’s been a couple years but I might still know someone on the Microsoft or Bestbuy sise.
Excellent advice thank you! I’m over in the Midwest.
Congratulations and good luck!
Don’t sweat it. I don’t know about other people but as long as you’re nice and willing to help people, you’ll do just fine. Also, those daily interactions with people will help you be a better version of yourself even if socializing isn’t your thing. 2016 really isn’t that long ago when you think about it! You’ll do great!
Great job, and good luck! It might be hard and take some time to get back into the swing of things, but take it day by day, moment to moment and things won’t seem so tough.
Good luck !
Hey congrats! I worked seasonally at Best Buy a few times and am also recently out of a 3 year hiatus. It’s a good kind of nerve wracking, though.
I remember the best advice for me through the process of their digital training/ personality test is that they already have a specific answer in mind. There aren’t philosophical debates. They want to know that you understand it’s a business and that there is always a ‘better’ answer, so give them that answer.
(I e. If they ever say on a scale of 1-5, the answer is always 1 or 5. )
You’re gonna do great! Go get em 👍👏
