Games Workshop Store Manager Interview Questions
& Process

Before my third and final interview, which required me to present a 30/60/90 business plan without any insight into the company's inner workings, things were going well. The interview started positively, with some lighthearted moments before I began my presentation. It proceeded smoothly until a third interviewer joined, who hadn't been part of my previous interviews and needed to get up to speed. This person then intensely questioned every part of my presentation. When I was asked about engaging customers with no community feedback and busy colleagues, I used the recent release of Space Marine 2 as an example of a talking point. Following this, the new interviewer spent about 20 minutes aggressively pointing out flaws in my plan. They questioned my marketing strategies and assumptions, asking why I wouldn't set expectations for failure. I had emphasized inclusivity and my personal experiences as a woman being excluded from the gaming space, but was repeatedly told I needed to "set the expectation," which felt like an implication that I couldn't manage a store, despite my past experience managing larger ones. It felt like my entire presentation was dismissed. After this intense questioning, the new interviewer muted and turned off their camera, and another interviewer then drilled me on the fundamentals of a Warhammer game. This felt like a personal insult and highlighted a very unwelcoming, potentially misogynistic environment with questionable hiring practices.

First, I sent a cover letter with my resume when I applied online. It was a straightforward letter about me and why I'd be a good fit. Even though I hadn't managed retail in over 8 years and the pay was low, the letter requirement made me think this company might be a good fit. Then, I got a screening call where they asked about travel for training. After passing that, a Skype interview was set up for the next week with two friendly interviewers who asked nothing unusual and understood my family's involvement with the hobby. They said they'd let me know the following week if I was moving forward. The next week, they contacted me to schedule another Skype interview for the following week. This second Skype interview was strange; it felt like they were trying to find reasons why I wouldn't be a good fit. The interviewer brought up 'challenges' that weren't really challenges to me. The focus then shifted to my lack of participation in the hobby, despite my belief that a store manager should focus on driving sales and customer service, which I have a proven ability to do. I think not being involved in the hobby was the deciding factor. They did let me know the following week that they were moving forward with another candidate, which I appreciated.

The whole thing took a few months. First, two phone calls and two Skype chats, then a face-to-face meeting. It's a bit stressful, but try to stay excited because it's worth it if you get the job. Just be patient. The phone interviews were pretty standard, asking about work eligibility, age, and if you're okay with drug tests and background checks. The second phone call was more about explaining what they're looking for and how to move forward, with simple yes/no answers and follow-ups. The two Skype interviews were a bit tougher but not too hard. They ask a lot of 'how would you' and 'what would you do if' questions. Be honest with your answers; they want to know if you're a good personality fit, not if you're going to revolutionize things. The face-to-face interview is where I think I messed up. They fly you in to meet the staff and see the operations. Everyone's really nice and helpful. Then you meet with your recruiter and the head of sales. I was really tired from traveling and my current job had me stressed, so my answers were short and probably not impressive. They're looking for a good fit with drive, and I don't think I showed that well. The right person, if they're honest, motivated, and not worn out, could totally succeed. You can ask the managers questions, and you should. Do your research beforehand and ask those questions again. I didn't, and it might have hurt my chances. Also, and this is important if you have an ego, they won't tell you why you didn't get the job, just that they're moving on. Don't take it personally; they're looking for a specific personality match.