Looking for a job in gaming.

damnit! · Post by **damnit!** » Thu May 10, 2007 11:45 pm

Hello, BTown!

I've only been on these boards for a short time, but, so far, I've been impressed by what a helpful bunch of folks there are in this community, which is why I've decided to put out this request for help. (Hopefully I'm using the right forum, because I really need the help.)

Here's my situation:
I had the opportunity to move to the Baltimore area, and, since I had been a fan of GW for many years (I started with Rogue Trader and WFRP), I decided to leave my well paying (for not requiring a degree) job in Florida, move here, and apply at GW. Suffice it to say that I did not get hired, though, after what I've experienced first hand coupled with the many complaints I've heard about them, that may not be a bad thing, as I do not like their current business practices (which seemed different just a few years ago). The problem is that I left my old job because I hated it, and finally came to the conclusion that I need a job I will enjoy (and it only took me 38 years to figure that out!). So, I've dropped off my resume to every gaming store I could find within an hour of where I live (Owings Mills, MD), and spoken multiple times with most of the managers and/or owners of said establishments, with no luck at getting hired.

At this point, my savings are running out, and if I do not find something I want to do soon, I will be forced right back into the position I left Florida to get out of. So, my appeal is that if anyone knows of any gaming stores, gaming companies, game distributors, or similar employers within an hour's drive or so from Baltimore with current job openings, please send contact info my way (e-mail or web address would be preferable at this point).

Thanks,
John

kturock · Post by **kturock** » Fri May 11, 2007 1:23 am

good luck most gaming and comics stores only pay minimum wage or a bit more. alot of the gaming companies are cutting back, closing shop, reorginizing or otherwising changing their business strategy.

check peginc.com website forum, and look thru the seres, 'state of the industry' or such.

even wotc has had cutbacks...

go to all of the larget gaming company sites and read what they've posted in the past year or so.

like i said good luck.

a dream i've had is to run a flgs.. the reality is at 45, it'll never happen.

damnit! · Post by **damnit!** » Fri May 11, 2007 2:36 am

Yeah, I was actually positioning myself to open a new and used bookstore specializing in fantasy, sci-fi, gothic horror, and RPGs, but then my ex wanted to start a business, so my dream got pushed out of the way. Of course, the BS I had to deal with in helping her with that business is part of the reason she's now my ex. And, thanks to some good luck in real estate, and the fact that my last job paid so well, I really only need to make about $300 weekly, though I'd prefer to make more like $400 per week (which is basically the range I would have been making at GW as a "Hobby Specialist"). I realize that I'll have to take a second job to make the $400 weekly, at least for a while, but I worked 7 days and about 60 hours a week in my previous job.

Datadep5 · Post by **Datadep5** » Fri May 11, 2007 5:22 am

Only thing that can really recommend is monster.com or something of that nature. Get a job first just to pay bills and keep looking for that dream job.

Keep your head up.

damnit! · Post by **damnit!** » Fri May 11, 2007 6:26 am

That's what I soon may have to try, but looking for the dream job becomes very difficult when your time is taken up by working the crappy one.

I had actually thought about monster or the like. I would even be interested in doing game design and/or playtesting. I guess I'll have to see if can get any info in getting into those fields, as well...

mofiki · Post by **mofiki** » Sat May 12, 2007 2:27 pm

you can try walts cards and games there in baltimore im not sure how much dan pays but tell him holland sent you

damnit! · Post by **damnit!** » Sat May 12, 2007 5:46 pm

Dan and Kevin are both good guys. I stop in there sometimes when I'm on that side ot Baltimore. Unfortunately, they're not hiring right now.

*Thinking maybe I should list the stores where I've dropped off my resume*

[Edti: added list]

Alliance Comics
Alternate Worlds
Arena Sportscards & Games
Brainstorm Comics & Gaming
Comic Store West
Comics Kingdom
Comics To Astonish
The Crystal Fox
The Dug Out Zone
The Family Game Store
Games & Comics & Stuff
HobbyTown USA (in Frederick & Glen Burnie)
Legends
Renaissance Games
Walt's Cards

I think that's all of them. I drove around for days and days putting out resumes, so I might actually have included one or two that I never did make it to, though I think I hit all of these.

Andon · Post by **Andon** » Thu May 17, 2007 11:12 pm

Battlewagon Bits is opening a store somewhere in the MD/VA area, not sure exactly where. But it's gaming and it is new, so they'd probably be looking for some employees.

damnit! · Post by **damnit!** » Thu May 17, 2007 11:47 pm

Thanks for the info! I'll be asking them to confirm this rumor (and forwarding my resume to them just in case your are correct) in mere moments!

Thanks again!

(BTW, where in MD are you, if I might ask?)

Andon · Post by **Andon** » Fri May 18, 2007 12:08 am

No problem. I saw the rumor over on 'Turn Signals on a Laind Raider (http://www.tsoalr.com)' a little while ago.

And I live up in Cecil, Maryland. Oddly enough, about an hour's drive from Baltimore (Not that I can get a license/learner's permit... According to the MVA, I was never born because my birth certificate is a weird one from New York that is missing a certain number, so it isn't valid. Oh well, I must be a spawn then.)

damnit! · Post by **damnit!** » Fri May 18, 2007 6:15 pm

So, I messaged Battlewagon Bits, and this is the response I received:

Hello,

As far as i know we have no plans to open a store in Baltimore at this time.

Thanks
GUY

Terminator Bodyguard
Battlewagon Bits

Visit our Bits Superstore

Web: www.bwbits.com
eBay: Battlewagon_bits
Phone: 757-273-1477
email: guy@bwbits.com

Andon · Post by **Andon** » Sat May 19, 2007 9:06 pm

I saw where it was in here: http://www.tsoalr.com/view.php?date=2007-05-03

Hampton it says. So it may not be near baltimore.

damnit! · Post by **damnit!** » Sat May 19, 2007 11:11 pm

Yeah, that's their only store, and it's about 4 hours away from Baltimore...

Andon · Post by **Andon** » Sun May 20, 2007 7:34 pm

I didn't know how far it was. Sorry.

I don't know whether they are hiring or not (Probably not), but there is a game store called 'Days of Knights' in Newark, Delaware that's probably around an hour and a half from Baltimore (Considering that I'm about an hour away from Baltimore and DoKs is about 25 minutes in the other direction). http://www.daysofknights.com - There's an e-mail somewhere on there to get in touch with the owner. They are nice people, at any rate

damnit! · Post by **damnit!** » Sun May 20, 2007 10:31 pm

Yahoo! Maps says it's an hour and fifteen minutes, a bit farther than I wanted to go, but worth looking into at this point... I really don't want a real job! *L*