History of Blockbuster

Blockbuster stores started in Dallas, Texas on October 26, 1985 by a man named David Cook. He/She grew the business until it had proven it could be a success. Then a friend John Melk approached Wayne Huizenga a top executive of Waste Management to buy the company. The two Huizenga and Melk used the same techniques that they had used to grow Waste Management which proved to be a success.

At one time they were opening one store every seventeen hours.   Their where Blockbuster franchises out that they also bought which made the company a multi-billion dollar company. In 1992, Blockbuster acquired the Sound Warehouse and Music Plus music retail chains. Blockbuster, Inc. is an American-based chain of VHS, DVD, Blu-ray, and video game rental stores.   Today there are over 9,000 stores in 25 countries worldwide. They are Renaissance Tower in Downtown Dallas, Texas.

The company is an American based chain of VHS, DVD, Blu-ray, and video game rental stores presently owned by Dish Network. At its peak in 2009, Blockbuster had up to 60,000 workers.As of January 3, 2010, there were more than 5,000 Blockbuster stores in the United States and 17 countries globally. The company is headquartered in the Renaissance Tower in Downtown Dallas, Texas.

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Hours of Operation:   Mon-Thurs: 11:00am-9:00pm; Fri-Sat: 10:00am-12:00pm; Sun: 11:00am-11:00pm

Minimum Age to Work Here:   18 years old

Positions Available:   Full-Time and Part-Time Customer Service Representative, Seasonal Sales Associate, Shift Leader, Assistant Store Manager, Store Manager, District Manager, Regional Director

Background Check Required?  Yes

Negotiation:   Salary and other benefits are set.   There is no room for negotiation.

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Job Description/Average Wage

Customer Service Representative: A customer service representative helps the customers find the video’s that they want to rent. They may explain some of the video games or how to use the equipment. Often they work the cash register making sure that all video’s, games, and other rental items are charged out properly and the customer is charged for the merchandise. The average wage is $7.74 an hour.

Shift Leader Hourly: The shift leader is responsible for all the functions on their shift. They make sure that the customers are properly treated, employee’s show up for the shift, and the movies are put back on the shelf for future rentals. The shift leader must make sure that the cash register is in balance and that all charge outs are accurately posted. The average wage for a shift leader is $9.17 an hour.

Blockbuster Store Manager: The store manager is responsible for everything that happens in their store. They must take care of ordering movies, games, and equipment. They make sure that customers are notified of late movies and request their returns. Often they make sure that the customers are kept up-to-date on new tapes that will become available. It is their job to schedule the employee’s, place orders, and find new customers. The average wage is $38,833 a year.

District Manager: A store manager will reinforce an atmosphere that permits employees to do what is essential to resolve customer issues rapidly and correctly.   The position has the overall accountability for achieving sales objectives, creating a business plan also setting store goals that are aligned with the tactical sales plan. This will schedule, organize and direct assignments, this has the overall responsibility to make sure that proper cash controls and loss prevention procedures are in place as well as followed per company standards.   Expected income for annual position is $52,000-$71,000.

Finance Manager: General responsibilities include providing an interpretation of monetary information, supervising cash flows and using the same to forecast future financial trends. The position will formulate strategies to be used in the long-term monetary plans for a business entity. This also develops management mechanism in the finances department for purposes of minimizing the monetary risks. A finance manager will supervise the accounting and observe systems for the company’s finances.   Expected salary for this position is $72,000 to $101,000 a year.

Assistant Store Manager: The assistant store manager’s main intention is to make sure store personnel are working effective, giving excellent customer service and running the store based on company policies. Usual duty includes answering customer queries, listening to their complaints and helping store managers with a variety of tasks such as incurring supplies, selecting products or handling returns and other client grievances.   The average pay starts at $8-$15.

Sales Associate: The work of a sales associate entails the providing of information about the company’s products and services to its clients. This helps the company in developing and sustaining long-term relationships with its customers. This meets or surpasses sales targets while maintaining the focus on customer service.   The hourly wage is around $8-$9.

Benefits

• Employees receive free movie and game rentals.
• Employees receive in-store discounts on other merchandise.
• Flexible schedule to help accommodate personal life activities
• 401 (k) program
• Tuition assistance
• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Plan
• Long-Term Disability/ Short-term disability

***Benefits are offered to new employees after they meet eligibility requirements.

Atmosphere and Perks

Blockbuster employees will enjoy extensive benefit packages of the company. Entry level associates will receive competitive salary rates, paid job training, and flexible hours. The eligible employees can receive more benefits like health and wellness perks, retirement plans, paid time off, including paid vacation, holiday pay, and sick leave. When you work with the company you will have a fun, laid-back, and entertaining atmosphere, paid training opportunities, and career advancement potential. Blockbuster workers enjoy  complimentary uniforms and nametags, paid training opportunities, and career growth potential.

Interview Questions

What’s your favorite movie and why?

Will Blockbuster be the best company to work with?

Are you acquainted with DVDs, Blu-rays, video games, and other types of media offered by Blockbuster Video?

Describe your customer service experiences.  Do you feel comfortable talking with the customers?

Are you able to work for an entire shift on your feet?

Do Blockbuster Video employees receive free rentals or discounts on snacks and other products?

Can you  work  at nights and weekends?

How well are you able to work in a fast-paced environment?

Why should the Blockbusters hire you?

Interview Tips

The interview process for Blockbuster takes in series. The first step usually involves a phone interview for the manager to determine the candidate’s  availability and interest  to work for Blockbuster. Then a group interview follows at the Blockbuster store. Interview questions will cover about your behavior in working as a team, leadership, responsibilities, and as well as your work history. You need to demonstrate your ability to handle customers well and other knowledge related to high quality customer services. More often, candidates with professional demeanor and positive personality will be hired. During the interview, show your interest to work with the company and that you possess the skills necessary for the performance of the tasks related to the position you have applied for.

How to apply

If you are interested in one of these job positions or one of the many others that are offered by Blockbuster you should visit their website at:

http://www.blockbuster.com/careers

Please feel free to go to your local store and ask for an application and jobs that are available.