| Aspiring developers often overlook networking | | | | help. |
| when trying to get video game careers. However, | | | | Two tips when you begin to contact your insider. |
| networking is critical in all industries, but perhaps | | | | First, don't be a nuisance. By speaking to young |
| especially in the entertainment industry because it | | | | developers, they are doing them (including you) a |
| is such a high profile place to be. Everyone wants | | | | huge favor of helping with their video game |
| to be an actor, a TV producer, or a game | | | | careers. Be sure that your behavior and |
| designer, and yet the actual job openings and | | | | interactions with them reflect your gratitude. |
| opportunities are relatively few. Finding someone | | | | They have their own lives, and you are the one |
| who knows someone who knows someone who | | | | who sought them out. For this reason, always |
| can get your name mentioned to a recruiter or a | | | | remember to be extremely respectful of their |
| game developer can be a critically important step | | | | time. Be polite and always make sure you are |
| in starting your game career. | | | | intruding as little as possible. Don't send them an |
| Capitalizing on an insider contact involves a few | | | | email every day, Facebook-friend them, or call |
| simple steps: | | | | them at home. |
| 1) Find someone and introduce yourself | | | | Second, don't jump right in asking for a job. The |
| 2) Start a dialogue about their job, the industry, | | | | best approach is to get a simple conversation |
| or something related. Get to know them. | | | | started and then eventually move to the fact |
| 3) Mention at an appropriate time that you are | | | | that you are in search of a job. Your contact |
| interested in job opportunities | | | | likely isn't the person who will be hiring you, but |
| 4) Offer to give them your resume or see if | | | | they may be able to direct you (or your resume) |
| they can direct you to a recruiter | | | | to someone who will. We'll discuss ways to |
| 5) Thank them | | | | transition smoothly to this all-important topic in a |
| There are two main ways of finding a connection | | | | moment. |
| that help aspiring developers launch their video | | | | Contacting them by email at first is usually best; |
| game careers. The first is finding a specific person | | | | it's not terribly intrusive, and they can reply at |
| who is already in the industry and may be able to | | | | their leisure with thoughts on video game careers. |
| lend a hand. This is the preferred method with a | | | | Don't be discouraged when they don't get back to |
| much higher chance of success, since you will | | | | you within twenty minutes, or even a couple of |
| have someone on the inside vouching for you. | | | | days. If it's been more than two weeks, then try |
| However, it is more difficult and requires a little | | | | pinging them one more time. If there's no |
| more gumption, since you will be speaking with | | | | response after that, move on to someone else. |
| people one on one. | | | | They may never get back to you, or you may |
| The second method is easier but often provides | | | | be pleasantly surprised later on. |
| lower quality leads: job fairs and other events. At | | | | If they respond, then you can fire off some |
| universities, in cities, and at conferences or | | | | questions like, "How did you get into the games |
| conventions, there are often job fairs where | | | | industry?" "What were the best courses you took |
| many companies set up booths and attempt to | | | | that were most applicable to your job?" Refrain |
| attract job applicants. | | | | from any questions about salary, that's considered |
| Once you have an insider, contact them and let | | | | rude. Don't overload your first emails with too |
| them know that you are interested in their work | | | | many questions. |
| and have questions you'd like to ask them. At the | | | | After you have a good conversation going, see if |
| end of the email or phone call, ask them if it | | | | you can move to either speaking on the phone or |
| would be alright for you to contact them again if | | | | in person. Eventually you can ask if there are any |
| you have more questions, and be sure to thank | | | | positions open or other people you can speak to, |
| them for their time. You will find that as a rule, | | | | and your application process will go from there. |
| most people are flattered by the attention, by | | | | Begin building a network within the games |
| the fact that you went to the trouble of finding | | | | industry, and you will soon see opportunities open |
| and looking them up, and are willing if not eager to | | | | up to the video game careers you want to be in. |