| There are many things that can increase one's | | | | applicant. |
| chances of getting a a shot at elusive video game | | | | 4) Network and find industry insiders. Talk with |
| jobs. But if you talk to industry recruiters, they | | | | your advisors, career counselors, and alumni |
| will tell you that there are just a few key items | | | | network to see if you can find people who have |
| that are vitally important. They are... | | | | already gotten video game jobs. Contact them, |
| 1) Work on independent game projects. One of | | | | ask to get a tour of their workplace, and ask if |
| the most important aspects of an application that | | | | they have any internship or job opportunities. In |
| game company recruiters look for in applicants is | | | | an industry as tiny and as sought-after as games, |
| their experience. If they can't make a small game | | | | you'd be surprised how far some simple face time |
| on their own, how are they going to work with a | | | | can get you. |
| team to make a multi-million dollar title? Team up | | | | 5) Apply to as many companies as possible. Many |
| with some friends and work on a game. It doesn't | | | | game industry veterans confess that they were |
| have to be a full featured console title, just make | | | | turned down from their first venture into games. |
| sure you finish it. Unfinished projects don't count. | | | | Many more will also say that the second, third, |
| 2) Narrow your field of expertise. While it's good | | | | and fourth chances were failures as well. If you |
| to be able to do many things at a small company | | | | want to find that job that is waiting for you, |
| or small project, larger more established | | | | you're going to have to apply to a lot of |
| companies will be looking to give video game jobs | | | | companies. Don't apply to five and give up. Shoot |
| to the best people in a given specialty. If you're | | | | for at least ten. Twenty is better. If you're going |
| an artist, pick characters or environments and | | | | to get one of these elusive positions, then you |
| focus on that. If you're an engineer, focus on | | | | can't be afraid of rejection letters. Develop a |
| artificial intelligence, graphics, or whatever your | | | | "bring it on" attitude and put yourself out there. |
| passion is. Decide what you're going to do and | | | | 6) Be willing to start off in something other than |
| become an expert. | | | | your ideal position. Don't miss out on good video |
| 3) Join a game development organization. There | | | | game jobs open to you by being picky at the |
| are many good organizations for game | | | | beginning. Getting into the industry is step one, |
| development. Check your university or college | | | | finding your niche dream job on your favorite title |
| activities center to see if there are any groups | | | | is step two. If you want to one day be a |
| already created. You can also look at worldwide | | | | designer, don't scoff at being an engineer first and |
| organizations such as the IGDA and get involved | | | | then moving to a design position. If you want to |
| there. Better yet, if there isn't a student | | | | be a producer, you might have to first be a |
| organization at your school or a game | | | | development tester and then work your way up |
| development chapter in your town, consider | | | | to producer. It's much easier to move around |
| starting one. Leadership is a huge asset in a job | | | | within the industry once you get in. |