How to get a job in the game industry with 6 simple tips

Get a job in the game industry is not easy, even if  is and industry that makes more than 60bn a year and is growing year after year, is even bigger than Hollywood.

The job opportunities are huge and the game companies are constantly increasing, but the technical barrier to get into one of this company is a huge obstacle to overcome, and sometimes it could take years before to get a job in the game industry.

In the following article, I’ll show you some basic tips and best practice that will help you to get a job in the game industries. 

Those tips are the same that I’m using today when I want to get a job as a game developer.

Get a job in the game industry: six simple tips

Build your portfolio

Imagine you’re an actor looking for a job. The first thing that is going to be asked at an audition is to act. Same goes in the game industry when you ask for a job they will simply ask you: “ Show me what you’ve done“.

This is why is very important to build an efficient and good-looking portfolio (especially if you’re an artist). If you don’t have one, is time to start to build yours. When you show your portfolio, focus on the things that might be interested in your employer.

Having titles published on the store is a huge plus, it gives your employer the confidence that you’re able to complete a work and been able to ship it, in fact, most of the work requires that the employee has at list one title published in the store (apple, Google play, steam, etc).

Create connections

Go to conferences and game events is one of the most common ways of finding a job. Even if you think is expensive, I will assure you that sooner or later that investment will pay you back.

Those events are crowded of game companies, from indie companies to very big companies, so is very easy to exchange business card and create a friendship that can lead up to a job in the game industry.

Chose carefully which event to go to, if you’re a unity expert, for example, go at the unite.

Accept internship

If you have zero experience and don’t know where to start, a good idea is to looking for an internship. But even for an internship, you should have the basics skills needed for that position.

For example, if you’re looking for a position as a game developer but you have zero experience as a coder, then is better to start to build your skills by yourself. If that is the case, here a good article.

Another tip is to choose the company carefully, indie companies are more likely to give you interesting tasks due to the small size of the company. Bigger companies have more defined roles but still is a great way to apprehend the tricks of the game industries, and is more likely that they will give you a job when the internship is over.

Be ready to be relocated

Game companies are not easy to find, most of the time you’ll have to move away from your town and go where the companies are. In Europe for example, London and Norway are great places if you what to get a job in the game industry.

In Europe for example, London and Norway are great places if you what to get a job in the game industry. So be always ready to give up everything and move elsewhere. In the long run, I can assure that you will be paid back for all the sacrifices that you’ve made.

Use Linked

Most of the job that I’ve found, I’ve found them through LinkedIn. So be sure to have a nice profile with all the needed info. Copy from people that already have a good profile, and keep it updated with your latest works/projects. Participate to groups and conversation in LinkedIn is another way to get you visibility inside the social and make your profile stand out from the others.

Copy from people that already have a good profile, and keep it updated with your latest works/projects. Participate to groups and conversation in LinkedIn is another way to get you visibility inside the social and make your profile stand out from the others.

I usually get around 200 visits a month along with around 10 job opportunities. So don’t underestimate the power of LinkedIn and start to be aware of his potential.

Be always updated

The game industry is in constant evolution, that is why you should spend a considerable amount of time to follow the evolution of this industry. I’ve created a section with the

I’ve created a section with the best books for game developers in case you want to start to increase your knowledge and became a super game developer. I usually spend at least one hour a day to keep myself updated and read about the latest new news from the game development industry.

Special gift: LinkedIn cheat sheet

I found an amazing LinkedIn cheat sheet, that will incredibly increase the possibility to find a job through LinkedIn plus some tips to create a good looking profile.

Please share this article and help other people to know more about the amazing world of the game developers and get the incredibly linked cheat sheet now.

Increase your possibility:

Use website like monster jobs to find the best opportunity.

If you use unity there is the new amazing Unity connect service or use the forum section. Same thing goes for Unreal Engine developers.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a job in the game industry, you should keep in mind this 6 simple tips that will help you to get a job in the game industry. If you already have a job, please leave us a comment and share your experience with the rest of the community.