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A great resume might be the key to landing your dream job, but it won’t make a difference if nobody reads it. That’s where your cover letter comes in. A great cover letter helps you stand out from the crowd. And it makes that recruiter or hiring manager eager to learn more about you — rather than passing you over.

In short, a great cover letter can be your key to getting noticed, scoring an interview, and ultimately landing your dream job.

So let’s dive in and learn exactly how to craft a strong cover letter, step by step. We’ll offer specific advice, look at cover letter examples and samples, and provide a cover letter template you can copy-paste to get started writing your own.

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To land a job in game art, you'll need a strong and compelling art portfolio.

If you’re applying for jobs as a game artist, there’s nothing more important than building a strong game art portfolio to showcase your talent and creativity. When you apply for jobs, your portfolio is your calling card — it’s your first and best chance to make a great first impression.

But building a strong game art portfolio isn’t easy. It can be a daunting task, especially if you’re just starting out. That’s why we’ve assembled the best advice from professional artists and art directors in the game industry. Their advice will help you navigate the process, and create a portfolio that sets you apart from your competition.

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By Posted in Applying 23 Comments

Do you want a job in the video game industry, but you don’t know where to apply? Then you’ve come to the right place – game companies post their job openings online just like any other company… if you know where to look.

It’s not always easy to find the job boards for game companies near you. Sometimes, it can feel like a game of Hide-and-Seek.

That’s why I’ve done the legwork for you. Below, you’ll find a list of job boards for the top game companies in 25+ countries around the world. Just click the job board link for the game studio you want, search their listings for a job you like, and hit “Apply.”

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By Posted in Applying, Schools 6 Comments

If you want a career in the video game industry, finding the right educational program can jump-start your career and help you find a better game job, faster.

But unfortunately, college isn’t cheap — many programs can cost a small fortune that could take you years to pay back after graduation.

That’s where scholarships, and other forms of financial aid, can really make a difference. Scholarships can reduce the amount you pay for college, which means you’ll have a lot less to pay back after you graduate. Keep reading to learn where you can find the best video game scholarships, and find out how to make sure your application has the best shot at getting accepted.

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By Posted in Applying, Careers 2 Comments

About Epic Games

Headquarters: Cary, North Carolina, USA
Company type: Developer, publisher, game engine vendor
Number of employees: 1,000+
Most famous products: Fortnite, Unreal, Gears of War, Infinity Blade, Unreal Engine

Epic Games was founded in 1991 by Tim Sweeney, who still runs the company decades later as CEO. Originally, Epic was solely a developer of PC and console games. But today, they operate game studios internationally, and develop and sell what is arguably the most popular game engine in the world: Unreal Engine.

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By Posted in Applying, Careers 27 Comments
Which game companies make hit games AND treat employees well?

Video games are a multi-billion dollar industry, and the largest companies are home to thousands of employees. If you’re looking for work as a game developer, you might be planning to start by applying at the companies that make your favorite games.

But when it comes to your job search, making hit games isn’t all you should care about. Are those companies great places to work? Do they treat their employees well? Do they care about their impact on the environment and on the World? Will they still be around in 10 years, or are they on a downward slope to mass layoffs and bankruptcy?
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Social media icons on paint canisters
Your social media activity paints a colorful picture, but is it appropriate for recruiters and managers?

Last fall, I spoke to a group of students who were about to graduate and apply for jobs in the game industry. We talked about the usual topics – the importance of a strong portfolio, a great resume, and excellent interviewing skills. But then a young woman in the back of the room raised her hand and asked an incredibly insightful question: “When recruiters evaluate my job application, will they also search and investigate me on social media?”

She desperately wanted to know, and for a good reason. When she was in high school, she went through an angry phase and said things all over social media that she later regretted. And now, she was afraid a potential employer might see those terrible old posts, and it would destroy her chances of landing a job.

Unfortunately, she was absolutely right. Read more »

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Futuristic weapon concept art by Eliott Lilly
When it comes to your online portfolio, you’ll need more than a good aim to hit your target.

Eliott Lilly has been a concept artist in the video game industry for over a decade, and is credited on mega-franchise titles such as DOOM, F.E.A.R, and Black Ops. He currently works as a freelance artist, but he also finds time to mentor thousands of aspiring artists through his books and website.

All that coaching and question-answering has given him unique insight into three portfolio “traps” — fundamental problems that could be sabotaging your job hunt. In this guest post, Eliott discusses how to find and fix the most common art portfolio problems. Read more »

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By Posted in Applying, Tools No Comments

Home page of a finished art portfolio site
Start basic and personalize until it’s uniquely you

If you’re an aspiring video game designer or artist, you need to have a gorgeous online portfolio.

Why? Because when game directors open your job application, the first thing they look at is your portfolio. If they aren’t immediately impressed, their next move is to hit DELETE — and send your job application to the trash.

Fortunately, you can easily build your own portfolio website — with your own personalized URL — in under 15 minutes. (If you consider yourself “technology challenged,” give yourself 30 minutes.) Here’s how. Read more »

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