Video Game Job Hunt: Your Complete Guide
Contents
- Write Your Resume
- Build Your Portfolio
- Search for Jobs
- Apply and Interview
- After the Interview
- Relocate to a New City
So you’ve worked hard for months – maybe years – learning how to make games. You’ve got serious game dev skills under your belt, and whether you went to school or you’re self-taught, it’s finally time to start looking for a full-time job making games.
Congratulations, because all that hard work is about to pay off. You’re soooo close to becoming a professional game developer. (That’s got a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? “Professional game developer.”)
The only thing standing between you and a job making games, is writing a good resume. And building a portfolio. And applying for jobs… and doing all those interviews… Well, okay, I guess you’ve still got some work to do.
But you’re in luck, because what you see before you is the Internet’s most comprehensive guide to mastering your video game industry job search. The opportunities are out there, and I’m here to help you find them and make them yours.
You can thank me later, once you’ve been hired and your dream has become a reality at long last. Until then, check out the articles below to help you on your way.
Note: Also be sure to bookmark the Game Development Terms Glossary.
- How To Build a Great Resume for Games
This is your chance to make a great first impression on potential employers. - Real Resume Examples That Worked
These 3 resumes got real people hired in the video game industry. - How can I write an effective resume for a job in video games?
Podcast episode #24. - Game resume breakdown [Video]
Watch me give feedback on 3 different game resumes, and apply my advice to improve your own resume.
- Build a game art portfolio in 15 minutes
Build your own personalized online art portfolio in under 15 minutes. - Build a Winning Art Portfolio
These 7 pro art portfolio examples will make your online art portfolio rock. - Building Your Online Art Portfolio
Advice from a Game Art Director on building a strong online art portfolio and interview. - 3 Art Portfolio Traps To Avoid
If you aren’t getting hired, these common portfolio mistakes could be to blame. - Art Degree vs. Portfolio
How important is a degree vs a portfolio when applying for an art position? - Video Game Graphics Programmer Portfolio
How can a video game programmer make an online portfolio that’s visually interesting?
- List of Game Industry Job Boards
Find thousands of game jobs using these game industry job boards. - How to Do Career Networking in the Game Industry
Career networking offers a huge advantage, if you learn to do it right. - How can I get an internship at a video game development studio?
Podcast episode #13 - Video Game Internships FAQ
Tips for getting your first game dev internship - The best job websites to post your video game resume or CV
Podcast episode #11 - How can I tell if a video game jobs website is a scam?
5 tips to identify and avoid job site scams. - Should I take a video game job I don’t want, just to get my foot in the door?
3 reasons why starting in a different job can boost your career.
- How to Scrub Your Social Media Before a Job Search
Common social media mistakes can derail your job options. Here’s how to scrub your online persona squeaky clean. - Are You Ready for All 3 Stages of Interviewing?
Find out what they are, why each one is important, and tips to ace them. - Best Cities for Video Game Development Jobs
Why you should consider moving to a “game development hotbed” city. - 7 Tips for Interviewing at a Video Game Company
What to do (and not do) to make it through your interview at a video game company. - What to Wear to a Game Job Interview
Surprising tips on what to wear to your game job interview. - Top 10 Phone Interview Dos and Don’ts
Before your phone interview, read these 10 tips on what to do, and what to avoid. - How to ask about work-life balance in an interview
Tips for navigating this sensitive topic in your job interview.
- Negotiate for a Higher Salary
Job offer? This is your chance to get more. - Why the Recruiter Didn’t Call You Back
Why some companies delay, and how you can use it to your advantage. - How To Cope With Job-Search Rejection
Turn rejection into a positive and keep your search moving forward.
- Top Cities for Video Game Development Jobs
When it comes to game development jobs, not all cities are created equal. - How can I move to the United States to get a job in game development?
Ready for an international adventure? The U.S. has more game dev studios than anywhere else. - If I land a game dev job in a new city, can I get help with moving costs?
Moving is expensive. Why not get help from your new employer?
You have to agree: This info is pure gold. Amirite? Please share it with your friends (and the world!) on social media. I appreciate it.
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willing to know about how someone can start his or her career in gaming world..After completion of his or her graduation.
Well then you’ve come to the right place, Neeraj. Read through the articles linked above, and you’ll have a great start. Good luck!
Thanks for explaining to me more about finding a job in the video game world. As you talked about, there are opportunities out there that you just need to find. A friend of mine has been wanting to make video games for as long as I can remember, and I think that they would really benefit from building a portfolio. Thanks!