Last week, I was called out for pontificating on the mass lay-offs in the games industry but offering no solutions. The culprit was angry and frustrated, and after a dialogue with them, it became clear they had no idea how to job hunt. They felt rejected, beaten, and bruised. Despite being a clever and talented engineer, they had been hired in two roles by friends and never had to experience a demanding interview in the games industry... And they are demanding. I should know, over the past five years I’ve interviewed several hundred candidates and been a candidate in more than a few myself.

While I have thoughts on how we can fix the games industry, I’ll save those for another time. Instead, let’s talk about preparing, applying, and interviewing in games.

From here on out this won’t be my usual abstract thoughts, but practical, applicable, and actionable advice. On a cautionary note, this advice is just that, advice, it won’t assure you a job, but, it may help.

Show, don’t Tell

Get yourself a portfolio together of work you are proud of. There is no job in game development where this will not help you. If you are an engineer or tech artist, get a Git up showcasing your work. A test leader, have some practical test plans and test cases prepared. Product and Production can have example roadmaps, specs, timelines, and work breakdown examples. Artists are told this over and over again, but every single role in a game studio warrants a portfolio of your work.

Applying

Some recruiters out there may disagree, but as a hiring manager I encourage you to apply to any job you think you can do. Game development is intense and wild at times, adaptability and a diverse skill set often trump a strict adherence to predefined roles and responsibilities. This is especially true in smaller studios, where the ability to wear multiple hats can significantly enhance your value to the team. When applying for positions in this market, it's essential to focus on the qualifications and skills you bring to the table, rather than getting too hung up on the specific title or job description listed.

One practical approach is to carefully examine job postings for clues about the broader challenges a company might be facing. For instance, a listing that emphasizes a need for "creative problem-solving" or "flexibility with project scopes" suggests a work environment where your ability to contribute across different areas will be highly valued. Similarly, if a studio is looking for someone who can "work independently" or "lead projects," this indicates opportunities to take initiative and showcase leadership skills, even in roles that might not traditionally include those responsibilities.

Additionally, pay attention to any mention of emerging technologies or methodologies within the posting. A company highlighting its use of cutting-edge tools or innovative development practices is likely a place where your willingness to learn and adapt could set you apart from other candidates, better yet, if you can study up on that tech beforehand and deliver intelligent and meaningful insights on it, the better.

By focusing on these aspects, you position yourself not just as a candidate who fits a particular job description, but as a valuable problem solver who can contribute to the company's growth and success in a multitude of ways. This mindset shift—from fitting into a role to solving problems—can be your key to unlocking exciting opportunities in the game development industry.

Recap:

· Apply to any job you know you can do well.

· identify the studio’s problems, and how YOU can solve them.

· Focus on being teachable and adaptable.

Interviewing

The Recruiter Screening

Once you get that first recruiter screening call, google the damned company. Seriously, be familiar with the studio, their work, and any highlights or news from the last 6 months. Chances are good something in that news will tell you why this job req is open. Speaking of recruiters, don’t lie to the recruiter about your availability, relocation, or willingness to travel. Absolutely no studio is going to get to the offer phase and take hearing you “suddenly cannot relocate” very well. I’ve rescinded offers to candidates for less. Most recruiters I’ve worked with are looking for three things in the screening call:

· Good attitude.

· Speaks knowledgeably about the job’s subject matter.

· Fits with the role and company’s work expectations (worksite, compensation, availability)

Nail Interviews with STAR

Great, you got past the screening call and now you have an interview with either the hiring manager or an associated team member. This is where it heats up, you’ll be asked about your experience, your skills, and most importantly, how you solve problems, and other behavioral questions.

When it comes to situational behavioral questions like “tell me about a time you X”, do yourself and your interviewer a favor and use the STAR method. This structured approach to answering behavioral interview questions will help you stay organized, on topic, and make it very easy for even the most burnt-out and overworked producer to understand.

This method works by outlining a Situation (No shit, so there I was…), Task (When marketing landed a last minute demo on us…), Action (I had no time, but knew we could use our sprint retro showcase…), and Result (Without pulling OT we delivered the demo that week, and it was well received…). Isn’t that great?

This technique allows you to provide concrete examples of how you've handled specific challenges in the past in a clear, concise manner. The value of the STAR method lies in its ability to showcase your problem-solving and critical thinking skills, making your answers more compelling and memorable to interviewers. This approach not only helps you stand out as a candidate but also ensures your responses are organized and impactful.

Ask Questions

Throughout your interviews, you need to be an active participant in asking questions and understanding the people, projects, and studio. Candidates with no questions are not engaged. No interviewer or recruiter is perfectly communicating all the important information about the role or process. Most importantly, you need to make sure you actually want to work with any of these people!

Here are some questions that can help you identify some key information about the team and role:

· Is this net-new, or a back fill position?

· How long has this req been open, and why?

· Why did the last person leave?

· What are the success criteria for this role?

· Where does this role fit in the company after the current project is done?

Here are some questions to help you identify if a manager is a good fit for you:

· What are your methods for supporting and enabling your team’s success?

· How do you prefer to communicate feedback?

· How will my performance be graded and reported?

· What is your preferred communication style?

Walk Away from Red Flags

I know, right now any port in the storm seems like a safe harbor, but (and this is as much me reminding myself as it is advice for you guys) don’t take a job with people you don’t like, don’t trust, or seem toxic. There are a lot of assholes in the tech industry at large, don’t enable them. Here are some red flags that can help you spot people you should not work for or with:

· Power-trip hardball questions. (Why are you job hopping, why didn’t you commit? Why aren’t you more familiar with X tech-stack that no one uses?)

· Using “Radical Candor” or “Authenticity” as a value to justify being rude, abusive, or demeaning.

· Leadership unwilling to discuss long term plans or roadmap.

· Aggressive responses to negotiation attempts. A job offer is not a favor, it is a business agreement.

· Burnt-Out/Exhausted team interviewers. When you need someone to fill a role it can be hard to manage time, but a burnt-out team is not just short staffed, it is badly managed.

Closing Thoughts

Don't give up on your job search. You may face hundreds of rejections, but the games industry is a massive market with endless opportunities. Every rejection is a step closer to a great job on an exciting project. Keep pushing, keep learning, and remember: your passion and persistence will ultimately lead you to success.

Things are rough right now, I know it, but the games industry is poised for an exhilarating rebound. I see a near future with indie studios at the forefront of innovation and creativity. Small passionate teams with unique visions and boundless enthusiasm are set to redefine what games can be.

As we navigate this storm together, I'm here to lend my expertise and passion to game projects and startups alike. Together, let's create the next generation of gaming experiences—your vision, combined with my insights, could be the spark that lights up the industry.

The game, as they say, isn't over yet!

No B.S. Practical Tips for Job Hunting in Games