To get a job in the games industry, thoroughly research companies and roles. Identify contacts within target companies and stay informed by reading industry publications. Network extensively to gather information, make connections, and get your name known. Build an impressive portfolio and online presence to demonstrate your skills. Tailor your resume, cover letter, interview answers, and online profiles to highlight your relevant experience and fit for roles.

1. Get a job in the games industry

2. Research Be clear about what job you would like and who you would ideally work for. SWOT your future Research likely companies. Identify useful people inside target companies. Read trade publications, both online and print, such as GIGnews.com, Gamasutra, Gamedev.net, GameDaily, and Game Developer Professional associations such as the Games Developers Association Australia (GDAA), International Game Developers Association (IGDA) and the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences are also very useful resources.

3. Networking Networking efforts is to position yourself to interview and, even better, get hired for these unadvertised jobs. You never know who can help you, so talk to as many people as you can. The most important information you want to get from people when your networking is the names of other people you can contact. As you get ready to network, keep in mind the purposes you want to accomplish: Gather insider information and opinions Make connections Get your name circulating Find mentors who will help you Gather information to help tailor your resume and presentation to the target companies. 1-minute pitch-a 1-minute summary of who you are, what you have accomplished, and what you wish to accomplish. http://www.gamecareerguide.com/features/290/the_first_step__getting_a_game_.php?page=6

4. Foot in the door Apply to big developers and publishers, not small studios. Be as flexible on location as possible. Once you have gained industry experience, you will gain more control of where you end up working. Work as a tester (QA). Everyone wants experience -- get it however you can

5. Portfolio Portfolio 20 pieces Be prepared to leave it and not get it back Demo Game “ If you are trying to get into the industry and don't have previous employment experience, you somehow need to demonstrate your ability, or prove that you can actually implement your ideas. … The best way, hands down, to prove your ability is to create a video game… it doesn't have to be a releasable commercial blockbuster, just a complete game, however simple, with a front end, a game, an end-of-game sequence, hi score table etc.” http://www.zee-3.com/pickfordbros/articles/getting_into_the_industry.php Showreel Short is better Only your best work Website Professional -- keep it simple, clear navigation, legible design, spellchecked No dead links, no silly widgets Forefront your best work but don’t include work you’re not proud of BE READY TO TALK INTELLIGENTLY ABOUT ANY OF YOUR WORK BUT BE SURE YOU HAVE ONE THAT YOU CAN SPECIFY AS ‘YOUR FAVORITE’

6. Curriculum Vitae 1 page unless you’re famous Follow local CV conventions Keep it serious, be confident but realistic Too many jobs in too short a time can signal problems. If it isn’t clear which is your given name and which is your surname, underline the latter. Referees should be relevant, objective and professional

7. Build online presence Lodge your CV with www.gamesindustry.biz/jobs/ www.gamasutra.com/jobsearch/ http://www.thegamesindustry.net/ http://www.linkedin.com/

8. Cover letter A good cover letter is Tailored to the company you’re applying to Short – about half a page – or 200-300 words Neatly typed and laid-out Grammatical, Properly spelt. It is polite to write the salutation (“Dear Ms. Manager,”) and the sign-off (“Yours sincerely”) by hand. Double-check who you are applying to – telephone if you have to – and put their name, title and address correctly at the top of the page. Show that you know something about the company and the industry. This is where your research comes in. Don't go overboard--just make it clear that you didn't pick this company out of the phone book. You know who they are, what they do and you have chosen them! Use terms and phrases that are meaningful to the employer. (This is where your industry research and networking come in.)

9. Interviews Clean Punctual (let them know if you’re going to be late) Studied up on the organisation Enthusiastic but never pushy, friendly but not sycophantic, focused but not aggressive, and keen but never desperate. Always shake hands. Based on Debrett’s “Modern Etiquette” After an interview a short, polite letter to the main person who interviewed you can be a good idea. You should say ‘thank you’ and highlight anything you felt you might have missed in the interview (e.g. ‘I think that I may have forgotten to mention that although I dropped out of Harvard without graduating, I do run the world’s largest software corporation’) or anything you want to emphasise (e.g. ‘I feel my experience with 3D graphics in my last job would be very relevant to your project’). Very, very few people do this and it is a good way to make a strong, positive impression. http://www.gamedev.net/reference/articles/article599.asp How to approach an interview

10. Interview technique You should come prepared with questions. How do you organise training? How will my work be assessed? (this is better than saying how often do I get a pay rise) How do you ensure projects come in on time? How are games designed? Who does the design? Describe a typical team? If a job offer is made – can I meet some prospective team members and my manager? As with the cover letter, this is also a good opportunity for you to show some interest in the company. Look at their website before the interview and think of a couple of company-specific questions. In the first interview you may not get a lot of time for questions, but you should make sure that all your questions are answered before you accept a job offer. You are interviewing them at this stage. Also, be prepared to talk intelligently about the game development process and your favourite games as well as the usual kinds of interview questions.

11. Resources Useful reads http: //blogs . smh .com.au/screenplay/archives//018174.html http://kotaku.com/gaming/comic-con-07/how-to-get-a-job-in-the-games-industry-283073.php http://www.gamecareerguide.com/features/392/how_to_really_get_your_first_job_in_the_game_industry.php http://sloperama.com/advice.html http://www.patrickcurry.com/thoughts/creating-the-ultimate-game-design-portfolio/ Industry organisations http://www.gdaa.com.au