GCG Feature: 'Applying for Your First Game Industry Job'

Author: by Beth A.

The 'Getting Started' section of Gamasutra sister site Game Career Guide now includes Samuel Crowe's thorough advice on issues to assess when applying for your first game industry job with insight from industry professionals with a combined thirty years of experience. After explaining the basics of game industry, including the publisher-developer relationship and concepts such as milestones, Crowe delves into essential information to know when applying for a job, such as tips on recruiters, submitting materials, and what to consider before choosing a company. Crowe uses his own stories to flesh out his advice about interviews in the following excerpt: "In most cases, you will be flown to the company for an interview, on the company’s bill. The interviewing process usually takes one day, maybe two depending on the size of the company. Usually, you will be meeting the HR staff (human resources) and then you’ll meet the Leads or Directors. I should note that each company has its own set of “rules” for interviewing. So don’t expect every interview to be the like this one. Instead, I will present you with two interviews that I have had, each total opposites. Good interview. This was during the winter and my first interview had to be canceled because of a freak snowstorm that closed down the airport. A week or two later, communication was resumed and I was flown out to meet the staff. My flight, hotel, and travel were all paid for. Upon arrival at the airport, I was taken to the office. Once there, I met each artist individually and had a chance to talk with them. My lunch was paid for and the entire art staff was there to meet and greet. After lunch, I returned to the office to talk some more with the Art Director. I felt very comfortable and relaxed and all of my questions where answered. I felt very at home there. I was then taken to the designers so I could see the game that was in development and ask some questions about that. I was then driven to my hotel. The next morning I was taken back to the office to talk with the “upper echelon”. We discussed pay, benefits, and so on, and then we went out for some drinks and talked about the game industry and non-game industry related topics. Very friendly and I didn’t feel like I was a nobody." You can now read the full Game Career Guide feature on Applying for Your First Game Industry Job, including the continuing story of Crowe's good interview and into his bad interview experiences (no registration required, please feel free to link to this column from external websites).