In this episode of the Game Industry Job Hunt podcast, we dive deep into the challenges and experiences of entry-level job seekers in the gaming industry. I had the pleasure of speaking with Conor Ross, an aspiring community manager, social media manager, and producer who is currently navigating the job market while finishing his degree at Virginia Tech.

Conor offers some great insights that will be useful for anyone looking to break into the games industry.

Links

The Conor Collection on YouTube
Conor on LinkedIn

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Introduction to Game Industry Job Hunt
00:00:32 - Guest Introduction: Connor Ross
00:01:40 - Connor's Background and Journey to Games
00:02:38 - Transitioning from Military to College
00:03:20 - Discovering Community Management
00:04:36 - Starting the YouTube Channel and Interviews
00:05:59 - The Importance of Taking Action
00:06:42 - Challenges in the Job Search
00:07:18 - Applying for Jobs and Networking
00:08:54 - Reaching Out to Recruiters
00:10:20 - Persistence in Job Hunting
00:11:26 - Value of Transferable Skills
00:12:45 - Using LinkedIn Effectively
00:14:30 - Creating Content and Building Community
00:15:49 - Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
00:20:00 - Building Confidence in Interviews
00:22:52 - The Role of Passion in Job Applications
00:25:38 - Impatience as a Motivator
00:27:15 - Lessons Learned from Job Hunting
00:29:35 - Final Thoughts and Advice
00:32:16 - Where to Find Connor's Work
00:33:10 - Closing Remarks

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Joe's Headshot by Kyle Gaddo

In this episode of the show, we're hearing from two of our listeners -- Kai and Kevin -- as they share their stories with us. Not only that, they're also sharing invaluable insights and learnings that have come from their time on the hunt.

Links:

Amir Satvat's Discord Community

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In episode 5 of the Game Industry Job Hunt podcast, I sit down with career coach Adam Hobbs, the CEO of GamingCareers.gg. With over a decade of experience in the gaming and esports industries, Adam shares invaluable insights into optimizing your job search and navigating career transitions.

Looking to enhance your job search in the gaming industry? You've come to the right place. Whether you're just starting out or looking to advance your career, Adam's insights will help you navigate the complexities of the job market with confidence.

Linchpin: Are You Indispensable? by Seth Godin
Adam on LinkedIn
gamingcareers.gg

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Introduction to Job Search Tips
00:00:32 - Meet Adam Hobbs, Career Coach
00:02:15 - Adam's Journey into Career Coaching
00:05:20 - The Importance of Selling Yourself
00:06:29 - The Five N's of Job Searching
00:10:11 - Niche: Specialization in Your Career
00:11:45 - Networking: Building Relationships
00:12:45 - Nurturing Existing Connections
00:14:30 - Never Stop Learning
00:15:52 - New Ideas: Staying Competitive
00:18:02 - The Value of In-Person Networking
00:19:34 - Strategies for Networking Events
00:21:13 - Finding Meaningful Connections
00:23:08 - Breaking into the Games Industry
00:24:50 - Creating a Job Search Strategy
00:27:15 - The Three Levels of Career Development
00:30:03 - The Importance of Focused Applications
00:31:09 - Staying in Action, Not Results
00:32:22 - Transitioning from Other Industries
00:37:15 - Soft Skills for Success in Gaming
00:41:15 - Crafting Resumes and Portfolios

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Joe's Headshot credit: Kyle Gaddo

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Christina Drake, recruiter at Ghost Punch Games, public speaker, and founder of Moms and Gaming. Christina brings nearly a decade of experience in the gaming industry, making her a leading voice in job hunting strategies, especially for women in gaming.

This episode is packed with actionable insights and personal anecdotes that will be useful to anyone navigating the job market, especially in the gaming industry. If you found some value in this episode, please share it with a friend and leave a review and help us grow the community!


Christina on LinkedIn


Timestamps

00:00:00 - Introduction to Christina Drake
00:01:05 - Time Management Strategies
00:02:14 - Balancing ADHD and OCD in Daily Life
00:04:18 - Christina's Career Journey
00:07:29 - Networking and Job Search Strategies
00:08:08 - Tracking Job Search Data
00:12:39 - The Importance of Networking
00:17:00 - Identifying Job Scams
00:24:51 - Common Job Hunting Mistakes
00:27:08 - Final Advice for Job Seekers
00:29:45 - Conclusion and Resources

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Joe's Headshot credit: Kyle Gaddo

In this episode of the Game Industry Job Hunt podcast, we're chatting with Arman Jivani, Senior Games Recruiter at Tencent, who works with Lightspeed Studios LA and Timi Studio Montreal. We delved into Arman's unique journey into the gaming industry, starting from his background in business management and his initial foray into QA at Gearbox. He shared how his passion for gaming led him to pivot from a potential career in finance to recruiting, ultimately finding his niche in the gaming sector.

Key Topics

• The importance of understanding the various roles available in the gaming industry, particularly for those who may not have traditional skills in programming or art.
• The "red line, green line" strategy for salary negotiation. Arman explained how candidates can establish their worth by determining a "green line" number—the salary that would make them excited to accept an offer—and a "red line" number, which represents the minimum they would consider.
• How candidates can impress recruiters, highlighting the significance of having a clear understanding of their skills and being proactive in their job search.
• How pursuing side gigs and hobbies can provide fulfillment and potentially lead to new opportunities.

This episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration for anyone navigating the job hunt in the video games industry!

Connect with Arman on LinkedIn
The Deep Dark | Everyday Carry Gear and Apparel

00:00:00 - Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
00:00:28 - Host's Mission and Background
00:01:20 - Armand Giovanni's Background and Career Path
00:04:02 - Transitioning Careers and Finding a Place in Gaming
00:06:16 - Exploring Diverse Roles in the Gaming Industry
00:07:04 - The Fortnite Creation Community
00:08:29 - Understanding Your Worth in Salary Negotiations
00:09:38 - The Red Line, Green Line Strategy Explained
00:15:02 - Sharing Salary Expectations with Recruiters
00:18:02 - The Recruiter's Role and Candidate Relationships
00:20:21 - Agency vs. Corporate Recruiting
00:22:42 - Introduction to The Deep Dark and Everyday Carry
00:25:23 - The Importance of Hobbies and Side Projects
00:28:10 - Impressing Recruiters: The Elevator Pitch
00:29:53 - Common Mistakes Candidates Make
00:31:29 - Final Thoughts and Networking Tips
00:32:23 - Closing Remarks and Resources

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In this episode of the Game Industry Job Hunt podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dellyn Lee, a career coach and recruiter from Dellyn Digital. With over nine years of experience in HR, Dellyn brings a unique perspective to the job-hunting process, particularly for those in the gaming industry.

We started the conversation by discussing Dellyn's innovative approach to career coaching, inspired by the Bartle theory of player types. He explained how he tailors his coaching services based on different player motivations—achievers, killers, socializers, and explorers—drawing parallels between gaming and career paths.

We delved into practical advice for job seekers, including the significance of having a well-structured resume, and highlighted the importance of using the right keywords and metrics to showcase achievements effectively. He also discussed the role of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and how candidates can optimize their applications to stand out.

As we wrapped up, Dellyn provided insights into the interview process, stressing the importance of asking thoughtful questions to demonstrate a genuine interest in the role and the company. He shared tips on how candidates can prepare for interviews and what recruiters look for in potential hires.

This episode is packed with valuable information for anyone navigating the job hunt in the gaming industry. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, Dellyn's expertise and advice can help you level up your job search strategy. Be sure to check out Dellyn's website for more resources and insights.

Thanks for tuning in, and I hope you find this episode helpful as you embark on your own game industry job hunt!


Links From This Episode

• Dellyn's Website
• Dellyn on LinkedIn

Highlight Time Stamps

00:02:17 - Player Types in Career Coaching
Dellyn explains the Bartle theory of player types and how it relates to career coaching and job hunting.

00:06:02 - The Role of a Career Coach
Discussion on what a career coach does, including resume audits, writing, and mock interviews.

00:09:41 - Resume Tips for Job Seekers
Dellyn provides advice on structuring resumes and the importance of using metrics to showcase achievements.

00:12:25 - Documenting Achievements
Joe emphasizes the importance of keeping track of metrics and achievements for future job applications.

00:14:09 - Personal Branding and Online Presence
Discussion on the significance of personal branding and maintaining a positive online presence.

00:16:28 - Common Mistakes in the Hiring Process
Dellyn highlights mistakes candidates make, particularly regarding Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

00:19:24 - The Importance of Asking Questions in Interviews
Dellyn discusses why candidates should prepare questions for interviews and suggests

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Joe's Headshot credit: Kyle Gaddo

In the premiere episode of the Game Industry Job Hunt, Joe briefly introduces the show and shares his personal origin story.

Joe got his start in the video games industry in 2014 in an unlikely way when he applied to a Community Manager role at Gearbox Software. After making it through several stages of the interview process, they offered him a community contractor role (great for getting started) and he cut his teeth remotely in that role for a year and a half.

In 2016, Gearbox hired Joe on as a full time Community Manager. During his three years at Gearbox, he helped to ship more than 13 titles including Borderlands 3 and Battleborn, as well as published projects like Fortnite's physical edition, Bulletstorm: Full Clip Edition, and We Happy Few, among others. He also held a variety of roles touching things like social media, customer support, and influencer management.

In 2019, Joe became the Senior Social Media manager for gaming and pop culture retailer GameStop, where he level up the brand's social presence using an engagement-focused strategy and more conversational tone of voice. Later that year, he trained hundreds of GameStop Store Leaders on social media best practices as a speaker at GameStop's annual conference in his hometown of Nashville, TN. During his time at GameStop, Joe traveled to and covered numerous industry events including E3, San Diego Comic Con, TwitchCon, PAX East, and more.

In 2022, Tencent Games recruited Joe to join their team as a Senior Community Manager. At Tencent, Joe focused on strategy, creating effective community and social media strategies for two titles, NBA Infinite, a competitive mobile game, and SYNCED, a sci-fi shooter. Joe helped lead a team to execute strategy and create innovative engagement events and ideas.

In May of 2024, Joe was impacted by layoffs at Tencent and joined the tens of thousands of gaming professionals looking for their next adventure in the industry. As he progressed in his job search, he realized that he wanted to create a way share the things he was learning with others to help them in their searches. And with that, the Game Industry Job Hunt podcast was born.

On Game Industry Job Hunt, Joe will have unscripted conversations with recruiters, career coaches, and top industry voices to help his audience decode the job hunt with actionable information that they can use immediately to set themselves up for success.

Check out http://gameindustryjobhunt.com for more episodes and resources!

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Joe's Headshot credit: Kyle Gaddo