Ultimate Guide to Starting a Career in the Video Games Industry

video games industry

Looking for a job in the video games industry? This guide will show you how to make a career out of it. You’ll learn what jobs are available, how to get them, and even how to interview like a pro.

Know what you want to do

Before you start your career, it’s important to know what kind of job you want and what kind of company you want to work for. Research the different types of roles available in the industry and some companies that offer those jobs. Ensure your dream job is out there before starting the path toward it!

You must also understand your strengths and weaknesses when deciding what career path is right for you. For example: If someone knows they’re terrible at mathematics but love drawing characters from games (like me!), then maybe becoming an artist would be better than trying to become a programmer or designer who needs mathematical skills to do their job well.

Research your desired role

Before you begin your job search, it’s important to research what the role entails and whether it fits your career goals well. This will allow you to tailor your resume and cover letter accordingly so that they highlight your relevant skills and experience in a particular field. It also helps if you understand the typical challenges faced by people in this field. Knowing what challenges may come up will help prevent them from catching you off guard during interviews or on the job!

Finally, research how promotions happen within each company. Many companies promote employees based on seniority (the amount of time someone has been working there), but others use performance evaluations as part of their evaluation process too! Knowing how promotions work can help ensure that when one comes along, yours is ready for action!

Start networking and building relationships

Networking is a great way to learn about the industry and discover opportunities. Connecting with people who can help you get your foot in the door is also great. Suppose you’re interested in working for a specific company. In that case, networking will give you an advantage over other candidates because they won’t have as many contacts at that company as you do (assuming they don’t already have an existing relationship with someone there).

Networking events are held regularly by local universities and colleges as well as industry organizations like IGDA (International Game Developers Association), WomenInGamesJobs, and Women Who Code London – these events allow guests from different companies/organizations to come together under one roof so everyone has an opportunity to meet new people while learning more about what each other does for work!

Get an internship

An internship is a great way to get your foot in the door and gain valuable experience. They can be paid or unpaid, but make sure you do your research before accepting one. Some internships last only a few weeks, while others can last up to a year.

You can find internships through job listings, social media, and networking with people who work in the video games industry. You never know how many connections may lead straight to an opportunity!

Apply for jobs in the industry

The best way to get a job in video games is by applying for it. Yes, there are many ways of doing this, but the most common is through online job boards and social media platforms such as LinkedIn and Twitter. Suppose you’re looking for more entry-level jobs like QA testing or game tester. In that case, we recommend using Indeed as your main source of applications because they have been proven over time to be reliable when it comes down to finding work within the industry itself (especially if you want something part-time).

The other option would be going directly through the companies themselves. Still, this isn’t always possible because their hiring processes are stricter than others. So if you choose this route, make sure that whatever company you’re applying with has openings before proceeding further down this path!

Interviews are your time to sell yourself, so make it count.

Interviews are your time to sell yourself, so make it count. You’ve already spent hours preparing for this interview, and now you want to make sure that the best possible impression is made on the interviewer.

If possible, try to visit your prospective employer’s office before the big day to get a feel for their space and culture. This will allow you more time in preparation and help ease any nerves about walking into an unfamiliar place on interview day!

When preparing for an interview:

  • Make sure you’re well-prepared by researching what they do, who works there (and why), etc., even if this isn’t explicitly asked during the hiring process. Knowing things like what kind of games they develop or what kind of culture exists within the company will help give context when answering questions later on down the line towards final decision-making process, which could lead to multiple rounds depending upon industry standards (I’m talking mostly about larger studios here).
  • Dress appropriately – no jeans unless requested otherwise by the HR department beforehand. Wear something nice but not too formal/expensive looking. Otherwise, people might think, “oh boy, this guy must be loaded!” which might lead them astray when making decisions later down the line towards final decision-making process which could lead into multiple rounds depending upon industry standards (I’m talking mostly about larger studios here).

Don’t be afraid to take the job you want, even if it is at the bottom of the ladder

You are not alone in this. Many other people want to be in the video games industry but don’t know how to go about it. The best thing you can do is keep your head up and be ready for whatever comes at you.

If there’s one thing I learned from my own experience, it’s that it doesn’t matter what job title or position someone has on their resume. They’re still human beings with feelings, just like everyone else! So don’t be afraid to ask questions or even ask for help if needed (although sometimes people may not want any). Remember: no matter how bad things get, another day will always be ahead of us. And maybe even better things waiting in store down the road!

Conclusion

Starting a career in the video games industry can be a challenging but rewarding experience. It’s important to remember that there are many different paths to take when pursuing this career. Also, there is no right or wrong way to get started. If you have an interest in making games or learning more about them. Even if it seems like an unusual choice for someone not already involved in the industry. We hope this guide will help you find some useful information!