GCG Feature: 'Getting a Game Industry Job: Part Three'

In the latest feature for Gamasutra sister educational site Game Career Guide, game recruiter Marc Mencher presents the third part in his series on getting a game industry job, this time on interviewing techniques and how to turn interviews into offers. Following the first part, which covered targeting a job search, game company HR departments, and how to sell yourself, and the second, which tackled writing your résumé, securing solid references, and using classified ads and online job boards, Mencher says the interviewing process tops them all in terms of importance: "The job interview is the most important aspect of your search for a new career opportunity because the way you interview will determine whether or not you get a job offer. From the moment you walk in, the employer will begin evaluating you on a variety of levels, including your appearance, your personality, and the way you express yourself. If you are prepared, you'll project a positive, professional image that will give you a big advantage over the competition. Interviewing is not difficult; it's just a skill to be developed. If you can't role play and practice with some friends, then go ahead and get some real world experience. That may mean interviewing for a job or two for which you really have no interest. You can't get a job without doing a face-to-face interview and, if reading about techniques for developing face-to-face interview skills doesn't help and role playing with friends doesn't get "real" enough for you, then put yourself through a few "real world" practice interviews. A face-to-face interview is not the time to be regurgitating your résumé verbally. The résumé's function was to get you an interview and nothing more. The face-to-face interview is your personal one-actor stage performance." You can now read the full Game Career Guide feature with more from Mencher on the follow-up process, salary negotiations, and the importance of being a team player (no registration required, please feel free to link to this column from external websites).