The next step…

I read this article yesterday from Someone in Bethesda Softworks writing about what’s probably the best route to get in the games industry. He might as well have just written “Get a degree, get a degree and get a degree” and saved himself half an hour. Seriously, if you need to read an article like this to identify a decent way into the industry, then please – for the love of god – don’t bother.

We have enough people without a clue anyway – we really don’t need any more.

For every rule, there is usually an exception, though. You never know, maybe one day you’ll get an interview. (To be honest, these interview tips listed below aren’t common-or-garden-across-the-board-only-games-industry-related) but then a few are.

The next step: What to do with the interview

Do nots
1. Do not, I repeat, Do not, wear a suit. Suits are loathed and despised by the ‘l33t’ gamers of the company. Unless you’re heading for a very senior management role, forget the suit. Nothing screams “no experience” more than turning up in a suit.

2. Do not, I repeat, Do not, wear any game related t-shirt, that curry stained tracksuit top, ripped jeans or anything else. The only exception to this is if you once worked for someone mega big like… oh I dunno. EA – then you’re allowed to wear an EA t-shirt. But more likely than not, you’ll set off alarm bells if you do. Lots of people work for EA, and lots of them are wank(ers)

3. DO NOT show up an 1hr-45 minutes early. Sit in the car, if you don’t have a car, learn to drive, and then sit in the car, if you have to get a train, sit in the station, DO NOT knock on the door early and expect to be entertained. You will not be. ESPECIALLY do not do this on a Friday or any time near the end of the month as some smarmy cock producer [read "me"] will probably have scheduled a delivery. Same goes for early in the month because said delivery will no doubt have over-run.

4. Don’t fall for the drink test. The guy who answers the door – funnily enough – might not be a secretary, do not assume he is and dismiss him – he may be your new boss. Just because he’s wearing a t-shirt with def leopard on it does not mean you should assume he’s a scruffy mind. – If someone offers you a drink, take it, in a relaxed manner, do not comment on the quality of said beverage, just drink it. Drink it even if it tastes like Cat Piss. If you accompany the person making you a brew to the kitchen, DO NOT lower your guard, this is a pre-interview. (I do it regularly)

5. Do not, (or at least try) be completely weird. Honestly, I’m getting sick of them.

6. Do not claim you have more experience than anyone. You probably don’t, and even if you do have 20 years experience, it’s kind of like driving insurance, only the last 5 years counts. Games speak louder than words, if you’ve worked on DooM – mention it, If you worked on *looks up* WWE-Aftershock on the N-gage. Probably best not to.

7. Do not claim to have more gaming knowledge than anyone. Especially true if you’re going for any sort of design position – no one cares that you’ve played games since you were born, most of the people in the industry were writing those games, or at least, have the same common knowledge.

8. Do not, if you’re a programmer, finish your test early. You won’t get bonus points, you’ll just get stuff wrong.

9. Don’t name drop – Really very critical, you mention someone “that jeff minter’s a cock” – “oh, he’s my brother”

10. Don’t bad mouth anyone – not only does it come over really negative, but you also run the possibility of going against the grain. “I hated working for company X because they didn’t pay overtime” – No one pays overtime, if you’re doing it for the money, you’re shit out of luck.

Do
1. Be confident

2. Be funny

3. Be positive

4. Be interested (even if you’re not, pretend to be)

5. Listen

6. Think of a question to ask that shows you’ve really been listening

7. Ask a really technical question that shows you understand what the fuck you’re talking about, but make sure that you are aware of jingoistic terms, (you may be speaking a foreign language to them and vice versa)

8. Ask about company related BS – anything but money, that comes later, (with the offer)

9. Do your fucking research.

10. Offer to suck off the manager.

Number 10 was a joke.

Easy peasy. (from a guy who’s never actually had an interview)