Superstar AAA games recruiter Alejandro Rodriguez reveals his winning resume and interview tips to get you ahead of the pack.
What should my resume say?
Many applicant-tracking systems enable recruiters to find keywords and apply other filters to a studio’s database. Some firms sort applications depending on previously selected filters, so tailor your resume to the company that you wish to work for. Ask yourself if your resume reads like the job description?
If not, study the job description and personalise your resume to it. Make sure the recruiter doesn’t have to make a leap of faith to understand if you’d be a good fit for the role.
What should I put in my resume for the time I spent working on my portfolio?
I can understand why the “How long did X take you?” can be off-putting, but you should answer truthfully. The person interviewing you wants to quantify how long it will take to complete the work that will be assigned to you.
Focus on efficiency, understanding the tools at your disposal, and ways to shorten your development time without sacrificing quality.
How do you narrow down applicants?
One trait that’s always exciting to a studio is if the artist is always growing and hungry for improvement. I look for candidates who can hit the art style and work well with our culture, and if they have a voice and creativity. I’m also a big fan for candidates that show an understanding of the fundamentals.
What are the deciding factors in choosing the best candidate?
Can their personality fit the studio culture? Can they do what the position will ask of them? Art is generally a collaborative process, so how would they be a valuable addition to the team and be able to add a helpful opinion to the critique and development pipeline?
What mistakes do you regularly see?
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