CV Secrets with Jay McDougall

The Secrets to Crafting a Winning CV for Gaming Careers

The gaming industry, along with the wider technology and entertainment sectors, has faced significant changes over the last two years. While the number of open positions in gaming careers has reduced, the pool of highly talented candidates has grown. This imbalance has made the competition for video game jobs fiercer than ever.

At Skillsearch, we’re fortunate to work closely with some of the world’s leading studios on their gaming recruitment strategies. Through these collaborations, we’ve gained valuable insights into the hiring process for jobs in the video game industry, and we’re here to share some key takeaways to help you stand out when applying for jobs in games.

One crucial thing to remember: there is no magical CV trick that guarantees success every time. However, taking an efficiency-focused approach to CV writing can significantly improve your chances of landing that next video game job.

Imagine this scenario: a hiring manager receives 100 applications for a single gaming job. Their task is to review each CV, identify strong candidates, and decide who progresses to the next stage. With other responsibilities and possibly multiple positions to fill, the time spent on each CV is minimal—often less than one minute.

Hiring managers may not always be specialists in your field. Instead, they likely work from a checklist provided by the team lead. This list includes "must-haves" and "nice-to-haves," and the manager’s job is to quickly remove candidates who don’t meet the essential criteria. In a competitive landscape, you have about one minute to make your case. If your CV doesn’t tick the right boxes quickly, it risks being overlooked.

To help you navigate this challenging landscape and secure jobs in games, we’ve compiled some essential dos and don’ts to optimize your CV:

1. Hyperlinking

Make sure all external links—such as to your portfolio, LinkedIn, or GitHub—are hyperlinked and functional. A hiring manager won’t have time to search for your portfolio manually. Ensure it’s easy to access and review within seconds.

2. Copyability

Your CV’s text should be formatted for easy copying. Hiring managers often need to transfer information into internal systems. If they struggle to copy your text, they may move on to the next candidate.

3. Contactability

Provide multiple ways for a hiring manager to contact you. Include your email address, LinkedIn profile, and, if you’re comfortable, your mobile number. The easier you are to reach, the better.

4. Software Applicability

Highlight the specific tools, software, languages, and processes you’ve used in your previous roles. For jobs in the video game industry, technical expertise is crucial. Mentioning professional experience with industry-standard software or game engines like Unity or Unreal can make your CV more compelling.

5. Box-Ticking for Gaming Recruitment

Remember the checklist approach hiring managers often use. Before submitting your application, follow these steps:

• Open your CV alongside the job description.

• Set a one-minute timer.

• Check if you can easily identify evidence of the job’s "must-have" requirements on your CV within that minute.

• If not, revise your CV to clearly showcase how you meet those criteria.

The goal is to make it as easy as possible for the hiring manager to see that you’re qualified for the role.

The gaming recruitment process reflects the reality of an industry brimming with talent but limited by the number of open gaming jobs. Hiring teams don’t have the bandwidth to deeply analyse every CV, no matter how much they might want to. Your job is to make their decision easy by presenting your qualifications clearly, concisely, and compellingly.

By following these steps, you’ll increase your chances of progressing through the first stage of the hiring process and getting in front of team leads who truly understand your skill set. Tailor your CV to each role, focus on ticking those critical boxes, and remember that time is of the essence. With these tips, your journey to securing your next gaming career or video game job will be that much smoother.

Good luck in your job search, and remember: the right opportunity is out there for you!