Supporting Yourself After a Games Industry Layoff – Insights from Jay McDougall

Supporting Yourself After a Games Industry Layoff – Insights from Jay McDougall

The games industry has been through a tough couple of years. Layoffs are never easy to see, and with so many happening, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed, especially if you're actively searching for your next role.

But despite the challenges, hiring is on the rise. More roles are opening up every day, bringing new opportunities across the industry. The hardest part? Picking yourself up after setbacks and re-joining the job hunt.

We’ve put together some practical tips, tricks, and resources to help you stand out and move forward.

Making Yourself an Attractive Candidate

Your CV and LinkedIn profile are often the first things recruiters see, so they need to be up-to-date, detailed, and well-formatted to stand out.

Check out The One-Minute Rule for expert tips on optimising your CV and LinkedIn. In today’s competitive market, small tweaks can make a huge difference in getting noticed.

And remember: a strong, updated portfolio will always put you ahead of candidates who simply upload their LinkedIn as a PDF. If others are taking extra steps, so should you.

Following the Right People

LinkedIn is full of valuable insights - if you’re following the right people. Here are some must-follows for industry updates, job opportunities, and expert advice:

Amir Satvat – A key figure in the games community, sharing job news, industry trends, and resources through his Games Community platform.

Emily Scahill – Our Head of Client Success at Skillsearch, offering candidates CV workshops, interview guidance, and one-on-one support.

Alexander Rehm – Head of Live Operations at People Can Fly and an experienced mentor, providing invaluable advice for job seekers.

Keeping Your Profile Updated

Companies want to see current, relevant content. Keeping your CV, LinkedIn, and portfolio fresh increases your chances of passing initial screenings.

Check out Refreshing Your Portfolio for 2025 for simple but effective updates to help your work stand out.

For artists, here’s a collection of portfolio-building tips: https://lnkd.in/eP9rPXhQ

A huge thank you to Jay McDougall for sharing these insights with us!

Jay McDougall

Principal Recruitment Resourcer

Jay is a resourcer on our art team, working alongside Joe, although resourcing is not Jay’s only talent… He also DJs and runs Brighton’s biggest electronic dance music label, so when he’s not in the office you can catch him in shows across the city and making content for his YouTube channel! 

Europe: +44 (0)1273 287 007

North America: +1 (437) 887 2477

jrm@skillsearch.com

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