Are you struggling to land a game art job? Do you feel like you’ve got the skills, but can’t seem to get your foot in the door? There are two simple reasons why you may not be getting the job results you are looking for.
If you haven’t received a call-back, then it is your Portfolio and Hiring Package (portfolio site, resume, cover letter, Linkedin). Does it make an impact? Does it show relevant artwork in relation to the job position? Does it show the high-quality work that the studio creates? Is your resume focused on achievements?
These are the initial deciding factors in moving forward in the hiring process. Experienced Art Directors can determine if they will move forward with you in a matter of seconds by looking at your portfolio. A quick tip: always seek out feedback from experienced professionals. Take the feedback to heart!
If you got a call-back, congrats! That is awesome! 98% of applicants do not! So your work has met the criteria mentioned above—but what if you didn’t get the job? What gives?
This means your interview or soft skills were not received well.
💡 “Chance favors the prepared mind.” - L. Pasteur
Just “jumping on” an interview call is not enough. Did you prepare for the interview? Did you research the company? Did you know whom you were talking to? Games they made? Most importantly, did you have a positive attitude and show enthusiasm during the call? Did you have potential answers prepared? Being in the wrong mindset and being under stress will certainly affect how you present yourself. You can usually feel how an interview went by the energy and how the conversation ended.
Overall, game studios invest in candidates not only for their ability to create art, but also for the qualities of the person—soft skills, problems solving skills, and showing growth potential. The roles often include just as much communication as actual hands-on work. Remember, you work at a studio, on a team, on a game, and on art too. This requires a lot of personal interactions.
By understanding these two factors, you can now be on your way to refining your portfolio and preparing for your next interview. If anything in this article resonated with you, please reach out! We would love to hear from you and help you accelerate your Game Art Career!
