Resumes and Cover Letters

[Peter.M.Allen]

So we're all here because we want in on that fat-money-cake known as The Gaming Industry, so I figure we scratch eachother's backs and throw around tips, ideas, and comments on everything from resumes to interviews.

 

-- Peter

[Peter.M.Allen]

So this is all my stuff, care to swap critiques?

PMA_Resume.pdf

PMA_CoverLetter.pdf

PMA_ReferenceList.pdf

[Kaftan Barlast]

Im currently studying Game Development at Uni in Sweden with focus on 3D graphics and animation (our education system is quite a bit different in that we dont have anything like a major etc. but rather you follow a pre-designed program of classes).

 

 

Now the issue is that Starbreeze studios are hiring QA's now, and alot of people from my Uni already work there so I might have a good shot at getting a job. But Im thinking that it is far better to complete my degree( in Graphics first and then look for jobs in that field instead of trying the old work-your-way-up. What do you think?

[Peter.M.Allen]

Im currently studying Game Development at Uni in Sweden with focus on 3D graphics and animation (our education system is quite a bit different in that we dont have anything like a major etc. but rather you follow a pre-designed program of classes).

 

 

Now the issue is that Starbreeze studios are hiring QA's now, and alot of people from my Uni already work there so I might have a good shot at getting a job. But Im thinking that it is far better to complete my degree(  in Graphics first and then look for jobs in that field instead of trying the old work-your-way-up. What do you think?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

That's what I'm doing / did. The degree makes a TOTAL difference when it comes to a LONG-TERM career. If you look at the more senior positions requirements, they all want some kind of degree. So while your friends are set more easily to get out of the entery-level / sub-entry-level to something more mid-level, they're going to have a lot harder time getting beyond that.

 

Besides, I say you should always finish what you start.

 

-- Peter

[Musopticon?]

Have you ever modded anything?

 

Oh, and you migh consider erasing your personal information(phone and email) from that resume you posted here. Can't be too careful.

[Peter.M.Allen]

Have you ever modded anything?

 

Oh, and you migh consider erasing your personal information(phone and email) from that resume you posted here. Can't be too careful.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

I'd love to, but I don't know where to start. See, the major problem I'm having is that I work and everything on a Mac, so any editing programs, i.e. Unreal Editor, aren't available to me. I picked-up Unreal 2004 strictly for that reason, but found out they never made an editor for the Mac version (jerk-faces). So if someone could tell me an affordable program that can accomplish the task for Mac.. I'm just of up the creek.

 

Not to mention I don't exactly live in a very "gamer friendly" community so the entire population of people where I live wanting to do anything like that would consist of... ME. And I'd move, but I can't because I'm just living barely beyond broke. Ouig, it's a circle

 

Eh, I'm okay with it. It's nothing that's not on my professional site, not to mention you can't get blood from a stone.

[Peter.M.Allen]

See, what I WANT to do is get an assistant production position: it's entry-level, usually lasts pre all the way through post production, touches up on ALL the different facets of a game, get to interact with people, mixed with a little desk work, just enough responcibility, bla bla bla perfect for me. It'd be a sweet way to get myself comfortable with the whole process all while earning responcibility and a pay-check that I can live off of. Very pro-reponcibility and livable paycheck.

[metadigital]

Evidently there aren't as many wanting "in on that fat-money-cake known as The Gaming Industry" as you thought ...

[alanschu]

From what I understand, the games industry is anything but a "fat money cake."

[Peter.M.Allen]

From what I understand, the games industry is anything but a "fat money cake."

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

True, but isn't it fun to say "fat money-cake"? Say it outloud: FAT MONEY CAKE 8D. Hey, as long as I'm doing the work I love and it lets me afford to have a decient income that lets me be comfortable then I'm just peachy as can be. "Fat Money Cake" is more of a general expression I use in replacement of "bitchin'" or something.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hehe, Fat Money Cake!

 

Evidently there aren't as many wanting "in on that fat-money-cake known as The Gaming Industry" as you thought ...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Hell, fine by me. Betters MY odds

[alanschu]

I'm planning on it too, but haven't started my resume quite yet.

 

 

Here is one that I made for my IIP placement. It had to be on one page (I don't have word installed, so it's no longer in two columns unfortunately, and a bit more general.

 

I ended up getting a job at my University working on ScriptEase.

 

 

Some wierd stuff also happened when I converted it to RichText with WordPad, as my Student accomplishments certainly didn't happen in 2007, 2008, and 2009. It seemed to make bullets years. 2002 Team player! LOL

Edited August 26, 2006 by alanschu

[alanschu]

A "bump" that I editted my previous post, as I noticed Peter was in the thread when I did it.

[@\NightandtheShape/@]

BINGO! What do I get? Fat money cake? LMFAO

[alanschu]

What?

[Peter.M.Allen]

What?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Eh, he's just bragging that he's got a job in the biz........... that bastard (with all due respect )

[@\NightandtheShape/@]

Not Bragging... Just stating I have a job, for my work placement year, in the industry. Sadly not with OE!

[Fenghuang]

From what I understand I'll probably end up making less money if/when I break into the games industry than I will be in two years when I finish up my Network Security degree and have a few computer certificates under my belt.

[alanschu]

Not Bragging... Just stating I have a job, for my work placement year, in the industry. Sadly not with OE!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

I considered getting one with Bioware, though their placement started in May and I was offered a sure deal in January. It was an opportunity I couldn't refuse, though my eye was always on Bioware at the time.

[Peter.M.Allen]

From what I understand I'll probably end up making less money if/when I break into the games industry than I will be in two years when I finish up my Network Security degree and have a few computer certificates under my belt.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Chase that money man, but for me, I just want to do what I've always wanted to so since I was a kid. Maybe it'll pan out, manybe not, but nothing ventured, nothing gained..... Besides, money isn't going to mean anything to me because I'm gonna get me a sugar-mama and she'll pay for my ass ( )

[Fenghuang]

I didn't say I was chasing the money. I said I'd end up taking a pay cut to make games.

[@\NightandtheShape/@]

Not Bragging... Just stating I have a job, for my work placement year, in the industry. Sadly not with OE!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

I considered getting one with Bioware, though their placement started in May and I was offered a sure deal in January. It was an opportunity I couldn't refuse, though my eye was always on Bioware at the time.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I tried a few places, I've had my knockbacks, as we all do when looking for jobs. I'm not certain what I'm going to be working on... But any work placement that gives experience is better than leaving university simply with a degree.

[alanschu]

That's what I was thinking. My internship lasts 16 months, so it adds an extra year to school. But I get paid, and get credit...as well as the invaluable experience.

[Peter.M.Allen]

That's what I was thinking.  My internship lasts 16 months, so it adds an extra year to school.  But I get paid, and get credit...as well as the invaluable experience.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Wow, that must be a bad ass internship. TAKE IT! :ph34r: You might even find if they chose to hire you full-time after they might help pay for the remainder of your education. I'm seeing that quite a few companies are starting to do that more.

[alanschu]

I did take the internship. It started in January. It's not directly with a games company, but with two of my professors. They are working on a program that works with Neverwinter Nights and Bioware called ScriptEase.

 

It's been a pretty cool internship so far.

[@\NightandtheShape/@]

I did take the internship.  It started in January.  It's not directly with a games company, but with two of my professors.  They are working on a program that works with Neverwinter Nights and Bioware called ScriptEase.

 

It's been a pretty cool internship so far.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

It seems like a fairly interesting internship.