Video & Online Games Jobs Ireland - Join the Irish Gaming Industry » Game career advice

Mirko Gozzo, General Manager for Europe for Riot Games, met Game Careers at gamescom

admin — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 16:10:41 +0000

Mirko Gozzo, European General Manager for Riot Games, talks to David Smith of Interactive Selection and Game Careers at GDC Europe in Germany. Mirko has been in the computer games industry for more than 10 years with extensive expertise operating and publishing overseas products (especially from Asian companies) within the European market in multiple languages. He is experienced in both pay-to-play (P2P) and free-to-play (F2P) business models focussing every action on its ROI, PCU, APA, ARPPU / B-ARPU, player acquisition, retention and re-acquisition. He has successfully launched many AAA online games including World of Warcraft, Aion, Lineage II, and other top-selling offline games including Mortal Kombat: Deception, F.E.A.R., Commandos and Empire Earth. His advice to those thinking of applying for a job at Riot Games:

“If I have one suggestion that would be play League of Legends and tell us what you think – all the good things and also the bad things, which are the most important for us because we always want to improve, and having someone passionate about the game who can tell us where we can improve its exactly what we like.” See the full clip here:

Recruiting more women into games: Highlights video from European Women in Games Conference

admin — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 15:55:23 +0000

Too busy, too far away, just thought it a waste of time or never even heard about it, you can now get a flavour of what you missed. Whatever reason you could not make it to the European Women in Games Conference, London on 22 September 2011, here is the highlights video of the conference brought to you courtesy of James Hakesly Photography. Sold out and packed into the downstairs conference suite of the NH Harrington Hall Hotel, London, some of the games industry’s most successful female achievers inspired other women seeking to enter the games industry and those wishing to progress their careers at the annual European Women in Games Conference and Networking event. If you are interested in joining the WIGJ professional network, we recommend you should join over 2500 other supporters in our LinkedIn group.

Change the default resolution of 360p to 720p and see the full clip below in glorious HD.

Over 500 join the Games Jobs Ireland LinkedIn networking group. Join us!

admin — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 09:40:48 +0000

Ireland Games Jobs is the professional group for all working in the video games industry in Irealnd or all interested in moving to work in games in Ireland. This is a forum to exchange ideas, help and advice on current topics and trends in jobs and careers within Ireland. If you are a member of LinkedIn, you can now get together with over 500 others who share the same interests.

Please link through to http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=2857796 . Start a discussion, share news! Just join the group and start networking. Good luck.

Ireland’s Women in Games invited to European Conference in London 22 Sept. 2011

admin — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 15:40:35 +0000

Women In Games Jobs (WIGJ) announces this year’s women in games conference will take place on September 22^nd 2011 in London. This first ever pan European conference for women is being supported and championed by an impressive Advisory Board.

Board members in alphabetical order include:

Ali Bergstrom-Allen, Production Lead, Sony Computer Entertainment;

Barbara Bernad, Lead Animator, Maverick Media;

Alison Cressey, Open Sauce Marketing and former European MD, Activision;

Geraldine Cross, HR Manager, Blitz Games;

Jo Goodson, Jo Wood Consultants and former European MD, Broderbund;

Helen Kennedy, University of the West of England and Women in Games;

Clare Maddalena, Maddalena Consulting;

Louise Murray, Head of Fable Franchise, Microsoft Lionhead;

David Smith, Founder, WIGJ;

Fiona Sperry, Studio Director and VP, EA Criterion Games

Giselle Stewart, General Manager, Ubisoft Reflections.

The conference focus is Career Development for women within the European games industry, featuring keynote and specialist speakers giving practical advice on getting into and getting ahead in the industry, where as few as 1 in 15 people are women.

Further announcements on the speaker line up and venue details will follow.

David Smith, founder of WIGJ, commented: “This year’s Women In Games Conference is aimed at both women in games education and women with firmly established careers in games development and games publishing across Europe – a ‘must attend’ event for women seeking to progress their careers in the male dominated games sector.”

Early Bird Tickets priced at £20+ service fee are on sale at Eventbrite. Go to http://wigconference2011.eventbrite.com/

Interactive Selection interviewed live on BBC News and featured in Edge Magazine

admin — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 16:15:23 +0000

Can you think of 2 more prestigious institutions than the BBC and Edge Magazine? David Smith, MD of Interactive Selection, found himself live in front of BBC News anchors Simon McCoy and Carrie Gracie at 10.43 on September 21st for an interview about the games industry and the topic of start ups and jobs. For a full 3 minutes he fielded questions on the state of the games industry today, how it may fare providing new jobs moving forward and how the unemployed may want to find a job within computer games. For a more detailed report see the Games Job Blog.

On September 21st Edge Magazine’s feature Get into Games 2010 was published and David Smith again found himself the firts external recruiter to be interviewed in the history of Edge Magazine. You can click through to the full report: Get Into Games 2010: David Smith, Interactive Selection

2 questions about the role of the modern recruiter from the Edge interview are repeated here:

Edge: Thanks to things like forums, modding and trade shows, the game industry gets closer to its audience by the year. How does that affect the job of the recruiter?
David: You haven’t mentioned social networking, which is probably a bigger influence than the other three. Sites like LinkedIn are a godsend for internal recruiters in particular, as well as for people with their own LinkedIn profile who want to talk directly to employers. But in terms of the role of the recruiter – and yes, it’s changing all the time – I’d say that recruiters these days are much less a necessary middleman than a necessary guide or confidante, or even a trusted professional advisor. That can be for employers as well, not just jobseekers. We offer that extra bit of expertise in what is a very fast and changing market.

Edge: But aren’t developers trying to step into that mentor role themselves to an extent?
David: The difference between that and a jobseeker talking to a recruiter is that developers only have the one job to offer, which is with their particular company. Recruiters are paid to have a knowledge of the overall market and don’t just offer a portfolio of potential jobs – they can also talk to jobseekers on a job-by-job basis. If you’ve got a job with Quantic Dream, they’re not going to offer you a job at Ubisoft down the road – they’re interested in their immediate needs, so they’re never going to be able to offer the advice that we give, which is really to look after people over their whole career.

Trust Interactive Selection for your recruiting needs in Ireland.

10 Job Search tips from global games recruiter Interactive Selection

admin — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 12:30:39 +0000

1. ALWAYS REGISTER WITH AT LEAST ONE AGENCY

You cannot know of all the vacancies that exist in the marketplace. It is our job to know. We don’t promise to know every one, but we do know of 95% and more importantly, we know exactly who to get your resume or CV to. Don’t assume that all resumes or CV’s sent to a company find their way to the right person’s desk.

2. SELECT YOUR AGENCY CAREFULLY

Who has given you a good service in the past? Which agencies have a good reputation and which ones have appalling reputations? Ask around. Study testimonials on site like LinkedIn.

3. BEWARE REGISTERING WITH MULTIPLE AGENCIES

Candidates good at their jobs need only work with one agency (to help organise interviews for them). Candidates only average at their job should register with different agencies in different areas of expertise – they will need more help. Do NOT register with as many agencies as possible. Some companies reject resumes or CVs if received from more than one agency because they do not want to risk disputes with different agencies. Also individual recruitment consultants value the trust of exclusive relationships and will not spend as much time on candidates that they know have registered with multiple agencies.

4. PUT TOGETHER A PROFESSIONAL RESUME OR CV

Speed isn’t everything in finding your next job. Even top artists can design adisappointing resume or CV. Get your agency to advise you on your resume or CV. They are probably writing resumes or CVs every day of the week and they know what makes a good one. You may only do it once every few years.

5. THINK ABOUT YOUR JOB HUNTING STRATEGY

Think about what you realistically want from your next job. Apply for jobs that you stand a chance of getting! A senior artist job in one company may be just as prestigious and well paid as a lead artist in another company. Be flexible about the location that you want to work in. Don’t rule out relocating for the right job. This is expected more and more.

6. COMMUNICATE YOUR STRATEGY TO YOUR AGENT AND MAKE SURE THEY FOLLOW IT

Discuss your strategy with your agent to make sure it is realistic. If it is, don’t let your agent send your resume or CV just anywhere. It may damage your credibility and could cost you your existing job!

7. KEEP A RECORD OF WHERE YOUR RESUME OR CV HAS BEEN SENT

By all means allow your agent a free hand in selecting companies for you – only if you want your agent to have this freedom. Remember that you will get a bad reputation in the marketplace (as well as the agent) if you resume or CV goes to a company that already knows you or which you subsequently have to disappoint.

8. TALK REGULARLY WITH YOUR AGENT

A good agent will always find time to talk to you. If they cannot take the call immediately, they should at least be able to return your call. The best agents are extremely busy and do not have the time for everyday chats, but they should be able to take a call every 2 weeks or so. Beware of agents that never return phone calls!

9. DONT TOLERATE POOR STANDARDS FROM A BAD AGENT!

Find a good agent and develop the relationship with him or her. If you hit a serious problem, you can terminate your relationship with an agent at any time, provided that you let them know of this, preferably in writing. You are the principal and they are working for you! Most agents are professional and doing their best. But don’t tolerate bad practice or sloppy behavior. Your reputation within the marketplace is at stake.

10. DON’T PANIC!

The economic climate is not good but it is improving slowly. There IS demand for game professionals provided you show a little flexibility in salary and location. Your time will come, so stay calm. A good agent will not stop working for you. You have someone looking after your interests. Work together and in 6 months time you will be wondering what all the fuss was about!