9. Even if you are “in talks” with a studio, keep producing new work and applying elsewhere.

You know the saying “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.” This definitely applies to the game industry. I have lost count of the number of times I have seen people saying they have a lead on a job but haven’t heard back for over a month. Still, they sit around waiting for the company to get back to them. Usually, if it’s over a couple weeks with no communication…SPOILER ALERT: you didn’t get the job. Some studios will email/call you to let you know, some won’t, don’t take it personally and move on. Be proactive, sitting around with your fingers crossed doesn’t help your situation.

Ideally, until you have signed an offer of employment, you should be focused on the things you have direct control over: Making new art, networking at every local meetup and searching for opportunities. If you are worried applying elsewhere might hurt your chances at a studio you have just had a first stage interview with, it won’t. They are professionals, they realize you are looking out for yourself, and they are definitely interviewing multiple candidates for the position. This is a business relationship first and foremost. Usually, by being honest telling them you are in talks with other studios, they will get back to you faster if they really want you on board. DO NOT lie about this, it’s a small industry and chances are they will know. Having multiple offers on the table can also give you a bit of leverage to choose the studio you think is the best fit and a more competitive starting salary. That’s never a bad thing.

10. A little patience goes a long way

Chances are when you first start applying for jobs in the game industry, you might not get very many replies. This has all been covered above, but one important thing to hit on is the importance of having a little patience. It usually takes artists a few years to get really good and be industry ready. Finishing a one or two-year art diploma program and expecting instant results will certainly harm you more than help.

Deploying a little patience and actually falling in love with the process of creating game art rather than being 100% focused on the end game of getting a job/money will help you from falling into a hole of depression and burn out before your career even begins. Just keep hammering on what you can control and have faith if you keep going you will smash through your goals eventually. It is going to take thousands of hours (some say 10k hours) to master your craft, so the more you put in outside of school/work, the faster you will get there. Avoid doing the bare minimum to pass a class and instead create your own set of goals and a timeline of taking action to achieve them.

When it comes to communicating with HR and people at studios, you also have to realize most people are extremely busy in their day today. If you snag an interview, let them know you will follow up if they don’t within a few days. For every interview I have had, immediately after the onsite visit or phone call, I will fire an email to the main point of contact thanking them for their time and asking them to pass the thank you note along to everyone who was part of that process. Then I give them breathing room to make a decision. A little gratitude and patience can go a long way to showing you are someone they could work with. What you don’t want to do is email them every couple days asking if there is any news. This could get you labeled as annoying and sabotage your chances. Just wait and keep on making art and applying around elsewhere. If it is more than a week or two without an update, it’s safe to assume you didn’t make the cut. Jump back to tip 1 and keep on hammering on your portfolio!