The gaming industry has been experiencing a boom unlike any other for the past few years. It’s hard to imagine why it wouldn’t, as about 3 billion people worldwide play video games, and over 227 million people in the US play video games one to a few hours per week. An industry so rife with growth and potential is bound to attract attention, and it certainly has.
With jobs in the gaming industry infiltrating so many lives and homes, recruiters have been compelled to explore the unique world of gaming and how to attract top talent in this sphere. It’s expectedly difficult to traverse a new industry without doing your due diligence. Most recruiters are inclined to agree, citing the many ways why industry expertise matters in recruiting.
One task at hand recruiters should tackle before they dive head first into recruiting for jobs in the gaming industry is preparation. Especially if you aren’t fully familiar with the industry, surveying the land and getting your bearings can help inform your strategy and improve your chances of impacting potential candidates. Keep reading to see how you can best prepare yourself before starting recruiting in the gaming industry.
Figure out how to best approach #Recruiting in the #GamingIndustry with a few of @IQTalent’s tips on preparation:Click to TweetHow The Gaming Industry Is Unique
Gaming is unlike other industries like aviation or healthcare, for example. The very existence of the gaming industry is indicative of our innate human desire for entertainment, gamification, and competition. Plus, it hasn’t been around in the capacity it is now.
Today’s gaming industry is not your mother’s gaming industry. There has been substantial growth in this industry, dating back to the 1970s. While Pong may no longer be the most cutting-edge gaming experience out there, it certainly created a baseline to which all future gaming landmarks can be compare
The gaming industry is notable for its unique culture, community, and societal impact. Experts claim it’s one of the most important and innovative sectors in tech today and, therefore, draws artists, writers, and other gaming talents to be a part of it.
As technology advances, more and more consoles and games are being developed and marketed. Some even explain the pressure businesses in the gaming industry feel as they progress in the “gaming arms race” to see which company ends up on top of the competition. This air of competition and urgency fosters a fast-paced and, at times, cutthroat environment.
The gaming industry’s rapid expansion can also be noted by many other industries leveraging their technology. Other sectors like government, medical, and education have reaped the benefits of using 360-video and virtual reality (VR) for training. What happens in the gaming industry doesn’t stay just there. It can impact millions of people outside of the assumed reach.
Additionally, jobs in the gaming industry provide opportunities for people who are truly passionate about gaming and the experience created by it. Few people are as dedicated to their craft as gamers are to gaming. This is what they spend their free time and their professional time on. Often, gaming industry professionals didn’t necessarily seek out or formally study gaming but have such a fervent “love of the game” that they found their way in the industry.
Ways You Can Expertly Position Yourself
Knowing the unique background and attributes of jobs in the gaming industry will allow recruiters unfamiliar with the terrain to adjust their recruiting tactics. Your tactics may not be markedly different from the standard recruiting best practices, but the nuanced view into this sector can help you act strategically rather than reactively.
Gain a deeper understanding of the #GamingIndustry and how to prepare for recruiting gaming professionals in the blog from @IQTalent:Click to TweetDo A Cultural Deep Dive
Get familiar with the existing culture of the gaming industry. Without being weird, stick around some online communities that include current gaming industry employees and see what you hear. What is the lingo that flies around most often? What are common complaints and/or positive comments made about the industry? Are they discussing anything that you aren’t familiar with?
By being a fly on the wall, so to speak, you get a better cultural understanding of the current makeup of the industry and gamers. It can be challenging to stumble upon one of these communities or forums without an introduction, but through research on Reddit, Discord, or various gaming wikis, you can find crosssections of the community you are seeking to learn more about.
Be In “The Room Where It Happens”
Stay current on the latest happenings, controversies, and releases in the gaming industry. When recruiting for jobs in the gaming industry, you must be abreast of trends and common knowledge in the community to best navigate conversations with potential gaming industry candidates. Subscribe to popular gaming newsletters, follow gaming influencers, and keep tabs on popular gaming topics on social media.
Great newsletters to subscribe to include:
Knowledge is most definitely power, especially if you aren’t familiar with the gaming industry on your own. Seek out newsletters, influencers, and other hot topics in the gaming world to compile fast facts and notable trends.
Build Out A Gaming Network
If you know anyone in the gaming industry before you start your recruiting process, reach out. You probably already have a few gaming industry professionals in your network that haven't thought of yet. Ask them about their experience joining the gaming industry and if a recruiter had approached them. ask them what works and what doesn’t.
From there, if you can establish one solid connection in the industry, you can build a more robust web of gaming professionals and their colleagues. This can give you an even more “insider” look into gaming culture and current happenings.
Identify Your Strengths And Where You May Lack Knowledge
Approach this recruiting opportunity as a learner. Know exactly what you bring to the table as a recruiter with your past experiences and placements, but don’t shy away from where you might not know. Ask questions, even if you think they may be simple. There’s no better way to learn than to have first-hand experience in the industry.
Of course, you need to establish your expertise as a recruiter. But in that same vein, don’t be afraid to be honest about what you know and what you don’t about the industry. Strike a balance between your recruiting expertise and newfound exposure to gaming. This transparency helps solidify your position as an expert recruiter and brings a human element to your recruiting process.
Needless to say, entering the gaming industry with the intent to recruit can be daunting, but it is a very valuable and interesting sector in which to work. However, doing it alone can lead to many challenges rearing their heads.
From game animators and art directors to graphic designers, we know how to find artists’ portfolios and craft messaging that talks directly to them. Our unique sourcing methods leverage this built-in community, and our database of gamers is nothing short of extensive.
Together, we can work to build out a gaming talent pipeline for your organization that’s filled with top-quality candidates able to help you to drive growth and foster innovation.
Need to find highly-specified and qualified gaming talent? Reach out to us and see how IQTalent can help tailor your recruiting strategies to your needs.
