subject: Gamer For Life: Finding Video Game Tester Jobs [print this page] Gamer For Life: Finding Video Game Tester Jobs
You've just graduated from college with a degree in computer science. You have a closet full of business casual, a contacts list full of references, a passion for video games, and the determination to become the best video game tester in existence. But how exactly is this feat of greatness accomplished?
Getting video game tester jobs aren't as easy as one would expect. You can't just walk into your local GameStop and ask them for an application. For one, the video game store has absolutely no say on how the video games are created, and for two, video game testers are active in the video game process long before the game hits the shelves.
So how to you land one of the many game testing jobs out there?
First things first, you need to create a winning resume that will make the video game production companies stand up and scream, "Eureka!" The Hallelujah factor on the video game tester's resume is a solid degree in a related field (computer science, computer programming, video game design, computer engineering), at least one form of previous experience, reliable references that are connected to your previous experience (business contacts, previous employers), and any personal or professional achievements (programs you've created or games you've designed). The perfect resume is only the first step to getting game testing jobs.
The next step in finding video game tester jobs is to create a blog. Yes, a blog. Blogs are one of the most incredible tools people use online to get themselves noticed. A Wordpress blog should be dedicated to your experiences testing video games, your personal interests in video gaming, detailed and entertaining reviews on current video games, your passion for solving problems, and your ability to analyze data. Include your blog URL on your resume, and be sure to keep your blog interesting- there's nothing's more toxic to your career than to bore your prospective employers.
Now that you have a spectacular game tester resume and a popular blog, you need to go about getting your resume into the right hands; this requires networking, persistence, phone calls, follow up emails, and the dogged determination to get the game testing job of your dreams.
Game Tester Gigs Can Be Hard to Find
Video game testing companies rarely advertise game testing job openings on classified ads; too many weirdoes and losers apply hoping to get a job playing games for money. Video game testing companies usually outsource the hiring process to specialized companies who do the searching, hiring and firing for them. This means that you need to go out of your way to contact the hiring company. Send your resume electronically, and be sure to follow up every 2 weeks with a polite email reminding them of your skills. Also, send hard copies of your resume and cover letter so that when it's time to tackle the resume pile, there are several copies of your resume already there. The more the recruiters are exposed to your resume the more they'll realize that you might be exactly what they're looking for to fill their video game tester job.
Video game tester jobs are out there waiting for the right candidates to fill the position. Now, all you have to do is get out there, find game testing jobs, fill the market with your resume and let your career begin.
