Preparing for an interview at a games company requires a specific approach. It’s important not only to demonstrate your professional skills but also to show a deep understanding of the video game industry and the specific company you’re applying to. Here are some key steps to help you prepare for an interview at a games company.
1. Research the Company
Study the Company
The first thing to do is to thoroughly research the company you’re applying to. Learn about its history, major projects, philosophy, and culture. Pay attention to recent news and updates related to the company. This will show your interest and serious attitude towards the potential employer.
Play Their Games
Be sure to play games which this company creates. This will help you better understand their products, target audience, and gameplay features. Additionally, it will give you the opportunity to discuss specific aspects of the games during the interview.
To increase your chances of successfully completing the interview, show a sincere interest in the projects, the history of the company and the technologies used. Get acquainted with its activities, projects and products, and study its history. If possible, play the games it produces, especially if the vacancy is related to a specific project — be sure to try it.
Use all the information you have collected during the interview: share your impressions of the product with the recruiter, tell us what level you have reached and what you liked the most.
During the conversation with the recruiter, try to find out what the company expects from the candidate for this position. Sometimes proactivity and leadership qualities are important, especially if the position involves development and career growth. In other cases, the emphasis is on readiness for long-term cooperation in one position. Find out what qualities and skills are important to the company and demonstrate that you meet them if your goals match the expectations of the employer.
Be patient and don’t give up on the way to the desired offer!
2. Prepare Your Portfolio
Gather Relevant Projects
Create a portfolio with your best projects that are relevant to the games industry. Include a detailed description of your contribution to each project, the technologies used, and the results achieved. If you have experience working on game projects, be sure to include them in your portfolio.
Demonstrate Your Skills
Your portfolio should demonstrate your skills in various areas: game development, graphics, sound design, level design, etc. It’s important that your portfolio is up-to-date and reflects your current abilities.
3. Technical Preparation
Learn the Necessary Technologies
Identify which technologies and tools are used in the company and ensure you are well-versed in them. These might include game engines (Unity, Unreal Engine), programming languages (C#, C++, Python), or other specialized tools.
Solve Technical Problems
Practice solving typical problems that might be given during the interview. These could include algorithm tasks, optimization, working with graphics and physics in games. There are online resources and books that can help you with your preparation.
I would advise beginners to knock on larger companies. Young startups are usually very limited in terms of deadlines and budgets and often simply cannot afford to teach newcomers. Large companies often still have all sorts of educational programs or internships — this is a great opportunity to try the profession in real conditions.
Get ready for the interview! Find out more about the company. Find where your interests will overlap with the interests of the company/project, and focus on this in your answers. Because you don’t have important skills yet, and therefore you will first of all be evaluated as a person: whether you know how to listen and reason, how comfortable it will be to work with you in a team. Everything else comes with years and experience.
A huge plus in any interview is if you can talk about your favorite games or genres, compare them with each other, describe your preferences or some kind of analysis of why some elements in the games were made one way or another.
4. Prepare for Interview Questions
General Questions
Prepare for standard questions such as “Tell me about yourself,” “Why do you want to work at our company?”, “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”. Think about how to connect your answers with the games industry and the specific company.
Specific Questions
Expect questions related to the games industry, such as “What games do you like and why?”, “How would you improve our game?” or “What current trends in the games industry do you consider important?”. Your answers should show your awareness and passion for games.
5. Practical Assignments and Tests
Test Assignments
Many games companies offer candidates test assignments. This could be creating a small game prototype, writing code, or designing a level. Try to complete the assignment as qualitatively and timely as possible.
Code Interviews
Be prepared for technical interviews where you may be asked to write code on the spot or discuss its details. Practice in advance and make sure you understand the basic principles of writing clean and optimized code.
6. Soft Skills and Teamwork
Team Interaction
Game development often requires close interaction within a team. Be prepared to discuss your experience working in a team, participating in group projects, and resolving conflicts. Good communication skills and the ability to work in a team will be a significant advantage.
Creative Thinking
The games industry values creativity and innovation. Prepare for questions aimed at assessing your creative thinking and ability to propose original ideas.
Preparing for an interview at a games company takes time and effort, but the right approach will help you stand out among other candidates. Demonstrate your passion for games, deep knowledge of the industry, and technical skills, and you will have a good chance of getting the job you want. Good luck!
