Recruiter at Naughty Dog Christina-Marie Drake McBrearty shared portfolio tips that can help find a job more quickly, discussed how using social media can facilitate this process, and spoke about what artists can do if a job search is taking longer than expected.
The tech sector has experienced significant job cuts in recent months, affecting many game developers and artists. In response, we have decided to provide support to those who have been laid off and are seeking new employment opportunities. To do this, we have reached out to recruiters at game companies and asked them to share their advice on handling job loss and practical steps for moving forward.
In this article, we hear from Christina-Marie Drake McBrearty, a Recruiter at Naughty Dog, who shares her tips and insights on this important topic.
I have touched on this in the past with both published works and on LinkedIn. Today, I'll share my key tips for a portfolio specifically.
Here are some tips for artists and developers to improve their portfolios:
Remember to keep your portfolio concise, relevant, and engaging. It should reflect your unique style and showcase your strengths and skills to potential employers.
I have definitely seen artists leverage social media effectively. This is a wide topic that’s hard to summarize concisely but I’ll do my best. The short answer is that social media can be an effective tool for artists to find new opportunities. It allows you to network with potential employers, showcase your work, and reach a wider audience.
I have in the past hired artists from Instagram and Facebook, and I have had candidates come to me by way of LinkedIn, Discord, and Tiktok. There are so many platforms that can potentially lead you to a new opportunity. If you want to be successful on any platform you will need to build a strong online presence by creating content that is meaningful, engaging, and consistent. Posting is not sufficient on its own. One will need to regularly participate in discussions, comment on posts, and share relevant articles/other works to build that audience.
This depends largely on the tactics they have been using thus far. One way to increase the number of applications to interviews in the candidates' favor is by testing various approaches and leveraging your network.
I recently made a collection of posts on LinkedIn specifically digging into networking and how to do it effectively. Staying up to date with industry trends and news is another way to tackle new up-and-coming opportunities. By following industry leaders and organizations to stay informed and in the loop on new opportunities and how to position yourself for them.
If someone has exhausted all their potential resources as an individual, they can look at hiring a professional to help with new tactics. These individuals can help with resume & cover letter writing, mock interview practice, salary negotiation, and a myriad of other tasks to help improve your chances as a candidate.
I think we covered quite a few tips that would lend themselves to any studio including Naughty Dog. Some additional tips to keep in mind are to be sure that you research the company you’re applying for. Familiarize yourself with the company values, culture, and type of work they produce. Tailor your application and/or portfolio to that specific studio. Show enthusiasm and passion and don’t be afraid to (or discouraged from) following up with recruiters like myself from those studios on LinkedIn. Be sure to be professional and proactive, and demonstrate your passion for the role and the company. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of landing your dream job and becoming a valuable member of the team.