What do you do if you need to tap into your professional network after a layoff in game design?

1 Update your online presence

Before you reach out to your network, make sure your online presence reflects your current situation and goals. Update your LinkedIn profile, resume, and portfolio with your latest projects, achievements, and skills. Highlight your game design experience and showcase your best work samples. Also, update your social media profiles and personal website if you have one, and make sure they are consistent and professional. You want to create a positive and memorable impression on potential employers and collaborators.

2 Activate your existing contacts

One of the most effective ways to tap into your professional network is to contact the people you already know and trust in the game industry. These can be former colleagues, managers, mentors, clients, or friends who can offer you support, advice, referrals, or leads. Reach out to them via email, phone, or social media, and let them know that you are looking for new opportunities in game design. Be polite, respectful, and genuine, and express your interest in their current projects and challenges. Ask them if they know of any openings or projects that match your skills and goals, or if they can introduce you to someone who does. Don't be afraid to ask for help, but don't be pushy or desperate either. Follow up with them regularly and keep them updated on your progress.

3 Expand your network

Another way to tap into your professional network is to expand it by connecting with new people who share your passion and expertise in game design. You can do this by attending online or offline events, such as webinars, workshops, conferences, meetups, or game jams, where you can meet and interact with other game designers, developers, publishers, or recruiters. You can also join online communities, forums, groups, or platforms that are relevant to your niche, genre, or style of game design, and participate in discussions, feedback sessions, or collaborations. You can also reach out to game design influencers, bloggers, podcasters, or journalists who can offer you insights, exposure, or connections. When you network with new people, be friendly, curious, and respectful, and offer value before asking for anything. Don't spam or pitch your services, but rather show your interest and enthusiasm in their work and vision.

4 Showcase your value

As you tap into your professional network, you want to demonstrate your value as a game designer and show that you are a desirable candidate for any potential opportunity. You can do this by creating and sharing original content that showcases your game design knowledge, skills, and creativity. For example, you can write blog posts, articles, or newsletters that share your game design tips, insights, or opinions. You can also create video tutorials, podcasts, or webinars that teach or demonstrate your game design process, tools, or techniques. You can also share your game design portfolio, projects, or prototypes, and invite feedback, suggestions, or collaboration. By creating and sharing valuable content, you can establish your credibility, authority, and reputation in the game industry, and attract attention, interest, and trust from your network and beyond.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?