Games Jobs Direct’s Post

It's really awesome to see WIRED covering our space (thank you Lauren Goode for taking an interest in technical interviews and how nuts they are). This was covered well in the piece, but given that there's always more to say, here's some more context about how Meta is handling negotiations. First, they'll make you a lowball offer with just a few days to make a decision. Once you’re done with team matching, your recruiter will make you a lowball offer that’s often $50k or more (!!) below the average TC on levels.fyi. Moreover, you usually just get a couple of days to make a decision. Then, they will refuse to negotiate unless you can show them other offers from comparable companies. Your recruiter will say something like, “If you’d like to increase your offer, I can take this to the compensation committee, but I need a compelling reason [i.e., another offer]." If you have other offers, they will apologize for the lowball offer, citing that it’s “automatic numbers from our computer” and raise the numbers by $100K or more (in first year’s TC). If you do not, you will be stuck with a lowball offer, though you may be able to negotiate a small signing bonus if the offer didn’t come with one already. This means that likely there are engineers at Meta with the same job title, in the same location, with a $150k difference in their comp. Aggressive capitalism is all fine and good, but I also believe that individuals have the right and duty to be as informed as possible and to wield information and whatever other weapons are in their arsenal to advocate for themselves. https://lnkd.in/gEfWfmKq

Bye, bye “Flat Stanley”!!!! You gotta gooooo 👋🏽 👋🏽 👋🏽 Last time, I was here to celebrate… 🎉🥳 Today, we ideate!! 🧠🧑🏻🔬 𝙊𝘽𝙅𝙀𝘾𝙏𝙄𝙑𝙀:: How to breathe life into bulletpoints?? With layoffs increasing, and more unfortunate Souls entering the candidate pool daily, 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 👆🏼 must now take center stage.  The program has to become one of converting this, my lil’ LinkedIn space, into a “living résumé” of sorts. No…. not like those TikTok résumés of circa 2021/2022. For starters, those were 30-60 second video clips and I have no intention of flooding this valuable virtual real estate with variations of those. No doubt those were more “dynamic”* than the traditional “Flat Stanley”** – .doc or .pdf – version….but were they effective? Well, that is a question for those far more experienced than I in that subject. It’s also not the purpose of this post…. That’s not what I’m proposing here. The “living resume” that I’m striving to create here is something a bit more useful. And, though deemed “living” it will be come to life entirely through language. So, what do I mean then? Well…Okay, let me explain! (And please think Sophia Petrillo as you continue...) Picture it…. United States…. 2024…. 6.4 million people unemployed… 1,546,664 jobs posted on @LinkedIn (81,584 of those being remote roles, 86,392 of them, hybrid) The odds are 𝙣𝙤𝙩 in my favor! I’m applying to roles that are receiving, easily, upward of 100 applications in less than 24 hours, often over a 1000 in 48***. And while yes, I’m part of that less than 2% of PhDs – less than 1% if we’re talkin’ #TransHispanicPhDs or #HispanicWomenPhDs – in a market that is 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 flooded with talent and expertise, I’ve GOT to find a way to differentiate 𝙏𝙃𝙄𝙎 product, and highlight 𝙈𝙔 value-add. In short, in this market, I’ve gotta become more than my simple “Flat Stanley” to be memorable, desirable and “interviewable”.  Like it or not – flawed application system and all – as my Daddy-O used to say “es lo que hay” ["it's what there is" / "it is what it is"]!!!**** That said…. 🟢 I’ve gotta find a way to 𝙎𝙃𝙊𝙒 organizations – 𝙫𝙞𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮, 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙇𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙚𝙙𝙄𝙣 𝙨𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙚 – that I walk the walk. 🟡 I’ve gotta find a way to 𝙎𝙃𝙊𝙒 recruiters I’m not simply “talkin’ the talk” on a “Flat Stanley” résumé before their eyes. 🟣 I’ve gotta find a way to 𝙎𝙃𝙊𝙒 hiring teams that I don’t just provide stirring performances 🎭 during thirty to sixty-minute windows (though, I likely will move you! 😉). 🟠 I’ve gotta 𝙎𝙃𝙊𝙒 you that I’m #TheRealDeal!!! "𝙃𝙊𝙒..??" you ask? I guess you’ve just gotta #StayTuned.... #HereWeGo #WatchMeWork #BringingMyExperienceToLife #LivingResume 📝 **Footnotes in comments!!**

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🎮 Exciting News from My First Day at Recruitment Heroes | Games Division! 🚀 I wanted to share an update after my first day and give an insight into how it went and what's to come! First off, the support, congratulations, and outreach from so many of you have been incredible. Working with Hannah Wright ⚡️🎮 to brainstorm and get up to speed with the amazing tools we'll be using has been mega! One thing I've always noticed in the gaming industry is the amazing sense of community and camaraderie! It's like finding an Estus Flask when you need one. 🙏✨ (Sorry Elden Ring, but the Flask of Crimson Tears will always be an Estus Flask to me!) 😅 But in true Dark Souls fashion, then comes the fog wall - I dove straight into the action and began talking with some fantastic, experienced professionals. 💬👥 Many reached out with the same question: "Can you help me find my next role?" 🎯 Looking at their CVs, I was amazed by their talent - years of experience, countless AAA titles shipped, and many impressive projects. Yet, they’re still actively searching for their next opportunity. This really hit home for me and highlighted the responsibility I have in this role. 🎮📋 As my list of candidates grows, my main focus now is to support these talented individuals in finding the best roles at the best studios so they can continue making amazing games. 🕹️🏆 If you have vacancies that need filling or want to learn more about what we do, let’s chat! I’d love to see how we can work together to help these awesome candidates land their next big gig! 🤝💼 #RecruitmentHeroes #GamesDivision #GameIndustry #JobOpportunity #GameDev #TalentAcquisition

In light of the recent #ActivisionBlizzard layoffs, I hope this helps those affected navigate their way back into the workforce. Remember, it's not about how fast you land the next job, but about finding the right fit for you. 🔹Day 1-2: Take a breather. It's okay to feel down; you are not alone. 💪 🔹Day 3-5: Update your resume and LinkedIn profile. Highlight your skills and achievements. 🔹Day 6-10: Reach out to your network - friends, former colleagues, mentors. They can provide potential leads and offer support. 🔹Day 11-15: Apply for jobs that align with your career goals. Don't limit yourself to one industry or role. 🔹Day 16-20: Brush up on interview skills - practice makes perfect! 🎯 🔹Day 21-25: Stay positive & keep applying! Every application is a step closer to landing a job. 🔹Day 26-30: Remember that self-care is as important as finding the next opportunity. #jobsearch #careeradvice #resilience 💼✨

The plethora of new layoffs and job reductions I see whenever I open this app is insane. Friends, former colleagues, family. I ask myself, how are we supposed to grow in our careers with this happening so consistantly? Not only that- the challenges with finding a new career or job now years after "covid" have increased. Remote jobs are hard to find. Corporations are embracing the in office or hybrid job way of work which puts some of us in unique positions after moving around. My father, a retired NYC teacher, always believed in loyalty when working for a company. A bit different being a teacher- but still- alot of us are loyal to our companies. Trying to achieve a long term growth and career status. Build something. Believe in the company we work for. But where is the loyalty back to us? How do we know we are "safe" as we do our jobs? I remember when I was jobless the struggles I faced finding something new. Consistantly applying for lateral titles and responsibilities to jobs I was WELL over qualified for. Thousands of applications and personal reach outs. It was down right depressing. You start to feel like such a failure when we shouldn't. But how do we not? Getting a new job should NOT be this challenging- especially when you have a resume of success, growth, and experience. Let me ask you- my network- for all of friends, former colleagues, and family that are in this unfortunate position now or may be in the future: 🔎 How Can we set ourselves apart from the rest of the millions of folks applying for jobs? 🔎 What should we do beyond applying? 🔎 Is agism a REAL thing? 🔎 How can we grow our careers and make a wise next step? To all my friends, former colleagues, and family in this position- you have my support always. You all know who you are. #layoffs #layoffsupport #careerhelp #newjobs #recruiterhelp #layoffsandjobreductions #leadership

Laid off. Now what? 30-day plan to get back to work: From a recruiter who has sat on 100s of interviews. With yesterday's 1000s of layoffs at XBOX and ABK. I'm taking a break from studio tours in Barcelona To bring you everything I would do to get back to work. You got this! 1) Explode my LinkedIn presence A big LinkedIn Introduction - Write a LinkedIn post using STAR Technique (see comments for examples) Make sure this is easy on the eyes and highlight your achievements! Refrain from being negative and focus on the value you bring to your next studio. - Smiling Profile picture - OTW Banner (turn on/off weekly) - Clear Title/Ex companies in headline (57 Characters) Recruiters want what they can't have. Remember you are the prize! "They need you, you don't need them" That is what we are aiming for. 2: Tap the hidden job market. You may have heard of it: - Catchy term for jobs not advertised - Accounts for 70-80% of open positions* - Accounted for 92% of my placements as a recruiter Common secret job timeline: 1. Hiring managers ask around internally 2. Internal recruitment go through database 3. Contract Agencies get involved 4. Perm Agencies get involved 5. Position filled. As hiring managers have a need, they think: "Who do we know?" By inserting myself into that conversation. I will get first dibs. 1. Reach out to hiring managers on LinkedIn 2. Building personal relationships with recruiters 3. Have at least 2 e-coffees a month with possible mentors Be the solution BEFORE there is a need. 3: Applying with purpose Filter your top 30 roles from Amir Satvat's job resource. Find the respective hiring manager/recruiter. Engage with their content/comments for 2-3 days. Connect and mention you applied and if they need anything else. (cover letters are often an unofficial requirement now) 1. MINIMUM 3 Tailored applications daily. 2. Connect to 10 peers/hiring managers daily. 3. Keep track on a spreadsheet ➜ Gamify your search. Times are tough, I don't pretend they aren't But let's remember: Co-dev is booming. Studios opening constantly. Expectations have stayed high! Companies are doing layoffs in bulk to avoid attention. Things WILL get better. You got this 💪 PS: ♻️ Repost if your network could find this useful <3

I had a dream last night that I went to work at a well known games recruitment agency. I quit on my second day - I just wasn’t feeling it, being an agency recruiter working on commission and not having the same kind of hiring manager access one gets as an internal recruiter. Nothing wrong with being an agency recruiter, it’s just not my thing. It was an interesting dream though - in it they felt I thought I was somehow better than them, when the truth was it just wasn’t me and whether I was ‘better’ than them (whatever that means) genuinely didn’t enter my head. Anyway, it did make me think something - that I’ve been very fussy in my job search, and this explains (to a small degree) why I’m still looking. I’ve turned down one offer and dropped out of two other processes because they just didn’t feel like the right fit. Some might argue I’m too fussy - in the current market a job is a job is a job. There’s some merit in that too. But I can only sell projects - and more importantly, people - I believe in. I can’t ask someone to work somewhere I don’t want to work myself. If it doesn’t excite me, how can I expect it to excite you? The right role will come along, I just need to wait for it and have faith 🤷🏻♂️ #gamesjobs #videogames #gamesindustry #talentacquisition

Once again, I'd like to remind you that Amir's shared document is quite useful for job hunting. It contains valuable information and resources that can assist you in your search.

Laid off? Join the club 😅 But remember, your next role might be better than your last! Drop a ‘💪’ if you’re in the job hunt - we’re all in this together! #jobsearch #techlayoffs #corporatelife #careertiktok #jobhunting #layoffs #corporatemillennial #jobseeker #linkedinlife #careeradvice #jobmarket2024 #careertips #corporatehumor #worklife #jobhuntinghumor #careerchange #jobsearchmotivation #layofflife #techjobs #corporateamerica