Entry-level game developer resumes need to focus on your skills, projects, and relevant coursework. This article includes examples of strong resumes and tips for showcasing your abilities. Learn how to highlight your technical skills, software proficiency, and any game development projects you've completed.
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Here's what we see in the best resumes for game developers.
Show Impact With Numbers: The best resumes use numbers. They show metrics like
Include Relevant Skills From The Job Description: Include skills on your resume that you have and are mentioned on the job description. Some popular ones are
Relevant Internships Matter: Internships show experience. Resumes with phrases like
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Place your education section at the top of your resume if you are fresh out of school. As an aspiring game developer, this shows you have recent training in the field. If your studies include courses relevant to game development, such as computer science, game design, or graphic programming, highlight these courses to show your specialized knowledge.
For those with some experience in game development or related internships, mix your practical experience and education. List your education section after your experience to show how your hands-on work complements your academic background. Always focus on what will catch an employer's eye first.
In the game development field, include links to your online portfolio, GitHub, or personal website. This provides employers with direct access to your projects and coding skills.
Make sure these links are easy to find, ideally in the contact information at the top. This will make it easy for employers to assess your real-world capabilities.
Keep your resume to one page. As an aspiring game developer, your goal is to show you can communicate effectively while being concise. Present only the most relevant experiences and skills that align with game development. For example, highlight any programming projects or game prototypes you have built.
Remember, a one-page resume helps you focus on what truly matters for the role. If your work includes visual elements, link to an online portfolio rather than trying to describe every detail on the resume. This maintains brevity and guides hiring managers directly to your work. A clean, well-structured one-page resume will serve you better than multiple pages of unfiltered information.
Game development often involves teamwork. Highlight any team projects or collaborative efforts you were involved in. Mention your role and contributions to show your teamwork skills.
Specific examples of successful teamwork can set you apart. Use bullet points to describe your role and the outcome, especially in game jams, hackathons, or class projects.
You need to understand how resume screeners work. These are software systems that read your resume before a human does. They look for keywords and phrases that match the job you want. Here is how to make your resume more likely to pass this first check:
Keep your resume format simple. Fancy designs can confuse the software. Stick to text and avoid using images to show your skills.
Make your resume match the job you want. Show you have the right skills. Think about what game developers need to do. Your resume should show these skills clearly. This helps hiring managers see you fit the job.
You may feel the need to list your job duties on your resume. But when you're applying for an entry-level game developer position, it's vital to focus on what you've accomplished. You want to show employers how you can add value to their team.
Instead of saying
Another tip is to quantify your achievements. For example, do not just mention
As you build your resume, focus on the specific skills that show you can make games. Here are some key skills to include:
You don't need to know all these things. Choose skills that match the job you want. Put these skills in a separate section. This makes it easy for hiring managers and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to find them. ATS helps sort resumes before a person reads them.
Remember, show good projects you have worked on. They can be from school, internships, or your own time. This shows you can use your skills in real work. Put this experience in a projects or work history section.
As a hiring manager, I know how valuable leadership skills are, even for entry-level positions. When you apply to be a game developer, showing any past leadership roles can set you apart. Think about times when you took charge of a project or guided a team.
Here are ways you might show your leadership or promotions:
Even if your experience is not from a job, include it. For example, if you led a team in a game development competition or were promoted in a student club, these are good signs of leadership. Your resume should make it clear that you are ready to take on responsibility and help others to achieve a common goal.
As a hiring manager, I look for clear evidence of how your work has made a difference. In the field of game development, numbers can tell a strong story. When drafting your resume, think about the impact you've had in your projects and how you can show this with numbers.
Here are some ways you can reflect your impact:
Even if you're not sure about the exact numbers, you can estimate them. Think about:
Use these numbers to create a clear picture of your contributions. This will help you stand out as someone who not only develops games but also adds real value to a project.
When you apply to small game development studios, like indie companies, show that you can wear many hats. Smaller teams need you to take on various tasks. Your resume might say, "Developed game features and assisted in testing for bug fixes." This shows you are ready to do more than one job.
For larger companies such as Electronic Arts or Ubisoft, focus on specialized skills. Big firms have more people, so they look for experts in one area. You might write, "Focused on 3D graphics programming using Unity and Unreal Engine." This tells them you are good in a key area they need.