In this article, we share top resume examples for aspiring game designers. We provide tips on showcasing your skills, such as coding and level design, to catch a studio's eye. Learn the best ways to present your game projects and work experience to land that dream job.
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Here's what we see in strong game design resumes.
Show Impact With Numbers: The best resumes show effect with clear numbers. For game design, they include
Skills Matching The Job Description: Include skills on your resume that you have and are listed in the job description. Popular ones include
Highlight Personal Game Projects: Include any personal game projects you have worked on. Use phrases like
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For game design positions, if you are new to the field or a recent graduate, place your education at the top. This shows your most relevant qualifications first. Dress up your degree with specific courses or projects that relate to game development. If you have industry experience, your work history should lead, with education following.
If you've recently completed a specialized program or advanced degree, such as in game design or interactive entertainment, also put this first. This alerts the employer to your updated skills and dedication to the field.
In game design, it's crucial to list technical skills like programming languages, game engines, or design software. Include these in a dedicated section or woven into your experience. For instance, mention how you used a specific engine to develop a game feature. It’s good to link projects or portfolios that showcase these skills.
Also, stress your understanding of game mechanics and storytelling. These are unique to the field and show your ability to create engaging player experiences.
Keep your resume to one page if you have less than 10 years of experience in game design or related fields. This helps the reader see your highlights without getting lost in details. Focus on your strongest work that shows your skills in design, programming, or team projects.
For those with over 10 years of experience or in a senior position, two pages are suitable. Use the extra space to detail significant projects and leadership roles. Ensure every point you include shows your impact and contribution to the field.
Game development is a team effort. Show your experience with cross-functional teams, whether with artists, programmers, or testers. Highlight any roles where you coordinated with others to achieve a goal, delivered a project on time, or improved a process.
Being able to communicate your ideas clearly is also critical. In your resume, include instances where your communication made a difference in the game design process, like leading a brainstorm session or resolving a design challenge.
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) can make or break your chance at getting noticed for a game design job. These systems scan resumes to see if you are a good fit for the role. Here is how you can improve your odds:
When you apply for game design jobs, make sure your resume shows you're good at this work. Use clear examples. Talk about your skills and the results you got in past jobs. This will help employers see how you can help them.
When you create your resume, it's vital to highlight what you achieved rather than simply listing tasks you completed. This shows employers your impact in previous roles. For a game designer, this could take your resume from good to great. Below are key ways to pivot your resume focus from duties to accomplishments.
Remember, use strong examples that show your direct impact on projects. This approach helps employers see the value you could bring to their team.
You want your resume to stand out when applying for roles in game design. Use action verbs that show your direct impact on projects and teams. Think of words that highlight your ability to create, manage, and innovate. The verbs should give a clear image of your role and achievements without confusion.
Before you list your experiences, consider the specific tasks you have completed. Focus on verbs that game designers often do, like developing levels or coding. This will help you choose words that are relevant to the job you want.
Want inspiration for other action verbs you can use? Check out synonyms to commonly used action verbs like Juggle, Provided, Streamline, Support, Selected.
When you're applying for roles in game design, highlighting any leadership experience or promotions can set you apart. Think about times when you took charge of a project or guided a team. Even if you're not sure, there might be instances where you showed leadership that can be included.
Here are some ways you can reflect your leadership skills:
Remember to be specific about your achievements. For example, you can mention:
When you create your resume, showing your technical skills is key. Think about the tasks you will do in game design. What tools and techniques will you need? Here are some skills to consider:
Choose skills that match the job you want. If you want to be a level designer, show your strength in
Put your skills in a clear section on your resume. This helps your resume pass the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that many companies use. ATS looks for keywords from the job ad. So, use the same words they use when you list your skills. This makes it easier for the system to see that you have the right skills for the job.
When you apply for a game design job, you need to show your impact. Numbers help you do this. They make your achievements clear and easy to understand. Here are ways you can use numbers to show your value:
Think about the results of your work. Use numbers to show this:
Remember, even if you're not sure of the exact numbers, estimate. Think about the changes before and after your work. Was there more player engagement? Were there fewer problems? Your estimates can show your impact. If you helped improve something, it's important to say how much.
When applying to small companies or startups, like Inkle or Campo Santo, show your flexibility and wide range of skills. Highlight your ability to wear many hats, such as coding, designing, and testing. Include phrases like, "Led a small team in developing a prototype," or "Managed multiple aspects of game development."
For larger corporations, like Electronic Arts or Ubisoft, emphasize your specialization and experience in large projects. Focus on your role in big teams and your expertise in specific areas like character design or level development. Use phrases like, "Contributed to AAA title development," or "Specialized in 3D modeling for major releases."