Adam Creighton, Computer and Video Gaming: Get your act together

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Adam Creighton, Computer and Video Gaming (Subscribe)

Friday, October 09, 2009

Get your act together

OK, this needs to be a bit ranty / rambly.

I was at a great game industry networking gig last night. It was a big turnout, representing a bunch of companies, disciplines, and skill levels. And it's nice to hang out with good folks and enjoy their company.

A bunch of folks there last night are between gigs. The current economy is getting everyone -- That's not the issue.

So, now the Ranty McRanty part.

I've griped before about how the game industry doesn't network to help big things happen for each other like I've seen in other vertical (specifically, technical) markets.

But when you're looking for a job, you need to be even more on your A-game.

Most of these people in transition didn't have business cards. Or resumes (I don't mean "with them", I mean "at all").

WTF?

Seriously, am I missing something? If you're trying to connect with someone to get a job, don't you want them to have your contact information? An easy way to see your portfolio? Maybe having a way for them to know who you are and how to get a hold of you might, I dunno, be helpful?

Ergh.

Always have business cards with you. Always.

For me, I have three -- whatever card from my current employer, my acting card, and a generic, title-less card for my next potential gig (like below).

And I have my resume on my phone (so I can Email it instantly, with a queued up Email template along the lines of "It was nice to meet you tonight! Here's a copy of the generalized version of my resume for your reference."). And it's available from my Website.

I'm not saying this is the way to do all of this, but I am saying it's a way. And it's far better than tripping all over yourself and shooting yourself in the professional foot.

Now, there were some people who were prepared last night. One guy even had hard copies of his resume with him (which was kind of cute).

OK, enough of the rant. Go get business cards.

(Hey, does the logo on my generic card look to much like a tramp stamp?)

Labels: rants