Preparation
Don’t give us a reason to reject you!
Jim Rivers
Hiring Manager
Preparation
• Resumes
• Cover Letters
• Business Cards
• Websites
• Networking
• The Interview
What is a resume?
Definition:
• A summary of a candidates educational and work experience,
for the information of possible future employers.
Resume formats
Chronological Resume
• A chronological resume enumerates a candidate's job
experiences in reverse chronological order, generally covering
the last 3 - 5 years or industry related experience.
Functional Resume
• This format directly highlights specific experience summaries
and professional achievements as its primary means of
communication.
What should I put on my resume?
Do’s
• Tailor your resume to each company you apply too
• Keep your resume limited to 1 page unless you have the
experience to back it up
• Make downloading easy – WORD .DOC or .PDF Formats
• Make sure that you spell check EVERYTHING and then have
other people check it again
• Make sure you have your web link on your resume
• Keep updating the information and style of your resume
What should I not put on my resume?
Don’ts
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Do not bulk up your resume because you lack experience
No logos or artwork on your resume
No crazy FONTS – Veranda, Arial and Times New Roman is fine
Do not send your resume as a .JPEG or .AI
Put the wrong companies name on your resume
Hobbies, Marital status, Political Status, Social Security
Number, Drivers License Number, Birthday or Picture of
yourself
Resume
Keep it simple and to the point
Name – Avoid using nick names
Address – Simple
Email – Your name @ Whatever . Com
Website – Keep it professional
Phone – Have a professional answer
Objective or Summary – So we don’t have to guess what you are
Skills – What can you do?
Work or Industry experience – Do you know the difference?
Education – If you have a college degree leave off High School
What is a Cover Letter?
Definition:
• A cover letter is an accompanying letter or email that
introduces you and your resume to a potential employer
indicating your interest in the position or company.
What should I have in my Cover Letter?
Do’s
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Passion for what you do
Fan-boy a bit but don’t go overboard
Research the company you are applying too
Be confident
What can you bring to the team
What should I not have in my Cover Letter?
Don’ts
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Life story
Put the wrong companies name on your cover letter
Don’t beg or plead
No more than 1 page
Example - Cover Letter
Date
Your Name
Address
City/State/Zip
Employer's Name
Employer's Title
Company Name
Address
City/State/Zip
Dear Name,
Introduction : Create interest; attract attention
The Body: Discuss why you want to work for this company
Closing: State that you would like an opportunity to be interviewed
Sincerely,
Your Signature
Your Name Printed
Websites
Definition:
• A collection of related web pages, images, videos or other
digital assets that are addressed with a common domain
name
What should I have on my website?
• What are you
– Designer, Artist, Animator or Programmer
• Links to your resume (Downloadable please) in .PDF or Word
.DOC formats
• Your best work
• Split up your work into categories
• Links to your friends websites
• Keep your work organized and documented
What should I NOT have on my website?
• Work that is not yours
• Work that SCREAMS COLLEGE or your MOM said it looks
great
• Quantity over quality
• Work that does not apply
• Anime
• Risqué or politically focused content
• No dead links
• No W.I.P.’s (Works in Progress)
Business Cards
Definition:
• Cards bearing business information about a company or
individual
BUSINESS CARDS
• Same as resume –Keep it professional
• What are you?
• If you have a business card you should use it
Networking
Definition:
• Networking is a powerful way of building professional and
personal relationships.
• It is a process of actively developing and maintaining contacts
and creating ways to circulate information.
How do you start networking
• Hello goes a long way
• Use your existing ties
• Associations
• Volunteer
Types of Networking
Planned/Intentional
– Conventions, Job Fairs, Competitions
– GDC, Siggraph, Comic Con
Social / Online
– Online: MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn
– Personal Website
– Online forums/Blogs
Chance / Unplanned
– Family functions, waiting in line for a movie etc.
Networking Do’s
Build relationships
– Friends first business second
Keep it Short & Sweet
– Don’t bore them with your life's story
Take Notes
– Helps to remember for later
Maintain your network
– Just e-mail to say hello
Networking Don’ts
Don't abuse relationships!
– Do not STALK!!!
– Don’t always come off as needy
Don't be selfish!
– Share the wealth
Don't ask for a job!
– You will force your contact to refuse you
NETWORKING STRATEGIES DO’s
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Know your TARGETS!
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Have a WINGMAN
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Be the INFO HUB
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Follow up or LOSE!
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Be Professional
Networking Strategies Don’ts
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Don’t be a WUSS!
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Don’t be CLINGY!
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Don’t be a FANBOY!
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Don’t be a CARD COLLECTOR!
DRIVE
• Why should I hire you?
• What makes you different?
The Interview
Definition:
An interview is a conversation between two or more people
(the interviewer and the interviewee) where questions are
asked by the interviewer to obtain information from the
interviewee for the possibility of future employment.
OBSIDIAN ENTERTAINMENTS
Interview Process
1. Resumes
2. Review
3. Phone interview
4. In-house interview
Interview Do’s
• Bathe
• Be on time
• Be prepared
• Listen then answer
• Get business cards
• Be Professional
Interview Don’ts
• Don’t be rude
• Don’t blow it off
• Don’t lie
SUMMARY
• Be prepared to enter your career field
• Know the companies you are applying to
• Network!
• Be professional!
QUESTIONS?