What do you do if you have temporary work experience to showcase on a game design resume?

Breaking into game design can be challenging, especially when your work experience consists of short-term projects or contract work. However, temporary roles can be a goldmine of experience and skills relevant to game design. Whether you've done level design for a small indie project or assisted a team in QA testing for a few months, these experiences can showcase your adaptability, skill set, and passion for game design. The key is to present your temporary roles in a way that highlights your contributions and what you've learned, making it clear to potential employers that you're a valuable asset with a diverse background in the gaming industry.

1 Highlight Skills

When your resume is dotted with short-term game design roles, focus on the skills you've honed rather than the duration of each position. Emphasize the specific game design tools and techniques you've mastered, such as Unity or Unreal Engine, and describe how you applied them in various projects. This approach demonstrates your practical experience and proficiency, which can be more compelling than tenure in a role. Remember, your potential to contribute to future projects is what employers are truly interested in.

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Joaquin Brillembourg

Designing [not] bored games for learning.
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In my experience, every experience adds value to your skill set. When showcasing temporary roles on your game design resume, focus on the diverse skills and perspectives you’ve gained. Highlight how each position allowed you to tackle unique challenges and contribute creatively to different projects. Demonstrate your ability to adapt quickly and your readiness to bring innovative solutions to what you worked on, and what the impact of that contribution was. This approach not only showcases your technical prowess but also your ability to thrive in varied environments.

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2 Project Impact

With each temporary role you've held, aim to quantify the impact you had on the project. Discuss any innovative solutions you implemented or how your work improved the game's design or playability. This not only shows that you were an active contributor but also that you understand the importance of measurable results in game development. Such achievements can speak louder than the length of time you spent at a company and can position you as a results-oriented professional.

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3 Tailor Experience

Tailor your resume to the specific game design job you're applying for by highlighting relevant temporary experiences. If the job requires experience with multiplayer level design, for instance, bring attention to any contract work that involved similar tasks. This targeted approach shows that you've carefully considered how your past work aligns with the job requirements and that you possess the exact skills needed to excel in the role.

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4 Portfolio Showcase

A portfolio is crucial in game design. Use it to complement your resume by including samples of work from your temporary gigs. Whether it's concept art, level designs, or code snippets, make sure each piece is well-presented and clearly linked to the projects you've worked on. This visual representation of your abilities allows employers to see the quality and scope of your work firsthand, making your temporary experiences more tangible and impressive.

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5 Networking Value

Don't underestimate the value of networking within the game design community. Temporary roles often provide opportunities to work with various professionals and teams. Highlighting this on your resume shows that you've built a network within the industry, which can be advantageous for future collaborations or job opportunities. Mention any connections or mentors you've gained, as these relationships can be as significant as the work itself.

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6 Continuous Learning

Finally, emphasize your commitment to continuous learning and professional development, which is essential in the ever-evolving field of game design. Mention any workshops, online courses, or certifications you've pursued alongside your temporary work. This conveys your dedication to staying current with industry trends and technologies, a quality that can set you apart from other candidates with more static experience profiles.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What do you do if you have temporary work experience to showcase on a game design resume?

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1 Highlight Skills

2 Project Impact

3 Tailor Experience

4 Portfolio Showcase

5 Networking Value

6 Continuous Learning

7 Here’s what else to consider

Game Design

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What do you do if you have temporary work experience to showcase on a game design resume?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Highlight Skills

2 Project Impact

3 Tailor Experience

4 Portfolio Showcase

5 Networking Value

6 Continuous Learning

7 Here’s what else to consider

Game Design

Rate this article

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