Preparation Don’t give us a reason to reject you!

Jim RiversHiring 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• 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 pointName – 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• 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• Life story• Put the wrong companies name on your cover letter• Don’t beg or plead • No more than 1 page

Example - Cover LetterDate

Your NameAddressCity/State/Zip

Employer's NameEmployer's TitleCompany NameAddressCity/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 SignatureYour 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

• Know your TARGETS!

• Have a WINGMAN

• Be the INFO HUB

• Follow up or LOSE!

• Be Professional

Networking Strategies Don’ts

• Don’t be a WUSS!

• Don’t be CLINGY!

• Don’t be a FANBOY!

• 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?