For years, I tried to break into the marketing side of gaming, specifically video (trailers, Dev diaries, etc). Unfortunately, I lacked professional experience, so I found work in TV instead (local news). I spent the past few years making ads for everything from investigations to contests in a couple of big American markets, but it's starting to take a toll on my health. The subject matter is so negative, if you don't have that journalistic drive, it becomes a real burden after a while.
Due to this, I now find myself again wanting to work in gaming, and over the past year, I've tried to make the transition. I've had a couple of close calls with huge companies -- one series of interviews spanned a month and cost me 6 hours of time for a rejection -- but whereas before the knock against me was a general lack of experience, the main knock against me now is a lack of "industry experience."
I'm frustrated because it's a chicken and the egg thing...how does one gain industry experience without working in the industry? I spent years volunteering for sites and making gaming content for free. I've covered E3 twice, both times on my own dime. And I'm as passionate as anyone about the hobby. Still, anytime I get a company's attention, the general takeaway is "you might know how to market news, but that doesn't mean you know how to market games."
On the flip side, I wouldn't mind working as a video producer or something for a gaming news outlet, but they, too, can be just as stubborn.
Overall, I assume this is a pretty common problem, but have you wanted to work in the industry and hit a wall at every turn? Maybe you got around it and have tips to share. Or maybe you're a hiring manager and can shed some light on what makes a candidate stand out to you. Either way, maybe this thread can be of some use. Thanks for letting me vent.
Due to this, I now find myself again wanting to work in gaming, and over the past year, I've tried to make the transition. I've had a couple of close calls with huge companies -- one series of interviews spanned a month and cost me 6 hours of time for a rejection -- but whereas before the knock against me was a general lack of experience, the main knock against me now is a lack of "industry experience."
I'm frustrated because it's a chicken and the egg thing...how does one gain industry experience without working in the industry? I spent years volunteering for sites and making gaming content for free. I've covered E3 twice, both times on my own dime. And I'm as passionate as anyone about the hobby. Still, anytime I get a company's attention, the general takeaway is "you might know how to market news, but that doesn't mean you know how to market games."
I can make city council meetings seem interesting. Trust me, I can do it with games.
On the flip side, I wouldn't mind working as a video producer or something for a gaming news outlet, but they, too, can be just as stubborn.
Overall, I assume this is a pretty common problem, but have you wanted to work in the industry and hit a wall at every turn? Maybe you got around it and have tips to share. Or maybe you're a hiring manager and can shed some light on what makes a candidate stand out to you. Either way, maybe this thread can be of some use. Thanks for letting me vent.