You're only as good as your current demo reel. And most companies can cherry pick - you have to show them that they need you. Nobody will hire you cause you're a nice guy.
This.
That annoying quote I've read on far too many coffee mugs is the key, "Be the change you wish to see in this world."
I've seen people with all the experience in the world get skipped for someone "fresh" who had something to show. If you think you can "make games look good" then do it. Make that portfolio, open a WIX, and do mockups of content. Make it clear what you are doing that the content did not and show them you know how to self manage.
Not surprisingly, the games industry is like every other job. Prove you can do it before someone invests in you.
And don't go through QA. QA needs solid, focused, analytical people in it. Too many pass through leaving the door open and expectation becomes exactly that perception it's just to get your foot in the door. How can we respect a discipline when everyone uses it to ship games but treats them like hobos; what should be the logic and art clash of disciplines is treated like a carnie tent. (That is a topic for another thread and involves both sides making reasonable changes.)