Im a student in my final year of a BSc (hons) multimedia programming degree. I really need to have a job lined up when i finish my degree in July as I have no where to live. Anyway, I've been sending out propspective applications to companies for a while. The only reply i've had was from Nintendo saying thanks but no thanks. I want to work in the London area as I plan to move to North-west London. Does anyone know of any companies that are accepting graduate applications? I'm having a great deal of trouble finding information to help me. The job im looking for does not necessarily have to be in the games industry. Just so long as its software development. I have skills in C++/Java/VB/OpenGL etc. But mainly C++. Could anyone point me in the right direction, im getting desperate. Decent job website links would be good, or companies that have a good graduate scheme. Thanks to anyone that can help me. Luke.

Hi Luke,

I'd recommend having a look at this site...

http://www.datascope.co.uk/gateway.html
http://www.datascope.co.uk/graduates/index.html

...which is hosted by a game dev recruitment agency, and lists all the current game developers in the UK. If possible, apply directly, but failing that you may like to register with one these agencies and apply through them.

The main three UK recruitment agencies (for games) are....

http://www.datascope.co.uk
http://www.aswift.com
http://www.opmjobs.com

(there are a few others as well I think)

Some developers (for example Sony) will only accept applications via an agency, and so they may be able to find you opportunities that are not advertised openly.

A quick look at the datascope job list shows at least one opening for a junior programmer in London, so they do exist, but with so many UK developers shutting down over the last year or so, there are a lot of very experienced people who may be filling up all the graduate jobs. Don't let that put you off though. It's all a matter of timing, and if you're there at the right moment when an opening becomes available, then you might just get lucky.

Make sure your CV looks good, and that you have some kind of demo to show people what you can do.

For an experienced coder, applying directly often allows them to negotiate a higher salary, as the company will be saving money on agency fees, but this is unlikely to apply to a fresh graduate, so an agency may well be your best bet.

Good luck!

Quote: Original post by Kazade
I've been sending out propspective applications to companies for a while. The only reply i've had was from Nintendo saying thanks but no thanks.

If your not getting replies then either no one is hiring graduates or you are doing something wrong. I would bet it is the latter of the two.

The following applies to the game industry specifically.

You will have a tough time getting in because there are a very limited number of entry level positions. An average 20-30 person team can probably only support one (two tops) entry level staff without significantly reducing productivity.

1. CV/cover letter
Even though you have no experience you still need a well laid out cover letter and CV. Your CV needs to include any relevant experience that might be applicable. Including irrelevant experience (claiming that working on the till at Tesco is computer experience) is a good way to get your application canned.

2. Call first, don't spam
If you send a job application for a job that doesn't exist many people will toss your application in the bin and not bother to reply. Why? Well anyone who applies for non-existent jobs can't be all that bright so you wouldn't want to hire them. Pick up the phone, call the HR person and ask if they have entry level openings. If they do then send an application. If they don't ask if it would be worth submitting an application for when one comes up. If they say "no" then don't send one - it will just go in the bin. If there are no jobs then follow up three to six months later - don't call every week "is there a job yet, is there a job yet" - that is called stalking!

3. Don't apply for jobs you aren't qualified for. If the job ad states "Minimum two shipped games required" then applying for the job (if you don't have that experience) is a waste of time.
As in item 2 they will think you are stupid or worse still that you obviously think they are stupid - after all you obviously think that someone without the experience can do the job and hence the person who wrote the job ad must be a fool for thinking experience is required.
Get out clause: The above problem can be avoided if you pick up the phone, talk to them and ask if it would be OK to apply even without the stated experience.

4. Portfolio, portfolio, portfolio
To get an entry level job as either a games programmer or artist you need a great portfolio. Developers want people who are passionate about games. People who are passionate about games will already have written some (small) games or if their passion is graphics, AI or physics they will have worked on programs in that field - over an above what they were required to do for their course work.

I disagree with your advice, Obscure, except for most of the section titles.

1. A resume, vitae and cover letter are more useful with the data you've deemed "irrelevant." That is, such "irrelevant" data is useful to competent employers. All information provided by a prospective employee enables an employer to determine the right fit for the applicant at the company. Us employers do not simple-mindedly look for applicants that meet the posted requirements. We also look for communication skills, social skills, etc., so that we may determine if the applicant can do the job well and be a team player.

- Your entrepeneurial experience is irrelevant. Even if you own a successful company and you surpass all the job's requirements, you won't be considered because nobody wants to hire a narcissist. At least, that's the stereotypical description of business owners. Do not list your entrepreneurial experiences in your resume... as entrepreneurial experiences. Instead of mentioning you did this and that for some client with your company, just call yourself a consultant for your client.

2. If a position is unavailable, the applicant may ask if their application may be filed for future analysis when the position becomes available. That is not stupid. That is smart.

3. A prospective employee should apply for a job regardless of the so-called "requirements" advertised. Most of these "requirements" are standardized and usually have no practical application to the actual job. There are some requirements which are legitimate such as industry experience with shipped titles, but usually the education requirements are lax if one can demonstrate their worthiness for the position. Demonstrations are king. Only an unreasonable idiot thinks someone stupid for applying for a position that is advertised with standard HR job requirements. HR is the devil. Find another way in if possible.

- You don't need industry experience if your skills and talents are demonstrably desirable, or if you have an academic degree with a portfolio.

- You don't need an academic degree if your skills and talents are demonstrably desirable, or if you have industry experience.

- You do need experience on some amount of shipped titles if the job ad lists that as a requirement.

4. Portfolios are recommended, and essentially required, for most jobs in most industries anyway. No qualms with that advice.

Quote: Adraeus -
1. A resume, vitae and cover letter are more useful with the data you've deemed "irrelevant." That is, such "irrelevant" data is useful to competent employers

Quote: 3. A prospective employee should apply for a job regardless of the so-called "requirements" advertised. Most of these "requirements" are standardized and usually have no practical application to the actual job.

I would suggest this only applies to large companies rather than small ones :)

entrepreneur == narcissist?

That seems pretty cynical...

Quote: Original post by Obscure
If there are no jobs then follow up three to six months later - don't call every week "is there a job yet, is there a job yet" - that is called stalking!

Interesting, because it used to be called persistance.

Quote: Original post by qesbit

Quote: Original post by Obscure
If there are no jobs then follow up three to six months later - don't call every week "is there a job yet, is there a job yet" - that is called stalking!

Interesting, because it used to be called persistance.

Not by anyone on the recieving end - ever.

As a business owner who receives resumes/portfolios on a regular basis, prospective employees who contact me more than twice a month regarding possible employment are typically placed on a blacklist. That is, communications sent by them via e-mail and telephone are blocked. Some would say this is harsh; however, my company benefits from employing only those who want to work with my clients and I rather than employing those who are simply desperate for a job in my industry.

For persistence to have positive influence, the act of persisting requires reason and the motivation to persist must be positive and apparent. Likewise, demonstrably unpleasant persistence is negative and hampers workplace productivity; thus, such negative behavior is undesirable of prospective employees.

I can help you out I am making a a game called The Unknown you will be payed after the game is made my web is http://sfg.low-ping.com if you wish to help first register a account then apply for a job it is easy but go into some detail or my helpers will denie you.
Also you can live anywhere in the wourld this works via a interface so you do some programing you email it to me and so on...