I have the opportunity to go to E3 and I was wondering if it's possible to seek jobs there, and if so, how to go about doing it. I'm guessing it wouldn't be a good place to look for a job, but I thought I'd make sure and see what everyone else thinks.

Most of the representatives you see on the stands at E3 are either from the publisher's marketing department or hired as a representative for the duration of the show. So approaching those people will not get you very far.

I guess you should really think about what E3 is, and that is an event for publishers to show off their upcoming wares. It's less to do with the developers and more to do with the publishers.

GDC is more to do with the developers.

You might want to chat with the people that look like devs. If they are keep talking to them for a bit and get yourself known within the company. Don't be very high and mighty but also show in some subtle way that you know your stuff. Getting people on the inside to think well of you is always a good reference in an application.

GDC is better for it. E3 is just dog and pony show

GDC has a LARGE area set aside for recruiting and reviewing. If you're cold calling, that's the place to be.

At E3, it is also possible to hook up with people and talk to them, but usually after you've already made contact and set up the meeting.

If the E3 exhibitors are primarily in marketing, then those people are the people to talk to if you want to discuss business development; however, marketing does integrate with an entire organization so it's likely that they are indeed the best people to talk to about job openings, etc. All tradeshows for every industry are excellent for networking.

As above. E3 is a marketing show so poor for recruiting. GDC is better.
However, in either case preparation is the key. Find out what companies are going to be there and contact them in advance and arrange to meet them. This will always be more successful than just turning up and hoping to meet people.

If a stand has a sign asking for CVs drop one in. If people are in the recruiting area of the show then it is fine to approach them on that basis and give out CVs. However, by far the best way to get on/in is via networking. Put simply people prefer to work with/hire/recommend people they know.

Networking is a great way to get on in any industry but it takes time to bear fruit. Networking isn't just arriving at a show, walking up to someone, handing them your resume and asking for a job. It is about building relationships with people. The best thing to do is to talk/ask about them, rather than about yourself. When you meet someone ask what they do, what are they working, when is it due, what's cool about it etc. - people are more likely to like you if you pay them some attention. If they turn out to be a junior artist (and thus unlikely to be able to offer you a job) don't just walk away - one day that Junior Artist will be Art Director somewhere. Once the conversation is rolling then start to slip in the odd question of your own. "How did you get started in the biz?" "What do you look for in a new hire?" etc. - In fact that Junior Artist may well be able to offer some good feedback on how she got into the industry.

Lastly have your own business cards made up with your email and tel number on. If you are not in the industry then put your job title as "aspiring game artists", "padwan programmer" or something similar. Hand it to the other person and they will almost certainly offer you one of theirs in return. Thanks them and move on. The object is not to buttonhole one person all day/evening but to make several contacts. Then after the show send a follow-up "thanks for your time" email with maybe one extra question. - One question is much easier to answer than ten so they are more likely to answer. Keep the relationship going in this way and don't forget to ask how their project is going etc. In this way you stay on the radar and are more likely to be remembered when a suitable opening comes up. Most companies will ask around internally before advertising a position so if you know someone on the inside who thinks you might be ok you have a head start and may secure the position before it ever gets advertised.

Dan's post sounds the most reasonable for any type of situation where networking is important. Very reminiscent of an article I read on this site.

GDC had the best showing of companies doing a career work show I've ever seen in San Francisco...I just got back. E3 is a mad house, and extremely difficult to get to see anyone, and leaving you resume at the front desk is a death blow....put it under file 13...trash can. Best bet is to apply just after E3 at this point. best of luck....I've been there....Manofgod....