I made a mid-sized plugin for a popular engine and published it as open source. In the files I noted my email and that I am available for work. I got about 10 serious offers for that alone.

Just work hard and you're bound to get that job. There are no large studios in my area, nor even my country so I'm forced to work freelance for now. Although I believe I have more than enough experience, it's not likely that a larger game company is willing to relocate you if you don't have previous experience on an AAA title. So just be happy that you actually live nearby a large studio.

I also managed to land an interview with a famous german(*hint*) game developer for a graphics programmer job, but sadly didn't get it. I just sent them my CV, and listed some of my more notable projects in it.

It was definitely the t-shirt that I wore to my interview.

It was definitely the t-shirt that I wore to my interview.

Which was...

I had a portfolio of games, mostly 1 week, ludum dare, and a 3h one from here, and my interview was basically just demoing these games I made. I also have a programming diploma and have held a couple of programming jobs before working in the games industry (being laid off when XGen was hiring also kind of helped in a weird way)

[quote name='teutonicus' timestamp='1328458138' post='4909836']
It was definitely the t-shirt that I wore to my interview.

Which was...
[/quote]

It was a Bathory t-shirt, underneath a jacket. My technical director happens to be a metalhead and noticed it ;) I'm sure it was actually my brilliance which got me through, the t-shirt story is just more fun to tell.

I'm not completely sure what did it for me. I was in my last semester of college and was in a "holy crap, I just had a kid and I really have to have a job landed before I graduate" mode. I sent out dozens of resumes and tailored cover letters. I wound up getting emails back from a couple of them. One company in particular was very responsive to my emails and sent me a design test. I apparently nailed it and I was offered a job. I took it