Hi forum, I've spent a lot of time here reading FAQs and old threads, but still cannot seem to find an answer to my current dilema. I am a programmer, looking to take my skills into the gaming industry. I graduated with a Masters in Software Engineering in 2012, and a BSc in Computer Science in 2009. The town I work in has very little programming opportunities, and I currently work as a retail consultant in a phone shop.

My current occupation I know is odd, its a job to pay the bills which Ive been stuck in for several reasons (mostly due to refusing to travel long distances, which I realise is crippling me). That aside, I've been stuck to not applying for game industry jobs even if I find some available. Why? Take for example a position as a Server Application Engineer. They require the applicant to know SQL, PHP and Node.js. Brilliant, I know SQL and PHP, but I have never touched Node.js in my life. I suddenly feel Ive fallen short of the job's requirements, and dont apply for fear of wasting the employer's time.

So my first question is, how often do people get into jobs where they are hitting around half of the position's requirements? The few that I have replied for I tend to not get a reply. But as a programmer, and with so many different languages out there, I find it very difficult to hit 100% of an employer's requirements.

My next question is, what path should I take towards hitting these requirements to break into the industry? I currently have a few options.

1. Do a Masters in Game Development. I'm extreemly reluctant to do this, because I feel having three degrees is overkill. I do realise however it would alow me to network well with other people in gaming and teach me some good specialist skills.
2. Continue building my portfolio. I enjoy doing this, but don't think its giving me the necessary skills. I'm currently working on a strategy/survival android game which is built in Java with LibGDX, and I would like to finish the project. But hardly any employers seem to be looking for Java game developers, so perhaps I should make better use of my time?
3. Widen my skillset. Probably the hardest path as I would have to self motivate myself with only the small amount of time available to learn technology like Node.js; something I feel nessesary to meet the requirements for a job, but other than that have little interest in knowing.

All of these paths I know are benificial to break into the industry, I'm just looking for the best place to focus my spare time at the moment. I seem to find so few graduate jobs available in the gaming industry, so it seems I need to work that much harder in order to compete with experienced game developers. Any advice is appreciated, and thanks in advance :)

I'd get rid of your current job and look for a position that fits your education even if it's not in the game industry. Your current job suggests to potential employers that you might not be a good software engineer because there aren't many reasonable explanation why anyone with a master degree in software engineering would be stuck selling phones. (at least not in my country in the current economical situation)

Just my opinion:

1.

Arguably useless. You already have a masters in software engineering. Which is worth a lot.

2.

Very important. If you want to put games on your portfolio, focus on small games that you can do alone or with a small team.

You could tackle different technologies with every project. So for example, use NodeJS for a server based project. That way you will not only show that you have the dedication to finish a project but also widen your horizon as far as programming languages are concerned.

3.

See #2. Learning by doing is IMO the best way to do this.

As for the "meeting all required criteria" thing. From my experience employers will not immediately reject you if you can show that you are eager and quick to learn.

If I was an employer, the fact that you have a masters degree and some personal projects to show, would get you at least a consideration and invitation for an interview.

If you are not applying for a senior position you will probably be given a supervisor who will guide you while you are learning to be productive in the company.

Portfolio is the key. Even if you do not meet all of the "requirements" it shows you have a completion history and that is allows employers to have more faith you can adapt to the needs of the new job.

Thanks very much for the replies guys, all of it is usefull. Lithander, Ive always wondered if that was true, or if I should just focus on gaming jobs, but yeah, will act on your advice for definite.

On the subject of portfolios, is it a bad idea to include projects from game jams such as ludum dare? Providing they are finished of course. Thought it is good to show what you can acomplish within a short amount of time, but god forbid if someone looks at the source code lol.

1.

At your level of education this would be pointless.

2.

Employers are not looking specifically for Java developers but, they are looking for Android developers weather it be Java, C++, Corona, Titanium or whatever other solution you can come up with. Finish your app and ship it. If your game is going to take a long time then do a few other smaller apps when you are in a rut.

3.

Learning new frameworks, APIs, languages should be easy. If you need to know Node.js then write a server backend for your app. This is an evenings worth of work. Once out at work you will be expected to learn new technologies at the drop of a hat (not to become a guru but enough to hold a technical conversation about it).

On the subject of portfolios, is it a bad idea to include projects from game jams such as ludum dare?

What? These would be perfect. Of course, given they have a certain minimum amount of quality.

Also, and I know this is a hard decision, have you thought about moving? You write that there are very little job opportunities where you live.

I don't know your family situation but maybe it would be worthwhile to apply for jobs elsewhere and consider relocation.

Maybe you don't even have to move very far away.

I agree with Lithander. Drop the current job and look for something in programming. If you don't want to travel far look for remote work. There are plenty of companies that will take on a programmer remotely with the occasional office visit for a few days.

When I find myself in a rut. I sit down and think of something small. It does not even have to be a game it could be something like a unique way to create a webpage. Ruts are broken by doing things outside the norm.

So my first question is, how often do people get into jobs where they are hitting around half of the position's requirements?

20 years working in the academic world has taught me one thing: Most people are in job positions that they are woefully unqualified to hold. From the hostess at the local diner to my business banker, these goons are lucky they aren't on the street. You certainly have a leg up on them, so don't worry about it!

I'd break out the ol' cliche of "Fake it 'til you make it." in this case. And you don't have much faking to do -- for the love of Cthulhu, you have a BS and an MS!

My problem with your post is that this:

I am a programmer, looking to take my skills into the gaming industry.

doesn't seem to mesh with this:

Continue building my portfolio. I enjoy doing this, but don't think its giving me the necessary skills.

Of course it is! So what if "people" aren't looking for Java devs. Everyone is looking for someone who can actually complete a project! Build, Build, Build!

Any advice is appreciated, and thanks in advance

My advice would be to go for any programming job (that Server Application Engineer sounds perfect!) and design, code, and iterate on something every day.