my first time applying

seforin

hey I never really tried applying for jobs before , I kinda nabbed my current job via a friend of a friend...even though Im not done with school until march I figured to start shooting around and seeing whats avaliable and such, probably not the most smartest move on my part but I applied for the studio making the warhammer 40k mmo....Im a big fan of warhammer 40k , and I found 1 entry level position on it....dear god I hope theres a chance they will nudge me in as a coffee monkey or something

I dunno did I make a bad mistake being to eager?

Im having a twisted stomach on this one. Sorry Guess I just wanted to share?

Rwolf

even if you don't make it, Come up with a new reel every 3-6 months and re-apply

seforin

thanks I just hope I dont get shunned out of a studio I really wanna work for is all

pliang

Make it every month and a half...you don't want to keep them waiting but don't sound like you're being pathetic and desperate.

I had a friend who kept mailing a VFX company here without even being specific what he wants to do and just eventually got black listed as spam.

seforin

oh man I dont wanna end up like that, well Im still technically in my last few months of school (but at this point I can graduate since im technically working in my field already) But yea I'll see if I get a reply in the next month or 2 and then try again

Asmuel

Edit: this post was completely off track, so I have edited.

Asmuel

I now realize a lot of what I just said wasn't relevant to your initial question . Are you being too eager in sending work so early? possibly. Why? First impressions count, and if you haven't finished your study then your portfolio probably isnt as good as it will be when your study is finished. Why else? they cant use you till march anyway. As long as you don't bug them and get blocked etc. then it doesn't matter much though. Its good you had the balls to apply etc, opportunities don't often fall out of the sky. I wouldn't get my hopes up, because not many get hired straight out of school, but something might come of it. Just my opinion, could be wrong.

Best of luck with getting in Seforin

pliang

"No wrong opinions...only better ones"

Anyways, sometimes if you are allowed to contact them you can do so as well.

ebagg

I wouldn't shoot for jobs if that means at the interview you have to tell them you can't start until you graduate. The key is to keep at it until you have a job and don't let rejection get you down.

Em.

As long as you're not spamming them like crazy with pathetic sounding emails, I'd think you would be okay. It may have been a little early to start applying if you're not graduating until March, but maybe at least they'll be familiar with you when you apply again.

Would you be leaving school early to take the job if you got it?

Either way, best of luck and like ebagg said, the key really is to just keep at it and know that it's not the end of the world if you get rejected. Keep working on your portfolio till your eyes bleed and/or you land a job.

danr

If you're good and they're interested, you'll probably go "on hold" if you make it clear in your covering letter that you're not available until march. Its quite unlikely they'll pull you in for an official interview at this stage, though they might want an informal chat to find out more about you (usually done by phone unless you're nearby and they're not busy). If you go on hold they *should let you know ... But its up to you to chase this up the moment you're available, big companies tend to have loads of people on the hold list, its possible you'll get totally forgotten about unless you bump yourself back to the top of the list.

Its also possible though you might hit a period in march where they're not hiring - there's no harm in enquiring about this in your initial application (march could be crunch or another time when the last thing they want is to take on a junior). If they care about your application they may offer this info up

But make damn sure you tell the truth about your situation evry step of the way - if they like your stuff, pull you in for an interview (possibly for a specific position), chances are you'll piss them off if you reveal you're not available for months. You'll just scupper your chances for no reason whatsoever, an interview is NOT a foot in the door if you can't act on it

Steve Schulze

You want them to remember you? When you've got your reel ready, call them up and ask if you can drop in for an informal chat with an art director or producer or whoever might be around. You get to make sure your reel gets into the right hands, shake hands with potential future employer, make a good impression without the extra pressures of the interview process and get some extra info that'll come in handy when you're being questioned.
You won't be able to do this everywhere, but simply asking will mark you as someone who's pro-active and keen for the job.

Slum

Do this.

http://www.tk409.com/gettingajob.html

seforin

well I only did that for the one studio, I plan once I go to GDC in march (And everything is at 100 % completed to talk and shake the hands of developers, I figured just to give a shot since that studio had 1 entry level position for the warhammer 40k mmo. Kinda a dream for me to work on space marines and such in 3d ever since I Was a little tike'

but oh well , gotta do what you gotta do right?

oglemeanimations: technically I would be done in december but I Extended my graduation by 1 class, and I have a few students that were promoted // graduated I know of that just kinda skipt once they said "Hey I got a job offer at X place, give me my papers" I only originally extended so I Could work still PT get my demo reel ready and have insurance until then (Since I only get covered by my old mans insurance until im done with school)

so kinda a up down thing on that one

pliang

Make sure you have at least 100 business cards if you're still planning to attend the event...

Armanguy

what studio did you apply to?

foreverendering

If it puts your mind at ease, I had the interview for my first game industry job while I was still in school. I was hired even though I couldn't start for 5 months. So it can happen.

[edit]

Make sure you communicate as soon as possible when you would be able to start.

Mark Dygert

[ QUOTE ]
So much for homeland security.

[/ QUOTE ]
BWHAHAHAHA... ahh... hahahah

Sef, its not the end of the world if you have to keep trying. I think the key factor is to not let on that you're as desperate as you kind of sound here. Desperation like fear leaves a stink trial miles long and if you land the gig, they can use that desperation against you when it comes time to talk money. Right now peanut butter and ritz crackers might sound great, but in about 3mo of that you'll be bitter and wishing for more. Be aloof not a doof =P

Lastly don't put all your hopes and dreams in this one basket. Since you're willing to move hit a bunch of places so you can pick from the best of a few offers. If you're nervous it might be good to go out on a few lame duck interviews to get your bearings. Nothing sucks worse then having to do something perfect for the first time with out practice, its near impossible so be kind to yourself.

seforin

nah I know It was just kinda like the first place I ever applied for and its the dream job kinda deal, if they reply back great, if not , time to hit the different studios

Armanguy : It was vigil games
pliang : Yea man Im making a big batch actually next week so around 250 or so
vig: Damn you for knowing my 2nd job! ><