A Few Questions Concerning the Blizzard Internships
Hi guys, I'm new to the Polycount forum. It's a great site! I'm currently applying for the forthcoming 2012 Blizzard internships in the writing department.
The only thing is, I have a few questions that that are really bugging me:
1) Is it possible to apply to multiple positions? And if so, how far should I adapt my application?
2) When do you generally expect to hear back from the hiring team?
3) Do you guys know what type of questions are asked in the phone interviews?
4) Are there any other tips you know of that could help me out in the this daunting process?
5) For my Creative Writing Portfolio, I've included a 9-page Victorian horror story and a 6-page excerpt from a longer Fantasy story. Do you guys think these are worthwhile, content and lengthwise, for submission and review?
This is all new to me, so any advice or help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you all for your help!
The only thing is, I have a few questions that that are really bugging me:
1) Is it possible to apply to multiple positions? And if so, how far should I adapt my application?
2) When do you generally expect to hear back from the hiring team?
3) Do you guys know what type of questions are asked in the phone interviews?
4) Are there any other tips you know of that could help me out in the this daunting process?
5) For my Creative Writing Portfolio, I've included a 9-page Victorian horror story and a 6-page excerpt from a longer Fantasy story. Do you guys think these are worthwhile, content and lengthwise, for submission and review?
This is all new to me, so any advice or help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you all for your help!
Replies
1) As of last year, yes. I applied for 2 concept positions and 2 environment artist positions. I did not tailor my resume / portfolio for each position, but I most definitely tailored the cover letters. I was contacted back for the D3 environment artist internship, out of the 4 I applied for.
2) The whole process took quite a while. You have to think of the thousands, if not tens of thousands, of applications they get for these. Blizzard is a pretty prestigious company that a lot of people dream about working at, even if they have 0 skill and experience. I don't remember what the deadline was, but I think I didn't hear anything back from them until late April or early May
3) They ask pretty standard interview questions. Why do you like their games? What you think you could bring to the team? Google this and you'll find a big list of standard interview questions
4) Tip: Always have some questions of your own. If they're smart, valid questions it'll show them you're very interested in them and the position and are knowledgeable in your field
5) I don't do writing, no idea
Just Google lots of things like "game industry interview questions" or something similar. You should find lots.
It's always good to be well prepared. This research will help you in finding a job in general, as I took all the knowledge I had gained in preparation for the internship to the interview that got me the job I'm at now.
http://wiki.polycount.com/CategoryGameIndustry
I would assume this instantly disqualifies recent grads? I'm only asking because I plan on applying and I'll be graduating in May. It seems quite a few studios are doing this now, only accepting current students and not recent grads for internships.
It takes the pressure off of them and puts it on the intern / student to kickass while they're there and continue to do so until they graduate. Plus the position (as a job) you're interning for may not be available, but they're willing to extend a hand to teach people what it's like to be in it.
Also, I'd just like to say I'm NOT a Blizzard employee and I do NOT represent their internship program. Take what I say with a grain of salt.
Is there any disadvantage towards out-of-state applicants?
Which did you apply for, DeathDealer?
Are you a writing major, or have any writing experience?
I am in an undergraduate program going for a creative writing major and pro writing minor. I do contract work for a social media games company. How about yourself? You're the first person I've found online that has applied to the creative writing positions, it's nice to find a peer (or competitor). I've never applied to a games internship, so I'm curious to find out what Blizzard's elimination process for the applicants is like.
Actually, I'm in the exact same boat as you. I've not encountered anyone involved in the writing side of things, and I'm also curious about Blizzard's hiring process.
How long was your resume? How much creative writing work did you submit (any genre pieces)?
It's great to finally meet someone going into the same position. At least now, it dosen't feel like I'm diving in alone.
I did submit one story, about 20 pages. I would've done more, but after the resume and two cover letters, there wasn't much room. My program focuses on "literary fiction" and does not encourage genre fiction, since people tend to think it gives them an excuse to get lazy with characterization, etc. The piece I submitted was a post-apocalyptic story, so I guess it would be categorized as genre fiction, but I didn't focus on the post-apocalyptic aspect, which is unarguably overdone.
Good luck with it from here on out, let me know if you hear from them at any point and I'll do the same.
I saw you submitted a Victorian horror and Fantasy, are those your preferred genres?
I really enjoy writing in the horror and fantasy genres. They give me a great sense of freedom, with the opportunity to creatively run wild.
And yes, I will definitely keep in contact!
I'm working on a horror story now, need 85 pages of it for my end of the year final. It's definitely an interesting genre to work in, a lot of room to play.
Good luck, hopefully we hear back soon, but I did read in other forums that they don't get back to applicants until April usually.
http://www.polycount.com/forum/showthread.php?t=65623
Yeah, too bad there aren't any sites that effectively compile writing jobs/internships. I've looked around and found very messy, inefficient ones, but nothing I would rely on.
I'd be honored just being interviewed
Rather you should be discussing how qualifications and skills and how even in an internship you could benefit the team.
Has anyone heard anything yet? The wait is quite unbearable.
My first interview is with a team, I was expecting it to be a one on one. I'm a bit nervous ,but I hope it goes well.
by any chance, was it the mobile software engineering position?
Yes, it was for the mobile software engineer position.
I applied for the communications internship position and received an email with some follow up questions about 2 weeks ago. I have not had an interview scheduled yet.
Has anyone else applied for this position?
I created a Facebook group for applicants to join so we can share information and (hopefully good) news as we get it. Please feel free to join and share whatever info you have! Good luck to everyone.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/287628267973243/
How did the interview go? What kinds of questions did they ask you?
I just got my rejection E-mails, but I noticed that I had an unaswered call from a Restricted number on April 27th(Friday) in the morning. And I had heard that Blizzard calls from Restricted numbers. Just wondering about my chances if I had picked up the phone.
Thanks guys