Zing! Job
Finally got a full time gig! A year after graduating, working in a restaurant, and as a baker...the time has finally come. I don't post very much on the PC forums, I just lurk and absorb. Although I am not in the "game industry," PC has taught me so much through looking at peoples processes, tips, and especially How to make this shape thread.
If I can give advice to anyone who is still struggling to find work, don't give up! Yes, it's cliche but it is the truth. I went through several interviews this past year getting shot down one after another. I have had physical copies of contracts in my hands only for the projects to get canceled. You are not alone! I had days were I wanted to just quite and months of frustration. The past three months were the toughest of my life yet. Working full time during the day and coming home to do 3d for another 11 hours, I thought I was going to die. Pain is only temporary, it may last a day, weeks, months or years but you have to know it will eventually subside. I lost inspiration through my process numerous times but something little would always ignite it. There will be dark times, find the light!
I still have only touched the base of my knowledge and still have many challenging hurdles to overcome but I'm excited! Know that your job IS out there waiting for you.
Here's some tips that worked for me:
1. Work, pay the bills.
2. Set a goal (I would try to put something out new every week or two depending on the scale of the project. Since I was going for product design it was about every week.)
3. Build a relationship with recruiters! When you have something new that sticks in your portfolio, send it out. "Hi *Name*, I just wanted to send you my updated portfolio, blah, blah, blah." When they start noticing the frequency and quality going up they will respond with interest.
4. Put your new stuff at the top and beginning of your portfolio! Try to always exceed the last piece. I have a whole folder full of "not good enough."
5. Send out resumes like crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would spend days just writing cover letters and making list of companies I wanted to apply for. The funny thing is the job I got was a complete fluke by going onto Indeed.com and seeing what was posted in the past month. It was a shot out of the dark that paid off.
This was just a weeks worth.
6. Don't let life beat you, you beat the sh*t out of it.
Big shout out to Jon Jones. Even though I don't know you, your tips are life savers. I broke some of them (Wix web hosting, I'm sorry!) but you still have had great advice. I constantly send friends your stuff. So everyone, Jon Jones tips, check them out on Polycount. You can't go wrong with them and follow all of them (do better than I did.)
Jon's tips
Also, watch the Crunhcast too. Some really great things you can pull from those.
- Zack
If I can give advice to anyone who is still struggling to find work, don't give up! Yes, it's cliche but it is the truth. I went through several interviews this past year getting shot down one after another. I have had physical copies of contracts in my hands only for the projects to get canceled. You are not alone! I had days were I wanted to just quite and months of frustration. The past three months were the toughest of my life yet. Working full time during the day and coming home to do 3d for another 11 hours, I thought I was going to die. Pain is only temporary, it may last a day, weeks, months or years but you have to know it will eventually subside. I lost inspiration through my process numerous times but something little would always ignite it. There will be dark times, find the light!
I still have only touched the base of my knowledge and still have many challenging hurdles to overcome but I'm excited! Know that your job IS out there waiting for you.
Here's some tips that worked for me:
1. Work, pay the bills.
2. Set a goal (I would try to put something out new every week or two depending on the scale of the project. Since I was going for product design it was about every week.)
3. Build a relationship with recruiters! When you have something new that sticks in your portfolio, send it out. "Hi *Name*, I just wanted to send you my updated portfolio, blah, blah, blah." When they start noticing the frequency and quality going up they will respond with interest.
4. Put your new stuff at the top and beginning of your portfolio! Try to always exceed the last piece. I have a whole folder full of "not good enough."
5. Send out resumes like crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would spend days just writing cover letters and making list of companies I wanted to apply for. The funny thing is the job I got was a complete fluke by going onto Indeed.com and seeing what was posted in the past month. It was a shot out of the dark that paid off.
This was just a weeks worth.
6. Don't let life beat you, you beat the sh*t out of it.
Big shout out to Jon Jones. Even though I don't know you, your tips are life savers. I broke some of them (Wix web hosting, I'm sorry!) but you still have had great advice. I constantly send friends your stuff. So everyone, Jon Jones tips, check them out on Polycount. You can't go wrong with them and follow all of them (do better than I did.)
Jon's tips
Also, watch the Crunhcast too. Some really great things you can pull from those.
- Zack
Replies
Most places I've found don't like recruiters so I've been applying directly. Problem with that is a lot recommend to re-apply in 6 months. Well waiting around for 6 months to pass so you can send stuff out again is ridiculous. Feels like everything in these industries is a case of who you know, and I know no-one. *forever alone*
Great tips though, very true. Congrats again!
Joking
Gl with the new job
I can pretty much write a post with those exact same words today too! Just got back from Austin today with a contract 3D Artist job. It's only for a few short months, but I'll be working on a super secret, super BIG AAA game!
But yeah, I hear you about the struggles. I went through that as well. Sucks this contract I got is only for a few months, but I decided to move to Austin anyways. I'm in Houston and don't have a lot of stuff anyways. I figure I'll spend the next few months polishing up my portfolio in my off hours and see if I can line up something after this contract especially with Austin having a lot of studios. If not then I'll get back to grinding and doing what I need to do to make ends meet. But for the next few months at least...I MADE IT!
Sorry if I took a bit of your thunder here; wasn't planning on making a thread for myself. But congrats Zack!
Good to hear polycounters making it.
Awesome words of inspiration Zack.
Kidding aside, great post. Glad to hear you finally found some work. These are some pretty solid tips I'll remember when I start applying for a job.
And then when you get your first job the torment continues; as you try to get your skills and portfolio where you want it to be, and a job with your ideal studio. It's never ending!
But nothing beats the satisfaction of that first job doing what you love.