Sharkmob's Human Resources Director Ben Harrison shared insights on coping with the emotional impact of job loss, offered tips on creating a standout portfolio that can hasten the job search process, and provided advice for artists interested in joining Sharkmob.
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We continue our series of articles to extend a helping hand to those who have lost their jobs and are currently seeking new employment opportunities. 80 Level has collaborated with recruiters from various game companies to offer guidance on managing the emotional impact of job loss and taking practical steps to move forward.
In this edition, we are thrilled to present Ben Harrison, the Human Resources Director at Sharkmob, who provides valuable insights and tips on this significant topic.
Ben Harrison, Human Resources Director at Sharkmob
Strategies for Coping with the Emotional Impact of Losing a Job
Firstly, it’s important to remember that redundancies are not a reflection of an individual’s performance or worth as a professional and it could happen to anyone. We are in a volatile period in the broader tech industry so you are not alone in your experience, however, there are a lot of opportunities out there with, for example, a number of growing games studios in the UK and Sweden, where Sharkmob is located, that are always looking for talented people.
Everyone’s different and there’s no "correct" approach to dealing with the aftermath of redundancy. People are in drastically different circumstances, and some may not have the ability to rest before seeking a new opportunity.
For those that are in a position to be able to take some time before starting their job search, you can choose to reflect on your goals, identify your strengths, and any areas of development that could help you determine what you want in your next career move. Some people often find it helpful to pursue their hobbies or engage in self-care activities like exercise, meditation, or spending more time with their loved ones before feeling ready to begin their search for a new job.
For those that are ready for the next opportunity, there are plenty of resources freely available that can help to update your CV, prepare a great cover letter, showcase your portfolio, brush up on your interviewing skills, find professional networks and job fairs as well as find new opportunities through Job Boards, LinkedIn, or recruiters.
Portfolio Tips That Can Help Artists and Developers Find Jobs More Quickly
Every studio is after something a little bit different depending on the type of game, their culture, and their journey as an employer, however, there are plenty of things that we all have in common when finding talent.
Here are some top tips from Sharkmob:
- Showcase the best of your abilities – quality is better than quantity.
- Tailor your portfolio according to the job or project you’re applying for – recruiters and hiring managers don’t want to sift through a vast portfolio to pick out what they’re looking for, you should be giving them a helping hand.
- Show your process by including different stages of development or works in progress – this helps to provide an idea of how you work and what your approach is.
- Keep your portfolio up-to-date – try to update your portfolio as much as you can so that you can showcase your progress as an artist or developer.
- Think about who you are applying to – showing you are interested in this particular job, studio or project can go a long way to demonstrating your interest.
Using Social Media Effectively
These channels are really important if used effectively and can go a long way in making you stand out from the crowd. Social media is a ubiquitous and powerful tool used by recruiters and people in the games industry to find great talent; Platforms like ArtStation, Instagram, and Twitter are predominantly visual platforms that are great for artists to showcase their work and build a following. You need to be consistent and engaged with your posts and followers to build relationships with other artists and industry professionals.
It may seem like a given, but having an updated Linkedin profile is also very important. Talent sources and headhunters rely on information from LinkedIn to assess your relevance for a role before contacting you.
It’s important to remember that this is only one aspect of your job searching process, it’s still important to apply for jobs, network in person, and attend industry events.
If Finding the Right Job Is Taking Longer Than Anticipated
If you’re struggling to find a new job, the most important thing you can do is understand the feedback provided during any interview processes you’ve been involved in. There could be a plethora of reasons for you getting to the latter stages of an interview process and not securing an offer – any good studio or recruiter should be giving you detailed and constructive feedback that’s relevant to you and your application to the vacancy.
If you’re finding it difficult to get shortlisted for an interview, it could be worth revisiting your portfolio, updating your CV, and tailoring a cover letter to make sure you stand out to a recruiter or hiring manager’s eye. It’s important to remember that finding a new job in the creative industry can be challenging, but by following the tips above and persevering, you’ll already be increasing your chances of securing a new role.
How Studios Can Help Artists Adapt to Changes in the Industry
As employers, I think we have a responsibility to ensure our teams are trained with the latest skills development and technical knowledge. Investing in learning and development and skills progression is a great way to proactively support our teams and mitigate any risks of talented people being out of work. Ultimately, it is a good thing for the studio to have highly valuable talent as well as game industry professionals who would be able to move on to other companies with a lot of transferrable skills.
Additionally, companies should provide outplacement support and access to wider industry networks, which is extremely important in helping anyone affected find their next opportunity.
Tips for Artists Willing to Join Sharkmob
Our best point of contact for Art recruitment is Delan Geyer and you can find all of our open vacancies here. All applications are reviewed by our dedicated talent team and subject matter expert!