Networking with the pros GDCOnline 2010
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Jeremy Gibson's talk covers strategies for networking within the game development industry, emphasizing the importance of timing and approach when meeting professionals at events like the Game Developers Conference. He advises being courteous, concise, and respectful, while suggesting that attendees should bring business cards, resumes, and a distinct personal touch when networking. Following up after meetings is crucial, and Gibson encourages potential developers to start creating their own games to build a portfolio.
Networking with the pros GDCOnline 2010
- 1. Jeremy Gibson Networking With the Pros
- 2. Jeremy Gibson University of Southern California Interactive Media Division Introduction
- 3. Why Am I Qualified? I’m also willing to embarrass myself
- 4. Outline Meeting People in the Industry Following Up Interviewing Presenting Yourself After the Interview What You Can Do Right Now
- 5. An Apology Why is this talk today?
- 6. A Few Caveats All of this is just my opinion You need to use your own judgement Everything is on a case-by-case basis A lot of this will seem obvious
- 7. Meeting People in the Industry
- 8. Meeting People in the Industry #1 Way to Meet Game Developers Attend the Game Developers Conference! Congratulations!!!
- 9. Meeting People in the Industry #1 Way to Meet Game Developers But being at GDC only really means that you’re around game developers. You need to walk up and say “Hi” But you need to pick the right time
- 10. Meeting People in the Industry The WRONG Times to Say Hello When They’re Talking With Friends When They’re Obviously Busy When They’re Covertly Busy When You Don’t Have Something to Bring to the Conversation
- 11. Meeting People in the Industry The Right Times to Say Hello When They’re Working At the GDC Expo Plus: They’re a captive audience! Plus: They’re there to talk to people! Minus: They’ve been a captive audience all day After their talk Plus: Many great developers will be speakers Plus: You have something to talk about Minus: So does everyone else
- 12. Meeting People in the Industry The Right Times to Say Hello At a GDC Party Plus: They might actually have time to talk Plus: They’re there to talk to people! Minus: They might not be there to talk to you
- 13. Meeting People in the Industry The Very Best Time to Say Hello When Someone Introduces You Plus: You’ve got an in! Plus: You’ve got something in common! Caveat: Someone is vouching for you Do NOT make them look bad Seriously, DO NOT MAKE THEM LOOK BAD!
- 14. Meeting People in the Industry The Right Times to Say Hello In All of these Cases, you want to: Be Courteous Be Concise Demonstrate Respect for Others Don’t be a Foamer Be Excited to Meet Everyone Have Something to Bring to the Table
- 15. Meeting People in the Industry The Right Times to Say Hello And all of this is because: People are Perceptive People have Long Memories
- 16. Meeting People in the Industry Be Courteous You don’t need to say “sir” or “ma’am” But you also shouldn’t use their first name until they’ve given it to you Be polite and pay attention to body language
- 17. Meeting People in the Industry Be Concise Game Developers are Very Busy People Introduce yourself Say what you want to say Don’t trap anyone
- 18. Meeting People in the Industry Demonstrate Respect for Others Treat others as you would like to be treated Everyone behind you in line also wants to meet the person you’re talking to And the person you’re talking to knows this
- 19. Meeting People in the Industry Don’t be a Foamer Walt Disney Imagineering ( well, not really )
- 20. Meeting People in the Industry Don’t be a Foamer You don’t want to say “I’m a huge fan!” You really don’t want to say “I used to love this series, but it’s been all down hill since...” It’s better to say something like “I really enjoyed playing...”
- 21. Meeting People in the Industry Don’t be a Foamer Meeting LeVar Burton Reading Rainbow 1983 – 2009 Star Trek: TNG 1987 – 1994
- 22. A Quick Aside Two Kinds of Networkers Great Networkers Find common interests Develop relationships Get job offers Great Connectors Find common interests between others Develop relationships for others Get job offers for other people
- 23. Meeting People in the Industry You Should Be Happy To Meet Everyone It’s great to meet Will Wright It’s actually even better meet the next Will Wright Talk to Students! Talk to Volunteers! Then introduce them to Others.
- 24. Meeting People in the Industry Have Something to Bring to the Table Not meeting Jessica Chobot Reporter for IGN Could do a story on USC’s program Also a beautiful woman I saw her at PAX She was alone and bored But I had nothing to bring to the table So I didn’t say hi
- 25. Meeting People in the Industry Have Something to Bring to the Table What can you bring to the table? Your energy Your passion Your fresh perspective You Common Interests
- 26. What Else Should You Bring?
- 27. What Else Should You Bring? Business Cards There are a lot of cool things you can do with the front of a card
- 28. What Else Should You Bring? Business Cards But there is only ONE thing you should do with the back of a card Because people need to write on the back of business cards
- 29. What Else Should You Bring? Resumé Let’s take a look at mine.
- 30. What Else Should You Bring? I Carry A Few Strange Things With Me Mints Toothpicks Tape Measure Pocket Tool Totem
- 31. What Else Should You Bring? What is a Totem? Definition of Totem: An animal, plant, or natural object serving as the emblem of a clan or family An Object which carries meaning Because meaning is powerful
- 32. Following Up
- 33. Following Up When Should You Follow Up? Try writing an email about a week or two after the conference. Because they are generally flooded with emails right after the show.
- 34. Following Up How Should You Follow Up? Hi John, (or Hello Mr. Doe,) We met a couple of weeks ago after your talk on ____________. I know you met a number of people then, so I was the one who _______. We talked about _________. I’ve been continually impressed by the work that your studio has done, and I was wondering if there was someone there that I could talk to about an internship. Who Are You? The Ask
- 35. Following Up How Should You Follow Up? Thank you very much for your time and for a great talk. — Jeremy Gibson Jeremy R. Gibson http://interactive.usc.edu Concise Full Name Link to Portfolio
- 36. Following Up What if They Don’t Get Back to You? Wait another couple weeks Then write them only one more time
- 37. Interviewing
- 38. Interview You’ve Got an Interview . . . Now What? Preparation
- 39. Interview Preparation Questions to Answer: What would my job be? On which project would I be working? What is the company culture? And you absolutely MUST play some games made by that studio If it is available, it is unforgivable to have not played the game for which you’re being interviewed
- 40. Interview An Often Overlooked Question What would be appropriate to wear?
- 42. Presenting Yourself What to Wear Please, don’t wear khakis
- 43. Presenting Yourself What to Wear Wear something that makes you feel comfortable. Wear something that makes them feel comfortable.
- 44. Presenting Yourself What to Wear For Everyone: Your clothes should fit You might need to iron You want to look professional Don’t wear a tie No scraggly facial hair (I was asked to add this) You’re not going out to a club You’re not going to a nice dinner Again, this is just my opinion
- 45. Presenting Yourself Do the Clothes “Make the Man”? Obviously, you’re being evaluated on your merits But, you’re also being evaluated on your presentability Additionally, costuming can influence attitude and behavior
- 46. Presenting Yourself Influencing Behavior You can do several things to inspire confidence in yourself: Clean your home Go shopping for clothes with someone you think is stylish Get a hair cut Stand up straight
- 47. Presenting Yourself Attitude Attitude is a huge part of presenting yourself well But, it’s not just actual attitude It’s also perceived attitude
- 48. Presenting Yourself Attitude Perception Pitfalls You do not want to be perceived as: Arrogant Entitled Anti-Social
- 49. Presenting Yourself Attitude Perception Pitfalls If you have a really close friend, you can ask them: Do I sometimes do things that could be perceived as arrogant? But only a very good friend will answer you honestly.
- 50. What Do I Do After the Interview?
- 51. After the Interview Hand-Written Thank You Notes When was the last time you received a hand- written letter in the mail?
- 52. After the Interview Hand-Written Thank You Notes Each month, I get 1,000+ Emails 50+ Printed Letters <1 Hand-Written Letter
- 53. After the Interview Hand-Written Thank You Notes Just like in game design: Because they are rare They are special
- 54. After the Interview Hand-Written Thank You Notes And people keep them Do you see how rare they are?
- 55. After the Interview Hand-Written Thank You Notes Hand-written letters are never spam. Caveat: Hand-written letters can be stalking.
- 56. What Can You Do Now?
- 57. What Can You Do Now? #1 Best Thing You Can Do Make A Game
- 58. What Can You Do Now? Make A Game Find a Team Find an Inspiring Idea Start Making Something
- 59. What Can You Do Now? Make A Game There has never been an easier time to make a game Unity is Free iOS Dev is Basically Free Android Dev is Free Facebook Dev is Free
- 60. What Can You Do Now? Make A Game It’s kind of ridiculous how easy it is to make games these days I’m not talking about making money I’m talking about making a portfolio
- 61. SKYRATES The Game We Made What Can You Do Now? http://postmortem.skyrates.net
- 62. Always Give Your Team Credit What Can You Do Now? Chuck Hoover Henry Clay Reister Bryan Cash Howard Braham Chris Daniel Sam Spiro Jeremy Gibson Faculty: Dr. Drew Davidson & Jesse Schell Not Pictured: Seth Shain & Phil Light
- 63. What Can You Do Now? A Few Tips 2D Games are Easier to Make Find a Tool That Works for You But Don’t Just Design for You Play Testing is Critical
- 64. What Can You Do Now? A Couple Great Books Game Design Workshop, 2nd Edition by Tracy Fullerton and Chris Swain The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses by Jesse Schell
- 66. What Can You Do Right Now?
- 67. What Can You Do Right Now? Network With Each Other Oh, and watch Randy Pausch’s Last Lecture http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo
Editor's Notes
- #3: Bryan & Jeremy
- #4: Topics include networking, standing out from the crowd, dos and donts, and tips for following up in the weeks following the conference.
- #5: Topics include networking, standing out from the crowd, dos and donts, and tips for following up in the weeks following the conference.
- #62: Jeremy
- #63: Jeremy