HOME

Sueda Baxter

You’ve heard it all; keep your skills sharp, network, join game jams (like Entry-LVL’s summer game jam!) and if you’re not feeling overworked by all of that, I’m here to wax lyrical about the next most important thing you can do: Volunteer.

Have you been told during your job search that “volunteering always looks great on your CV!!” in a cheery tone by a well-meaning friend or family member? I know I have; and in today’s job market, it’s no longer entirely true. Whilst employers do value volunteering as experience, there’s definitely more of a shift towards prioritizing CVs that can demonstrate volunteering that is directly related to the job you are looking for. This means you’ve got to be far more shrewd with the opportunities that you apply for and say yes to – no longer will helping Auntie Dawn at her corner shop on weekends count as ‘relevant experience’.

First of all – stop putting it off, make that LinkedIn. Follow games studios you like, and resources like Amir Satvat’s Games Community, Entry-LVL, and more! Be fearless; as long as you’re not coming across as pushy, reach out to people in the industry in positions that you want to be in.
We’re not focusing on building a network here as we are developing a front page on LinkedIn that becomes useful for spotting opportunities. Once you’ve crafted a network, the algorithm will start throwing all sorts of things at you: including great volunteer opportunities. I found Entry-LVL on a suggested post on LinkedIn, sent an application their way, and now I moderate and write for the
cause! This is potentially one of the most accessible ways to get your eyes on these kind of opportunities; and it comes with the added bonus of networking along the way.

Secondly – don’t be afraid to be shrewd. One of the best pieces of advice you will get is ‘never work for free’, and whilst I believe in that adage, it’s not entirely possible when you’re trying to build up your experience. So, define what you need to get out of volunteer work so you make sure that your skills are valued. If you need to be able to talk about the projects you are doing in job interviews, don’t sign up for a volunteer position where all the work you do is under a strict NDA.

If you need tutorage in your skills, don’t volunteer for a position that asks you to work for them with the promise of a one-x-one session six months down the line that might never come. Experience is valuable; but do not undervalue your skills.

Finally – Volunteer for positions that directly correlate to your desired job. If you want to be a writer, find positions that give you the opportunity to get writing experience (and within that, you can be flexible – write copy, write dialogue, write articles). If you need programming experience, find somewhere you can program; and so on and so forth. Whilst there is value to volunteering at your local charity shop, understand that with how competitive the games industry is right now that people with more targeted experience will win out on paper. That’s not to say that volunteering outside of your discipline is useless: just make sure you’re developing skills that will directly relate to the role you’re looking for.

Always remember to give it your all; and importantly, make sure you’re not taking on so much volunteer work that you experience burnout. After all, if you’re exhausted before you get the job, you won’t be able to enjoy it!

Check out our further resources on volunteering with our resource pack; and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact a member of the Entry-LVL team or check out our page on volunteering!