Breaking into the game design industry can feel like solving a tricky puzzle. For many aspiring designers, the first hurdle is creating a standout resume that gets noticed. This guide breaks down how you can tailor your resume to match job postings and significantly boost your chances of landing that dream role.

Getting Your Resume Past the Gatekeepers

When you apply for a game design job, your resume doesn’t go straight to the hiring manager. It first lands with a recruiter. This person’s main task is to match resumes to job descriptions. Think of them as playing a word-matching game.

They’re scanning your resume for keywords from the job posting. For example, if a job posting mentions “Unreal Engine” or “combat design”, they’ll look for those exact terms on your CV. If they don’t find them, your application might not make it to the next stage, no matter how qualified you are.

This means your resume isn’t a one-size-fits-all document. Every job posting is different, so each application requires a customised resume. The more your resume mirrors the job posting, the better your chances of catching the recruiter’s attention.

Building a Master Resume

The foundation of an effective resume starts with what’s called a “master resume”. This is your personal archive of every job, project, or accomplishment you’ve ever had.

Why is this useful? Because it ensures you don’t forget about any key achievements or skills over time. Whenever you accomplish something noteworthy, add it to your master resume. Later, when you’re tailoring your resume for a specific job, you can pick and choose the most relevant sections.

Think of your master resume as a toolbox. Not every tool is needed for every job, but it’s good to have the full set ready.

Reading Job Postings Like a Pro

Before you start tweaking your resume, you need to fully understand the job you’re applying for. Job postings often have two main sections:

1. Responsibilities: These explain what tasks you’ll be expected to do in the role.
2. Qualifications: Here’s where the required and preferred skills are listed.

Read these areas carefully. Don’t skim. If the posting mentions things like “collaboration with engineers” or “prototyping” several times, those are likely important aspects of the role. Make note of keywords and phrases that stand out.

How to Tailor Your Resume

1. Strip Out What Doesn’t Fit

Look at your master resume and remove any experience that doesn’t relate to the job. For example, if you’re applying for a designer role, you can probably leave out heavy programming details unless they directly support your design work.

2. Match the Language

Recruiters and hiring managers are looking for specific keywords. If the job posting says they want someone who’s experienced with “cross-disciplinary teamwork”, use that exact phrasing.

If you’ve done something similar, write it like this:

• Collaborated with cross-disciplinary teams, including engineers and artists, to improve gameplay mechanics.

3. Highlight Both Technical and Soft Skills

Game design isn’t just about technical know-how. It’s also about communication, teamwork, and creativity. If the job mentions “clear game concept pitching” or “embracing company values”, find ways to showcase that on your resume.

For example:

• Presented game design concepts to stakeholders, fostering buy-in and creative feedback loops.
• Promoted a collaborative, drama-free environment in alignment with company values.

What If You Lack Experience?

It’s common for aspiring designers to worry about meeting “years of experience” requirements. Here’s some good news—companies care more about your skills and potential than the exact time you’ve spent in the industry.

If you’ve worked on personal projects, include them in your main resume section. Don’t bury them under a “hobbies” or “projects” heading. For instance:

• Designed and developed a first-person puzzle game in Unity, focusing on level design and immersive mechanics.

This shows you’ve taken the initiative to build relevant skills, even without formal job experience.

Structuring Your Resume

Prioritise Relevant Content

Order your sections by relevance. Your most recent or pertinent experience should always appear first. If you’re just starting out, lead with your projects instead of unrelated job history.

Use Active, Descriptive Language

Keep your bullet points short but impactful. Start each one with strong action verbs like “designed”, “implemented”, “collaborated”, or “streamlined”. Avoid vague phrases like “responsible for”.

Bad:

• Was responsible for designing game levels.

Better:

• Designed and tested game levels, enhancing player engagement by 20%.

Keep It Easy to Read

A cluttered resume can be a dealbreaker. Use consistent formatting with clear headings like “Design Experience”, “Technical Skills”, and “Projects”. Aim for one page if you’re early in your career. Senior designers can extend it to two pages, but no more.

Demonstrating Soft Skills

Soft skills are becoming just as important as technical ones in game design. Studios want team players who can thrive in collaborative, dynamic environments.

Examples of Soft Skills to Highlight

• Communication: Did you present ideas to a team or pitch concepts to stakeholders?
• Teamwork: How did you work with people from different departments or backgrounds?
• Problem-Solving: Did you overcome challenges during a project?

Show Alignment with Company Values

Some companies, like Blizzard, emphasise cultural fit in their job postings. Their values include collaboration and avoiding toxic behaviour. Include examples that speak to these values, like:

• Encouraged open communication among team members to resolve conflicts during tight deadlines.

Applying Even When You’re Unsure

A lot of people hesitate to apply when a job description lists requirements they don’t fully meet. Don’t make that mistake.

If you’re 70-80% qualified, go for it. Hiring managers often give flexibility if you demonstrate potential. Remember, the worst-case scenario is rejection—so let them make that call, not you.

Final Tips for Success

• Stay Honest: Don’t exaggerate your experience. Instead, frame your skills in a way that shows growth and dedication.
• Use Tools to Find Jobs: Websites like GameJobs.com are great for finding updated listings.
• Keep Learning: If you’re missing skills, there are countless free or affordable resources online to help you fill those gaps.

Game design is a competitive field, but with a tailored resume and a bit of perseverance, you can stand out. Every application is a chance to refine your approach and get closer to your goal.

Next time, we’ll cover another key component of the job application process: writing a compelling cover letter. Until then, keep building, keep applying, and stay confident—you’ve got this!