You’ve probably heard that it’s not what you know, it’s who you know… Well we’re concerned with what you know, but having a great network of contacts is often the best way to get through our doors. We find most of our candidates through word of mouth. We ask our employees, they ask their friends and so on - our community is pretty close knit. So, who do you know? It’s really important to network.

Facebook is great for sharing pictures and keeping up to date with friends, but when it comes to work, don’t underestimate the power of LinkedIn. The focus is on training and experience - it’s like an online resume. Post your details and search for friends. You might be surprised at how many people you know are already up and running. Beyond making contact with colleagues and friends, there are a number of groups that you can belong to. Meet people virtually, search for jobs and build your connections.

If you’ve got the means to do so, take a trip to GDC San Francisco. This five day game development conference offers the best opportunity to learn from industry professionals and make contact with some of the biggest companies in the business. The expo floor is a great place to see what’s new before heading to the career pavilion. There’s also a number of evening events where you can meet new people and immerse yourself in the industry. If you’re budget keeps you local, there’s GDC Canada, PAX just across the border and a number of other events you can drop in on.

When you’re out talking to people and they hand you a business card, make sure you put it somewhere safe. There are times when you look at the card and think, why would I ever need to talk to this person again, but you’d be surprised how many times those random contacts become helpful in the future. A business card holder is the best solution. Organize your contacts by type, by relevance or by company name – just keep them all. A fat rolodex can be one of your best resources when it comes time to find your next job.

Now that you’ve got all the pieces together, start using your network. Make a list of all the companies that you’re interested in working at. Now go down that list and write in the names of people you know who work there. If you don’t have any, do your friends? It’s worth asking. This industry is small and you’d be surprised how many people are connected through their current or former employer. Once you get a name, send them an email. Introduce yourself, list the position(s) that you inquiring about and see if you can get them to connect you with their HR department. You might even offer to take them for a coffee and learn more about their studio. Above all, be respectful of their time and thank them for anything they can do to help you out.