6 Tips to Create a Strong Game Developer Resume

Brandi Glass
5 min read
Creative computer game developer at desk and keyboard

It is the year of technological advancement, and tech-apps have taken the global economy by storm. Talk about the leading app developing platforms only, and you will be surprised. Apple’s App store has over 2.2 million apps in 2021.

With more than 3.4 million apps, Google’s Play Store has emerged as the leading app developer distributor in the industry. Gaming apps have a big share of the revenue generated through mobile apps. The revenue, which is already in billions of dollars, is expected to double.

While the gaming industry is huge, most gaming companies are small and have fewer than 1000 employees. Some companies don’t hire more than a hundred developers. It is important to up your 'resume game' if you want to get shortlisted for an interview, and eventually get a job in the gaming industry.

6 Tips to Create a Game Developer Resume

Allocating your 'talent tree points' in the right manner is crucial for building a strong game developer resume. A game developer resume includes the same sections as the standard resume, including executive summary, work experience, education and skills. However, the arrangement of the sections is slightly different.

1. Choose a Template

You don’t have to start from scratch as there are many game developer resume templates on resume builder sites. Search for a good template that includes all the sections that are required for the job/post you are looking to apply for. Now, add the most relevant information under each section.

2. Contact Info

You don’t have to provide your residential address in the contact section – no one does that these days. Only mention your mobile numbers (s) and your email address. Your LinkedIn profile is a strong reference itself. If you have developed any gaming site, you may also add its link.

3. Professional Summary

Rather than stating your objective, it is better to write a professional summary at the beginning of your resume. It’s quite clear that you want to work as a game developer, stating the obvious is a waste of space. Use this section to spark the reader’s interest in your resume.

Highlight your strongest technical skills and proficiency in major gaming programming languages. You can also mention industry accolades and innovative performances on a development team in the summary section.

4. Skills

Employers in the game development industry seek specific hard and soft skills in the candidates they interview. These include:

Hard Skills

  • Programming languages
  • Video graphic design
  • Software development

Soft Skills

  • Creativity
  • Team player
  • Problem solving
  • etc

If you have developed any game or work on a project, it is better to include a URL or download link. You may also provide the source code of the game. If you are an expert in coding, the gaming languages mention that as well.
Javascript is one of the emerging programming languages that game developers use. Besides, C# or C-sharp is another robust programming language for developing games. Command over these languages adds value to your resume.

5. Work Experience

Resist the temptation to fill the section with all the jobs you have done to date. Recall that you are applying for a job in game development. Your internship in your Dad’s accounting firm does not count unless it helped you learn Microsoft Excel. If you were a part of the graphics or animation team of a film, you could add that in work experience.

For each job, describe your duties and accomplishments in the position you held relevant to the gaming industry. Use numbers in your resume when needed. For instance, mention the number of downloads of the app you created (if any). You may also include your any major contributions to games that got recognized.

6. Education

If you don’t have much on your resume with regards to the gaming industry or you are a beginner, then move the education section up (just below the professional summary). Know that the formal education requirements in the gaming industry vary from field to field, however a bachelor’s degree in the computer-related field such as Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, or Information Technology will give you an edge over other applicants.

List your academic record in reverse chronology with the most recent degree at the top. Rather than bragging about your grades and GPA, mention the relevant diploma or course you took. Work-study programs related to the game development industry can also be added.

If you ran a game review website in school, you can add that as well. Trim the unnecessary information or academic records from the resume. Your scholarships or academic honors won’t impress the employer.

Basic Resume Guidelines

Every industry has its own set of rules and specific skill requirements. However, the basic guidelines for creating a strong resume remains the same irrespective of which industry you are applying for.

Be Precise

Gaming companies receive scores of internship and job applications. The hiring manager, screening all those applications, doesn’t have enough time to wade through dense prose and search for important details. Make sure your resume is no longer than one page – it’s a game of limited resources. Hence, use space wisely.

Clean Formatting

Use a simple and easy-to-read format. Bulleted lists, short statements and bold section headers keep your resume orderly. Don’t forget to use industry buzzwords in your resume. However, if you don’t know how to use the keywords in your game developer resume, leave the task to Rocket Resume.

Be Relevant

You cannot use a generic resume for the gaming industry. Make sure the information you provide under each section showcases your suitability for the post. You can use jargon in the resume, but make sure that your resume looks professional and focuses on your abilities.

Review

After you have filled in all the information, proofread your resume at least three times. You may have missed any important detail or added an irrelevant work experience. Also, look for grammar errors and duplication. Break down the information in sub-headings.

You can create a strong and attractive game developer resume with a resume builder site like Rocket Resume. Well-crafted resumes may not guarantee a job, but it increases your chances of getting an interview call.

Get Rocket Resume

When you’re faced with creating your resume from scratch, you can spend days on every job application. It can be an overwhelming task.

Rocket Resume makes it easy to put together a professional game developer resume in no time at all. We have proven templates that can be customized for any job. No more staring at a blank sheet of paper with no idea what to include in each section. Now you’ll have the time you need to concentrate on landing your dream job. Start building your resume today!