How Not to Get a Job as a Game Journalist

[Silva]

Good old common sense. I suppose if it was common, we wouldn't need articles like these. Nice work, Susan.

 

[Tharticus]

I must add that like every journalist, use the dictionary. Use long sophisticated words that people hardly hears.

 

[SW15243]

The article itself was excellent, but I can't help but feel like it might hurt my chances to one day pester everyone at The Escapist for a position. I mean, if every tool with a spellchecker can follow these easy steps now, how is an elitist tool like myself supposed to get a decent job?

 

[GreyWolf257]

So, so true.

 

[Pimppeter2]

Great article. I want to be a sports caster/writer (dream job is to be on Around the Horn)

 

[Susan Arendt]

The article itself was excellent, but I can't help but feel like it might hurt my chances to one day pester everyone at The Escapist for a position. I mean, if every tool with a spellchecker can follow these easy steps now, how is an elitist tool like myself supposed to get a decent job?

Two words: Send cookies.

 

[Kazturkey]

The article itself was excellent, but I can't help but feel like it might hurt my chances to one day pester everyone at The Escapist for a position. I mean, if every tool with a spellchecker can follow these easy steps now, how is an elitist tool like myself supposed to get a decent job?

Two words: Send cookies.

Another tip! *Takes notes*

 

[SW15243]

The article itself was excellent, but I can't help but feel like it might hurt my chances to one day pester everyone at The Escapist for a position. I mean, if every tool with a spellchecker can follow these easy steps now, how is an elitist tool like myself supposed to get a decent job?

Two words: Send cookies.

I do make a damn good batch of peanut butter cookies. 'Course, I can make others. Pick your poison, Boss.

 

[BehattedWanderer]

So, I'm inclined to wonder about something--Are there minor positions that might be available, whre one could work their way up to a higher position? Be generic game-industry hampster at a news-and-review group, running in the wheels behind the site, making sure names are spelled correctly, i's dotted and t's crossed, that kind of thing? Or does one get to jump straight into associate editing, leaping straight towards the barrel of the gun?

 

[SW15243]

So, I'm inclined to wonder about something--Are there minor positions that might be available, whre one could work their way up to a higher position? Be generic game-industry hampster at a news-and-review group, running in the wheels behind the site, making sure names are spelled correctly, i's dotted and t's crossed, that kind of thing? Or does one get to jump straight into associate editing, leaping straight towards the barrel of the gun?

Every company worth it's salt has a whipping boy. Jumping in front of the gun is just much more interesting.

 

[Nycto]

Funny enough miss Susan i actually do have a mission to play every video game starting with F.
Everything from Final Fight to Final Fantasy, Fallout to Farcry, Flatout to Fury... so far im about a third of the way but hey... I might get there if I just believe in myself.
=D

By the way, great article. For a writing prodigy who is looking to take up journalism these little hints can be just the wind i need in my sails.

=P

 

[Gaderael]

Thank you Susan. This is a very informative article.

Hopefully people will take this article to heart, not just when applying for game related writing positions, but to any other job that they might be applying for. Yes, even minimum wage jobs. I know I've had more doors open for me by showing knowledge of the company and being articulate in my application.

I would recommend that people save this article for future reference, or use the bookmark button, which is what I did.

Thanks again, Miss. A-R-E-N-D-T! (Just making sure I spelled it correctly).

 

[Gaderael]

So, I'm inclined to wonder about something--Are there minor positions that might be available, whre one could work their way up to a higher position? Be generic game-industry hampster at a news-and-review group, running in the wheels behind the site, making sure names are spelled correctly, i's dotted and t's crossed, that kind of thing? Or does one get to jump straight into associate editing, leaping straight towards the barrel of the gun?

Every company worth it's salt has a whipping boy. Jumping in front of the gun is just much more interesting.

Oh, I don't know. I wouldn't trust that BehattedWanderer character. He looks a little shifty, what with the horns and demonic yellow eyes and all.

EDIT: Sorry for the double post. It's just that I really had to point out his evilness.

 

[SW15243]

So, I'm inclined to wonder about something--Are there minor positions that might be available, whre one could work their way up to a higher position? Be generic game-industry hampster at a news-and-review group, running in the wheels behind the site, making sure names are spelled correctly, i's dotted and t's crossed, that kind of thing? Or does one get to jump straight into associate editing, leaping straight towards the barrel of the gun?

Every company worth it's salt has a whipping boy. Jumping in front of the gun is just much more interesting.

Oh, I don't know. I wouldn't trust that BehattedWanderer character. He looks a little shifty, what with the horns and demonic yellow eyes and all.

EDIT: Sorry for the double post. It's just that I really had to point out his evilness.

We don't take too kindly to them thar demon folk 'round these here parts

 

[Susan Arendt]

So, I'm inclined to wonder about something--Are there minor positions that might be available, whre one could work their way up to a higher position? Be generic game-industry hampster at a news-and-review group, running in the wheels behind the site, making sure names are spelled correctly, i's dotted and t's crossed, that kind of thing? Or does one get to jump straight into associate editing, leaping straight towards the barrel of the gun?

Of course. One of the best ways not only to learn, but to wedge your foot firmly in the door, is to volunteer somewhere. The folks who are willing to help out because they're passionate and driven get noticed and trained.

 

[PlasticTree]

Great article. But I'll continue my education (about text and communication) a few years before I'll try my luck.

 

[Tharticus]

Dan Hsu (a highly respected game journalist) also provides the same information to get a job as a game journalist but with more details.

How to get a job writing about games for a living [http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=5381883&publicUserId=5379799]

It's worth looking if you have an interest in pursuing a video game journalist.

 

[bushwhacker2k]

As someone whose only experience in the "games writing" industry is scoring jobs almost entirely via a combination of luck and charm, I fully agree with everything Susan has said here, but would also like to add one final point:

Sleeping your way to the top -- Did you really think it was just a gross metaphor? Oh hell no. All I'll say is you attract more flies with an awesome handjob than you do with vinegar.

You disgust me.

Sorry if this is supposed to be obvious, did you just tell yourself that you disgust yourself?

Anyways I get the impression that all of this should be readily obvious.

Familiarizing yourself with the magazine you're trying to join and asking if they could take some time to review some of your work sounds like best advice. Stop swearing, use spellcheck, and actually make sure you WANT to join the magazine should be so obvious that it feels unnecesary to say them.

Anyways, this seems like a fairly well done piece of work, when can you start?

 

[Ari Ace]

I find this very funny actually. Many gamer friends I have tell me they could apply for jobs like these because they know so much about the games they play, but looking at the way they write tells me something else.