| Landing a job as a video game tester is no walk | | | | let the networking part of video game testing get |
| in the park. As a matter of fact, it can be | | | | you down. After all, no one starts off knowing all |
| overwhelmingly difficult if you don't know where | | | | of the most influential people. |
| to start. Many gamers, instead of being proactive | | | | Tip 2: Get Out There! |
| about becoming a professional video game tester, | | | | Don't wait until you have a huge network of |
| just sit around and do absolutely nothing to | | | | contacts before you get started with your game |
| further their goals. They never actively search for | | | | testing career; just get out there! Game |
| video game tester job openings, so they never | | | | companies and developers are not going to put |
| actually land one. | | | | "Game Testers Wanted" ads in the paper. Sure |
| If that sounds at all like you, read & follow | | | | they need video game testers, but they aren't |
| the two tips below. They should help you get | | | | going to advertise it everywhere. |
| started with finding your very first video game | | | | Why don't they advertise? Because they would |
| tester job openings. | | | | be swarmed with wanna-be video game testers |
| Tip 1: Network! | | | | that just want to play games all day long and get |
| The game industry is a large one, so the more | | | | paid for it. Although that can be seen as the |
| connections you have, the better. You may have | | | | situation for testers, it actually isn't. Game Testers |
| heard the phrase "it isn't what you know, it's who | | | | are paid to test games; they are not paid to play |
| you know." Well, it absolutely applies to being a | | | | them for hours on end. So basically, game |
| game tester. So, with that being said, start | | | | developers advertise in order to separate the real |
| getting to know as many people in the gaming | | | | testers from the fakes. |
| industry as possible; concept artists, designers, | | | | What does this mean for you? It means you |
| programmers, coders, testers, developers, | | | | have to go right to the game companies and |
| support specialists, and anyone else who hangs | | | | developers themselves. You have to find them, |
| around video games and/or has a video game | | | | talk to them, and convince them that you are an |
| related job. | | | | experienced video game tester and that they |
| Although it is very possible to do it all on your | | | | would greatly benefit from hiring you. Don't be |
| own, having a network just makes things easier; | | | | shy either. Tell them about your experience with |
| a LOT easier! The people in your | | | | games, your extensive research on the video |
| “network” can let you in on jobs opening | | | | game industry, as well as anything else that would |
| up, developers that are opening their doors, or | | | | likely impress them. Remember, the more |
| they can just put in a good word for you when | | | | experience you have, the better your chances |
| you are applying for a testing job. Plus, it never | | | | are for being hired. |
| hurts to have a few friends in your respected | | | | If you still think this is a dream job and want |
| field of work. | | | | nothing more than to become a video game |
| As you have probably guessed by now, having a | | | | tester, then follow the 2 tips above and you |
| network of reliable contacts is really a must in this | | | | should be able to land your first testing job in no |
| industry; so be sure to work on expanding your | | | | time. |
| "friends list" as much as possible. Although, don't | | | | |