Guest Post – CV-Library: How to write a top cover letter for the games industry
Nathan Adcock
Covers letters can often be the most dreaded part of the application process. This is understandable; after all, it can feel like employers have high expectations and it’s hard to know where to begin to impress them. Especially in the games industry which is increasingly competitive and relies on job hunters to put in the effort to stand out from the crowd.
But don’t fear, we’re here to help with some advice on how you can write a top cover letter for the games industry.
Do your research
The most important starting point for your cover letter is some solid research. While it’s good to begin with the company’s website, your research shouldn’t be limited to this. Make sure you follow the company on social media sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. Then find out if they have a blog and keep up to date with the latest posts.
Other tips include checking Google news to see if the company has recently been in the media – you can do this by searching the company’s name in the ‘news’ tab. Make a note of anything interesting you find. Even if you don’t use it for the cover letter, it could be handy in an interview.
Share your passion for the industry
Companies want employees who are dedicated and passionate about what they do. Therefore, you need to show that you have this enthusiasm. To do this, make sure you shout about your hobbies outside of your professional experience, alongside any work experience or internships. So if you’re a keen gamer, artist or anything similar, you should talk about it.
If you don’t have these experiences, or are new to gaming, make sure you explain why you’re interested in the industry. Think outside the box about what makes you different. The games industry is popular and competitive so you need to ensure that you stand out as much as you can. This could be anything from an amazing internship you completed last summer, to a competition you won.
Tailor your letter
The hiring manager doesn’t want to see a cover letter that could be sent to any company in the gaming industry. They want it to be perfectly tailored to their business and to the role you’re applying to. This is where your earlier research will be helpful, so make sure you use it.
Focus on how your skills will benefit the company, especially their values. For example, it’s common for gaming companies to promote flexibility with their workforce and have more casual working environments. This means that you could emphasise your independence and self-motivation through examples and then relate this back to the company’s values.
Avoid repetition
Repetition is a major red flag for any application. Your cover letter should not just repeat everything you’ve said on your CV. You need to use it as a selling point to enhance the hiring manager’s knowledge of your skills and experience. Above all, you need to be memorable and ensure that your language is interesting and engaging.
To achieve this, make sure you get to the point of what you’re saying quickly – basically don’t waffle. This can be hard if you’re running out of points to say but you don’t want to bore the hiring manager. Ask a friend of family member to read over your letter as sometimes it can be hard to spot where you’ve made a mistake or could cut out a sentence for clarity.
In summary
The games industry is a creative and exciting industry to work in which means it can be competitive. You need to make sure you sell your skill set on your cover letter by writing a tailored, focused and passionate application. Remember to use examples and think outside the box where possible to make yourself stand out.
CV-Library is the UK’s leading independent job board and advertises software developer jobs across the UK. For more expert advice on careers and the workplace, visit their Career Advice and Recruitment Insight pages.
