7 Steps To Getting the Game Testing Job of Your Dreams
I’ve lost count how many times I have been told, “game testing is a scam”. And what is so funny to me is how easy it is to prove false.
Just go to any major job board and search for “game tester”. As of this writing, I found 42 game testing jobs just on Monster. For today. Right now. When you check, there will probably be even more.
Game testing jobs exist, and people like you and me start them EVERY, SINGLE, DAY. So if you are interested in being a game tester, read my seven steps and get your ass moving:
- Decide what kind of game testing job you want. There are many variables here including:
- Part Time
- Full Time
- Test for Console Games
- Test for PC Games
- Test for Mobile Games
Once you’ve decided what kind of job you want to do you are one step closer to accomplishing your goals.
- Research the top companies that you want to work for. So what-you know what kind of games you want to test. Now it’s important to know who you want to work for. There are so many developers out there so it’s important to find the one that fits your personality and style. You can do this easily by looking up the major developers whose games you like to play.
- Get as much game testing experience under your belt as possible. Now you’re probably asking “why do I need to get experience?” Simple, these days the gaming companies want applicants who know something about game testing. You don’t have to get a paying job to get game testing experience. You can get unpaid volunteer testing gigs. Many gamers out there have actually already taken part in some unpaid tests and they don’t even realize this is considered experience. This is important because it shows the employer you are serious about this type of job.
- Prepare a resume. This is a big deal people. Believe it or not, game companies review resumes just like any other company does. If you don’t have one, then put one together. There are plenty of websites out there that can help you to do this. Find a template, and start plugging in your work history. Be sure to fill it with plenty of gaming related key words. It can also help to find a game testing job posting, look at the skills they require, and then make sure you have them listed (as long as you really have those skills) in your resume. There are always the “basics” that all game companies want such as:
- Great communication skills
- Loves playing games
Show them you have this and more and you’ll be on your way to getting selected for a position.
- Search for the jobs. There are a TON of options that will help you to search for jobs. You can use the major job boards like Employment911.com, Monster.com, and Careerbuilder.com. Just type in the key words “game tester” or “QA tester” and select your city and state and watch what comes up. You’re other option is to search on the website of the game company that you’re interested in working for. 99% of developers have a major site and a job board on their own website that you can search on.
- Apply for the jobs that you’re qualified for. You’ve got a great resume, you know what you are qualified to do. You know who you want to work for and what jobs you want to apply for, so get started already!
- Preparing for an interview. Obviously if you make it past the initial application phase, you will be interviewed. This may be over the phone or in person. Either way you must be prepared. If you’re going in person, dress professionally, and look as clean cut as you can. If you’re doing it over the phone, remain calm, think about your answers before you say them and try to be confident about your capabilities.
So that’s it. Now you are armed with the keys to success in finding a game testing job.
I can definitely help you become part of the game testing world. My advice will always be free, but I might occasionally let you know about an offer that costs a couple of bucks (After all, I still need to pay for my website to keep running & have a little beer money left over). Just fill in your name & email address at the top right hand of my site. If you’re not on Game-Testers.com, you’ll need to click this link & go there: Game-Testers.com.
Here are just a few of the things my members have to say about my site:
“I signed up and got a job at electronic arts man it rocks out loud thank you lou. i signed up with your site i got the job at ea i got harry potter and the halfblood prince they seemed to like my resume i am getting paid at first was 10.00 now i am up to 20.00 hr what a change right now i got me a brand new wii i am wanting to get another job for wii ames so i can get more money you can use this as a success story thanks lou for changing my life from judy garrison kinston nc 28504 i love ea and i am also trying to get a job as microsoft. use this story as a success story.
- Judy G
“Thanks for the tip, actually, I just started testing at EA Canada a few weeks ago. I can’t tell you the project, but I can say that I love the job. Thanks for the tips over the past few months.”
- Paul D
“Did I tell you I got a job? Well, I did. After an extensive two hour interview I was hired by Vivendi as a QA tester. I live in SF. The job is in San Mateo. I start on the 14th. I got it through you. And hey, I had no experience. I wrote my resume through your instructions and they liked it and they gave me a 2 hr. interview. And I knew they were interested then. They also inquired as to if I wanted to be a lead QA tester. No kidding.”
- Richard B
So don’t wait another second, find that perfect job just sign up on my site here. Just fill in your name & email in the form on the top right side of this page, and then you’ll get my emails when I have tips and really cool game testing jobs.
