It is a fierce competition to find top creative specialists. There is a glut of talent, but it’s hard to find. But don’t worry! This guide provides recruiters with actionable strategies for attracting and retaining exceptional creative talent.
Think beyond the Traditional
The best candidates can sometimes be found in unexpected places. Prioritize passion, potential and cultural fit over rigid criteria such as formal education or years of experience.
- Accept unconventional backgrounds A D&D Dungeon master might have the leadership and imaginative skills to be a successful game designer.
- Go beyond the resume – Give candidates the opportunity to demonstrate their unique qualities by varying interview stages and assessments.
The Essential Skills of Creative Specialists
Creative specialists in the world of dynamic game development need to combine specialized knowledge with core principles and essential soft skills.
- Adaptability is essential in today’s ever-changing GameDev world.
- Thinking outside the box: Generating creative ideas within genre and technical constraints is essential.
- Teamwork : Effective communication and a collaborative spirit are essential for bringing your creative visions to reality.
- Hard Skills: An understanding of game mechanics and trends is required, as well as the ability to reimagine and apply popular mechanics in an engaging way (such the A4 mechanic).
Prioritize culture fit and soft skills
It’s important to have technical prowess, but that is only part of the equation.
- Cultural Alignment: Watch how candidates interact and work with colleagues to determine their compatibility.
- Communication: Look for individuals who are able to effectively pitch ideas, share them, and negotiate.
- Collaboration and Adaptability: Give priority to candidates who embrace constructive criticism and are open to feedback.
- Empathy & emotional intelligence Understanding player motivations & emotions is crucial to creating compelling game experiences.
Experience is more important than Education
In GameDev, a strong portfolio often outweighs a formal degree.
- Real world evidence: Give priority to candidates who have a portfolio that demonstrates practical skills and experiences through personal projects, independent games, or concept artwork.
- Relevant Experience When choosing candidates, choose those whose skills and experience match your project’s needs.
Evaluating Creativity: A Multi-faceted Approach
Assess the candidate’s creativity beyond the traditional interview.
- Test Assignments: Measure their ability to adapt and solve problems.
- Brainstorming Sessions: Watch their ability to generate ideas, collaborate with others, and bring them to life.
- Case studies in real life: Assess their creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Portfolio Reviews: Evaluate the originality, diversity and depth of work.
Unconventional Hiring Techniques
Hire creative professionals .
- Indie games festivals and hackathons : Meet passionate junior developers, and see their teamwork under pressure.
- Workshops: Meet with professionals who are looking for opportunities to work in established studios.
- Social Media: Engage with industry experts, Telegram users, and Medium users to learn about their projects and follow them.
Key Takeaways For Recruiters
- Focus on potential : Look beyond resumes and standard evaluations to discover hidden talents and assess the true potential of a candidate.
- Create a strong employer branding: Develop a reputation of creativity and innovation through active participation in industry events, and by sharing your company’s success stories.
- Investing in Development: Attract top talent and retain them by providing opportunities for growth via mentorship programs and other training initiatives.
By adopting these strategies, recruiters will be able to navigate the competitive landscape in GameDev. They can also secure the creative talent required to create exceptional games.
Inessa Baianova, Nexters’ recruiter with more than four years in HR and a specialization in IT and games development, has over four year of experience. She mentors young professionals, leads teams and builds processes from the ground up.
