Networking in the industry.

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What is Networking ?

“Networking” is a global realized term for ‘connecting with multiple people in an industry’. When you have a few contacts that are useful or interesting. That’s networking, it can be a collection of social contacts that can give you info on any planned events. Or business contacts you can ring up to get a job done. Networking is socializing at a professional level that can benefit all involved. 

Why is Networking important ?

To increase the amount of professional contacts is to broaden your possibilities and opportunities. To both give and receive. For yourself you may receive information, a lead to potential employment, an event of interest. An update on tools of the trade or even a job that can lead to financial or experience gain. 

For the ones on the other end of your network, they might come to you for help, ask a question that may teach you something new. Maybe they need some help getting their portfolio made and have come to you for advice.  

Networking is a social stage where everyone stands to benefit from doing so. 

Ways to Network
  • Discord: 
    There are many communities on Discord where one can not only find people of similar interest but of Professional standing too.  
    Two discord servers of note are “Games Jobs Live” and “Into Games”.  
     
    During a “Games Jobs Live” event you can speak to those in the industry, introduce yourself, show them your Portfolio for feedback and thoughts on your work and offer to link up on LinkedIn for further discussions and possibilities. 
     
    In the “Into Games” discord, you can start discussions in the channels tailored to be centered around the areas you’re interested in. Go in there and start having conversations with people in the same field, offer a friend request or add on LinkedIn.  
    Show your work and your passion so that they remember you and spend time to contact you in return. 
  • Events: 
    Going to in person events is always going to be the best way to mingle with developers and recruiters in the industry of your choice. Meeting such people in person and showing your work always means more to a possible employer than seeing only your work on its own. The person behind the work means just as much as the work alone.  
     
    Showing a Personal interest in the work, how it’s done and showing your engagement to not only that but to the person you’re speaking too, goes leaps and bounds in getting into the industry. 
    You will be the one thought of and approached when you show you can hold a dialogue with them over another person that does amazing work but only hands them a CV. 
  • LinkedIn: 
    Everyone that you add on LinkedIn is another person that in some regard see’s value in your ability to do the work you are looking for, you’ll be able to see who they’ve added and in turn they can see you. This allows you to network through others and build up your own direct lines of communication with people in the industry. 
  • Game Jams: 
    Going to game jams or hackathons allows you to show off your skills and get noticed by people who are in the industry or wanting to do so. They are a great place to meet determined and talented individuals wanting to enter the industry or hire new staff for it. 
How to keep your Network
  • Regularly have online discussions 
    Keep going back and using social platforms like Discords “Games Jobs Live” server and take part in technical discussions in the chats relevant to your desired field. If you do it enough you will start to become recognized in the chat and people who know of opportunity’s will reach out to inform you. 
  • Help others 
    When on social platforms, you may have the chance to not only get involved in discussions, but also respond to someone’s technical question.  
    By helping out such people on these platforms, you leave an impression that people will remember. Done long enough and people will start recommending you are private messaging you. This will keep your network of people alive and to an extent thrive. 
  • Show Diligence 
    For example, if you signed up to take part in a game jam and you promised some type of project but didn’t follow through, it can be seen as a lack of motivation or self discipline. 
    Always complete the work you set off to do, and people will recognize you for it. 
  • Show self-improvement. 
    Always be working on something, always take a step to learn something new, weather you choose to show it as a complete project or a new mechanic/function you’ve got working is up to you, both are viewed highly by everyone as it shows you to be a master at your craft.