Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Suitable Job Update

Now, normally, I wouldn't mention a suitable job on this blog but, I thought I'd tell you a little story so you can see how frustrating my life can sometimes be...

As you know (if you read my first post!), before I began writing this blog I'd been working in the videogame industry for twelve years as a game designer and producer (the last five of them as a freelancer). So, a week or so before I started my quest to apply for 100 unsuitable jobs, I sent off an application to be a Lecturer in Game Development with a University...

This was a very suitable job, since not only have I worked in the game industry but I've also lectured part-time at the University of Teesside on a couple of their modules (such as game design, game production, etc.). However, today I received a phone call from the University's HR department asking why I'd left the degree section of the application form blank.

"Erm...because I haven't got a degree." I explained. "I left University after my first year to become a game designer..."

Which buggered it, I'm afraid. They liked my application, they said; they were extremely impressed with my game development experience and thought I was a very strong candidate. But the absence of a piece of paper (even a 2.2 would have been ok) means I am removed from the shortlist. Oh well...

It would appear that someone up there is determined to make sure that I see this blog through to the very end.

3 comments:

NativeMoon said...

Now that is what I call effing insane!

Ive always wanted to get into games design. I desperately wanted a job with Sony in Cambridge... but I am too old apparently...

Have you heard of Aardvark Swift

They are one of the largest recruiters in the games/new media/interactive industries. I've met them several times at some of the design conferences here London over the years. They seem like a decent group to get in with...

www.aswift.com

and here are the latest listings online at the Edge magazine site - Recruitment

http://www.edge-online.co.uk/archives/recruitment/index.php

Gill said...

Well it is their loss. How stupid can you get! They obviously don't want anyone who knows anything about games design but someone who can spout theoretical bollocks.

BTW you still have time to apply for Apples and Snakes regional coordinator (see my blog). How hard is it to coordinate some apples and snakes?? Mind you God had a problem with it didn't he.

Oliver Davies said...

Yes, it was a tad on the annoying side but it appears that my experience (both in game development and lecturing) are not as important as that particular piece of paper...