Video Game Tester Jobs - 7 Simple Steps Towards Getting Hired As a Video Game Tester

Video Game tester jobs are highly sought after by those of us who love playing video games. What gamer wouldn't love to play and test games for a living? But if you have never worked in the video game industry, landing your first game testing job can seem a bit intimidating. What skills are needed? Where does one apply? What should be put on one's resume? What about interview preparation? Don't fret - we all have to start somewhere, and if you are determined to start a video game tester career, there is a simple, yet highly successful process that anyone can use to make it happen.

By following this 7 step process, you will land your first game testing job. This process is what we have discovered to be the most bullet-proof method of landing your first game tester job, as well as for starting a career as a video game tester.

Getting Hired as a Video Game Tester in Seven Simple Steps

First, you simply must enjoy playing games. Many people think being a games tester would just be an easy job, but without a sincere passion for gaming, just showing up for a paycheck simply doesn't work. If you don't sincerely love playing video games, then when the time to ship the game draws close, and everyone is putting in long hours to find all those remaining bugs in the game being tested, you won't be enjoying yourself.

Second, learn that video games are software, and should be tested as such. Learn how to test the game as software, not simply a game. Discovered bugs aren't simply a problem with the game play; they are most likely code bugs in the software. Learn the fundamentals of software testing, and you will find a lot more bugs, and soon become the leading bug finder on your team. This will make you a rockstar game tester, and the jobs will come to you as your reputation as a video game tester grows.

Third, don't limit yourself to testing only one gaming platform or company. Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo are the big three, but if you limit yourself to only one of those, you limit the game tester jobs and opportunities that are available to you. Learn to use the PC as a gaming platform if you don't already, and you will rapidly increase your video game tester job opportunities.

Fourth, acquire some game testing experience before building your resume. There are numerous video game beta tester opportunities that are free to apply for, and although they are unpaid, you will gain valuable experience.

Fifth, learn a few things about the video game industry. Having a basic understanding of what it takes to design, market and ship a game will impress potential employers to no end, and put you way ahead of the pack of ordinary game testers.

Sixth, determine which company or companies you would like to work for. Many jobs are on-site, meaning you will have to live or work where the actual company is, but many companies will hire people to test their games at home, on their own systems, so your geographic location doesn't have to be an obstacle.

Seventh, after following the first 6 steps, it will be time to build your resume and cover letter. You will now be able to really showcase your passion for video games, as well as show your potential employer you know something about game testing. This will give you a significant advantage against other entry-level game testers, and insures you will be hired for your first video game tester job!

Jonathon Halston has been testing video games for a living for almost 12 years. After starting out doing contract video game tester gigs, he soon became a full-time Software Design Engineer in Test at a World Class Software Company, and still tests and plays games every chance he has. He is dedicated towards helping others get started in the career that has been so rewarding for him, and delights in seeing others achieve their dreams. To learn more about how you too can get hired for video game tester jobs, as well as starting a video game testing career, visit http://hot-game-tester-jobs.com today!

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

5 Tips to Becoming a Video Game Tester and Getting Paid to Play Video Games

Do you want to know how to get paid to play games? As in get paid to play video games? Well you've come to the right place if the answer to that question was "yes". The way that people that get paid to play video games make money is by becoming video game testers and working for game companies to make sure game releases are top notch. But how can you become a video game tester and actually make money by at home video game testing? Here are five simple tips that will keep you on the right track:

Work your way up from lower companies, like indie developers and online Flash game makers, to the big dogs like Insomniac or Bandai. It'll take a while, for sure, but you should just keep trucking away until you're fairly well respected. And after you're well respected you will really be raking in!

Don't expect a big payday right away- you can certainly earn $30 per hour when you get the hang of it, but initially you'll be working for lower rates at about $10-$15 per hour. That may not sound too exciting, but what other job lets you sit back and relax doing something you enjoy to make money like being a video game tester? What other job will let you get paid to play games? Video game testers definitely have it made when you look at it from this light, no?

You might also want to expand your resume in another way. Work a little elsewhere in the field. By this I mean simply try your luck at learning C++ or another programming language. Having the skills of a game developer will give you a better shot at getting hired to get paid to play games.

Be well prepared for rejection. The simple fact is that game developers don't particularly have a need for beta game testers and at home video game testing is so scarce because of this. But if you are really persistent and keep heading out there to find the jobs instead of waiting for them to come to you, then you will almost certainly be getting paid to play games in no time!

Do it for the love of the game. Sounds lame or cliche, but the truth is you really do need to have a passion, a great passion, for all thing gaming before you seriously consider becoming a game tester who will get paid to play games.

Those tips are what got many people started in successful video game tester careers. For more information on becoming a game tester, who gets paid to play games, you should check out some of the resources at the Get Paid to Play Games. This site is written by an experienced professional in the video game industry (even though he's only 19) so you can bet it's a pretty useful resource. Check it out if you have the time and really want to become a beta games tester and get paid to play games!

Click here to visit the site now!

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Game Tester Jobs - 5 Tips For Getting a Games Tester Job

If you asked 100 gamers what their dream job would be, I'd bet that a very large percentage of them would put video game tester at number one. Getting access to the hottest new games and consoles months before they're released, spending all day playing those games, and getting paid for the privilege certainly ticks all the boxes for many people. While the realities of game testing sometime don't quite live up to the dream, with extremely long hours, highly repetitive testing procedures, and frustrations at not having bugs fixed, there is no shortage of people competing for game testing jobs. Here are the 5 top tips to help you land a job as a games tester:

1. Contacts are the key

The old saying of "It's not what you know, it's who you know" certainly applies to the games industry. Simply writing a letter or email to a development company, or calling them on the telephone will rarely get you so much as an interview. Knowing exactly who to contact at a company, and their preferred methods of contact is essential. Getting that contact information from an inside source, such as an existing games tester or developer will have the single biggest effect on your chances of becoming a games tester yourself.

2. Sell yourself

What differentiates you from every other applicant? In order to get your "foot in the door" you need to sell yourself, show off your potential and explain why you're the best person for the job. The way to do that is with a well written resume. A resume for a games tester job is different to a resume for a typical office job, and more focus should be on your enthusiasm and ability to put in long hours playing difficult and frustrating games, and your ability to communicate the bugs you find, than on more traditional business attributes. Again, finding a games tester, or developer who can share their inside knowledge with you is your best chance at success, but failing that take advice from anyone in business or management and ask what they would want to see in a resume. Just make sure you get three key points across - your versatility, your creativity, and your burning passion to play games!

3. Be flexible

If you want to work as a games tester you'll need to be flexible. That means testing whatever games the company is currently developing, and that won't always be the ones you enjoy playing. You'll need to stay focussed, and put as much effort in when given an assignment to test a puzzle game or a word game as when you're testing the latest and greatest FPS or RPG.

4. Work on your communication skills

Even more important than your ability to play games and find bugs, is your skill in communicating what you found to the development team. That means carefully logging your play and the bugs you find, and clearly and specifically telling the developers where you find those bugs. While you don't need to be a word class writer, being able to get your message across is essential so work on your writing and typing skills to prove to your potential employer that you can be taken seriously! If working from home you'll be communicating via email so it's essential that your writing is clear and won't be misunderstood by the developers.

5. Get educated

Game testing is one of the only ways to get your "foot in the door" of the games industry without a college degree. Enthusiasm, good communication skills and an ability to work long hours is more important than a formal education, but that doesn't mean a lack of education is a positive thing. It's always good to get more education, whether it's a college degree or an evening course. Even a part time or evening course will show to your potential employer that you're serious about personal development and commitment.

Testing games really is a dream job. Whether you're working on site at a development company, or working from home and getting paid to play games in your spare time, it's a great way to make a living. Getting started is the hardest part, but by following these tips you'll give yourself the best chance of getting accepted as a games tester.

For your FREE GUIDE about how to get a games tester job visit http://www.betagamestester.com and download How to Be A Game Tester. You'll find out how to get insider contacts in the games industry, exactly what to put in your resume, and other top tips to getting paid to play games.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.