The Games Game

Planning for a Successful GDC (March 2006)

Hi Tom,

I've been working as a tester for a year, and I bought my own way to GDC (my employer wouldn't send me), and I'll take that as a vacation week. What I want to know is, what should I do while I'm at GDC? I heard it's really useful and important for guys like me, but I don't know what to expect. Actually, I'm pretty bored with my current job and would love to jump ship, what's the protocol on such things? I should bring lots of resumes, I guess -- how many? And how do I ask people for their business card? What should I wear? How do I go about telling people they should give me a chance to move up from QA and be a designer? I'll probably have lots more questions, I hope I can ask'em in person. And oh, you know some people, I'm sure. How about putting in a good word for me?

Don't tell my name in your column please...

Dear Don't Tell,

Yes, I guess it is that time of the year again, isn't it.

1. What you should do at GDC depends completely on your purpose for going. Sounds to me like you're just going because you heard it's good. It is that, but usually folks go with a plan in mind. Since you're already going, I suggest that you just attend sessions whose titles sound applicable to your career goals, and meet people between sessions and in the free time you'll be sure to find.

2. Don't ever tell anybody you're bored with your current job. They'll see that as a good reason not to hire you (it probably won't take long for you to get bored with a new job as well). Instead, you should say that you love your current job, and you should sound like you mean it. Just be "open" to opportunities for upward movement, rather than on the lookout for an escape route.

3. I doubt you'll need more than 10 resumes, 15 max. There will be some recruiting booths in the expo. That's the most likely place to use them. Don't think you're going to hand one to every person you meet - it's considered gauche, and is a really good way of ending an otherwise potentially useful and enjoyable conversation.

4. The way you get someone's business card is by handing him one of yours. If you don't have any, go to Kinko's or Staples and have some made. Just your name, your home address, phone number, and your email address should be good. Don't get all ambitious and add a fanciful title like "Up-and-coming God of the Designers" or anything like that.

5. You should wear a clean shirt, clean pants, and clean shoes. The pants should reach all the way to your shoes (they shouldn't stop short, exposing your hairy legs - assuming you're a he).

6. You don't. When you meet someone, get them to talk about their current or recent project or something. You'll learn a lot. If they ask about you (which they will if they're polite), just say you're working as a tester, and it's OK to say the name of your employer. You're at GDC to learn and grow in your career. Period. Don't ask about job opportunities, don't beg for a job, don't say you're bored testing. The less you talk about yourself, the more you listen to them talk about themselves, the more intelligent and nice they'll think you are.

7. You've only been in the biz for a year. Give it more time - if you have design talent, you'll get chances to show your worth someday. Stay with your current job unless somebody miraculously drops a better offer in your lap.

8. Sure, if you run into me at GDC, say hi, we can chat a while. But I don't even know you, I'm not going to "put in a good word" for you, come on. Your weight is for you, and you alone, to pull. Especially since it's an uphill path you're contemplating.

Finally, check out Marc Mencher's great GDC tips and tricks article for more advice.

I wish you a successful GDC!