Game Programmer Resume Example | Resume Tips + Templates and More
Daniel CullenGame Programmer daniel.cullen@gmail.com +121 378 9583 https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel/
Professional Summary 6+ years of expertise as an application development professional, MS in Game Development and Game Programming certification, and a proven track record of directing the game design process from programming and development to successful delivery. Extreme precision and quality in developing and executing excellent graphics and gameplay, including combat dynamics, logic script, and character movement. Capable of organizing multiple gaming platforms, systems, and technology, as well as interacting with top-level management and cross-functional teams to improve the gaming experience and provide compelling business value to clients and users.
Professional Experience Game Programmer Welsh Game Studios, Austin, TX November 2017 – Present
Working directly with sound designers, game developers or programmers, QA professionals, visual designers, and artists to create and implement new gaming apps for desktop PCs and mobile devices, as well as upgrade current ones.
Playing an important role in the planning of numerous game projects, as well as the authoring and development of efficient, reusable, and reliable programs based on design specifications.
Working with the technical team to create exciting new game features or aspects such as animation sequences, interfaces, effects, and physics.
Testing and debugging gaming programs to find and resolve program faults, as well as collaborating with the development team on changes such as updating, developing add-ons, expansion packs, or new levels.
Documenting technical or design specs, gameplay codes, release notes, and bug fixes to aid in game development, as well as collaborating with lead engineers and designers to ensure overall project goals are fulfilled within set timelines.
Providing coding assistance, bug fixes, and feature implementation for game apps.
Creating screenplays and storyboards for the game, as well as creating audio features.
Keeping current with the newest innovations in the gaming industry and bringing unique ideas to all elements of game application design and development.
Game Programmer Alton Tech Group, Austin, TX April 2015 - October 2017
Well-documented and extendable programs for high-quality and efficient game applications were designed, maintained, and executed in accordance with recognized coding standards and best practices.
Used the UE4 and Unity game engines with the C++ programming language to create mobile, AR/VR, and computer games, as well as collaborated with the project lead to building important gameplay systems as needed.
For technical and management teams, I created game prototypes and initial concept ideas, as well as translated project needs and specifications into efficient and robust code.
Maintained project-specific documentation for the technical team while also collaborating with designers, developers, and senior programmers to create and alter game features and content as needed.
Developed game project timelines and milestones, as well as ensured the team adhered to current architecture and operating environment while handling challenging technical problems during game production.
Participated in the review of designs and the recommendation of changes for gaming software under development, as well as in the testing and debugging of programs for developed game applications.
Junior Game Programmer Avalanche Entertainment Inc., Austin, TX December 2013 - March 2015
Under the supervision of programming leads, I wrote and developed application-specific code based on design requirements, as well as incorporated new game features or functionality.
Collaboration with lead engineers and designers on the design, creation, and maintenance of a suite of internal tools, templates, and related technologies to aid in the speedy and efficient game production process.
Aided in the documentation of technical specifications for gameplay systems and gaming codes for future reference, as well as the debugging and optimization of current game applications as needed.
Working under the supervision of senior programmers, I built game prototypes and project schedules with reliable timetables.
Collaboration with game designers, producers, developers, and artists to achieve the highest quality product, as well as play testing assistance
Education Computer Science, 09/2009 - 05/2013 Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States GPA: 4.0 (Top 1% of the Program)
The 2011 and 2012 Dean's Award winner for achieving excellent academic results
Clubs and Societies: European Society, Spanish Society IB Diploma Program, 09/2007 - 05/2009
Park International School, Lisbon, Portugal
Graduated with Distinction (Grade 1 - A/excellent equivalent in all 6 subjects)
The 2009 Best Graduate Award winner
Activities: Computer Club, Fitness Club, Math Society
We are here to help anyone who wishes to become a Game Developer in obtaining their desired profile.
Game programmers are software developers that create the programming that allows computer and video games to run. They test and debug gaming programs to improve their stability and performance, and they are also in charge of optimizing and implementing new features in existing game apps.
Game programmer jobs are among the highest-paying professional paths available today. To get a career as a game programmer, you must be skilled, educated, and experienced.
Most essential, you will need a highly effective Game Programmer Resume to land your desired position.
To assist you, we are providing you with all of the means and procedures necessary to construct an eye-catching game programmer resume for your job advancement.
If you prefer to go directly to creating a great resume in ten minutes or less, use one of our ready-to-fill resume templates in our online resume builder.
Knowing what talents the employer is looking for is the essential concept behind making a resume.
When you notice a job posting for a game developer, start describing your abilities and studying what the company is looking for.
Mentioning your previous game development experience is a certain plus. However, keep in mind to emphasize the required talents.
You should not be concerned if you have no prior experience and are new to the field. Instead of experience, you can always promote your game programming skills.
The hiring manager is not known for wasting time drooling over a single game programmer resume, therefore we must do our best to provide them with exactly what they are searching for.
The Layout For This Resume
A clean and understandable layout is essential when creating a perfect game programmer resume. Having headings and subheadings is the first step toward having a clean and presentable resume.
This layout is highly recommended for your Game Programmer Resume.
Name and contact information.
Professional summary statement/ objective summary.
Work history.
Education.
Skills.
Additional sections.
The order can be changed based on your strengths.
The Format, Structure & Layout
The format of any resume can be divided into 3 main categories:
Functional or skill-based resume: This type of resume includes focusing on your skills and strengths that are important to the employers. Specific dates, names, and places are omitted here.
Reverse Chronological resume: Your work history, education, and all your previous experiences with projects are listed in reverse chronological order which means starting with your current and most recent job and then going backward.
Hybrid (Combination resume): This type of resume involves blending the flexibility and the strengths of the above two format types. This gives both the applicant and employer a clear understanding.
📌Tip: In general, we strongly advise you to adopt the Reverse Chronological Format, as most employers are familiar with it. The benefit of this resume style is that it lists your most recent experiences first, making it easy for employers to examine your talents.
Below are a few most essential points that you should never overlook while creating your perfect game programmer resume.
Keep the resume to one page.
Nobody enjoys reading a resume riddled with grammatical errors.
Send your resume as a PDF or MS Word file in accordance with the job description.
Maintain consistency in the use of margins and typefaces throughout the resume.
Game Programmer Resume: Header
The header is the most significant component of your resume, and it cannot be overlooked. It usually starts with your name and ends with your contact information. Because the header is the first thing an employer's eyes will see, making a mistake there means recognizing that you are now disqualified.
Good Header Vs. Bad Header
Now just as important it is to have a flawless header, so is to have a perfect one. Let’s see an example of a good and a bad header:
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Ronald Dixon
Game Programmer
ronal.dixon23@gmail.com
+1 247 56 03 87
INCORRECT
Game Programmer
Ronald Dixon
swaggy.ronald@gmail.com
+1 247 56 03 87
78, main street, apt 9,
Washington DC
USA
On comparing the examples listed above, you will notice that though they do not have any major differences, they are very different from each other.
👉 Here is everything you need to keep in mind while writing a good resume header:
Your resume has to begin with your name
Followed by a professional-looking email address.
Lastly, never mention your complete address unless the employer has asked you for it.
Using images in a resume is a personal preference, but it is unasked for when submitting a resume in the United States. Asking for a photo is completely forbidden for discriminatory reasons. As a result, it's preferable not to use your photo unless specifically requested.
Experience: Show Your Experience in Game Programming
The Professional Experience part of your professional resume is one of the most crucial because it highlights your job history and competence. As a result, you must pay close attention to make it as impressive and professional as possible.
The experience section significantly improves the quality of your resume. It demonstrates your abilities while also providing them with a good understanding of the previous work you've done and the key skills that came into play for the same.
Correctly presenting your experience can always earn you your desired job as a game programmer.
If you're a senior game programmer, acquiring a job in game development won't be a problem, but you can still acquire the position if you don't have any experience. How? Let's see what happens.
Well, experience certainly adds a lot of value to your resume, but it's your talents that will earn you the job. It is acceptable if you have no prior expertise as a game programmer or game developer. You can still list all of your technical skills as well as applicable skills to the job offer.
Remember that it is not so much about your experience as it is about how you present it on your resume.
You must keep the following points in mind before making a professional experience section:
Quantify your information wherever possible in the resume
Showcase cause and effect in every bullet for a better impression
Use a one-liner bullet and start with a power verb to grab the attention
Here are some pointers on how to improve your professional experience section:
Frame Point:
In any company, never use lengthy paragraphs to explain your work. Writing bullet points will make your text more readable and understandable.
Take a look at the example below to see the difference between a paragraph and bulleted professional experience points:
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10+ games have been programmed and tested for children to help them learn better and to ensure their quality in order to facilitate improved performance.
In the last stages of the game production process, I identified problems and corrected technical issues in the beta version.
Coordinated with the technical and design teams in order to complete projects on time and within budget.
INCORRECT
As a Game Programmer, I used to write and create games to help children learn better. I also used to put them through performance tests. I used to handle any technical issues or bugs in the beta version as well. As an expert, I used to work with the design team to create a stunning designs for the new project.
🎁 Grouping bullets and highlighting them will your professional resume look more pleasant.
Putting your Education on your Game Programmer Resume
If you are a fresher, the education section will be the essential section of the resume.
Even for an experienced candidate since most high-level jobs require you to have a minimum degree.
The education section should include all your academic experiences in reverse chronological order. Elements you should include are:
Degree Name
University Name
Start Date
End Date
GPA (if above 3.5)
Honors
Academic Achievements
Minor Courses
Let’s take a look at the education section of a perfect resume:-
M.S. Computer Science | Specialisation in Game Development
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Jul'13 - May '15
Course Modules
Core Computer Science | Core Game Development | Game Development Infrastructure
B.S. in Computer Science
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Jan '09 - Mar '13
Course Modules
Game Production | Visual Design For Games and Interactive | Computer Animation | Video Game Programming
Game Hardware Architectures | Game Engine Programming | Serious Game Development
Introductory and Intermediate Game Design
Key Skills For Game Programmer Resume
It is the part that catches every recruiter’s eyes at the first glance. Hence, you need to prepare this section in a well-formatted manner. You can divide your skills into two parts i.e. Key Skills and Technical Skills for a better impression.
Compass this section just before you create the Summary/Objective section
Bold or highlight your skills to get maximum benefits on the ATS
Here’s an example of skills you can include under the two sections of skills:-
Software: SAP, Unreal Engine, Unity 3D, Game Maker, Visual Studio
Miscellaneous: Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop
A Tailored Resume Summary
Hiring managers in a competitive profession like Game Developer may analyze hundreds of applications for a single vacancy. It is difficult to write a resume that sticks out, therefore overcome that problem by providing a fascinating start to your Resume. Begin your resume with a resume objective, which is a 2-3 sentence paragraph describing your job-related abilities and career objectives.
It is the first section of your resume that anyone will read. In this part, you can emphasize all of your accomplishments, abilities, and expertise.
📌Here are some things to keep in mind when writing a summary:
Complete this section once you've completed the rest of your game programmer resume.
The summary is only available if you have 3+ years of expertise in the desired niche.
As a fresher, you will need to create an Objective for your game programmer resume.
Take a look at what the summary of a professional resume of a game programmer should look like:-
Gaming Programmer with more than 5 years of expertise in programming, developing, testing, troubleshooting, and updating game applications for PCs, video game consoles, and mobile devices. Capable of documenting and debugging game code as well as adding new game features. Excellent communication, creative thinking, programming, multitasking, teamwork, analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to stay up with the newest game trends and advances are required.
Additional Sections to Reinforce Your Game Programmer Resume
Additional areas on your resume are vital, especially if your experience section isn't good enough to earn you an interview.
Furthermore, if you have a unique talent or certification that you want to promote to the recruiter, this part is ideal.
Certifications, interests, and languages would be the primary sections.
Game Programmer Certifications
You can leverage the power of certification to showcase your strong technical background.
To compose this section in your game developer resume, you need to mention the following information:
Name of Certification
Name of Affiliated Institute
Location of the Affiliated Institute
Date of enrollment and completion in month/year format
🎁 With the power of digitization, you can now obtain certification online without any difficulty.
There are several web portals available that provide genuine certification courses for everyone.
Here are some certifications you may seek and include on your game developer resume to make it stand out from the crowd:
Game Design and Development by Michigan State University
C# Programming- Unity Game Development Certification
Computer Science For Game Development by Harvard University
Unreal Engine C++ Developer Course
Learn to Create an RPG Game in Unity
Languages
Being conversant in many languages might boost your versatility and even your chances of being hired.
Remember to emphasize all of the languages you speak as well as your level of fluency.
Interests
You might put any interests that are relevant to the job offer here. If that's not the case, leave them out and utilize that space to highlight talents or achievements.
Pro Tips to Get Game Programmer Jobs
A game programmer is an extremely rewarding job path to take. However, in this day and age, you must have certain unique qualities to land game programmer jobs.
What else can you utilize to secure a game programmer job besides a strong game developer resume and cover letter? Here are three factors to consider while you look for a job as a game developer:
Research
It is a necessary skill for a job applicant to have. You must continue your quest not only for work prospects but also for certifications and internships that can help you advance your career.
Network
To thrive in this sector, you must expand your network. You can utilize social media platforms like LinkedIn to develop a strong professional network that will assist you in furthering your career.
Be Confident
Last but not least is self-assurance. During your job search, you must be self-assured enough to speak up for yourself. Confidence is the key to unlocking your opportunity's corroded locks.
Tips to Boost Your Resume
If you've read thus far, you already know how to build a game programmer resume that is ten times better than the typical resume. However, we have some extra suggestions to help you improve your application:
Use a grammar checking tool to look for errors that you could miss while proofreading.
Increase the quantity of numbers in your summary statement and experience sections. Numbers lend credibility to your claims.
Use a current and clear resume format. The first impression of your resume is just as important as the substance.
Summary: Craft a Powerful Resume for Game Programming
Begin your resume with your name, followed by your contact information.
Write the experience or professional summary section.
Limit the professional/objective overview to two sentences.
Add more numbers and proof to the experience area. Concentrate on the outcomes.
When writing your educational qualifications, stick to a consistent format.
With the other parts, you can surprise the recruiting managers.
Complement Your Game Programmer Resume with A Cover Letter
Cover letters are a wonderful way to demonstrate your enthusiasm for a job. This is your sales pitch for the interview.
Many job candidates today underestimate the value of a cover letter. The substantial impact it can have on your recruiters will play a role in determining whether or not you will be hired.
Simply said, cover letters can help you improve your whole job application and increase your chances of getting hired.
Why settle for less until your resume is totally flawless? Even if the job ad is competitive, a cover letter can considerably boost your chances of being hired by the organization you wish to work for.
It is highly recommended that you include a cover letter with your game developer resume in order to capture your recruiter's undivided attention. A cover letter will include information about your professional background, education, talents, and accomplishments.
Cover letters can be quite beneficial for those who have minimal experience but a strong desire to work for a company.
Here are a few highlights from our game developer resume blog:
Showcase your functional and technical skills separately and prominently.
In the Professional Experience section, group related talents under relevant subheadings.
Use figures to validate your accomplishments and guarantee your expertise.
To obtain undivided attention, fill your entire resume with specialized industry-specific keywords.
Send your job application with a resume and cover letter to make a good first impression.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you include references on a game programmer resume?
It is not required to provide references on your resume. Some job descriptions or employers, however, may need them. If this is the case, make a section at the bottom of the page just for them. Fill in the blanks with the references' full names, job titles, and contact information. It is not necessary to give their street address. This requires only a phone number and an email address.
How can you highlight team experience on a game programmer resume?
Collaboration is an essential component of the game programmer's job. List opportunities for teamwork in your work history to demonstrate that you have the appropriate stuff. "Contributed to the development of a new game prototype by optimizing embedded systems," for example, indicates to future employers that you have successful group experience. Words, like coordinated, co-produced, and collaborated, are excellent selections for displaying your capacity to collaborate with others.
What is the average salary of a game programmer?
According to Glassdoor, the national average salary for a Game Programmer is $74,693 in the United States.
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