I’m almost in my 30s with 5 years of experience, my problem is my portfolio it is no that interesting when I try to apply for a new job (abroad).
This due mainly to my weak portfolio, I’m living in a country where the video game industry just starting so most of the projects I have done so far are advert games, WebGL games, AR/VR for events …
My question is What should I do to improve my portfolio? (certification, side projects …) ?
I’m asking this question because, honestly am giving my self to the end of the year if I didn’t find a better job, will be forced to change my career to a “safer” job (c#, .net ), I have family and obligation that I need to respect too.
We can’t really say what would make it better without seeing it.
The stuff you listed sounds pretty solid to me. Advertising games are still games, they still show off the same skills and abilities as any other game of similar scope. If the issue us that they’re all trivial games then I’d improve my portfolio by making something larger. Not something huge, just larger.
You could also consider doing stuff like writing game-related libraries and sharing them on GitHub, or making significant contributions to existing open-source projects related to games or simulation, and point those out in your portfolio. This allows people to see code you’ve written, your approach to problems, and potentially your communication / documentation style in addition to the resulting game.
Note that the end of the year only effectively gives you 6 months. A lot of the stuff that makes a really good portfolio takes quite some time. For instance, if you wanted to bolster it with a non-trivial game then that could easily take 6+ months alone if you’re doing it alongside other work and commitments.
Following up on that, my gut thoughts are that if you feel the need for a “better job” then don’t feel like you need to restrict yourself to game related jobs. If you find some other work which would be better for you then grab it, gain some broader experience from it, and keep chipping away at your game portfolio along the way.
Doing other work doesn’t mean you have to leave games. You are not your job, it’s just a thing you do.
Also keep in mind that there may be opportunities which use a lot of game dev skills for non-entertainment purposes. Training and simulation work are one to keep in mind, same deal with AR and VR stuff being used for utility purposes.
I wouldn’t restrict yourself to games. Just get some kind of work so you don’t have to worry.
By sheer chance I was able to get work in something I had no interest in whatsoever, but it turns out to be the best job I ever done and allows me to waste time making games.
@angrypenguin yes you are right 6 months a good amount of time to create some side projects/tools that I can add to my portfolio (especially with this lockdown I have more time to spare).
I just need to find the right idea that can be done in time (you are welcome to suggest any tools or project that you think may be of interest to you).
@BIGTIMEMASTER 100% true, I use to do that when I first graduate learning unity at night and working as IT support by the day.
So that could be what I’m heading for if things didn’t work out as I wish but as you said i can still always create games.
Once again thank you so much for your advice you have no idea how your words have lift my spirit and clear my mind
