CV

1
CV Jobs

• Gareth Bellaby

2
CV

• Make it readable. The person reading the CV will
  skim through it quickly in order to filter out
  inappropriate applications. Use a clear layout.
  Use a clear typeface. Do not use fancy graphics,
  coloured paper, odd typefaces, etc.
• As many pages as you need but we'd suggest 1 side
  for the essential material.
• Most recent first.
• Lisa Corbett's presentation (Aardvark Swift) is
  your guide here.

3
Course Content

• What is your degree about? What have you learnt?
• We describe it as having 3 main strands
• Software Engineering (programming)
• Computer Games Development (note development not
  design)
• Maths.

4
Software Engineering

• "A Programming degree"
• "A Software Engineering degree specialising in
  computer games development"
• Programming
• C, Three years of C
• Other languages
• Java
• J2ME
• C
• Methodologies (Object Oriented, UML)

5
Computer Games Development

• Computer Graphics, 3D
• DirectX
• Direct Sound
• Game loop
• Entities
• Instancing
• AI for games (note emphasis)

6
Mathematics

• Linear algebra branch of maths concerned with
  vectors and linear transformations.
• Affine transformation (rotation, scaling, etc.)
  is every transformation which is linear.
• Non-affine (projection matrices).
• Quaternions.
• Other maths, e.g. Manhatten distance, inverse
  square law, physics.

7
Jobs

• Recruitment Agencies
• Magazines/Websites
• Company websites
• See the associated document on the web site.

8
Jobs

• Only one application per company! They may well
  reject you out of hand if they receive multiple
  submissions.
• Direct application to the company.
• Recruitment agency.
• Some companies may prefer a particular agency.
• Some companies may not use agencies.
• Check the agency they should be active on your
  behalf.

9
Demo

• Immediate visual impact
• Easy to run. No technical problems (missing dll's
  artwork, other files, particular video card).
  Test it on a variety of machines!
• Visual Tech Demo
• no controls on the main interface
• interrupt to allow control
• Laurent's demos are the model you should be
  following

10
Demo

• Professional.
• Interactive Demo
• Simple, clear interface
• Use the obvious controls
• William's is a good example to follow.

11
Code

• You may be asked to provide code.
• They'll look for well written, readable code
• Properly commented
• Well commented
• Properly laid out
• Consistent notation
• Efficient
• Good application of OO
• Impress with a UML diagram!

12
Research

• Research the job.
• Research what they are doing and have done.
• Use their phrases in your answer.
• Tailor your CV for the particular job.

13
Interview

• Practice all elements of the interview, e.g.
  questions and answers, summations, etc.
• May be asked to sit a test.
• The interview will probably be by a panel.
• May be asked to do a presentation.
• May have a social element. Learn to do small
  talk.
• Be confident but not cocky.
• Shake hands firmly. If you sweat with nerves then
  wipe your hand before shaking.
• Make eye contact.

14
Questions

• How would you implement a look-at function?
• What is a Computer Games Development course?
• Are you happiest working in a team or on your
  own?
• Why do you want to work in games development?

15
Afterwards

• Immediately make notes about the interview.
• Write down every question you were asked so that
  you can improve your answer.
• Make notes about the process, the responses of
  the panel, if they indicate anything about the
  type of person they wanted, etc.
• If you do not get the job then ring the company
  up and find out why. Most people are happy to
  provide feedback. It may be that you were very
  good, but another candidate just won out for a
  particular reason.
• The interview is about your performance on the
  day. It is not a judgement about your worth.