[gameprogrammer] Re: PC game Outsourcing

[Robin McShaffry <robin@mary-margaret.com>]

Howdy,

Actually, the going fee is about 20%, though that can vary based on the =
contract. Game companies are notoriously frugal, and many won't even pay 20%. =
Highest recruiter fee I have ever seen is 40% for an executive search, and that =
was not in games.=20

Newcomers are encouraged to submit their resumes to recruiters, but they should =
use caution, and they should understand that recruiters aren't hired by the =
candidate, but by the game company. So, game companies hire recruiters to find =
candidates they can't find on their own. Newcomers are easy to find, and are =
not in demand, and so do not require the services of a recruiter, as you said.

My company's policy is to not send any resume without the candidate's =
permission. Most legitimate recruiters operate this way. Some recruiters are =
not that conscientious. Sending your resume to any recruiter you don't know =
anything about is unwise. Do your homework.

Ultimately, finding a job is a full-time job on its own. You have to be =
persistent and patient. The squeaky wheel and all that.

Cheers,
Robin


Robin Chenoweth McShaffry
Mary-Margaret.com Recruiting and Business Services
Specializing in Entertainment Software
toll free voice: 877.662.3777
toll free fax: 877.662.3888
robin@mary-margaret.com
www.mary-margaret.com


 >>  > b) Don't just apply to agencies and sit back.

 >>  Don't apply to agencies at all.  Nobody will hire a new graduate through
 >>  an
 >>  agency because when you hire through an agency you have to pay 1/2 the
 >>  first
 >>  year's salary.  There are enough new graduates that there is no need to
 >>  search for people through an agency.  Every company an agency sends a
 >>  resume
 >>  to is then obligated to pay that half year's fee even if they hire you on
 >>  their own up to one year's period.  You can literally make yourself
 >>  unhirable this way.