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For the past two months, we’ve solicited folks for applications to work at IGN (you know, that other site I run). We’ve received around 700 applications and, apologies to all of you, it’s been tough to find the desire to read them. This is in part due to some failings in how business has come to standardize the employment process: Offer resume, wait for interview, dazzle in person, wait for offer letter. The problem is that your resume tells me nothing and means nothing. Resumes are bullshit if you want to be an editor at IGN.
I’m not saying there aren’t some quality folks out there – some, I’m sure, have applications sitting in my inbox. But the truth is that when I do find the time to look at these emails they tend to group in one of two ways. You’re either without the skills to be a writer (no writing sample = deleted application) or you aren’t right for IGN.
Most folks applying, even with decent writing chops, couldn’t cut it here. They might be great somewhere else, but not IGN. They could be a real asset to a competitor or could launch their own venture and find some success, but they don’t have the “it” you need to survive where I work.
You can’t measure that in a resume, maybe not even in an interview. Past work experience can sometimes be a hindrance, because what we demand may be greater than somewhere else. Having a work habit built on going the speed limit means the rest of our crew will be lapping you day in and day out.
There’s a lot that goes into being a successful editor at IGN, but three that really stand out to me:
Voice: It’s not that tough to write a proper sentence, but most writers struggle with their voice. When I read your article, can I tell it’s from you without reading the byline? Do I know something about you by reading your writing?
Sacrifice: Nothing great comes without sacrifice. What will you give of yourself to make us better? We’re bonded by our sacrifices to IGN. Most of what we do is for each other, not for the company. If you can’t give, GTFO.
The New: We’ve got a Greg Miller — wild, crazy, funny, full of shouts. We don’t need another. We have a Ryan Clements – obsessed with Korean pop singers, in love with Japanese-developed games, dance guru. We don’t need another. What do you bring that we don’t have? What do we get from hiring you?
It might seem like a lot of people have left IGN recently, but the truth is that almost everyone stays at least four years. Some longer. Some might be here forever. What you don’t see, though, are IGNers leaving to go work in another editorial office. They might go into marketing, PR, development, etc., but they don’t jump ship to Gamespot or 1up or any competitor. And the very few that do are usually folks we wouldn’t consider to have sacrificed and become part of the core of editorial. They could go write somewhere else, because they had no tether to who we are as a company.
Working here isn’t like working anywhere else. That doesn’t mean it’s better or worse, but it’s special. And part of what makes it special are the people we hire. So please, don’t take it personally that you haven’t heard back from me. And don’t give up if you really want to be in this industry. You might not make it here (few do), but that doesn’t mean there isn’t something good out there that fits your skills.
Someone recently brought up the idea to me that at IGN, we believe there is no spoon. I think that’s pretty profound and the most accurate description I’ve heard about working here. It’s only a spoon because that’s how we define it. We place the value on it and we limit it to only being what society prescribes it to be. You want to work here? There is no spoon. Don’t limit the idea of what editorial can be, what IGN can be, what games coverage can be. Expand our definition of everything we think we know.
Sounds easy.
Old post, but I’ve re-read this several times over the months, and I’ll continue to read this until I get my career off in gaming journalism. Freelancing in college isn’t a bad gig right now, in fact I love it. However, I’ll keep reading this until I land the job that I really desire.
Not everyone can have their dream job, but I’m going to do my best. IGN or not.
Best of luck, Landon!
“it’s very difficult to hire anyone outside the country, because we have to prove we could not find anyone in the U.S.”. Wish I knew this before sending my resume. I bet the “.com.br” part of my e-mail got it deleted before any check. Maybe one day I’ll make it as a game writer or advocate for the gamers’ rights… I’ve got creativity and knowledge, hopefully I might be able to use it. Untill then your life story inspires me to try and maybe even make it on the game industry (right now I’m pretty much like you were 10 years ago)… untill then back to law enforcement trials…
I want to work here so badly, but sadly I’m only a freshman in high school. But even if I don’t get a job here I’m not going to work for those Gamespot slimeballs.
Great write up, but what exactly are you looking for that’s new to IGN?
That’s a very broad description when applying for a job that’s probably some of the applicants dream goal. It can mean your looking for some kind of badass gamer who really doesn’t give a shit what people think about when he writes something up, or it can mean your looking for some girl casual gamer (nothing against girl gamers I happen to like them). Shit maybe your guys are looking for the Hank Moody of Game Journalism (Californication reference made!)
It just seems hard for that one person to offer something new when they don’t really know what new is.
P.S. I’ll probably send in my application and portfolio in the near future. That cool?
Quick question– The only writing I’ve done for video game websites was several years ago, and not really my best work in retrospect. The only things I’ve had published recently were for magazines and websites in the music industry, but they included reviews. Would that be okay to include as my writing sample?
700+ applicants is crazy, but I can’t NOT apply for my dream job when it’s available.
Send your best work!
I would apply to IGN mostly to become a PC editor. I feel like the PC section is in drastic need of a new face. Since Jason Ocampo and Jeff Haynes have left for other jobs, it just ain’t what it used to be. Unfortunatly I am currently in grad school to become a software engineer, so IGN isn’t going to be what I’ll be aiming for.
I still admire all of the hard work you guys put in for us, the consumer. Because if you really take the time to think about it, it is clear that your job isn’t all fun and games. IGN has to make money to stay in buisness and you are the people making it all possible. And seeing how the video game industry works, your work week is most likely very unusual.
On a positive note, all of this ultimalty gives the user a richer experience. Why? Well simply put, having unusual schedules and a big workload normally brings coworkers together. As I have learned from my own experiences, it’s normally at the most demanding and frustrating jobs that requiered team work where I met the friends I still hang out with today. Minimum wage jobs were frustrating, yet incredible life experiences where I made friendships that will last me a lifetime. Add in a few “out of the ordinary” characters, like Greg Miller, yourself, Deamon Hatfield and others and you have an energetic cast of people that make you want to go back to the website.
I wish you the best of luck and I am anxious to see who are the new IGNers who will entertain me in the following years.
I’m like Scott Bromley, but funny, that’s new right?
Hey Hil,
I’d just like to receive some quick answers on a few questions I have.
Firstly, would IGN hire or even give a chance to someone outside of the U.S for this job?
Secondly, is there an age ‘restriction’ as to who you would hire? for example would your range be 18 – 50 year olds?
Thanks for your time,
Keep up the good work.
Well, you have to be 18. There are child labor laws and such. And it’s very difficult to hire anyone outside the country, because we have to prove we could not find anyone in the U.S. So… no. We have a UK and an AU office that hire independently from us.
If everything I have laid out goes according to plan, college transfer and all, I’ll be graduating The University of Missouri’s School of Journalism in about three years time.
If I graduate with that degree in Journalism, will I be ready to work at IGN?
If I spend those three years taking opportunities to write for established news organizations, such as the college newspaper, about games and the industry, will I be ready?
If I spend those three years playing my favorite games, occasionally exploring others, and discussing them with friends, will I be ready?
If I live off of ramen for those three years and save up my money for a move to California, away from everything I’ve grown to know in the Midwest, will I be ready?
If I take any chance I can get in those three years to attend events such as PAX East & West, Comic Con, and C2E2, will I be ready?
If I spend those three years attempting to network and meet/create contacts in the industry, will I be ready?
If I spend those three years with the mantra that I have the ability to work at IGN, and that I can work at IGN…will I be ready?
No one who starts at IGN gets to play their favorite games. You’d be better off playing as much crap as you can.
Correction for Mr. Steve (Butts?) then.
*If I spend those three years playing bottom of the bucket games, occasionally exploring others, and discussing them with friends, will I be ready?
Pretty simple reason why I won’t get to work at IGN. I just can’t afford to move out to California even if I were to submit an application and, due in part to a human sacrifice, get the job.
If they only knew how you got hired…
If i may make a point, I wouldn’t be so quick to say that every single one of IGN’s editors are godlike writers of such great skill. In my opinion, it is far more likely that IGN has gained a great deal of fame and notoriety recently due to the podcasts, TRL, Game Scoop, Beyond etc. Listening to those podcasts, and the stories that the editors tell make IGN seem like this amazing place to work,(which I am sure it is) but this attracts the attention of hundreds of potentials who all desperately want to work there. I believe you said there were around 700 applicants. Well ten years ago when IGN was just forming (hell the entire gaming industry was just forming) there probably wasn’t this high a demand for an editorial position at IGN. I doubt Greg Miller or Daemon Hatfield had to fight through 700 other applicants to get the jobs they now hold. Just thought I’d offer my two cents, but hey if there are actually 700 applicants then this new editor is gonna be one hell of a guy.
Very well put. I’m a huge fan of the site and the editors that make up IGN’s personality as a whole. I appreciate your diligence and black and white honesty when it comes to selecting a new editor. It gives me hope that we can soon be hearing and reading the works of someone deserving to fill the shoes of the staff that recently chose another path.
As much as I’d like a piece of the IGN-awesome pie, I’m a young IT guy looking forward to a career in network engineering. If my talents say anything about me, the games industry will just have to stay a hobby to me.
Keep up the good work!
You have a great freedom that I lack.
My two greatest passions are (in order) writing and gaming, and I can’t see myself in any other industry. Ever. As someone once told me, “it’s a pipe dream that I need to Mario the fuck out of.”
Good luck with your career.
What a batch of wonderful insight. I think, just like many of the commenters have already stated, that this sort of knowledge and mindset can be applied to many things in life. You bring up a great point too, it’s rare that we hear about a long lost editor of IGN at a competitor. It just doesn’t happen. On the flipside, the ex-editors from other sites tend to flock to IGN. Take Anthony Gallegos, for instance. You speak insurmountable truth when you say IGN is truly special. The editors are what has kept my homepage ‘IGN.com’ for over 5 years. Keep up the good work and I’ll be scanning teh IGNs for the new editor (hopefully) soon.
So long story short. What you are saying is that IGN is looking for editors and not monkeys. (Sarcastic) Attaching a writing sample to your resume when applying for a journalism job? Who would have ever thought of that?
I’m not going to solicit myself on here like I’ve been doing over the twits and spacebooks, but I did want to tell you how admirable I think it is that you are wholeheartedly taking the time to get the right person for the job. You have my resume, cover letter, and all that traditional shit, so the only thing I can do is sit back and be optimistic about the whole thing. Cause that’s what I am – fuckin’ optimistic and shit.
Now to totally negate the soliciting myself comment from the above paragraph: I have a wiener dog like Greg Miller. If hired, I can guarantee costumed wiener dog battles between Ingrid (my pup) and Portillo. I think you’ll agree that this kind of activity is very rare in the professional work place. I’m talking cages, food deprivation, wiener dog abuse, the works. Half the profits can go to Child’s Play. After all, it’s the season of giving.
Icing on the Beaucake – I can promise that I’ll make food talk to you while you eat as well as constantly make up songs about my everyday activities.
Think about it.
Your much adored, OCD, and slightly schizophrenic fan and reader,
Beau Rosser
Thanks for the insight Hil. I have restrained from applying because A) I’m joining the United States Air Force in February and B) I want to improve my writing before I even think about submitting an application. You guys have a crazy hard job and I could handle the stress, but I would rather not waste your time by submitting a sub-par application. Once, I drastically improve my B- writing then I will start submitting applications. I would love the opportunity to excel at iGN in the future.
See you in a few years Hil.
Keeping a seat warm for you
I make fun of Walter every day, that’s got to count for something. I’ll try to make my insults more Miami Heat focused.
I know I’m no writer. I would love to work for IGN but I at least have the intelligence to apply for a position that suit me. Not a position that suits you. 2-way street baby. All road should be two way
All I’m asking for is something along the lines of IGN Montreal, then I’ll apply and you’ll get someone with an actual “voice” (I’ve been running my own french gaming blog for a couple of months). I don’t think my girlfriend would like me moving to SF so…
Think about it, French IGN + ability to get easily in touch with the Montreal gaming industry = Win.
C’est vraiment une bonne idee! Allez-y!
“Why You Don’t Work at IGN”
Because I have self-respect.
Well, that’s uncalled for. If anybody has self respect I’d say Daemon and Greg are practically Gurus. Greg’s special brand of nut-house hilarity wouldn’t translate quite so well if his level of self esteem wasn’t through the roof.
Indeed. Why anyone would want to work for a publication that stoops to prepubescent-pandering and pseudo-intellectual babble is beyond me. Especially poor are IGN’s long winded reviews; hyperbolic, meandering, and too timid to use an entire scale that the site itself prescribes. This high regard that Hilary mistakenly holds himself and the publication in is pure fantasy.
I’ve listened to a few podcasts and they all seem like nice guys, but writers and thinkers they are not. They all miss what counts for any reader whose brain has matured past twelve years old: a real display of intellect and critical thinking.
So, you do want to work at IGN?
Honestly, if I was planning to go to college for Journalism instead of Game Design IGN would be my life goal.
Improve editorial content and maybe some decent applicants (not manbabies looking to play video games for a living instead of growing up) might actually want to work there.
Why do people go out of their way to be jerks? Have a conversation with people – don’t just shout at the internet.
I do not understand the mentality that’s behind comments like this. For instance, the commenter is obviously not a fan of IGN or its editors, so I would assume they do not follow Hil on facebook and twitter. Therefore, they had to go extremely OUT OF THEIR WAY to find this website just so they could leave a snarky comment that benefits nothing, save their own anonymous ego.
Don’t hide behind web anonymity; respect yourself and the other people you encounter online. If it’s something you wouldn’t say to someone’s face directly, then why say it online? Your web-presence should be just as important to you as your real-life presence – you owe that to yourself as well as the people in the space around you, even if that space is the internet at large.
The way we talk is a reflection of who we are. Live life with less cynicism and you’ll feel so much better.
Cheers.
This is not meant to be a bribe, but rather, a payment for your limited time. I will seriously paypal, or mail you $5 to look over my application materials. Even if the response is negative, I would really just to like to get some feedback. I am willing to pay for Goldstein feedback.
P.S. My e-mail address is kylemhilliard@gmail.com
Scoop!!!
Thanks for this article! It was a very insightful look on how IGN chooses it’s employees, which is relevant to me because, who knows, maybe the next diaspora you have four years from now will line up with me graduating from college. Hopefully I will have a wealth of writing samples that are in my “voice”. See you soon… maybe…
I’ll answer your call in about 8 to 10 years. Every time I go to apply, I realize I haven’t finished high school yet, and my only job experience in the industry is organizing IGN’s game cabinets and making fun of Nate.
You are fast on your way to becoming an IGN editor.
Actually, I came back because I have a question, and I figured you might be more willing to reply to someone on your personal site rather than on Twitter or FB… maybe.
I’m a 25 year old 3D Animation student. Before this, I was in the print media business. My question to you is, on paper, how well do those skills transfer over to your profession? Certainly, having a in-depth knowledge about gaming is a plus, but would it be judged harshly because a person with such talents might be too critical?
Don’t think the skills say much about being too harsh on something. The job is, in part, about how you view the world and how you express that view in your writing.
Criteria like this make IGN one of the best sites around, I just hope one day I can measure up to them.
Thanks for the advice. I believe it can be applied to a lot of stuff outside of applying at ign too.
It would be so incredible to work with the crew of Beyond, Game Scoop, and TRL. Isn’t this an odd way of saying “We’re Hiring” though?
Dude, I have to admit that with all the BS going on in my life right now, I’m honestly finding more time to read your personal website than, you know, that other website.
Keep up the interesting topics.
People seem to like me because I am polite and I am rarely late. I like to eat ice cream and I really enjoy a nice pair of slacks.