Welcome back! This is the second video in our Industry Insider's Preparation Kit,

designed to get you fully prepared for our free

Game Writing Industry Insider Session on September 7th.

(Missed Video #1? Just click here to watch) (add video 2)

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Portfolio that gets you noticed

What studios actually look for when reviewing game writers (hint: it's not just the writing)

Have you ever wondered what's going through a hiring manager's mind when they're reviewing your portfolio?

I just recorded the third video in your Industry Insider prep kit, and this one might change how you think about presenting your work entirely.

Ten days ago, I sat down with a game director during a workshop, and he walked through how he actually reviews candidates - LinkedIn profiles and portfolios - right there in front of us in real time.

Seeing his perspective was eye-opening, even for me.

WATCH VIDEO #3

Here's what you'll discover:

Why LinkedIn matters more than you think - And why directors and recruiters start there before looking at your actual writing samples

The three skills gaps that keep talented writers from getting hired (it's not about writing ability)

What "studio ready" actually means - The invisible checklist hiring managers use before they read a single word you've written

Why linear samples can work against you - Even if they showcase your best writing

The completion gap - Why shipping something matters more than perfect writing samples

This builds on everything we covered in Videos #1 and #2 about the hidden job market and speaking studio language. If you missed those, you can catch up here:

• Video #1: The Hidden Job Market
• Video #2: Studio Language

Coming up next:

• Video #4 (Wednesday): Your session success strategy
• Free Industry Insider Session: Sunday, September 7th, 2-3:30 PM Central

The session is where we'll go much deeper into these professional frameworks and you'll have a chance to ask questions directly.

Bottom line: Talented writers don't get rejected because of their writing ability. The deal breaker is demonstrating that you understand how to write for games.

That's exactly what we'll solve on Sunday.