A Free Sample Referral Cover Letter

I have already mentioned in my book, How to Get a Job in Video Games (available on amazon.com), the importance of referrals in the job application process. Numerous publications claim that 80% of the job market is unlisted (http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-500173_162-7167784.html). This "hidden job market" is something that you are absolutely going to need to have access to. The best way to gain access is by networking: building your relationships with people who matter in your industry and your peers. You want to be seen as someone who is reliable and a hard worker. The only way to do this, most of the time, is by actually doing a good job--but, a large majority of it is going out to lunch with coworkers and attending social events (ex: drinking at a bar or going running together or a movie watching night, etc.) or stopping by your manager's desk just to say "hi." All of these tactics make you more likable and more memorable. If you do a good job only, then you will not be remember as much as someone who did an okay job but was very friendly. I know that this is a problem that I had: thinking that I would impress everyone with my work alone and that it would speak for itself. I was WRONG! People crave emotional and interpersonal connection! It is at the core of our existence. You must learn to love people and make friends with your coworkers, or else they will not trust you or give you referrals as much as you would like.

Now that you have your referral, how is the best way to utilize them? Well, you will want to have a referral from a game development studio that you are planning at working for. How do you get a referral from a studio that you haven't worked for before? Well, this is where experience is key: you will meet people at your first studio and they will move to other studios. The same goes for classmates at your university. You must keep in touch and then they can help you get a job and you should do the same when your colleagues need you. Another method to try is to email someone at a studio who has a high online presence and makes their email readily available: try to gain a relationship with them and show them samples of your work and ask for their advice on how to impress the studio that they work for. They may end up being able to serve as a referral, but most of the time referrals are between people who know your track record and don't expect one from a quick acquaintance.

Once you have your referral and they work for a studio that you want to work for, use their name in an application email or cover letter sent to that studio (as some studios accept online applications only and the only spot to add notes is in the "cover letter" section. I just saw this on the Sucker Punch website). You are basically using your existing cover letter but adding the very important first line with your referral name (you do not want to beat around the bush!). For example: "John Doe works for your studio as a programmer and referred me of the open programming position that you have available." You better believe that the HR manager will check with that employee to make sure that this is correct, so don't lie about this.

If you need more information on how to construct the cover letter with opening the referral line, check here: http://www.quintcareers.com/sample_referral_letter.html

-Ken