A lot of people think the ATS is what’s stopping them getting interviews. It isn’t. And the whole idea of a ‘universal ATS’ score is mostly nonsense too.. There are hundreds of Applicant Tracking Systems out there. They all work differently. They’re all configured differently. And every company uses them in their own way. So how can some random website tell you what your CV’s ATS score is? It can’t. Those scores exist to make you think something is broken…so they can sell you the fix. Yes, some ATS platforms rank candidates. But that ranking is only against the specific job description you applied for. Even then, most good recruiters know the scoring is flawed. And here’s the other thing people forget. ATS systems have been around since the mid-90s. They’re not new. You didn’t have to “beat them” then. You don’t have to beat them now. Because there’s nothing to beat. Most automatic rejections happen because of screening questions in the application form, not your CV. So don’t write your CV trying to impress a robot. Write it for the human who’s actually going to read it.

Most of you know I stepped away for a couple of weeks. My kid had surgery, so family had to come first for a bit. Thankfully everything went well and we’re on the other side of it now. So it’s time to get this place moving again. While I’ve been away the industry hasn’t exactly improved. Layoffs still happening. Talented devs still getting ghosted. People still stuck in the classic “no experience, no job” loop. Which is exactly why this community exists. Not for fluff. Not for empty motivation posts. But to actually help game devs get work. So I’m back to doing what this space was meant for (including but not limited to:) • Job search advice • Opportunities I come across • Helping people break through the hiring wall I wanna know… - one thing that’s been positive over the past few weeks - And something that hasn’t gone so well… Let’s build accountability back and get some people unstuck/back into the industry. Time to press start again. 🎮

Meet Jacob my blind protagonist in my other game project Phoenix Down.

Went for a ink painted style with this.

Story time/rant: I got approached by an indie company for a narrative design position, and I accepted the role. Mind you, I present myself and my work in a very professional tone and manner. When the Lead Narrative Designer (I did the lead's job until the creator could find one) came on, they noticed my narrative bible and beat sheet (for the demo) looked too clean, too professional, and was formatted differently. Since it was too clean, to them, they assumed I used AI. I hate AI. I think it's lazy and just a cop out in our industry. Instead of talking to me about it, the creator and I spoke, and ultimately, I left the project. I wasn't going to be accused of spending HOURS on my work, making sure it looked like what you would find in an actual studio, and having to prove my innocence at every turn. I thanked the creator for the opportunity, and quietly dipped out. On LinkedIn, I handled it beautifully, provided proof that systems aren't reliable, and my innocence. My accuser made a post that made me cringe in Narrative Professional, by saying she'd rather work with sloppy work, because sloppy = human.... At the end of the day, I believe I did the right thing in leaving, and providing my side of the story in a professional, calm, level-headed way. Also, even AI can write absolute trash, and be sloppy. I'd rather work in a space built on trust, and I will continue to present my work in a well-structured and professional way.