Interview Advice From the Person Interviewing You
I've been helping people prepare for interviews recently so here are some tips.
Over the last seventeen years I’ve interviewed hundreds of people across almost every discipline in game development and at all levels of seniority (except C-level). That many interviews gives you perspective. You start to see patterns in what works (and what doesn’t) and you notice small things that make a candidate stand out for all the right reasons.
Recently I’ve been mentoring someone preparing for interviews and also helping a friend polish up for a new opportunity. And so, here are…
Some of the most important things I’ve learned as an interviewer that I wish more candidates knew
Relax. Even if this is your dream job or you’re out of work and desperately need it, try to stay calm. Stress comes through. When candidates are visibly nervous it often stifles their ability to show their true self. Remember: interviewers want to see you, not just a bundle of nerves. Take a breath, slow down, and remind yourself it’s a conversation, not an interrogation.
Be prepared. Do your homework. Research the company, their games, their recent achievements. If you know who is interviewing you, look them up. When someone brings up a project I worked on and says something thoughtful about it, it immediately shows care and curiosity. It’s surprising how few candidates do this. Beyond projects and achievements, also think about fit: what about the team’s culture or the company’s mission excites you? Why do you want to be part of it? Those answers are just as powerful as technical ones.
Take a notepad. A simple notebook can make a big impression. Use it to write down questions you’ve thought of beforehand, or to jot things down during the interview. Just say “I’m making a note of that” so the interviewer knows you’re not distracted. It shows preparation, intent, and professionalism.
Ask questions. This is one of the most important. An interview is not one-sided: you’re interviewing them too. It shows you’re engaged and helps you decide if the role is truly right for you. Good questions also turn the interview into a real conversation, not just a Q&A session.
It’s also one people often find difficult, understandably, so here are a few ideas broken up into rough themes. They won’t all be relevant to the role, or to you, or might already have been answered on the company site or in the job description, but hopefully will prompt more ideas.
The team you are joining:
How big is the team?
Is there anyone with the same role?
How does the team fit into the wider studio?
How does the team communicate?
The project:
What’s the current development / release cycle?
Where does my role fit into that? Would producers, for example, be expected to do release management?
How do you work with outsource partners and are those processes documented? How long have you worked with them?
The company culture:
What’s the annual review process like? Do you have 360 reviews?
Is there a set process for progression / pay reviews?
What does progression look like in the role?
(If not on the website) What are the core values? (Or ask for more details.)
What are the DEI policies, processes, initiatives?
Are there working groups to get involved in?
Does the company provide or encourage social activities?
Is there any time or resources allotted for personal development?
Questions for the interviewer:
How long have you been here?
What was onboarding like?
How did you settle in?
What’s your favourite thing about the team / studio?
Don’t keep talking. Often a candidate gives a perfectly good answer… and then keeps going. Nerves, eagerness, or wanting to cover everything all at once can bury your best points. Keep your answers clear and concise, and let the conversation flow. This is especially true in technical sections - talk through your thought process, explain your reasoning, but don’t feel you need to drown the interviewer in every detail. Give them space to ask follow-ups.
It’s okay to pause. If your mind goes blank, don’t panic. It happens. You can take a breath, or say you’ll come back to the question later. Interviewers don’t expect perfection - but they will notice composure and honesty. Sometimes the pause itself shows confidence: it tells us you’re thinking, not scrambling.
Read the job description. This sounds obvious but it’s one of the most common mistakes. Understand what the role is actually asking for. Think about your experience and prepare examples that map directly to the requirements. If something isn’t clear, ask. It shows you’ve paid attention.
Body language and presence. Interviews are as much about how you communicate as what you say. Eye contact, posture, and speaking pace can make a big difference to how confident and clear you come across. Don’t worry about being perfect. Just aim to look open, attentive, and calm.
Learn from every interview. Even if you don’t get the role, every interview is practice. Reflect on what went well and what you’d do differently. Sometimes rejection teaches you more than success and the lessons carry over into your next opportunity.
Be authentic and show enthusiasm. Don’t try to present the version of yourself you think the interviewer wants. Speak genuinely about your experiences and what excites you. Share short stories instead of just listing facts - a good story sticks in someone’s mind far more than a list of responsibilities. And let your enthusiasm show! Passion for your craft, your team, or your goals can be just as powerful as any qualification.
Interviews are not exams
I know it feels like they are. But honestly, at their best they should be conversations between people trying to work out if they can succeed together. When I’m interviewing I want the candidate to feel comfortable and do well.
From my experience interviewing hundreds of candidates, the ones who stand out are not always the ones with the longest CVs or the most polished portfolios. They’re the ones who are prepared, calm, curious, authentic, and able to communicate clearly. They’re the ones who ask good questions and show enthusiasm.
I’ve really enjoyed helping people prepare for interviews - both mentees and friends - and I always get a lot out of it myself. It’s reminded me how much knowledge I’ve built up over the years and how valuable it can be to share it. If you’re feeling rusty, one final piece of advice: ask someone to mock interview you. If you don’t know anyone, you can ask me. Having a sounding board makes a huge difference and it’s one of the best ways to build confidence before the real thing.
So if you’re heading into an interview soon: prepare, ask questions, mind your presence, keep it conversational, and be yourself. And remember to breathe. The small things often leave the biggest impression.