Frequently Asked Questions
These are common questions I get asked via LinkedIn, email, or speaking engagements as it pertains to job searching, resume, LinkedIn, and interview tips.
Disclaimer:
Please note that my advice, opinions, and thoughts are my own and not representative of my current or past employers. They are also not representative of other recruiters in this profession.
If you have questions not found on my FAQ, fill out the form below and let me know! I’ll continue to update this page with helpful information as much as I can!
Job Search / Jobs @ Netflix
Q: I’m interested in a role at Netflix! Please let me know what I’d be a good fit for!
A: PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS.
Please check the career site first for roles you are interested in. This isn’t a good question to ask recruiters and is much better when you do some preparation first! Go to the c areer site and identify what roles you’re interested in. Then send a message via LinkedIn to let me know (optional). Also, no need to send me your resume unless I request it first.
Netflix Career Site: https://jobs.netflix.com/
Q: Here is my resume! Can you keep me in mind for future opportunities in XYZ?
A: PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS.
This only truly works when you give me something to remember you by. I get sent resumes all day long, so to truly be remembered, you have to stand out! Start building relationships, network, get to know the recruiters you want to have remember you. Be specific about what you are looking for. Don’t say you’re looking for “Marketing” jobs, but get specific what in Marketing you want to do, share job titles, or even job descriptions that are aligned to what you want to do. Also, go back to the first question above and check the career site!
Q: How should I message a Recruiter on LinkedIn?
A: Tips for messaging Recruiters
Q: What is your advice and tips for networking?
A: A list of all the posts I’ve made about networking on my blog and LinkedIn:
Q: Does Netflix Games hire interns?
A: Not at this time. However, Netflix has a New Grad Program and Internship Program available across the business. Check out their landing page and stay up-to-date with when roles become available and when to apply!
Q; What is Netflix’s culture like?
A: Read about it here: Netflix’s Culture Deck
Q: Does Netflix hire outside of the US? / Do you accept anyone that needs visa sponsorship?
A: The location listed on the job description is usually the priority location the team is looking to fill and hire the role to. However, depending on the team, it’s possible they consider other locations. Netflix does support visa sponsorship. It’s still encouraged that you apply if you’re interested in an opportunity.
Q: I applied and messaged you on LinkedIn about a role(s) I’m interested in. I haven’t heard back.
A: Thank you for your message and I appreciate that you applied! I get a large volume of messages in my inbox so I don’t always reply back, even if I read them, which is why you may not get a response from me. If your message tells me you’ve applied, I do my best to share it with the proper contacts, especially if it’s not a role I’m handling. If you applied, me and my team are going through the applications and will reach out directly if there’s a fit.
Q: I’m not getting answers to my DMs. What am I doing wrong?
A: It may not be that you’re doing anything wrong, but here are some things to consider:
Some people don’t have the bandwidth.
Some people don’t use LinkedIn regularly.
Some people may be overwhelmed with messages.
Some people may just not want to network.
Q: What does Netflix Games look for in a candidate?
A: Because we are still early in building the studio, the thing we look for the most is qualified experience. Majority of the time, we do look for people who have gaming experience already because in order to build the studio, we need to put in the foundation for it to stand on. Aside from qualifications, we look for people who are excited about doing something new at Netflix, who isn’t scared to take risk, who are open to the possibilities of what gaming at Netflix can be, and wanting to move the needle to make it successful. We want people who believe in the product.
Q: Can I talk to you about a role I’m interested in?
A: Unfortunately I don’t have the bandwidth to do this as often as I’d like because I spend my time speaking to candidates who are active in the interview process. The best thing to do is to apply to the role(s) directly, send me a message (optional), and me and my team will reach out directly if there is a fit.
Q: Can you refer me to a job?
A: That depends. How well do I know you? I like to refer people I know well and can vouch for their experience and acumen. Referring strangers is difficult for me because my reputation plays a part in this. I want to know that I am referring someone who will also benefit me in the long-term.
Here are additional ways to think about referrals:
Getting a Job in the Video Game Industry
Q: What do I need to do to get into the video game industry?
A: While there is no ONE answer to this question, here’s my take and includes helpful tips from Hitmarker: The Presence Challenge
Q: How to pivot into the games industry? (Either from the entertainment industry or an unrelated industry)
A:
Identify Transferable Skills: Assess your existing skills and experience. Many skills, such as project management, creative collaboration, storytelling, marketing, and audience engagement, can be transferable to the video game industry. Identify the skills that align with the roles you're interested in.
Research the Video Game Industry: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the video game industry. Research different game genres, platforms, development studios, publishers, and industry trends. Familiarize yourself with the major players and the types of roles available within the industry.
Acquire Industry-Specific Knowledge: Learn about the specific aspects of the industry you want to enter. Take online courses, attend workshops, or enroll in programs that focus on the skills and knowledge required for your desired role. For example, if you're interested in video game development, learn about game design, programming languages, or game engines. Building expertise in a specific area will make you more competitive in the industry.
Gain Relevant Experience: Consider gaining relevant experience through internships, volunteering, or personal projects. Look for opportunities to contribute to indie game development teams, film productions, or other creative projects. Building a portfolio or demo reel showcasing your work can significantly enhance your chances of landing a job in the industry.
Build a Portfolio: Start building a portfolio that showcases your relevant skills and demonstrates your passion for video games. Algin any previous work with the industry, such as storytelling, character design, or animation. Additionally, consider creating personal projects or contributing to smaller development teams to gain hands-on experience and showcase your abilities.
Network within the Gaming Community: Attend industry events, conferences, and meetups specifically targeted towards the gaming industry. Engage with professionals in the field, including game developers, designers, marketers, and industry insiders. Networking can help you build connections, gain insights, and potentially find job opportunities.
Expand Your Gaming Knowledge: While you don’t need to be a gamer to work in the industry, it’s not a bad idea to immerse yourself in the world of video games. Play games across various genres and platforms to develop a deeper understanding of game mechanics, storytelling techniques, and player experiences. This firsthand experience will enhance your knowledge and passion for the industry.
Stay Updated and Be Persistent: Breaking into the video game industry may take time, so stay persistent and keep learning. The industry is constantly evolving, so it's essential to stay updated on new trends, technologies, and industry news. Be adaptable and open to new experiences that can help you progress in your career. Continuously develop your skills, expand your knowledge, and seek out opportunities for growth.
Resume FAQs
Can you review my resume? Do you have advice on how to write a resume?
Unfortunately, I don’t always have the bandwidth to review resumes. Also, as a recruiter, I’m personally not a resume writer so I can only share my own experiences. Here are some resources:
Q: Should I have a cover letter?
A: This is interesting because I’ve seen a current trend where recruiters or hiring individuals want the cover letter to go away. However, I still like to see them because it allows another opportunity for a candidate to showcase their skills, experience, and enthusiasm beyond the resume. It gives them a chance to have a voice and bring their resume to life.
Q: What is the recommended length for a resume and type of format?
A: I personally like the 1-page resume, if it’s possible. They are usually short, concise, and to the point. However, I have seen 2-page resumes as well. These are okay if you believe it captures all your relevant experience. As for format, I think it’s personal preference. If you’re a creative, you might showcase your creative side in the way you present your resume.
Q: How many bullet points should I have for each position under my experience?
A: I believe in quality vs. quantity. It’s best to have bullet points that highlight your experience and achievements as it relates to the job description. Having relevant information is more important so that recruiters and hiring managers can easily capture and digest this information when they are reviewing.
Another piece of advice for your bullet points - try to keep it short and concise. I recommend one sentence, not paragraphs. Sometimes paragraphs become a block of text and can make it hard for the recruiter or hiring manager to pick out relevant information.
Q: Where should I place my education?
A: If you are currently a student or a new grad, place your education towards the top of your resume. Make sure you note your graduation date. If you’ve completed your education after a few years, it’s okay to put it towards the end.
Q: Should I add my volunteer and extracurricular activities to my resume?
A: Yes! Especially if you’re in a leadership position and if those activities and/or responsibilities add relevant skills to your experience.
Q: Should I have a summary or objective?
A: This is another item I think falls on personal preference. However, as a recruiter, I do like to see it when it truly provides insight to what someone’s career trajectory and/or goals are. I feel it really depends on how they are written. If it’s something generic you found on online and just paraphrased it, best to just leave it off.
Additional Resume Advice!
Your resume should be a living, breathing document.
Have one copy where you continue to add skills and experience. I call this your master version. Just add everything you can.
Have multiple copies.
You shouldn’t use the same resume to apply to different jobs. Make sure to tailor each resume to the job description. Take the relevant skills and experience from your master resume to build out different copies.
Give yourself time and practice.
Creating different copies and versions of resumes can take time. Resume writing is a skill itself, so take the time to practice as well. The best way to practice is to pick a job description, either for a real one you’re going to apply to, or to a job you’re interested in and write your resume against it. I believe it’s a good way to develop writing skills.
Always be ready.
You never know when someone could be thinking of you for an open position. Always have your resume ready in the case someone asks for it at a moment’s notice. You can always send a more tailored one later, but be prepared!
Resume hack: Make sure to save your copies in the cloud, or at least on your phone in case you’re not by your computer!
Interviewing FAQs
Q: What is the best way to prepare for an interview?
A:
Research the company. Visit their website, social media, Glassdoor, and any other channels on the internet. Find out what industry they are in, what products or service they provide, and what their mission is. Ask yourself if you’re aligned with their values and mission. Look up information about their location, culture, and what makes them an employer of choice.
Research recent news. How does the news impact the role you’re applying to, the company, and the overall industry? This could be a topic or question to bring up.
Know your resume. Can you tell a clear and concise story of your career journey? Can you tell this in 5 minutes or less? Be able to pinpoint the relevant information, experience, and skillset in your resume as it relates to the job.
Know the job description. I highly recommend that once you’re applied for a role, copy and paste the job description into a doc and save it. Sometimes the JD will go offline if the employer decides to close the role. Familiarize yourself with the responsibilities, build questions if you’re unsure what something means, and understand the requirements the role is looking for.
Prepare questions. Do you know what the job entails? Who it works with? How it fits into the organization? If this isn’t found directly in the job description, these are good questions to prepare. Continue below to learn more about my recommendations on the best questions to ask during the interview.
Practice! Get together with someone to practice questions and how you answer. Use resources like Big Interview to record yourself and practice different types of questions.
Big Interview might be available as a free resource at your university/institution or even your public library. I highly recommend contacting your career center or library to find out!
Actively listen. Prepare to listen and understand what interviewers share with you during the interview. When they ask you questions, make sure you are answering it without deviating off point. If you need clarification on what they’re looking for in your answer, ask! Being engaged makes great conversation and sets you up for a successful, structured interview!
Q: How do you answer the question “Why are you interested in this role/working for X company?”
A: This is a great question to be prepared for and starts with asking it to yourself? Why do you want X job and why at X company? The best answer is one that is authentic, honest, and has substance.
Here’s an example of an authentic and honest answer: “I want to work for (X video game company) because I’m a gamer. I liked playing (X video game title).
Now here’s an example of an authentic, honest, answer with depth: “I want to work for (X video game company) because I’m a gamer. But being a gamer isn’t just about the titles I play, but it’s given me the opportunity to build community and the opportunity to have memorable experiences in the different stories and worlds X company has created. This company upholds values that I care about as a consumer and I want to bring my professional experience to continue contributing to the company’s mission and keeping those players and audiences top of mind.
See the difference?
Being a fan of the company and it’s services and/or products doesn’t get you the job. I love to meet the fans of the company I work for, but there’s more you can bring to the table and we want to hear that! We want to know what drives, motivates, and sets sparks to your day! We want to know what also sets you apart from other candidates!
Q: What are good questions when an interviewer asks “What questions do you have?”
A:
Alignment questions. You’re interviewing the company and the position just as much as they are interviewing you. Make sure you’re aligned and comfortable with the details that shared with you. Was the job responsibilities clear and what you expected? Is the company culture one you feel you could belong to? Is the working style of the company/team/hiring manager one you’re comfortable with? What are you flexible with or dealbreakers for you? If you’re unsure about information and need clarification, ask!
Follow up questions. These are my favorite because it shows the interviewee was actively listening and has genuine interest in what was discussed during the interview.
Example:
Hiring Manager: The top 3 primary job duties are A, B, C. These are responsibilities we expect this person to master in the first 30 days.
Good follow up question to this: You said the 3 primary job duties for this role is A, B, C. Can you tell me more about B and what challenges someone could face in the learning curve of those first 30 days?
While good questions to have in your back pocket are What is the culture like?, What do you like about your job?, How long have you been working here?, etc., it’s good to practice conversational interviewing and have follow up questions based on what was discussed.
Feeling confident? Here’s a list of my favorite questions that takes some guts, but worth to add to your conversation!
What are the biggest challenges someone in this role will face, specifically in the first 30-60-90 days?
How is success measured in this role?
Is there anything about my background and/or in my experience that makes you hesitant to move me forward in the interview process?
What have you seen the company do towards promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion?
Q: Should I send a thank you note?
A: I still believe in the power of a thank you note. It costs nothing to be kind and to thank anyone who’s taken the time to speak with you. I don’t think it puts anyone at an advantage or disadvantage if they do or don’t. I think this is a personal preference for recruiters and hiring managers.
Q: I get so nervous about interviewing! Other than preparing, what else can I do to calm the nerves?
A:
Remember what excites you about the role! By doing this, you can turn that nervous energy into positive energy that will fuel how you show up during the interview.
Listen to hear and then respond. Make sure you're understanding the information and questions that are being shared with you. We are sometimes quick to respond because we feel we need to have the answer prepared. 👇🏼
Slow down! After you've heard the question, if you need a second, breathe. If you need to think, let the interviewer know, then collect your thoughts. Sometimes this can feel like an eternity, but you'd be surprised what even a few seconds can do.
Forgot to mention something? Circle it back into the conversation. Saying something along the lines of "I'd like to add one more point to the last question about XYZ that I'd like to share".
Treat the interview like networking. While the end goal is to land the job, it can be helpful to view the benefit of that conversation. Whether you get the job or not, you've met someone new, shared a conversation, learned about each other, and can add to your professional relationships.
Find things to be thankful for. You made it to the interview, you came prepared, you met a potential team, you could be 1 in 100+ candidates! Whatever it is, always find something to be thankful for. This circles back to my first point of remembering why you're excited. A shift in mindset and energy can make a difference.
LinkedIn FAQs
Q: Should my LinkedIn profile match my resume?
A: What’s great about having a LinkedIn profile is that you can add more than what your resume can have. You have features to showcase your work, link to personal sites or blogs, add relevant projects and show your personality! While your profile doesn’t have to match your resume, I do recommend having consistency. A consistent theme to your expertise and field should be easy to capture for anyone reading it.
Q: What is the best way to start connecting with people on LinkedIn?
A: Adding a note when you connect! It might be okay to connect with someone you know, a friend, a coworker, family member without a note. However, to start your engagement with people early and being successful at your first impression, add a note! Tell that connection where you found their profile, what about their profile inspired you to connect with them, even dropping a fun fact! It’s better than leaving it blank!
Q: How should I reach out to recruiters or professionals about a job I’m interested in at their company?
A:
Check the company's career site and identify jobs you're interested in
Apply to the job
Reach out to the recruiter saying you applied to X job with a short summary on why you would be a fit
Tell them who you are! Not your resume, but YOU as a person. Make it personal.
This doesn't guarantee that you'll win over a recruiter, but it is a better way to show up.
About Marie FAQs
Q: How did you get into the entertainment and video game industry?
A: I was able to make my transition into the entertainment and video game industry by working in an entertainment adjacent company. You can read about it HERE. From there, I was able to take those experiences to make them stand out and be relevant to the entertainment and video game industry. I applied A LOT and I also networked A LOT. After working at Dolby, I applied to Lucasfilm and was able to get a role there which was my first real foray into entertainment. I got to work with teams that did gaming and learned about the business of entertainment and games by asking questions and doing my own research. When the opportunity to go into video games at Ubisoft showed itself, I got a referral (thank you networking)! My strategy to get into these industries wasn’t anything groundbreaking. I applied, networked, researched, asked questions, was proactive in gaining skills and experience and did this through volunteer work, and got a lot of help from people who could help me tell my story.
Here’s my story on my journey to Netflix HERE.
For fun, I celebrate 10 years in recruitment in 2023! Check out my story HERE.
Q: What has your experience been like at Netflix Games?
A: You can read some of my anniversary posts HERE and HERE. Overall, it’s one of the best places I’ve worked at. I love that we are building something new and taking big risks and taking big swings to innovate new experiences to the Netflix ecosystem. As a recruiter, I’m the furthest person from touching the development and production of a video game, yet the teams I work with make me feel important and included, and treat me as a true business partner in order to move the needle. I work with some of the best people in the industry who are way smarter than me, but incredibly humble. This is one of the places I truly feel like I can be myself and am proud every day to be here. It’s not easy though. Netflix has a culture for high performers and I bring my best every day and some days are hard. However, I do have the support of my team and colleagues to make sure I have a good work-life balance and it’s encouraged that we take the time we need to recharge.
Q: I want to start building my personal brand. Do you have any tips on how to start?
A: The best way to start is to just do it. No one starts with a post that instantly makes their personal brand. Personal branding is a journey. It’s how you show up, what you’re excited about, how you respond, what you learn, how to share it, and how to connect with others. You have to start somewhere first in order to know what direction to take, and even then, sometimes the best personal brands need to evolve, pivot, and change. Here are some of my top tips to start reflecting on this. You can find it HERE.
