Recruiters Talk Hiring, Job Strategies, Plan B, Call of Duty, Networking, ATSs, The Industry Layoff Trend, Resume Tips, and LinkedIn’s Value with Keith Plesha of Krafton

In this episode, I spoke with Keith Plesha, Sr. Recruiter with Krafton Americas who offers valuable insights from his recruiting career. He emphasizes the significance of networking, continuous learning, and staying on top of industry trends for career success. Topics such as interpersonal skills, mentorship, and the impact of remote work on hiring are also discussed.

The conversation transitions into challenges faced by current (and aspiring) game developers, including layoffs and the effects of mergers and acquisitions. Keith expresses interest in the decision-making processes behind job cuts and the metrics driving those. Additionally, we discuss the surge in gaming during the pandemic and its implications for industry growth and adaptation.

We then get into topics around previous over-hiring, shifts in user acquisition strategy due to Apple privacy changes, and the repercussions of job cuts. The importance of proactive career management, financial readiness, using ArtStation, and maintaining an updated LinkedIn profile is also stressed. Hear some personal stories, playtesting mishaps, and favorite games, along with the importance of resilience and adaptability in this changing field.

In conclusion, we talk more about the importance of financial preparedness, career flexibility, and proactive networking. He advocates for staying informed about industry developments, possessing a versatile skill set, and being open to temporary alternative career paths in this current industry climate.

Bio:

As a Recruiter with nearly 20 years of experience, Keith Plesha has spent the last decade focused on the games industry. He’s currently serving as a Sr. Recruiter with Krafton Americas, supporting corporate roles in publishing as well as multiple studios including Striking Distance Studios, Unknown Worlds, and PUBG Madison. Prior to this role, Keith spent 7 years with Activision and Meta, and loves leveraging his experience to identify top talent and help shape the future of the gaming industry. 

Show Links:

* M+DEV - website

* GrackleHQ - website

* ArtStation - website

* Amir’s 14 Games Jobs Resources - website

* Meta Lays Off More Than 11,000 - CNBC website

* What’s Going On With All Of These Game Industry Layoffs - Polygon website

* Richard King - LinkedIn

* The Psychology of Money - Amazon

Connect With Links:

* Keith Plesha - LinkedIn

* KRAFTON, Inc. - website

Game Dev Advice Links: 

* YouTube Podcasts - check out this episode with a guarantee of 100% more video

* Patreon - 1:1 career coaching through the Gain Wisdom membership

* website - show notes, links, stuff

* info@gamedevadvice.com - reach out!

* Game Dev Advice hotline: (224) 484-7733

* Level Ex Jobs - Current openings for advancing the practice of medicine through play

* Subscribe and go to the website for full show notes with links

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