

#14 - Christina-Marie Drake: "How To Get a Job Playbook" - Navigating Layoffs, Networking, Job Search Challenges & more
Today’s guest is Christina-Marie Drake, a leading recruiter at Ghostpunch Games and founder of Moms in Gaming.
With nearly a decade of experience in HR and recruitment, including five years in the gaming industry, Christina-Marie has helped connect top talent to game studios through her expertise in social networking, leadership, and strategic initiatives. A former recruiter at Naughty Dog, she transitioned from contract work to full-time roles, driven by her passion for candidate experience and human connection. Christina-Marie is also a proud Women in Games Ambassador and LinkedIn Top Voice.
In this podcast, she shares practical steps for handling a layoff, from preparation to securing your next job. She discusses her own layoff experience and offers advice on building a master resume, deciding whether to learn new skills or keep applying, and filling gaps in your resume. Christina also addresses age-related concerns in job hunting and how to broaden your search to different titles. The episode wraps up with a Q&A session for additional insights.
This podcast is for professionals facing or recovering from layoffs, career changers, and anyone looking to enhance their job search strategies.
Connect with Christina:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinasaidso/
Connect with Harry:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hphokou
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hphokou
Sign up to Gaming Rally Newsletter (Harry Phokou & Ali Farha's weekly newsletter): gamingrally.net
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
1:44 Christina’s Layoff Story
5:22 Preparation For a Layoff
08:47 Building a Master Resume
15:56 Learning New Skills or Keep Applying
23:22 What’s Stopping You From Taking a Side Job?
29:10 Filling That Gap In Your Resume
35:07 Practical Advice On Handling a Layoff
46:00 Does Age Matter In Job Search?
54:42 Expanding Your Job Search to New Titles
56:10 Ways To Connect With Christina
57:17 Getting a Job Without Experience
01:02:12 Wrap-Up Q&A with Harry Phokou