The game development industry is a fickle mistress. Plenty of people want to work in it, but few truly get the chance. With game companies like Riot and Blizzard laying off significant parts of their workforce, it’s more important now than ever before to learn how to make your skills look as essential as possible.

Here are five easy ways to stay relevant in an ever-changing job market.  

1) Develop Your Skills - Use Your Experience 

The best way to keep yourself in tip-top shape is to always look for learning opportunities. Younger developers may come and go, but experience is a key factor in making your resume look attractive. By focusing on your personal growth, you ensure your ability to stay competitive compared to your peers, and your better knowledge ensures you always stay at the top of your field.

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With this in mind, take every opportunity you can to learn something new. Ultimately, being good at your job doesn’t just mean being competent; it also means being flexible enough to apply your skills and knowledge in many different ways. You'll always stay relevant by staying ahead of the curve.

2) Learn How To Network - Connect With Your Peers

Being essential isn’t just about being a good worker. It also entails knowing how to be a good leader when situations call for it. When push comes to shove, initiative is a defining factor in who stays and who goes. Someone with the proper self-confidence and the right connections can easily find themselves an essential team member.

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This goes double if you have the right connections you can leverage. People are more willing to work with someone who’s got a lot of outside reach and a lot of contacts to reach out to. Trust goes a long way, and if you can prove you’re reliable, you’ll find a lot of doors more than willing to stay open for you.

3) Lead By Example - Be A Team Player

They’ll not just be looking at your skills, though. Employers will also look at your ability to interact with your coworkers. People who are difficult to work with may be easily replaced, especially if they cause constant friction between team members. Do your best to remain approachable. You don’t have to become personal friends with people at your job. However, a cordial working relationship is essential to maintaining a healthy workplace environment. 

If you’re having disagreements, bring it up to management, and keep your head held up high. Nothing good will come out of participating in workplace drama. Stay above the drama, work with others, and keep your reputation clean. You’ll find it less likely you’ll be replaced if you’re able to act professionally.

4) Build Your Brand - Stay True To Yourself

While learning to play nice with others is good, don’t forget to stay true to your personality. The worst thing you can do in any workplace environment is to look duplicitous. Stay to your own personality, and build an image your coworkers and bosses can remember and look up to. People you work with will appreciate your honesty, and the strength of your personal character will work in your favor when the time comes.

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5) Stay Cool - Keep Calm And Keep Trucking

If you make a few mistakes, get into a few arguments, fail a few times, don’t worry about it, and move on. Mistakes are temporary, but learning from them is the important part. Everyone eventually stumbles. Part of futureproofing your career is accepting that not everything goes your way and learning how to move past it. While issues may arise, learning how to overcome these issues is what will truly define your career. How can your career remain relevant if the smallest stumble can set you off course? Don’t let the mistakes get to you. Stay strong, and keep trying.

For more career tips, don’t forget to connect with us on LinkedIn! We do our best to give aspiring developers every advantage they can get.

This article was written by Alexander Cuaycong.