Interview

How to get a job at Capcom Vancouver

Senior Recruiter Tracey Saretsky shares insights

How to get a job at Capcom Vancouver

Pocket Gamer Connects is heading to Vancouver for the first time ever on 28-29 June.

It will also be the first PG Connects event to host our all-new Careers Fair, an opportunity for games industry recruiters to showcase their opportunities to a host of job-seeking attendees.

One of the companies taking part is Capcom Vancouver, which is currently hiring in a number of disciplines.

And so, with tickets for the conference still available, PocketGamer.biz reached out to Senior Recruiter Tracey Saretsky to talk vacancies and company culture.

PocketGamer.biz: Could you give us some background on Capcom Vancouver and what you do?

Tracey Saretsky: Capcom Vancouver is a studio of about 250 people, we are currently working on 3 unannounced titles.

We’ve had years of success with the award winning Dead Rising franchise, and we’ve taken that experience and applied it to exciting new projects at the studio.

We are big but not too big. We have the best of both worlds in that we are backed by Capcom, a huge global company but Capcom Vancouver has only 230 staffers working on 2 AAA titles.

Each team is small enough to maintain a sense of ownership. I am the Senior Recruiter at Capcom Vancouver, and I have been with the studio since 2011.

What specific areas/disciplines are you currently hiring in?

We are hiring pretty much across all disciplines right now.

I am looking for:

  • 2 Level Designers,
  • 3 Software Engineers,
  • Lead Character Artist,
  • Props Artist,
  • Mobile Game Designer,
  • Senior Producer,
  • QA Manager,
  • Development Support,
  • Lead Cinematic Animator.

As you're overseeing recruitment at Capcom Vancouver, what do you look for in candidates?

We always look for experience in the role they are applying for, ideally the person has shipped at least one well-known title in the role that they are applying for.

We are hiring pretty much across all disciplines right now.
Tracey Saretsky

We also look for a resume that's easy to read and understand. A great resume is easy - keep it clean, and show what you are great at and what you have done so far in your career.

Share what makes you unique with a short sentence about yourself. List your core competencies. Show that you have experience with the tools and software that we are looking for, list it even if you are not an expert.

If you are a Designer or an Artist have your portfolio as up to date as possible.

Why do you think Capcom Vancouver is a good place to work?

Capcom Vancouver works hard to keep our developers happy.

We have an excellent benefits plan that is available to new hires from day one of employment and even RRSP (Registered Retirement Savings Plan) matching after a period of time.

This is not very common in new jobs anymore.

The Capcom Vancouver office

As far as the day to day, we are treated to fresh fruit every day, bagels on Monday, and monthly birthday cake celebrations.

We are treated to fresh fruit every day, bagels on Monday, and monthly birthday cake celebrations.
Tracey Saretsky

We also get treated to nice lunches, from food trucks we hire, or by us firing up the BBQs and cooking our own hot lunches!

In our staff lounge we have a great videogame library stocked with the latest titles and an old arcade machine with 100’s of old-school games such as Street Fighter 2, Space Invaders and Pac-Man!

We have a lot of clubs in the studio ranging from astronomy, photography, soccer, hockey, cycling and we are just starting up a wine and cheese club

What advice would you have for someone trying to get into the games industry?

Start with a great resume (refer to question #3). It is also easier to start your career in some cases with a smaller studio and grow it from there if you are in Design.

If you can start in QA/dev support, this is another good way as a designer to get your foot in the door.

For Software Engineers, we take you straight out of school if you have done a few co-op terms at another game studio.

Hopefully, Software Engineers will have also worked on some personal gaming projects on their own time, as this shows passion for the industry.

For a full list of vacancies at Capcom Vancouver, you can visit its jobs page.

Or to get involved...

  • If you're a company currently recruiting, please contact lisa.bisset@steelmedia.co.uk to book your table at the Pocket Gamer Connects Vancouver Careers Fair.
  • If you're currently looking to be recruited, check out our Careers Fair application form.
Features Editor

Matt is really bad at playing games, but hopefully a little better at writing about them. He's Features Editor for PocketGamer.biz, and has also written for lesser publications such as IGN, VICE, and Paste Magazine.