How to Earn Money Playing Video Games

You can get paid for playing video games. It's true. Here are the best ways to do this.

Just as every video game requires a strategy, so you need a strategy to get a video game testing job. So the first step is to plan your attack.

Write a resume: The first thing you need to do is to list your skills. Why would a company want to hire you as a video game tester? What qualifications do you have? What platforms are you familiar with? What computer skills do you have? What awards have you won? What is your education level? Create a resume highlighting these skills. Make sure it is clean, clear and professional looking.

Practice video game testing

Now prepare a critique of a video game. What did you like about it? What didn't you like about it? What concrete suggestions do you have for correcting the problem?

How well does the game play compared to competing games? Does the game fit its rating? Write a critique or two, using professional, constructive wording. Be specific in your comments so anyone who reads it can see how well you know the video gaming industry.

Create an online presence

Create a website and a blog dedicated to your video gaming career. Post your resume and critiques there. Update your blog regularly to gain returning traffic. Establishing a blog and a website are critical. Employers need to be able to assess your internet skills. Write clearly and do not include any obscenities or offensive language. Employers want video game testers who can communicate well.

Hunt for jobs

Next find out where the video game testing jobs are. If you know anyone who already works in the gaming industry, ask them about job opportunities. If he or she does not know of any openings, ask if he or she knows of anyplace else to try. Ask him or her to refer you if he or she learns of an opening. Video gaming is a highly competitive field, so it is not what you know but who you know.

Join online gaming communities. Let it be known that you would like a job as a video game tester. Take part in live chat sessions and any other activity that gets you connected to people in the gaming industry. You'd be amazed at how many opportunities you find out this way.

Next, look at online job boards. There are several types of these. First of all, there are general job boards, such as monster.com. Next there are outsourcing jobs. These are usually temporary jobs by people and companies who do not want to hire a permanent employee. These jobs are great because of the variety and they help you build experience.

Finally, there are classified ad sites, such as Craigslist. You may be able to find some testing jobs there.

If you don't find actual listings for job openings, you can also try writing to companies for which you'd like to work. Get the name of the person in charge of human resources and send a query letter, a resume and a critique. If you can find out the name of the person in charge of testers, send a copy to that person too.

Because the video game industry is so competitive, it may take time to find a video game testing job. However, if you are persistent and present yourself in a consistently professional manner, you will soon be able to get everyone's dream job.