How to get into esports in 2022

It is incredibly hard to break into the E-sports industry, so we put together this guide to help you increase your chances.

E-sports is one of the most exciting industries. Celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez and Shaquille O'Neal have invested in it since it is a global entertainment phenomenon. So, we're getting more questions than ever about how to get a job. There are no obvious routes into E-sports, so it becomes trickier even if you are looking for a job in any sector of work.

Although more opportunities are emerging than ever, there are still many barriers to overcome. There are dozens of great jobs in E-sports posted to our site each month, so you can take it from us that there are plenty of opportunities.

As we go into this article, we're going to provide you with all the information you could ever need to become an exceptional E-sports candidate, by presenting some steps you can take to improve your chances of landing a career in this fantastic industry.

The following are our seven golden rules for how to get into E-sports

• Enhance your core strengths by learning new skills
• Participate in tournaments and events
• Take advantage of opportunities close to your home
• Make sure that your resume and cover letter are perfect
• Your spare time should be spent being proactive
• Engage in social media
• Be sure to check Legit Products frequently

The points above are what we believe those that are interested in being in E-sports need to focus on. Let's take a closer look at each of them.

1. Develop skills that are related to your core strengths

It might seem like the most difficult point in our list, but it's actually quite straightforward and will greatly help you in finding a job in E-sports. In the E-sports scene, a lot of companies hire startups with low budgets, and even large organizations might have to reconsider their hiring policy as compared to a company in a more established area.

Because there aren't enough employees to assign one person to every department within a company, many E-sports jobs will require candidates to juggle multiple roles. If you can prepare yourself for a situation like this ahead of time, then you will greatly increase your chance of working in E-sports. To give you some ideas of what skills you might work on to become an ideal candidate, take a look at our short career guide. I think you'll be amazed at the results.

To illustrate, let's look at the graphic design sector, as it's a popular sector on Legit Products. Graphic designers might work on a company's visual identity, but motion graphics might also be required for videos the company makes. Generally, if you only have graphic design expertise, but no other skill set in this field, your application will not be as valuable as someone who also has motion design skills.

You should focus on your core strengths (in this case, graphic design) and try to improve your skills relating to them when it comes to getting into the E-sports industry. You'll then be able to meet the requirements of the E-sports positions that suit you, or you'll exceed them. It's a win-win situation!

Related skills can also be acquired in these other sectors:

• Marketing - explore digital marketing, influencer marketing and social media
• Social media - look into community management, creative writing and basic Photoshop skills
• Writing - research SEO and content marketing

In the end, you want to prove to the company why you are the right fit for them. You can demonstrate that value by adding skills like these to your repertoire.

2. Take part in tournaments and events

Live events have slowed in frequency due to the disruption that COVID has caused, but they are steadily returning.

There are many E-sports professionals who praise the benefits of going to tournaments and events. Can you still make a difference when travel is limited and large gatherings are not possible?

There is, in fact. Companies were quick to offer online networking solutions after COVID brought the world to a halt. We participated in a VR, 3D, browser-based careers expo hosted by Game Jive, as well as events hosted by other organizations and businesses.

Our Discord server is also used to host online events at Legit Products! If you want to be a part of these events, you should join us:

→ Join the Legit Products Discord

Among the E-sports professionals, there are still opportunities to make new connections. A career prospect may result from these, or another relevant connection or referral within the organization.

A more detailed guide on how to get started with networking in the gaming industry is available if you need more assistance!

You should seriously consider attending a sports event as soon as things are back to normal and you see one close to where you live. Besides having a blast, you can also print out business cards ahead of time to give to the professionals you meet. You can also arrange meetings through Twitter or email prior to the event. Don't feel discouraged if they can't make time for you, just be aware that they will have very busy schedules.

3. Take advantage of opportunities close to home

The next point may be the surest pathway to landing a paid career in E-sports, as you can gain E-sports experience through this method. E-sports is more than willing to guide others, which is one of the many great things about the scene. Every day, people ask us for advice via Twitter and email!

If you research the gaming/E-sports companies near you, you can utilize this to your advantage. You might have a hard time if you live in a remote area, but if you live near a hub for E-sports companies, you might have a better chance.

It's no wonder California and Texas are home to so many E-sports companies in the United States. Several leading gaming companies are located in California, such as Cloud9, Immortals Gaming Club, Counter Logic Gaming, and even the Overwatch League stadium. Texas is also home to Team Envy, Complexity, and Mavs Gaming.

You could use social media like Twitter or LinkedIn to contact companies around you and find out how you can get involved. Tell them about your passion for E-sports and how you're looking to work in the industry, and see if anything comes from it. The experience you gain from a company that specializes in gaming can be quite beneficial, even if there are no E-sports companies near you. Here are a couple of things to remember...

Contacting a company requires you to first state what talents you have and what areas you excel in. Making a vague statement about wanting to get involved won't be very effective. You must show them how you can add value to their inbox they are bound to be busy. Play to your strengths and let the organization know how they can use them to their advantage.

Second, refrain from bothering people repeatedly. In the event that you are not contacted by an employee, be respectful of their privacy and cease all communications.

4. Spend time perfecting your resume and cover letter

People are trying to work in the E-sports industry because it is a coveted industry. Therefore, job postings get an overwhelming amount of applications. Your cover letter and resume need to make the best impression on a potential employer in this crowd of talent.

For jobs in creative fields, for example, marketing or graphic design, your resume should have a unique and stylish design, and you should thoroughly read over it to ensure there are no spelling mistakes or unnecessary frills.

5. Be proactive in your spare time

There is definitely merit to participating as actively as possible in E-sports, although this can be a difficult concept to define. Since there are so many people looking for work, setting yourself apart from the crowd could be a great help, yet be aware of your health and avoid working yourself to the point of exhaustion.

Creating graphics without anyone prompting you and then sharing them on Twitter is a way to demonstrate your proactive nature while refining your skills. It's pretty common to see people sharing their designs, and a few professional players will share them if they are tagged.

Consider starting your own blog if you enjoy writing. In addition to teaching you valuable skills, doing it in your spare time can also prove to hiring managers that you're dedicated to E-sports even after leaving your job.

Try to be proactive when you can when it comes to your own projects, whether it's graphics, blogs, YouTube videos, or websites. Your cover letter or resume might benefit from having this type of information.

6. Promote your business on social media

If you're just starting to consider working in E-sports, this next tip might seem strange at first, but few communities have a stronger social media presence than E-sports. We see career postings which are only advertised via Twitter if the job description isn't fleshed out enough to be included in a full job description (which always makes us mad!)

There are more benefits to being on Twitter than just retweeting the paid opportunities we find that aren't listed as jobs, such as this one, this one, and this one. Like-minded people can be found here, as well as comments on industry trends. Many people have been approached directly on Twitter regarding paid E-sports work – we hear about it quite a bit!

It's important for someone considering a career in E-sports to be on Twitter, but getting on LinkedIn is just as smart. LinkedIn and Twitter both offer many of the same benefits, so it is required that you have both accounts. It is crucial to make use of LinkedIn, as its advantage is that its members are there to be professional, which eliminates the extra nonsense that may arise on other sites.

→ Follow Legit Products on LinkedIn

The Discord platform is another one you should invest in. As an industry, discord has become increasingly popular because it can be used to connect with people with similar interests or even just for conversation. Consider joining some servers that fall into your interests, become active on them, and you might be able to meet some cool people and possibly make some new connections.

→ Join the Legit Products Discord

7. Check Legit Products frequently

In your case, you've ticked off all six of the previous tips on how to break into E-sports. Now, finding an actual E-sports job is all that's missing!

We are proud to have compiled the most comprehensive database of E-sports careers available. You can find hundreds of opportunities in the scene through our site every single week, so be sure to use it to locate positions.

Keep in mind: don't get carried away and apply for everything you see. The result is a poor-quality application that gets rejected or, worse, no response at all. We see a lot of people fall into this trap. Do your best to put your all into the job you are applying for, and do not just focus on quantity.

You should not send the same cover letter to ten different companies. Having a base cover letter you can edit for each job is a good idea. It's much better to write unique cover letters for each job you apply for, since hiring managers can spot a copy and paste deal a mile away.

By using the cover letter, you can tell them in detail how your particular skills will help them prepare for the launch of a new product line or entry into a new market. In other words, you are demonstrating your value as a candidate.

Then you are ready to begin applying if you have addressed all the points in this article. Visit Legit Products now to see the thousands of products available.

Go for it! Good luck!

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