It is not only the most direct and straightforward way to get into gamemode. Many programmers started out as testers, who learned programming in their spare time. In IT-companies it is normal practice when after working through new skills, a specialist gets a promotion and moves to another position with appropriate tasks.
Every specialist with a technical mindset, once he gets a job in a game studio, may think about the prospect of retraining as a programmer. Game designers or technical artists, who already have a deep knowledge of game development, can study programming, to stimulate career growth or to give a start to a new stage in professional development.
This venture is even easier to implement when you work in an office, because then you can always ask for help from a concerned colleague-developer and get advice from a professional. And if you are lucky enough to have a loyal management that supports the initiatives of its employees, you can arrange to be involved in the simplest tasks of the development department. That way you’ll have a chance to learn from real tasks and show your employer your interest in the project.
How to get a job in GameDev: practical tips on how to find a job
If there are three open positions in the company you are interested in, you shouldn’t send your resume to all of them at once. Decide which specific position you are interested in, and apply for it. All other skills that might be useful to work in the other two positions, it is appropriate to list them in the appropriate paragraph. So you show that you know what you want and do not give the impression of a desperate man, ready and draw, and social networks, and coding in between other tasks.
Describe your level of knowledge of programs, special tools and programming languages in a clear and structured way (how long have you been using them in your work, on what projects).
Accept a test task only if you really intend to do it. It is better to be remembered by HR as an adequate job seeker, and not as a candidate who disappeared without explanation. It’s a small world, and you may run into this recruiter in the future.
Be sure to include on your resume all the courses, seminars, bootcamps and conferences you have attended. This way you will give the impression of a person who is passionate about the profession, who is relentlessly developing and keeping up with industry trends.