Entry-level positions in esports (and how to get them)

October 5, 2023

As in many other industries, jobs in esports can sometimes be hard to come by. Many people who are interested in working in gaming and esports often have no idea where to start, and are often forced to rely on their own curiosity to make discoveries about what is out there. We have put together a resource for individuals entering the job market (or those hoping to transition from another industry into esports) of just a handful of the jobs readily available in the esports industry.

Source: Digital Game Studios

Facilities

Even as many programs and organizations are shifting online, there is, for most organizations, usually still a physical location in which operations take place. College teams, professional teams, venues, and local gaming and event locations are constantly looking for personnel to help manage the setup and operations of whatever facilities they may operate out of.

Source: Adrian College

Suppose you are good with tech setup, facility management, and even decoration and organization. In that case, you may be able to land a temporary or permanent job with an esports organization in which you can help run the facility.

Coaching

While this one may seem obvious, it is important to point out the sheer amount of coaching opportunities available for various organizations. If your goal is to land a full-time coaching gig, it may be helpful for you to first work part-time coaching an elementary, middle, or high school team, or even work as a freelance private coach. Getting this initial experience in the industry will be integral in landing your first full-time job as an esports coach.

Broadcasting

Source: NewTek

An often overlooked (but much needed) position in esports organizations are broadcasters and a broadcasting team. While this does include the shoutcasters who work in front of the camera, it also includes people who work more behind the scenes and have experience streaming on Twitch, Facebook, YouTube, and other streaming services. If you have experience streaming on your own Twitch channel, streaming for another esports organization, shoutcasting, or any other related job, you can likely land a part-time gig in esports broadcasting. These skills are highly sought after right now as many companies turn to streaming services to increase exposure.

Marketing

Nearly all esports programs will need some form of marketing to boost their brand voice and recognition. This goes for companies, educational programs, non-profits, and several other types of organizations within the space. Additionally, within marketing, entry-level employees often fill several specialties with a passion for esports.

Upon entering the workforce, if you are most interested in marketing for an esports organization, look for social media, email marketing, community management, advertising, or graphic design jobs. Some smaller companies may even be willing to hire a newcomer to the space to be a mid or low-level marketing manager. These jobs are nearly always available as more and more organizations enter the esports space, so keep an eye out for those.

Management

When you think of management in esports, what comes to mind is likely team or talent management. While these are definitely available options, there are plenty of other opportunities for management within the esports space.

There are opportunities for operations management, employee management, influencer management, and more. Many companies are beginning to integrate some aspects of the industry into their products or services. For example, many charities are starting to fundraise on Twitch, and recreational organizations are trying to expand to include esports. These organizations need someone familiar with the space to learn how to use esports to suit their brand.

Types of organizations

Many esports organizations are constantly hiring and looking to build their program. Below is a list of many different companies, and still, there are probably others.

Where to look for entry-level positions

Indeed

Indeed is your standard, run-of-the-mill website for job postings. Most entry-level esports jobs will be posted on Indeed, but it may be more beneficial for you to apply through another site if their job is also posted on one. Indeed applications are often overwhelmed with candidates, and it’s easier to create a more personal connection and stand out through one of the other options.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is one of the best places to search for esports jobs. You can search for general esports jobs, jobs with specific companies, or jobs through connections that you may know. Regardless of where you find your job, you should ensure that your LinkedIn profile is up to date with a professional image and reflects all of your experience. It doesn’t hurt to shoot a message to potential employers to express your interest.

Hitmarker

Hitmarker is an esports-specific job database that is on the rise. If you are interested in looking at everything available within the industry, this website is a good start. Usually, job postings on Hitmarker will redirect to send you to another site to apply, but still, the website is the best place to see a large number of esports-specific jobs in one place.

How to make yourself look like the best candidate

On the surface, many positions described as “entry-level” may require a year or two of experience. If you do not have much or any professional experience, leverage your participation in any organizations, volunteering groups, hobbies, or part-time jobs to bolster the experience section of your resume. “Experience” does not only refer to full-time employment, especially for an entry-level application.

Make sure you bolster your application and resume with relevant skills, honors, and awards. Many esports organizations require employees to wear different hats. Therefore, if you are a versatile candidate with a wide range of skills, it will be vital in landing a role.