Networking Tips and Tricks

Whether you’re just starting in the VFX, Animation or Games industry or looking to expand your professional circle, networking is one of the most powerful tools in your job search toolkit.

Networking is not just about exchanging links or connecting on LinkedIn. It’s about building genuine relationships that can lead to mentorship, collaboration, and career advancement. In the VFX, Animation or Game industry, where creativity and innovation are paramount, having a strong network can provide you with:

• Access to Opportunities: Many job openings are filled through referrals rather than traditional applications.

• Industry Insights: Networking allows you to learn from others’ experiences, keeping you informed about industry trends and best practices.

• Collaborative Projects: Meeting like-minded individuals can lead to partnerships on game development or other creative projects.

Exhibition floor of the gaming conventio

Time to Be Proactive

Networking doesn’t just happen on LinkedIn; it starts online, right now. There are plenty of communities and organisations worth plugging into. Here’s just a handful that I like:

• WIA – Women in Animation: womeninanimation.org

• VES – Visual Effects Society: vesglobal.org/events-calendar/list

• Access VFX: accessvfx.org

• The Rookies: https://www.therookies.co/ - check this one out, it’s SO awesome!

• Digi BC: digibc.org

• Action VFX Community: actionvfx.com/blog/join-these-digital-vfx-communities-to-stay-connected

• PolyCount: polycount.com

• Game Conference guide: https://gameconfguide.com/

• SIGGRAPH: https://www.siggraph.org/

• Game Jams, GDC, 80LV, Discord, all fantastic places to get involved.

There are tonnes more, I’d love to hear your favourite places to network!

The important thing is to start engaging. Follow studios on LinkedIn and Instagram, turn on post notifications, and subscribe to studio and tech/software newsletters so you’re in the loop on new roles, events, and announcements. Many studios will post jobs before they’re listed anywhere else.

Share your own work, comment on your connections’ posts, and contribute to conversations. There is a saying I like to think of at times like this: “Don’t let perfection be the enemy of the good.”

It can feel awkward to post work, but it’s important to get used to sharing work. You never know what useful advice you’ll get, or where those new connections will land you!

Networking Events

What Do They Look Like Now?

Work-from-home culture has genuinely diversified the way people network and attend events. You no longer need to meet a recruiter in person (though if you can, it’s still worth it!). Today, there are multiple ways to connect:

• In-person events, andd/or online spaces for the in-person events, panels, and job fairs

• Studio open days and graduation recruitment fairs

• Podcasts, webinars, and workshops

• Award events and community socials

Keep an eye on calendars from organisations like VES, Digi BC, and Access VFX, they regularly host both online and in-person events that put you in the same space as working professionals and recruiters.

The key mindset shift: go in knowing what you want to get out of the interaction. Be intentional with your outreach, and don’t stop at one person. Growing a network can feel awkward at first; that’s completely normal, and it gets easier.

LinkedIn Etiquette: How to Make a Good First Impression

LinkedIn is often the first place recruiters or hiring managers look you up, and it’s also where most initial outreach happens.

Here’s a scenario: let’s say you come across 'Sophie’s' profile. She’s a Creature TD at ILM, and she just posted a really interesting piece of work. You’d love to reach out. This kind of message is very common (I have had this type of message countless times) and very easy to get wrong.

What Not to Do

Take a look at this kind of message, and you’ll immediately spot the problems:

“Hey, I really want to get into the industry. My reel is pretty strong, but what advice or notes can you give me? [link] Do you know which studios are accepting junior lighters? I’m trying desperately to land my first job! When my reel is in good shape, can you pass my reel to recruiters, please? I’d love to stay in touch. Here’s my number.”

Here’s what’s going wrong:

• The tone comes across as arrogant. Describing your own reel as “pretty strong” before anyone has seen it doesn’t land well.

• The question is outside Sophie’s area of expertise. If she’s a Creature TD, she’s not the right person to ask about lighting roles or open opportunities.

• It assumes she has time to review student work. That’s a big ask of a stranger.

• It’s asking easily Googleable questions. This signals a lack of effort and overwhelms the recipient.

• It’s giving the recipient unsolicited homework. Asking someone to pass on your reel is putting the responsibility on them - not you.

• It includes personal contact information. Be careful sharing personal details with people you don’t know.

As a general rule, only ask someone to review your work if they specifically invite you to.

What to do instead

A good outreach message does a few simple things well:

• Briefly state your intent from the start, so the recipient knows immediately why you’re writing.

• Has a warm, appreciative tone - but doesn’t gush. A genuine compliment is fine; overdoing it is off-putting.

• Shows you’ve done your research. Reference something specific about their work or career, and ask a smart question that comes from that.

• Asks one question only. A single, focused question is far more likely to get a thoughtful response than a barrage.

• Closes with a considerate sign-off that acknowledges their time.

A message along the lines of: “Hi Sophie, I’m currently studying at [school] and aspiring to work in the creature department. I found your ArtStation page and loved your work on [project]. Would you mind telling me more about [specific aspect]? I appreciate your time.” is short, specific, respectful, and much more likely to get a response.

One more thing worth knowing: creatives love sharing and talking about their craft. Many professionals, even at a senior level, are genuinely happy to engage if you approach them with thoughtfulness and curiosity. That said, not everyone will respond, and that’s okay. Don’t take it personally, keep building your network.

Don’t Assume Anything

The most common networking mistake people make is failing to read the information in front of them correctly.

Getting basic details wrong about a person or studio gives the impression that you don’t care. In an industry where competition is fierce, that’s enough to get your message disregarded immediately. This matters especially when reaching out to recruiters; a typo in their name, or a question that reveals you haven’t looked at their profile, can undo your outreach before it even begins.

Double-check everything. It takes two minutes, and it makes a real difference.

Do Your Research: Give Yourself the Upper Hand

Basic research does more than help you avoid embarrassing mistakes. It also gives you something to talk about.

When you research a person or studio before reaching out, you create common ground. It shows you’re genuinely interested in what they do, and not just looking for a shortcut to a job. It signals that you’re invested and willing to learn, which is exactly what recruiters and hiring managers want to see.

Going the extra mile gives you a competitive edge that most people don’t bother taking. Use that.

Take Responsibility: You’re in the Driver’s Seat

Your job search is your responsibility. That means:

• Don’t put the onus on others. Asking someone to pass your reel to their contacts or to track down opportunities on your behalf is the fastest way to close a door. Unless someone explicitly offers, that’s not their job.

• Use your digital savvy. Guard your personal information. Recruitment scams are more convincing than you’d expect. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. A resource I like here: https://www.talent-outpost.com/blog/stop-predatory-job-scammers

• Own your learning. Doing your research now builds habits that will serve you well in cover letters, interviews, and beyond.

The mindset shift here is important: take the wheel. Proactive, self-directed job seekers stand out from the pack, not because they’re pushy, but because they’re prepared.

LinkedIn Prep: Your Profile is Your First Impression

Before you reach out to anyone, your LinkedIn profile needs to be doing its job. Think of it as a living document, not something you set up once and forget about.

Start fleshing it out now. Dates and details fade the longer you leave them, and it always takes far longer to update than you expect.

For each role or experience, ask yourself:

• What did I do and what was I responsible for?

• What did I learn, and how did I grow?

• How did I overcome any challenges in this role?

• What software did I use, and did I expand my skillset here?

Get specific. A vague description like “I learned compositing” tells a recruiter nothing. Something like “By integrating live-action footage into a CG environment, I had to learn background removal using keying techniques, improved my roto skills to isolate the actor from the plate, and integrated the elements using [XYZ] techniques” — that shows the depth of your experience.

Keywords matter. Recruiters scanning LinkedIn profiles are data-driven. They’re looking for specific terms. Look at job descriptions for roles you’d like to apply for and note the language they use. Then reflect that language in your own profile where it genuinely applies.

A few practical tips:

• Take screenshots of job postings you’re interested in and save them. Postings get taken down, and having a record is useful for reference later.

• List your technical skills explicitly. Software names, tools, and pipelines should be visible and up to date.

• Don’t exaggerate your skillset. In a small industry, you’ll be found out very quickly!

Your LinkedIn profile can also serve as a strong foundation for your resume when the time comes to build or update it. The detailed, keyword-rich descriptions you write there translate directly.

Networking and LinkedIn Etiquette Recap

Bring it all together:

• Be proactive. Engage with the VFX and animation community online and in person.

• Be thoughtful and courteous in how you communicate.

• Don’t assume anything. Read profiles carefully before reaching out.

• Do your research before you make contact. It creates better conversations and better impressions.

• Take responsibility for your own job search. Don’t outsource it to others

• Keep your LinkedIn updated and detailed. It’s the first place people will look.

The habits you build now, intentional outreach, thorough research, and clear professional communication, are the same habits that will shape your reputation as your career grows.

Any questions? Head over to Ask Me Anything and book a time with me!