How Esports Organizations Hire Talent for Management Roles?

Esports teams aren’t solely about players playing on the stage. Behind the scenes, there’s a huge team of managers who help the event run smoothly and handle everything from coordination of teams to marketing strategies. When organizations employ people to manage their teams they’re looking at more than gaming expertise. In the end, unless you are able to manage both an event calendar and an esports coach who is temperamental, an extensive gaming background could be a limited resource.

Here’s a look at how the esports industry hires for its leadership positions. It’s likely not as exciting as you’d expect (but equally exciting).

1. Know What You’re Looking For

The first thing to do is to determine the specific roles that they will have to be able to. If it’s a supervisor, event coordinator or marketing director the hiring process begins with a clear understanding. They require people who comprehend the bigger picture, how to bring an event together or devise strategies that don’t just make the team perform like professionals, but also ensure that seats are sold out to the crowd. If you’re planning to handle the esports world behind the scenes it is essential to know the guide to careers in esports is vital to know exactly what role you’re in.

2. Expertise and Experience Matter

In esports, they are always looking for individuals with experience in a variety of sectors. An effective management candidate for esports may be a combination of positions including marketing, sports management, media broadcasting or even event management. There is no expectation of a magic “Esports Manager” unicorn, but those who know the business world, people management, and perhaps a touch of gaming culture can be the ideal candidates for this. If you’re looking to make it through the door, a solid education in either entertainment or sports management could greatly enhance your chances of a job in esports.

3. Passion Over Pixels

Although a solid understanding of the game is beneficial (if you’re trying to build a professional esports team manager) passion for games and their culture are vital. Many companies want people who are enthusiastic about bringing their enthusiasm on the field, but not only one who can refer to Call of Duty strategies like they’re the Bible. Being enthusiastic about Esports in general, including tournaments, sponsorships and team building, and even fan engagement – shows that you’re only interested in the cool gear.

4. Networking and Reputation

Similar to traditional business sectors, Esports organizations rely heavily on social media. A good reputation in the business, and knowing the people who hold key positions could be your key to success. If you’ve worked for brands, are aware of the challenges of managing large-scale events or if you’ve had the pleasure of working with large-scale companies on esports careers, you should consider the connections you have made to be “chips” in your favor. The key to good management is the people you’re familiar with (and the ability to create amazing spreadsheets that are logical).

5. Tailoring Your Application

The majority of esports companies are small, and certainly smaller than their bigger sports counterparts. Therefore, when looking at resumes, they’d like to see genuine enthusiasm in gaming, leadership skills and the ability to handle many tasks (all while pretending to be at peace). If you’re submitting your resume for a managerial position, prove that you know the skills required to succeed in a constantly-changing, fast-paced work environment. Flexibility is essential, so demonstrating that you are able to handle anxiety and unexpected demands while maintaining your cool will help you make it through during the interview process.

6. Don’t Forget About Adaptability

The world of Esports is always evolving. New games are released and new platforms are created and the trends change quickly. Organizations in the field of Esports are looking for people who can handle the punches. Content creators today could become an event planner in the future. If you’re flexible and keep in the forefront of developments in the field, you’ll be an attractive candidate for hire. Be prepared for the odd story twist (especially at night).

7. Hiring Process in Action

So, how do they approach hiring? It typically begins with an announcement on the internet of open positions in esports. When applications start flooding in (and there’s many) resumes and portfolios are scrutinized. You can expect to be interviewed multiple times during which you’ll be tested on your previous experience as well as your ability to handle chaos (I refer to planning multi-million dollar events with hundreds of others). When they’ve decided you’re the right person for the job then the fun starts. You are finally able to wear your headsets beyond playing games.

Conclusion

The bottom line is that organizations that specialize in esports are seeking multi-talented individuals with business acumen, flexibility and a love for the business. If you’re a natural to take the competitive spirit of gaming and transform it into a profitable business plan the esports manager job may be right in the near future. There will be some bumps in the road — it’s spent working on spreadsheets rather than high-fives. But managing an organization or event can be a fun and fulfilling job even if it involves managing rogue Wi-Fi connections.