Work / How to find work in Warsaw "if u don't speak Polish" ! [176]

Hey folks!
I'm a 24 years old Ukrainian guy looking to relocate to Poland and I need a job there. Here are the details:

JOB: Ideally in the games development industry. Because of lack of experience I'm ready to start as QA Tester, though I'm looking forward a career in production (associate/junior producer). I might consider other options too if you have something to recommend.

EDUCATION: Master's degree in (specialty) 'Systems and methods of taking decisions' (a certain mix of Systems Analysis, Data Mining and Economics). Graduated in 2013.

DOCUMENTS: Karta Polaka, National Visa. I don't need work permit, can legally live in Poland, though I would have to either make new Visa every year (might need to come to Ukraine for roughly a week each time) or exchange my Karta Polaka for Karta Stalego Pobytu.

LANGUAGES: Native Russian and Ukrainian, Upper-intermediate English, planning to learn Polish (and improve English).

CITY: Warsaw is the best option, then Krakow, then any other major city (there isn't really a noticeable gamedev community elsewhere)

FLAT: hostels/student houses/sharing flats for the time being (because salary wouldn't be that great)

FRIENDS: Don't have any in Poland. I would need to actively socialize to improve my language and social skills (not only for that ofc). If you think you could stand me struggling to speak Polish with you - write me a message, we'll figure something out =)

CONTACT: I'm a new member, so it's possible I can't write you a private message here. If you write me one and I don't reply - the answer might be in this topic. Or you can write me a letter to Tirolad at gmail dot com.

That could be it, can't think of anything important for you to know. Help with any of these would be appreciated. Advices and recommendations are also welcome. Thank you.

Work / How to find work in Warsaw "if u don't speak Polish" ! [176]

I have difficulties finding work from outside: companies just prefer local candidates - less headache. Even though I tell them they don't need to do anything, they receive lots of applications for entry level positions and can afford not to listen. I am thinking about coming to Poland (let's say Warsaw) and search for the right job from there, but I need a job to afford a living, so it's kind of a catch 22.

Basically, regarding a job, I'm here to find out about a job opportunity some of you might know about and can recommend. Ideally in game development, but if not - just a job that would allow me to relocate and figure something out later.

Requirement: job is not a scam. Preferences: less physical, more intellectual work.

Thanks for the answer BTW

Work / How to find work in Warsaw "if u don't speak Polish" ! [176]

I was waiting for your response, Dominic ) Kind of did a little research on what answers where already given to other people asking similar questions. While your attitude is admirable, it would be more useful were you actually trying to help these people, instead of trying to explain them why they suck or would suck in the nearest future. No offence.

Preparing and learning is all good, but there is no limit to that. One could do that all his life - without some action he'll never actually achieve anything. So if someone has decided to exercise in action and asks for help (and if you are willing to provide it), it's usually better to think about that person's objectives and ways to achieve them, than to give him tons of reasons to drop the idea. Should he fail on his route - well, at least he tried. You personally don't lose anything anyway.

1) Gamedev industry is not very healthy indeed. For the happy times you need to either be very lucky or have patience and some time to test it hard. But there are also good parts, to see them you have to be careful who you work with and to stay competitive.

2) Like I said, I've tried to find the job from the outside, with no luck so far. It might work out eventually, but the time spent on this would probably be too much of a cost.

It's a risky move, I get it. If possible, I would avoid such risks either, but I'm not designing the rules here. What I can do is adapt and seek opportunities.

3) It's actually an IT degree from an Engineering Academy, so in your world it should be super-duper useful.

In an online world there are tons of metrics to analyze, allowing you to simultaneously make customers happier and make more money from each and every one of them. Game development is no exception, especially with the rise of free to play games.

Degree in and of itself, however, only helps to solve bureaucratic problems - it's the skills and knowledge that matter (plus people you get to know while studying), especially in the IT. There are plenty of programmers without any degree earning six-digit salaries, too bad I'm not one of them : )

I just gave the information needed, didn't say I bet all my hopes on that degree.

Work / How to find work in Warsaw "if u don't speak Polish" ! [176]

Grzegorz, yeah, I know about this kind of jobs. Given the choice I would rather avoid them, but who knows what my situation will turn out to be. Thanks anyway.

DominicB, there is some reason in what you are saying. Thanks to you too.

Yep, networking is very important. This is something that you build over time though. It's hard to leverage it when you are just a beginner (e.g. not a valuable contact yourself) and your time is limited.

Yes, it is better to have conversations directly with decision makers or with people working on the same kind of job you are aiming for. You are also right about CV and first impression.

I don't agree with snail-mail point though. I live in another country. I don't really know how much time the delivery would take, I ain't willing to trust post service on this. There are other reasons too, but I think this one is already sufficient.

Concerning you advice: job is not only about money, but yeah, you can't afford to miss that part.