The Hunt for Talent: How Can Networking Land You a Job in Esports

  Summary In this episode of the Gamers Change Lives podcast, host Tom Leonard speaks with Ben Finnegan and Emma O'Neill from Feenix Group about their personal journeys into the gaming industry, the evolution of their agency, and the importance of networking and diversity in eSports. They discuss their current roles, the significance of real-world experience in hiring, and how self-promotion can lead to career opportunities in the gaming sector. In this conversation, Ben Finnegan and Emma O'Neill discuss the intricacies of hiring in the startup and gaming industries, emphasizing the importance of personal connections, cultural nuances, and the balance between pay and passion. They explore the onboarding process in remote work settings, the challenges of determining pay scales, and the critical role of brand managers in forging partnerships within the gaming sector. The discussion highlights the evolving landscape of work and the significance of aligning personal values with professional goals.   Takeaways eSports can create jobs anywhere in the world. Personal gaming stories often lead to career paths. Networking is crucial for career advancement. Diversity in eSports is still a work in progress. Real-world experience is valuable in the gaming industry. Self-promotion can open doors to new opportunities. The gaming industry is evolving rapidly. Youth marketing is essential for brands entering gaming. Building strong relationships is key in startups. Passion for gaming can enhance professional opportunities. References and gut feelings are crucial in hiring. Pay scales in startups require openness and honesty. Passion for work can outweigh financial compensation. Onboarding is essential for building relationships remotely. Cultural nuances affect hiring processes across regions. Brand managers are key players in gaming partnerships. Networking events are vital for finding potential hires. Remote hiring requires a different approach than in-person. Understanding individual circumstances is important in hiring. The gaming industry is rapidly evolving, requiring adaptability.   *  *  * Featured in this episode: Emma has spent the past several years working in online gaming, and a lifetime as a casual gamer. She was in recent years working with an online poker brand managing partnerships with the likes of Red Bull Racing F1 Team, and Furia Esports Team, which allowed her to travel the world. Most recently she started working at Feenix Group as Client Marketing Lead. Her role involves guiding clients with their gaming strategy and providing creative solutions to reach a youth audience in meaningful ways. A dream job since she gets to talk about games every day. Her hobbies include poker, gaming (of course), sewing and escape rooms! She lives in County Meath, Ireland with her fiancé and two cats. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmaoneillirl/ Ben is the Esports Director and Founding Member of Feenix Esports. Ben has extensive experience in sports and esports having worked with organizations with Jlingz Esports, Premier Sports Network,1J Esports and others. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfinnegan1/ Website: https://feenixgroup.com/ *  *  * Please subscribe to our podcast wherever you are listening to this episode. Leave us a rating and a review if you like our content for others to discover what we are doing. And tell your friends! CONNECT WITH US ELSEWHERE: Visit our website at https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/ to learn more about our program, our blog, and sign up for our emails to be notified of upcoming episodes. Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/GamersChangeLives  Twitter: https://twitter.com/thegclpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gamerschangelives/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8TRl42z9cbMyZMhcpNo0cw TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gamerschangelives   PRODUCTION: Creator and host: Tom Leonard (Italy) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomeleonard/ Executive Producer: Reginald Nsowah (Ghana) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginald-nsowah-09352929/ ABOUT THE SHOW: Play Games. Create Jobs. Change Lives. This is a show about how to build an esports business from literally anywhere in the world where each week we showcase the journey of esports entrepreneurs and others to learn how they solved a particular problem that everyone will ultimately face. Thanks for listening to The Gamers Change Lives Podcast!