DnD is a great game to play after a long day or night. But some people are concerned about getting a job, especially one that uses skills you love to employ. I personally have been lucky enough to have DnD been considered by a couple jobs I have been offered, and a few, even gotten, and want to share how to put DnD on a resume and get hired.
Find your passion in DnD
To start, you need to find something you like about DnD. Some people like drawing characters, others like making music for their campaigns, others like making something new and exciting, while others really like writing stories. But don’t discount balancing encounters, voice acting, or even programming, as those can also be helpful. Whatever you pick, make sure you do it well, or that you do it rather often (e.g. Mine is Story Writing with Voice Acting and Programming thrown in).
It’s a hobby, and it’s a tool. But one thing that DnD should always be, is fun. Learn to DM and you’ll create vast expanses of story with some untouched things leading into something incredible. Learn to play, and you’ll be pulling off tricks and moves that could only be dreamed of. Any skill can lead to something great, you just need to look for leverage.
Highlight your contributions
Next, you need to describe what you do most in DnD, and how you contribute positively to the experience, no matter how insignificant it may seem to you. Of course, you can’t just leave these contributions floating on their own, give it some grounding, such as skill with programming, or incredible artwork, a fantastic short story, a voice sample, a link to homebrew you’ve made, and more! If you assemble your collection of DnD skills, you may be surprised by what contractors are willing to pay good money for. I mean, I got hired for one of my jobs because I’m a DM, and my boss for that job is already impressed considering the small amount of work I’ve done!
When it comes to putting DnD on your resume, there are a few key sections you can include to highlight your skills and experience.
- Skills Section: In this section, list out the specific skills you have developed through playing DnD. This could include things like:
- Storytelling
- Creative Writing
- Voice Acting
- Character Design
- Graphic Design
- Music Composition
- Game Development
- Strategic Thinking
- Teamwork
- Problem Solving
- Experience Section: Here, you can detail your experience playing DnD and any leadership roles you have taken on within your gaming group. This could include:
- Years of experience playing DnD
- Any campaigns you have created or DM’d
- Any notable accomplishments within the game (e.g. defeating a particularly challenging boss)
- Leadership roles you have taken on within your gaming group (e.g. coordinating schedules, facilitating communication, managing conflicts)
- Accomplishments Section: In this section, you can highlight any notable achievements or projects you have completed related to DnD. This could include:
- Additional Information: This section can be used to provide any additional context or information about your DnD experience that doesn’t fit neatly into the other sections. For example, you could mention any relevant social media accounts or online communities you are a part of, or any events or conventions you have attended related to DnD.
Find work on job search sites
Finally, if you want to look for work, Try some sites such as Glassdoor, and LinkedIn. Set up a profile, be persistent, and patient – I find that effort has been rewarded well. Work hard, don’t give up because things aren’t working out immediately, keep it together, and I promise that if you persist in trying new things and expanding your horizons where needed, things will start to click in place.
Remember, the goal of including DnD on your resume is to demonstrate your skills and experience in a way that is relevant to the job you are applying for. Use concrete examples and provide specific details to help the hiring manager understand how your DnD experience translates to the workplace. Good luck!
