Where can you find qualified {role_name}?

What are the best practices for headhunting {role_name}?

How to shortlist candidates?

Once you have started to get applications from applicants, a thorough screening process and shortlisting of prospects will help you make the most of your time spent with the most qualified ones. 

Automated shortlisting tools :

Automated screening quickly filters out unqualified candidates, saving time for manual review. This allows the manual process to focus on the most promising candidates, ensuring the best ones are considered for further evaluation.

Screening questions to auto-shortlist based on predefined criteria

like qualifications, location, experience, and skills. Either use job board or use an ATS such as whitecarrot. Here are some questions for {role_name}

• How many years of experience do you have with Unity or Unreal Engine?
  • Auto-reject criteria: Less than 2 years of experience with either Unity or Unreal Engine.
• How many years of experience do you have working with C++ or C# in game development?
  • Auto-reject criteria: Less than 2 years of experience with C++ or C# in a game development context.
• Are you located within [specified location] or willing to work remotely?
  • Auto-reject criteria: Not located in the required area and unwilling to work remotely.

Skill based question to auto shortlist candidate

Analyze the skill test data to automatically shortlist top-performing applicants. (recommended screening test time - 15 minutes). Here are some skill test questions for {role_name}

Game Engines (Unity, Unreal Engine)

Assess the candidate’s knowledge of game development engines.

• Question 1: Which language is primarily used for scripting in Unity?
  • Options:
    1. Java
    2. C++
    3. C#
    4. Python
  • Correct Answer: 3. C#
• Question 2: In Unreal Engine, which visual scripting system is commonly used for gameplay mechanics?
  • Options:
    1. Blueprints
    2. Graphs
    3. Layers
    4. Nodes
  • Correct Answer: 1. Blueprints
• Question 3: What is the purpose of using lightmaps in Unity?
  • Options:
    1. Control shadows
    2. Enhance object textures
    3. Optimize lighting performance
    4. Adjust camera perspectives
  • Correct Answer: 3. Optimize lighting performance

Programming (C++, C#)

Evaluate the candidate’s proficiency in programming languages used for game development.

• Question 1: What is the function of the public keyword in C++?
  • Options:
    1. Allow class access
    2. Hide private methods
    3. Define inheritance
    4. Enable overloading
  • Correct Answer: 1. Allow class access
• Question 2: How do you declare a class in C++?
  • Options:
    1. class myClass { };
    2. create class myClass { };
    3. define class myClass { };
    4. object myClass { };
  • Correct Answer: 1. class myClass { };
• Question 3: In C#, what is the purpose of the static keyword?
  • Options:
    1. To declare a variable
    2. To create an instance of a class
    3. To associate a method or field with the class, not instances
    4. To define a property
  • Correct Answer: 3. To associate a method or field with the class, not instances

Game Physics and AI

Assess the candidate’s ability to implement physics and AI in games.

• Question 1: What is a hitbox in game design?
  • Options:
    1. An area where sound effects trigger
    2. A zone where a character takes damage
    3. A region where light maps are calculated
    4. An area used for texturing in 3D environments
  • Correct Answer: 2. A zone where a character takes damage
• Question 2: Which algorithm is commonly used for AI pathfinding in games?
  • Options:
    1. A* Algorithm
    2. Dijkstra’s Algorithm
    3. Quick Sort
    4. Genetic Algorithm
  • Correct Answer: 1. A* Algorithm
• Question 3: How is physics-based collision detection typically handled in game engines?
  • Options:
    1. By hardcoding object interactions
    2. By using the engine’s built-in collision detection libraries
    3. By writing physics from scratch in C++
    4. By utilizing 2D texture mapping
  • Correct Answer: 2. By using the engine’s built-in collision detection libraries

Note - Auto reject candidates if scores less than 70% in this section

One way video interview

Use tools like hirevue, whitecarrot.io to ask candidates pre-recorded questions about their experience and skills.

Use sample question given in scorecard.

Collect other information 

Collect data from shortlisted candidates, such as salary expectations and visa status.

Manual candidate profile shortlisting:

Thoroughly review the CVs of the top scoring candidates from the automated process

Look for evidence of the required skills, experience, and achievements

Review the candidate’s portfolio or GitHub repositories to see examples of their work.