5 tips for your GameStar application

Yes, video games, films and series are great. But you know what's also great? Working every day with people who share my passions. Who burn for every new beep about Half-Life 3, want to broadcast their opinion about Star Wars to the world, want to share their experiences with the Steam Deck out there and, and, and.

So it's not an empty phrase when I say: I'm really looking forward to your applications! We are always looking for new talent for GameStar.de, sometimes as trainees, sometimes as experienced editors, sometimes for gaming, sometimes for our entertainment area (i.e. films, series, streaming). Speaking of which:

Apply now as a trainee (m/f/d)!

Apply now as an editor (m/f/d)!

Every application is an opportunity not only for you, but also for us, to open a new, exciting chapter. And that's why I'm going to show my soft side and give you a few tips!

Since I became editorial director, I have combed through dozens of applications for various GameStar positions and keep coming across stumbling blocks that unfortunately make a future with us impossible. I know that sounds nasty, but it would be even nastier to put people in the wrong positions and simply rob them of time and energy in the medium term.

In order not to waste your time and energy unnecessarily when applying, here are some tips based on my own GameStar experiences.

1. Pay attention to your spelling!

Actually a no-brainer, but the most common reason for diarrhea… wait, that sounds wrong… so most of our applications actually fail because of spelling. There's no question that everyone makes careless mistakes, but if you're applying for a job as a writer, your writing should be perfect.

Otherwise, you are signaling to us that a) you write poorly and/or b) you put so little love into the application that an automatic spell check was probably no longer possible before sending it. Neither is ideal.

2. Think about your work samples!

In our job advertisements it may sound like a subordinate clause, but the so-called meaningful application samples are extremely important! It's great if you study rocket science, once worked as Chancellor and trained a guinea pig circus in your free time, but the fact is: our team is almost entirely made up of career changers because none of us studied gaming journalism. Where?

38:09

»There is no golden rule for our news« – How are the news on GameStar created?

That's why there is no perfect CV for our job that we can use to evaluate you. Much more important: Write us two or three crisp sample news stories that show that you have an idea of ​​topics, can write about them in an interesting way and understand what interests our target groups.

If you already run a blog, even better, you save yourself the typing and can link directly to your previous articles.

3. GameStar is mainstream

Every now and then, applicants show their missionary side in conversation: The fact that GameStar writes about Assassin's Creed, GTA and Game of Thrones is all well and good, but the real future lies in Japanese visual novels, puzzle platformers and the hundredth Analysis of Undertale.

No.

Of course, I also think it's great that gaming and entertainment are more diverse than ever before. I play very niche games in my free time. And I write about them often enough. But I want to disabuse you of the illusion right away: GameStar remains a mainstream magazine.

Yes, small projects are happening more often than ever on all channels, but if you absolutely can't warm up to Assassin's Creed, The Witcher, Star Wars, Game of Thrones, Fallout and Co., then you won't be happy here. Of course, you don't have to like or love all of these topics, but the bottom line is that we mostly cover games and brands that interest many, many people.

Speaking of which…

4. Ask yourself the three questions

Before you apply, you should ask yourself the following three questions:

1. What I want?
2. What does GameStar need?
3. How do the two fit together?

Many people apply to us with Bible-length philosophy treatises about the nature of games over time, primarily want to make podcasts and videos and see news journalism as a necessary evil to get their foot in the right door.

If this applies to you, then it is better to apply directly in the podcast or video departments and not in an online newsroom. Of course, anyone who joins us as an editor doesn't just write news – and yes, our team also produces a video or appears in a podcast from time to time.

But we are looking for online journalists. We are looking for people who are passionate about daily reporting on games (or films and series), who want to prepare, classify and summarize what is happening in the gaming and entertainment world.

Of course, we will talk to you about your wishes and professional goals, but conversely, before applying, you should read carefully what we offer – and where the chances are rather poor.

5. Avoid too much nostalgia

I myself grew up with GameStar, Petra Schmitz, Fabian Siegismund and Co. were the heroes of my youth – the same goes for many, many people who apply to us. And there's nothing wrong with that, on the contrary: we're happy to have team members who actively identify with our brand.

But you shouldn't apply to us primarily as fans. Every now and then I sit in conversation with applicants who imagine our job as a little land of milk and honey in which they get paid to play games every day, fill out a print magazine from 2004 and talk shop about their favorite episodes of Starship GameStar.

Separate yourself from the crush.

The GameStar editorial team is a modern online newsroom that trains its team members to the highest standards. You work with data tools, learn modern Google optimization, receive training at the Bavarian Press Academy and gain all the technical facets that general interest media also value.

We just write about games, films and series.

No question, GameStar is a childhood dream for me too, which I still fulfill every day even after ten years. But in reality this dream is a demanding job that I also have to be keen on in terms of craftsmanship. And if you bring this spirit with you and take all the other tips into account, then maybe we'll see each other soon!