Gina Jaio is the Director of Recruiting at Dreamhaven, an Irvine, California-based video game developer and publisher. Gina is an 18-year veteran in the talent and acquisitions industry, lending her talents at Fortune 500 companies like Sony, Warner Bros., Disney, and Blizzard. In addition to leading the recruitment team at Dreamhaven, Gina provides TA support and strategies for various partner studios.
Career searching can be monotonous and discouraging when opportunities fall short. Fortunately, professional recruiters are willing to share their knowledge, so what steps should you take if you struggle to find employment?
Seasoned recruiter Gina Jaio advises job seekers to leverage their networks by contacting colleagues and mutual connections and asking for introductions. When contacting companies, she recommends expressing how your values align with theirs. Applying for multiple jobs gets tedious, but Gina cautions job seekers to refrain from copying and pasting templates. Instead, impress recruiters and hiring managers by researching product releases, following company news and blogs, and being aware of company events. In addition, draft a concise, personalized cover letter.
In this episode of the Here’s Waldo Podcast with Lizzie Mintus, Gina Jaio, Director of Recruiting at Dreamhaven, discusses career strategies for job seekers. Gina explains the importance of being transparent with recruiters, how to evaluate job offers, and the difference between mentors and sponsors.
