InnoGames is seeking game changers. The company from Hamburg brings joy to over 100 million gamers. Now they are preparing for the next step: “The rise of the mobile market”. Will you be a hero and join their quest? Chris Pyak travelled to Hamburg and interviewed Anne Grovu, Head of HR at InnoGames GmbH.
IS: Tell me about InnoGames. What are you doing?
Anne: What we are doing is games. Exciting and interesting games. Our mission is to create these games for millions of people around the world, to connect people through games and give them a continuously fascinating gaming experience. We want to create something really entertaining and stimulating for our community.
IS: Do you have a game that gets you personally hooked?
Anne: I really like Grepolis, because I like the Greek sagas. I am also looking forward to a lot to our games to come, especially to Elvenar. Because of its fantasy setting it will be something really new. I am a person who is interested in the very past – and excited about the very future.
IS: Talking about the future – what is the biggest goal that InnoGames aims to achieve in the near future?
Anne: On the one hand we want to continue our very sustainable growth. We want to add value in terms of people, quality of products and market share of our games. But also create new games and make a bigger step into the mobile market: There is the future.
IS: You have already 100 million users. What is the share between browser and mobile users?
Anne: At the moment browser gamers are still in the majority, but this is changing quickly. Among new users about 30-40 percent are mobile already. In the longterm we believe that the mobile share will raise over 50 percent. Mobile is clearly the future – but of course we will not neglect our stable browser community.
IS: What kind of professionals can help you most to achieve your goals?
Anne: We are looking for software developers who can develop this mobile market. We are looking for people who can market this games and who know the marketing channels that can bring our product to the users. These are the key positions.
We are also looking for graphic artists who are able to implement the games for mobile devices. It is a different challenge to create games for different devices. Just think about how screen sizes differ from the smallest smartphones to big tablets.
IS: Which concrete positions can you offer these professionals?
Anne: We are looking for a Senior Manager TV Campaigns – which is a current need. Obviously this person would have to market our current and upcoming games by managing the various TV campaigns we are running. As TV is a key marketing channel for us, the job comes with the opportunity to take high responsibility and really make a difference.
The other positions: Software Developers. Currently we have vacant Senior Action Script Development positions, and we are looking for developers who want to be part of our current games’ success story. And also PHP backend developers, who are interested in realizing new game features and creatively co-shaping our games. (Also: Flash Developer)
IS: These are the skills you are looking for. If you look at the character traits: How would you describe your ideal colleague?
Anne: Character is in the end more important than the hard skills. What we really need, you can see from our vision for the future. We need people who are willing to go through this transformation process with us. People who are willing to take responsibility and ownership.
And at the same time: People who really like change – but also understand the importance of sustainability. Which means nurturing the mobile games sector, but maintaining the browser games that are the foundation of our business.
IS: You want the best people: So, what can you offer them?
Anne: A lot. As you can see: A passionate team. (Laughs) A lot of development and growing opportunities. The company grows and so do the people who are with us. We offer heaps of trainings and conferences, we have a flatrate for reference books. You can order any book that you want, in order to develop on your own.
We have wonderful office rooms and an attractive working environment. We have a lot of events that keep the team spirit high – in the company and in the individual teams. We also make it easy to start with us: For the first two months new colleagues from abroad can live in a company flat, which is close by… And a great onboarding program to integrate them into the company and into Hamburg.
IS: Thank you for the interview Anne. Do you have a last message to our readers?
Anne: Yes, for everybody who doesn’t come from the games industry: It is super exciting and beautiful to work for such a product. I come from outsite the industry myself and I learnt that to work in the game industry is very enlightening and it is very easy to develop real passion for our products.
And for InnoGames: We combine growth, with a sustainable foundation and nurture an open and continuous communication in the company. Everybody understands what is going on and what is driving the growth.
Join InnoGames Team!
Have you made the same experience?
You are well educated, you have professional experience and most important: You have drive and ambition. You want to make a contribution and build a good career.
But German employers don't value your talent. You apply for job after job. You spent hours editing your CV and cover letter to fit perfectly. And then: You don't even get an answer.
There is a way forward! Chris Pyak and the rest of us at Immigrant Spirit GmbH: We want you to succeed.
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