“English language proficiency is a mandatory requirement in 70% of job vacancies,” says Marina Lopatina from WN Talents about the key aspects for 2024

How was the year 2024 for the agency?

The year was very dynamic, interesting, and, I dare say, stable. This is precisely what we aim for – steady, calm, and continuous growth.

We are already well-known in the market and have an excellent reputation. We continue to work not only with long-standing clients but also sign contracts with many new companies for us. It is very encouraging that many come through recommendations, indicating high quality.

We continue to explore new regions. While we initially focused more on the Russian-speaking industry, we are now actively working with gaming companies from Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and the States.

Importantly: we open locations quickly. Entering any new region has ceased to be a challenge for us. We know how to start working, what steps to take to succeed in the recruitment niche, how to find candidates, how to communicate with them, and how to fill positions.

It's like moving. When you move to a country for the first time, everything is new. You are stressed, you don't understand what to do, what to prioritize, and where to find transport, a grocery store, a gym, or government offices you might need. On the second move, you immediately set priorities – what to do, what to focus on, what to keep in mind, and the adaptation process goes faster. The third time, it's even easier, and soon nothing scares you; you know what to do and thus feel confident in almost any situation.

From the achievements of 2024, I would highlight the launch of two courses:

• The free course "How to Find a Job You Love?" where, along with HR specialists from gaming companies like Nekki, Playkot, Soyka Agency, and Crazy Panda, we analyze how to start a job search, craft a resume, successfully tackle interviews, and much more;
• "How to Become a Successful Recruiter", which is dedicated to sourcing, candidate analysis, interaction with hiring managers, and more.

We also held an online conference titled "One Step Ahead: HR Strategies for 2025."

How has the gaming job market changed over 2024?

Let me bullet-point the main observations:

• The Russian-speaking gaming job market has gotten younger;
• The number of indie teams has increased (particularly noticeable at conferences);
• Russian-speaking companies are seeing more English-speaking employees or even entire departments;
• Knowledge of the English language in Russian-speaking companies is now a requirement in 70% of vacancies we handle (a few years ago, this was not a requirement at all or only when the specific employee had to work with a foreign market);
• Relocated employees have started thinking about their futures and planning their lives several years in advance (assessing the potential for citizenship in their current location, migrating to countries that can offer it);
• Employers are more frequently seeking candidates willing to work on a hybrid schedule;
• AI is now actively used in all HR processes.

Which specialists in the gaming industry were most sought-after in 2024?

There was a significant demand for game designers, featuring a rigorous and competitive selection process.

Additionally, there was a year-round trend in searching for Senior-level Unity developers and experienced analysts.

There is also a demand for sales managers and business development managers.

In regards to top management, there is a steady stream of requests for heads of sales departments and marketing directors.

What are the agency's plans for 2025?

To grow steadily, calmly, and progressively.

We have already started working in niches such as iGaming and Performance Marketing. This year, we plan to engage even more actively in these areas.