Stay real: The Australian burst into tears at the interview, but still got the dream job
Artist Boone Cotter on Twitter described an unusual interview with the game company Naughty Dog, which developed the legendary action games Uncharted and The Last of Us. Speaking about one of the heroes of the game, he was so moved that he could not contain his emotions. We publish his story in full.
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I want to share this, because I am convinced that the most valuable quality is to be real. So, I burst into tears at the Naughty Dog interview. I had just flown halfway around the world, was outside Australia for the first time — and all this for an interview at a place where I knew for sure that I would not get.
However, all this meant nothing: in the office of Naughty Dog in Los Angeles, I felt like a crazy fan who had reached his favorite star. I was like a kid at Disneyland. I decided not to bother, just be myself and chat with these wonderful people. But during the interview, Bruce Strahly (head of development of The Last of Us) came in. — Ed.), and I almost peed my pants. He asked me a few questions, and I gave disgusting answers.
Bruce: "On the last project, were you the main artist? How many artists were there?" I: "Um... haha... just me." (Everyone laughs).
Then he asks: "Why do you want to work at Naughty Dog?" I started an honest, but memorized story: you are the best, blah, blah, blah. But then he stopped and said, "Mm, not really. It's all Bill from The Last of Us."
Everyone stared at me, puzzled. I explained that it was the first time I had seen a gay character portrayed as a rude, masculine and tragic hero. He wasn't part of the joke, he wasn't stereotypical. Many users didn't even realize that he was gay. I said that I had finally found someone like myself in popular culture. A strong, unshaven, adult man — one whom I respect and understand.
I was so moved that I seemed to love everyone present. And the last words made me cry. Who the hell cries at interviews? Nevertheless, if you rewind the time three hours ahead, the picture will be like this: I got really drunk on Margaritas, and I'm now working for my favorite gaming company on Earth.
Moral: Don't underestimate sincerity. Be vulnerable and real. Then your uniqueness will blossom.
I'm wrapping up: this is what my first day looked like. I didn't stop smiling, even when Nate (the main character of the game Uncharted. — Ed.) looked at me contemptuously.
Keywords: IT company | Video games | LGBT | Work | Tears | USA