Why employers are interested in gamers: their advantages over others are impressive

Gamers have many strengths/freepik

One of the most common misconceptions about gamers is their work ethic. Unfortunately, the stereotype of gamers as lazy people who lie in front of the screen all day persists, but this is not entirely true.

Gamers are devoted to their work, honing their skills for hours, learning the intricacies of different games and perfecting strategies to overcome various challenges. They are dedicated to their craft. And what manager would not want the same from his subordinates, asks Fast Company?

This unwavering commitment translates into an extremely strong work ethic in the professional world. Gamers also know how to work under pressure, solve complex problems, and persevere through repeated setbacks to achieve their goals—all skills that are easily transferable to almost any real-world business role.

Problem Solving and Strategic planning

Games, especially strategy games like Football Manager 2024, require players to analyze situations, develop plans and adjust tactics on the fly. This reflects the strategic planning required in businesses to meet market challenges and optimize operations.

This is the focus of one of Cannes Lions' most awarded campaigns this year, Everyday Tactic, created with the support of Xbox, the football Bromley Club, Sega and McCann in London.

A feature-length documentary on TNT Sports follows in detail what happens after Nathan Owolabi signs a five-month contract with Bromley Football Club as their new tactician, successfully demonstrating his playing skills and achieving the Football Manager 2024 Championship title .The campaign was not just a marketing gimmick, but an opportunity to show that gamers have special, valuable qualities that can help organizations go beyond their capabilities and win.

Patience and resilience

Success in competitive arenas often comes after a lot of trial and error, and sometimes failure. Like athletes, the strongest competitors have patience and resilience, qualities that are critical in any professional environment where long-term projects and iterative processes are the norm.

Social Skills and Critical Thinking

< p>Contrary to popular belief that gaming is a solitary activity, many games require teamwork, seamless communication, and critical thinking. Multiplayer games and eSports competitions require effective collaboration (often remote) and strategy that reflects the dynamics of effective business teams that may be spread across different time zones.

Gamers are also distinguished by critical thinking/Freepik photo

Digital savvy

To begin with, gamers have inherent analytical skills and data orientation, two key competencies that every gamer enthusiast can potentially bring to a business. Their familiarity with digital platforms and online communities gives them an edge in both understanding and reaching their target audience. Their critical thinking skills also allow them to analyze data and consumer behavior to create campaigns that resonate every time.

Propensity to innovate

Last but not least, consider how important innovation can be when interacting with a community – any community, whether it's stakeholders, customers, fans, or some combination thereof . Gamers do not shy away from innovation, they perceive it as a necessity. They know that this leads to progress, even if it creates obstacles in the beginning.

As a smaller club with fewer resources, Bromley realized that if they wanted to catch up and move up the ladder, they needed to think outside the box – something every business around the world needs to remember. Yes, the campaign gave Bromley a boost, but it also clearly demonstrated just how useful gamers' skills can be to succeed in the real world, and why companies need to be “gamey” (pun intended) to use them.

With With millions of gamers around the world, companies have a huge pool of potential employees who have passion and skills that can be applied outside of the virtual realm.

While the lines between the virtual and physical worlds are blurring, there is nothing virtual or blurred about influence of one on another. When you're looking at your next set of resumes, pay attention to the details and the person as a whole, not just their last employer. “Gamer” is not something to be ashamed of. It can be a badge of honor that can tell you what a valuable resource a person can be – if you let them.