Defining the role - Other internet sources

I know there are better ways about finding out about roles but I am in the process of setting up visits to Tag Games and Denki to talk more about what their animators do day to day, whats expected of them, what knowledge is most valued etc, but I think that by looking at how places on the internet define roles I'll be able to figure out suitable questions to add to my growing list of personal queries (I'll come to the new additions to that list later in the post)

Link: 
http://education-portal.com/articles/How_to_Become_a_Video_Game_Animator_Career_Guide.html

In this first link it goes into more detail about some aspects of requirements than skillset. I think its best to see this more as a rough average of what happens rather than the rule as there are always exceptions.

• Generally Game animators have a bachelor's degree in one of the following areas - art, computer graphics, animation, illustration. (source for this one is actually career builder.com and Gamasutra.com job postings(July 2012))
• Experience for mid to advanced level jobs generally require 2-4 years of experience (most likely referring to industry experience)
• Key skills are listed as Artistic ability, creativity, technical proficiency, ability to work as part of a team (This last one comes up regularly probably due to the need to collaborate with other disciplines in order to come to a compromise between visual performance and gameplay)
• Program knowledge of maya, studio max, photoshop, illustrator, flash, final cut pro and after effects are commonly sort after.
• Technically it can be required to have used graphics tablets

General Tips:

•  Only use your best work in your showreel keeping it short with the most eye catching stuff first to help attract attention.
• In industry experience is very valuable (This is added to by the information recieved during a visit from Ubisoft to the university, they also prize entrepreneurship and showing you are prepared to reach beyond your job description in the pursuit of excellence)
• They encourage keeping up to date with technical knowledge reading papers and possibly attending conferences this also goes for processes and pipelines too. (Siggraph is a good event for this also Animex in the UK)

Applying for an animation job within games - (gamasutra 2012)
link: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/176374/How_to_get_a_job_as_an_animator_in_games.php

Naming conventions! Name the files you send with your name and then the item name, no spaces.
e.g RobinGriffiths_CoverLetter.pdf
Unless they ask for something specific or it's in an email format in which case you make sure the subject line is correct.

Cover letter contents: "Generally speaking, it should be short, flattering (to the company or project), confident (without being cocky), and highlight what you bring to the company/project."

contact Info needs to be easy to find and maintain a design continuity throughout the resume, pick a couple of the key skills mentioned and then try to demonstrate how well you meet those. Try to get a sense of your personality and motivation across. Spell check and proof read it before sending, name it correctly and make sure it is no longer than a page in length.