Perfecting Your Entertainment Resume
An entertainment resume needs to be formatted in a certain way and includes information potential employers will consider relevant. There are a few things you can do to ensure your resume stands out in such a competitive field.
First and foremost, you’ll need to keep the overall look and feel of your resume clean and concise. This means avoiding lengthy statements or paragraphs and using short, bullet-pointed lists. Stick to one page and don’t use fancy fonts or include pops of color. Take it from career and internship expert Lauren Berger – no one wants to print multiple pages or waste ink on unnecessary added color. If these elements are included, chances are hiring managers will put aside your submission in favor of a simpler spread. Plus, it just looks unprofessional.
Include posting-specific job experience. This means personalizing your resume for the specific position you are applying for. The same goes for any volunteer or extracurricular activities.
You’ll likely have to modify and tweak your resume for each position you’re interested in. If you’re applying for a spot as a graphic design intern, for example, remove your voice-over work and add it back if you’re also applying for a voice acting role. Having a diversified skill-set can be appealing to hiring managers, but you can save more elaborate stories for the interview. The resume is designed to get your foot in the door, and the information displayed needs to be relevant and to the point.
Include your education at the top, especially if applying for an entry-level position or internship. Many companies consider fresh-out-of-school candidates for these positions. Placing your level of education at the top of your resume will allow employers to quickly and easily assess whether you may be a good fit for the position they’re hoping to fill.
You can include your GPA as well, but this really isn’t necessary. Employers are more likely to consider someone who has a lower GPA but juggled school obligations with a part-time job and extracurriculars than a candidate who focused solely on schoolwork. This is especially true of entertainment professionals who know that anyone new to the industry will need to already have the ability to multi-task and switch hats on the fly. It’s a busy place to be.
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, remember to include your current contact information at the top of your resume, as well as in an attached cover letter. You may have all of the skills a hiring manager is looking for, but forgetting this simple step is a sure way to stay unemployed. Like everything else in your entertainment resume, this information should be easy to find so you just might get the call that’ll change your life.
