Entertainment Resume Examples and Templates for 2023

Entertainment Text-Only Resume Examples

Years of Experience

Tips for Writing a Better Entertainment Resume

Entertainment resumes often follow unique structures based on your career within the industry. The key to creating a compelling document to supplement your portfolio is identifying the optimal format for your specific area of expertise. A resume for an actress will look very different from that of a film director, even though both overlap within the entertainment space. The most important aspect of an entertainment resume is drawing the reader’s attention to achievements that will make a strong, positive impression. For example, even if they may be unaware of your film, they will certainly be intrigued by a premiere at the Sundance Festival. Below, you’ll find three expert tips to help you enhance the effectiveness of your entertainment resume:

1. Draw attention to the names

Within the entertainment industry, it’s important to highlight the names of the acts you’ve worked with over the course of your career. Employers will be much more interested in seeing a high-profile musician you’ve performed with than reading about you setting up and breaking down sound equipment. Unlike other resume styles, names often play the most significant role in whether or not you secure your next big opportunity. This professional profile is effective because the job seeker paints a broad picture of their career while showcasing a variety of musical acts that the hiring manager will likely recognize:

2. Identify the optimal format

Identifying the optimal format for your entertainment resume will help you to enhance the presentation of your professional achievements. Contrary to most types of resumes, there are situations where bullet points are unnecessary. For example, actors and actresses are better served by using a format that highlights the titles of their productions and roles because this is the information that will be most pertinent to the casting director. It’s also important to include the names of the theaters and production companies, as a Broadway theater performance will be much more likely to garner attention than a smaller independent venue. In the example below, the actress has effectively organized their strongest professional achievements across theater, television, and film:

3. Showcase awards and recognitions

Casting directors and production companies will be highly interested in seeing any awards you’ve achieved or been nominated for across your career. This can be done by creating an award section, but there are also opportunities to showcase your nominations within your bullet points if your resume style allows for it. In the example below, you’ll find a film director providing valuable context and insights for a documentary they directed. This bullet is effective because it paints a clear picture of the project and draws attention to a Sundance Award nomination, which will be sure to resonate with industry professionals.

Key Skills Hiring Managers Look for on Entertainment Resumes

Although it’s unlikely that companies within the entertainment space will rely on Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to identify top talent, it’s still important to feature relevant industry skills to showcase your expertise to the reader. As an actor or actress, you may want to include that you follow a character acting method approach to your performances. If you’re a filmmaker, you may want to mention your expertise in narrative storytelling or the type of film you specialize in. Below, you’ll find a list of industry terms that you may want to consider featuring in your document:

Common Action Verbs for Entertainment Resumes

Not all entertainment resumes require action verbs to showcase your professional achievements, but those who do will find that their options are limited compared to other fields. Using a mix of verbiage can help keep your content fresh, as overusing a specific verb may cause your content to feel redundant to the reader. That being said, there are certain situations where this is unavoidable. For example, if you’re a filmmaker, you’ll likely be opening most of your bullet points with “directed” because using an alternative might cloud the meaning of your sentence and waste the reader’s time learning about your film. Below, you’ll find a list of action verbs to aid you in creating your bullet point content:

How to Align Your Entertainment Resume With the Job Description

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary within the entertainment industry was $61,100 in 2021. This field is extremely broad, and compensation can vary significantly according to your occupation, as will the style of the resume itself. For example, an actress or film director’s resume will look much different from a professional DJ’s, although these jobs fall under the same industry. Employers within the entertainment space will be carefully evaluating your professional portfolio. While this will likely determine whether or not you receive an interview or casting call, the resume can serve as a helpful complementary piece that delivers additional insights into your background and achievements.

Aligning your resume with the job description can go a long way in differentiating yourself from the competition. The problem is, it can often be more challenging to identify the needs of a production company or a casting director compared to other types of industries. In the case of a professional DJ, it’s likely that they’ll have a more straightforward job posting to draw from, as audio mixing and event management skills are all important for this type of role. The question is, how does one align their resume for the acting and film sectors of the entertainment industry?

When evaluating a casting call, you should pay close attention to any specific requirements that the director lists. If they’re seeking a soprano for a leading role, you should be sure to emphasize your vocal range and a performance that aligns with those needs. If a production company is seeking a director for a commercial, you’ll want to highlight that aspect of your directorial experience at the top of your resume. By tailoring your resume to each individual opportunity, you’ll maximize your chances of securing your next interview or audition.