How To Write a Model Resume
Pursuing a career in modeling comes with a number of unique challenges and obstacles. You’ll need to build the right contacts and connections to navigate the industry effectively. Unlike most positions, more weight is placed on your portfolio than your resume. Even so, you should still develop a strong marketing document that provides context for your professional accomplishments and helps the hiring manager become familiar with your portfolio. Throughout this guide, we’ll provide valuable tips to help you translate your modeling career into a powerful resume.
1. Write a compelling profile summarizing your qualifications
Crafting a strong opening summary is essential for grabbing the attention of potential employers. One of the most important aspects of the profile is showcasing the different clothing brands you’ve modeled for. You should also mention any prominent publications or commercials you’ve appeared in. This will complement your modeling portfolio and provide hiring agencies with additional context for your photoshoots. You should also provide a list of your physical attributes in a separate section below the profile.
Senior-Level Profile Example
Profile
A professional model with 10+ years of experience specializing in fashion modeling, runway modeling, commercials, and acting. A proven track record of serving as a leading model for high-end fashion brands, including Gucci and Victoria’s Secret.
Physical Attributes
- Height: 1.80M
- Chest in CM: 80
- Waist in CM: 60
- Hip in CM: 80
- Weight: 135 Pounds
- Hazel Eyes
- Blond Hair
Entry-Level Profile Example
Profile
A professional model with entry-level experience specializing in photo shoots, fashion modeling, communication, and print modeling. Adept at collaborating with agencies to produce promotional videos and photos for leading fashion brands, including Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren.
Physical Attributes
- Height: 1.82M
- Chest in CM: 100
- Waist in CM: 80
- Hip in CM: 100
- Weight: 159 Pounds
- Blue Eyes
- Brown Hair
2. Add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section
Creating an accomplishment-driven professional experience section is a key aspect of the resume-building process. Incorporating hard numbers is one strategy to strengthen the impact of your bullet points. Although monetary figures and metrics will be less relevant for a fashion model resume, there are opportunities to quantify your achievements. For example, disclosing the number of photo shoots, runway shows, or video shoots you appeared in will help to paint a clearer picture of your professional experience for the reader.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example
Professional Experience
Model, Manhattan Fashion Agency, New York, NY
January 2016 – Present
- Serve as a runway model and showstopper at over 100+ events to support product launches for leading brands, including Gucci, Victoria’s Secret, and Prada
- Deliver modeling services for over 120+ photoshoots and appear on the cover of various fashion magazines, including Cosmopolitan and Vogue
- Act in 25+ commercials for the introduction of new clothing lines and appear in a promotional video for David’s Bridal advertising services
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
Professional Experience
Model, South Philly Fashion Agency, Philadelphia, PA
June 2021 – Present
- Conduct 30+ photoshoots as a male model for various fashion brands, including Levi’s, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, and Patagonia
- Complete three video shoots for a new high-end male clothing line for Ralph Lauren, including a promotional video featuring a fictional wedding reception
- Act in 10+ advertisements and commercials, memorize scripts, collaborate with other actors and actresses, and bring emotion and energy to shoots
- Coordinate with photographers and videographers during shoots to deliver high-energy visual assets for clothing brands
3. Include relevant education and training courses
Unlike other careers, models don’t have any formal education requirements. If you’re trying to break into the field, you may want to consider pursuing a certification or completing a training course to prepare yourself for photo shoots and runway shows. International Open Academy and Master Model Course both offer a variety of programs you can complete to give yourself a boost at the entry level.
Training Courses
Template: [Course Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Examples:
- Runway Modeling Course, Master Model Course, 2023
- Print Modeling Course, Master Model Course, 2023
Education
Template:
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] [Dates Enrolled]
Example:
- High School Diploma
- BOSTON CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL, Boston, MA September 2019 – June 2023
4. List relevant key skills and proficiencies
Although agencies are more likely to hire you based on your portfolio, you still need to tailor your resume to the organization’s needs to secure interviews. Even fashion agencies sometimes utilize Applicant Tracking Systems to identify modeling candidates, so you must incorporate keywords that match the job description into your document. Below, you’ll find a list of skills and key terms you may encounter during the job search:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Acting | Client Relations |
| Commercials | Communication |
| Brand Marketing | Brand Representative |
| Editorial Shoots | Fashion Modeling |
| Fashion Shows | Feet Modeling |
| Hand Modeling | Modeling |
| Modern Dance | Photo Shoots |
| Product Marketing | Promotional Videos |
| Print Modeling | Runway Modeling |
| Runway Shows | Social Media Marketing |
| Video Shoots | |
How To Pick the Best Model Resume Template
Identifying the ideal resume template for your personal brand can be overwhelming due to the wide variety of options available. As a model, you can choose a unique template that features a headshot or prioritizes visual appeal. You will provide photographs separately, so you don’t want to incorporate an image that will negatively impact your formatting. Remember, the resume is a tool to complement your portfolio, so you should select a template that emphasizes your modeling experience and achievements.
Model Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
Years of Experience
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
Jake Townsend
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Your Street, Philadelphia, PA 12345
Profile
A professional Model with entry-level experience specializing in photo shoots, fashion modeling, communication, and print modeling. Adept at collaborating with agencies to produce promotional videos and photos for leading fashion brands, including Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren.
Physical Attributes
- Height: 1.82M
- Chest in CM: 100
- Waist in CM: 80
- Hip in CM: 100
- Weight: 159 Pounds
- Blue Eyes
- Brown Hair
Professional Experience
Model, South Philly Fashion Agency, Philadelphia, PA
June 2021 – Present
- Conduct 30+ photo shoots as a male model for various fashion brands, including Levi’s, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, and Patagonia
- Complete three video shoots for a new high-end male clothing line for Ralph Lauren, including a promotional video featuring a fictional wedding reception
- Act in 10+ advertisements and commercials, memorize scripts, collaborate with other actors and actresses, and bring emotion and energy to shoots
- Coordinate with photographers and videographers during shoots to deliver high energy visual assets for clothing brands
Education
High School Diploma
North Philadelphia High School, Philadelphia, PA September 2017 – June 2021
Key Skills
- Modeling
- Photo Shoots
- Commercials
- Video Shoots
- Acting
Julia Santos
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Your Street, Boston, MA 12345
Profile
A professional Model with five years of experience providing fashion modeling services to premier brands, including Louis Vuitton and Anthropologie. Adept at delivering performances in commercials and marketing videos to improve exposure for new clothing lines.
Physical Attributes
- Height: 1.75M
- Chest in CM: 80
- Waist in CM: 60
- Hip in CM: 80
- Weight: 130 Pounds
- Brown Eyes
- Black Hair
Professional Experience
Model, Boston Fashion Agency, Boston, MA
January 2018 – Present
- Perform runway modeling at over 50+ events to showcase new fashion lines from brands such as Zara, Forever 21, Free People, Anthropologie, and Louis Vuitton
- Conduct 60+ photo shoots for coverage on company websites and premiere fashion magazines, including Woman’s Weekly and Fashion Monthly
- Appear in 10 nationally televised commercials for Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, including the release of a new clothing line for Louis Vuitton
Model, Amherst Modeling Services, Amherst, MA
July 2016 – January 2018
- Served as a runway model for 20+ events to introduce new clothing lines for leading fashion brands such as Banana Republic and Louis Vuitton
- Delivered modeling services for over 30+ photo shoots and appeared in 15+ promotional videos to drive exposure for new products and fashion lines
Education
High School Diploma
Amherst High School, Amherst, MA September 2012 – June 2016
Key Skills
- Fashion Modeling
- Modern Dance
- Photo Shoots
- Runway Modeling
- Commercials
Caroline Johnson
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Your Street, New York, NY 12345
Profile
A professional Model with 10+ years of experience specializing in fashion modeling, runway modeling, commercials, and acting. A proven track record of serving as a leading model for high-end fashion brands, including Gucci and Victoria’s Secret.
Physical Attributes
- Height: 1.80M
- Chest in CM: 80
- Waist in CM: 60
- Hip in CM: 80
- Weight: 135 Pounds
- Hazel Eyes
- Blond Hair
Professional Experience
Model, Manhattan Fashion Agency, New York, NY
January 2016 – Present
- Serve as a runway model and showstopper at over 100+ events to support product launches for leading brands, including Gucci, Victoria’s Secret, and Prada
- Deliver modeling services for over 120+ photo shoots and appear on the cover of various fashion magazines, including Cosmopolitan and Vogue
- Act in 25+ commercials for the introduction of new clothing lines and appear in a promotional video for David’s Bridal advertising services
Model, Brooklyn Fashion Agency, New York, NY
July 2011 – January 2016
- Appeared in over 70+ fashion events as a runway model for new clothing products and delivered high energy performances to showcase leading fashion brands, including Victoria’s Secret and Burberry
- Served as a fashion model for over 90+ photo shoots, including online product pages and fashion magazines such as Elle and Allure
Education
High School Diploma
Brooklyn High School, Brooklyn, NY September 2007 – June 2011
Key Skills
- Runway Modeling
- Acting
- Fashion Modeling
- Client Relations
- Commercials
Frequently Asked Questions: Model Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for model resumes?+
It’s easy to find yourself running short on action verbs during the resume-building process, especially as a professional model. There are often only a limited number of verbs you can use to illustrate your modeling experience and achievements. That being said, diversifying your word choice can enhance the reading experience and strengthen your bullet points. Below, you’ll find a list of action verbs you can use to build your professional experience section:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Acted | Appeared |
| Coordinated | Collaborated |
| Communicated | Conducted |
| Delivered | Executed |
| Improved | Led |
| Performed | Provided |
| Served | Supported |
How do you align your resume with a job description?+
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, modeling jobs are expected to grow 9% between 2021 and 2031. However, this only translates into 500 new openings each year, which means you’ll encounter no shortage of competition during the job search. To differentiate yourself from the field of applicants, you’ll want to align your resume with individual job descriptions.
For example, if a fashion company is seeking a model for runway shows, this is the primary experience you’ll want to highlight on your resume. If a magazine is looking for a model to do photo shoots, you should provide tangible examples of your modeling for other publications.
By tailoring your resume to the job description, you’ll greatly increase your odds of landing the interview.
What is the best model resume format?+
Reverse chronological is the ideal format for model resumes. This ensures that your most recent and relevant modeling experience is featured heavily toward the top of your document. It’s best to avoid using a functional resume format. Skill-based approaches don’t allow you to detail your experience properly, and providing context for your portfolio is the primary function of a modeling resume.
Expert Advice: Include a cover letter with your resume
Given the competitive nature of the modeling industry, consider providing a matching cover letter to bolster your application. This allows you to show prospective employers why you’re the ideal candidate. In the middle paragraphs, you should mention something specific about the publication or fashion brand and why this draws you to apply for the role. For more insights, visit our portfolio cover letter guide.
