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Looking to break into the film and TV industry? A well-crafted resume is your key to getting that first interview. Whether you’re applying for a production assistant job or aiming for more senior roles, your resume is the first impression you make. It’s not about showing off every little thing you’ve done; it’s about tailoring your experience to match what employers are looking for.

The film and TV world is highly competitive, so standing out is crucial. But don’t worry—this guide will help you design a resume that gets noticed by both HR bots and actual hiring managers.

Key Factors to Consider Before Writing Your Resume

Understanding the Goal of Your Resume

Here’s the deal: your resume isn’t going to get you a job on its own. Its main purpose is to land you an interview. This means you need to focus on showcasing your skills and experience in a concise, easy-to-read format. Think of your resume as a snapshot of what you bring to the table, not your entire life story.

Why Keywords and Bots Matter

If you’re applying online, your resume will likely go through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) before a human even looks at it. These systems match the words on your resume with keywords from the job description. If there aren’t enough matches, your application might never make it to a recruiter’s desk.

Using tools like Jobscan can help you optimise your resume for ATS. Copy-paste the job description into the tool along with your resume, and it’ll point out keywords you might be missing. It’s a simple way to improve your chances of getting noticed.

Who’s Reading Your Resume?

Once your resume gets past the ATS, it’ll land in the hands of a human—either a recruiter or a hiring manager. Some people love creative resumes with unique layouts, while others prefer straightforward designs. This means there’s no “one-size-fits-all” answer. What matters most is readability and relevance.

Designing and Structuring Your Resume

What Does a Good Production Resume Look Like?

Your resume should be easy to read at a glance. Keep the layout clean and professional. Stick with simple fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica, and avoid anything too fancy. For font size, aim for something between 10–12 points, and make sure your headings stand out.

A well-organised film/TV production resume typically includes:

• Contact information
• Work experience
• Education
• Skills
• Optional sections like hobbies, awards, or affiliations

Creative vs Traditional Resumes

Should you go with a traditional resume or something a bit more creative? It depends.

• Creative resumes might include colours, icons, or unique layouts. These can work well for roles in more creative environments, but avoid overdoing it.
• Traditional resumes focus on text and simplicity. They’re best for more corporate settings or larger studios where readability is key.

For most production jobs, keep it clean and professional with just a touch of personality.

Should You Use Colours or Visual Elements?

Adding a hint of colour can make your resume pop, but don’t go overboard. Use colour sparingly for headings or section dividers. Bright, flashy colours can be distracting, so stick with subtle shades like blue or grey.

As for photos or graphics, use them only if the job description explicitly allows it. Many hiring managers prefer simple, text-based resumes.

What to Include in Your Resume

Contact Information

At the very top, include your full name, phone number, and professional email address. If you have a LinkedIn profile or a personal portfolio, include those links too. Skip irrelevant details like your home address unless it’s specifically required.

Work Experience

This is the heart of your resume, and there’s more than one way to format it:

1. Credit-based resumes work like an acting CV. List the project name, your role, the director or producer, and the production company. These are great if you have significant credits to show off.
2. Detailed resumes explain your responsibilities. For example:

   Production Assistant, ABC Studios
   January–March 2022

   • Managed petty cash and reconciled expenses
   • Coordinated call sheets and daily schedules
   • Assisted with video village setup for directors

The detailed format gives hiring managers a clearer idea of your skills. Both types of resumes can work—it’s just about what makes the most sense for your experience.

Listing Skills

Include a dedicated skills section to highlight both technical and interpersonal abilities. These might include:

• Familiarity with software like Adobe Premiere, Final Draft, or Movie Magic
• Equipment handling (e.g., cameras, lighting, or audio)
• Soft skills like communication, organisation, or leadership

Be sure to include keywords from the job description to improve your ATS match rate.

Education

Your education section should list your degrees, institutions, and graduation dates. If you’re a recent graduate, include relevant coursework or student films. If you’ve been in the industry for a while, just keep it brief.

Optional Sections

Think about adding these sections if they’re relevant:

• Hobbies or extracurriculars: Great for recent grads or to show off personality.
• Awards and certifications: Include anything industry-related, like film festival awards or software certifications.
• Volunteering and affiliations: If you worked on charity projects or are part of organisations like Women in Film or BAFTA, include them.

Tailoring Your Resume to the Job

What If You Don’t Have Production Experience?

If you’re new to the industry, don’t panic. Many entry-level jobs value transferable skills over direct experience. For example:

• Retail or food service jobs show teamwork, customer service, and the ability to work under pressure.
• Volunteer work or personal projects demonstrate initiative.

List out tasks that overlap with production work, like managing deadlines or handling money. Everyone starts somewhere, and employers are used to seeing non-industry roles on beginner resumes.

Using Keywords to Beat the Bots

When tailoring your resume for online applications, make sure it matches the job description as closely as possible. Focus on keywords. If the job description mentions “scheduling”, “script handling”, or “location scouting”, make sure those words appear on your resume too (assuming they’re accurate).

The Power of Feedback

Before you submit, have at least one other person look at your resume. A fresh pair of eyes can catch things you might’ve missed, from typos to formatting issues. Whether it’s a friend, colleague, or mentor, their input can make a huge difference.

Final Tips for a Strong Resume

• Stick to one page: Especially for entry-level roles.
• Use action verbs: Start your bullet points with words like “coordinated,” “led,” or “assisted”.
• Proofread: Use tools like Grammarly or Hemingway, but also check it manually for errors.
• Tailor each application: A generic resume won’t stand out.
• Save as a PDF: Unless specified otherwise, PDFs preserve formatting.

Creating a film and TV production resume can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Focus on showing off your relevant skills, tailoring your resume for each job, and keeping it professional yet personal. Whether you’re starting fresh or looking to level up, your resume is your first step towards the job you want.

Remember, no one’s expecting it to be perfect. Just keep improving and learning with each application. Good luck, and don’t forget to keep pushing forward!