YOUR RESUME CAN MAKE OR BREAK YOU!
Resumes are the path to employment for many new graduates, and being able to put together a solid one will definitely help you land your first job after graduation. You’ll need to list your relevant education, any notable accomplishments related to the position you’re applying for, and your best relevant skills. It also never hurts to have a few references that can vouch for your skills and character!
WRITING A FILM RESUME THE RIGHT WAY
Some people will tell you that you don’t need a resume to get a job in the film and video industry. It’s true that on occasion, you won’t. Someone may take you at your word when you speak of your talent and experience, but don’t count on getting to deal with those people often, especially if you’re applying for a job at a large studio. With larger corporations you’re likely to be dealing with Human Resources, and they speak the language of the resume.
We’ve put together a list of useful Film School Tips for you to use when putting together your resumes for your first job or internship hunt:
- Do Your Research – Actually research the company you want to work for and reference what you have learned in your cover letter. This shows you’ve done your homework and care about the company as well as yourself.
- Don’t Use Form Letters – Just don’t. No one likes them, they’re terrible representations of actual human beings, and they make you look incredibly lazy. A few paragraphs with personality will open many doors.
- K.I.S.S. – Standing for “Keep It Simple Stupid” or more politely “Keep It Short & Sweet,” this should be the guiding light for your cover letter and resumes. Don’t waste your time or the time of the hiring manager by adding in a bunch of stuff that they’re not going to care about or need to know in order to hire you.
- Write a Variety of Resumes – If you’re going to be applying to different film positions with different companies, create a resume that is geared towards each type of position you’re applying for, and then a cover letter that is unique to every job you are interested in.
- Make It Look Good – No one wants to read something ugly! Something that’s sloppily thrown together shows a lack of respect for both yourself and the person who will be reading your application.
- Put Some Personality In It – Place your quirks with care, but make sure to add a few to your resumes. Most people put them near the end, as a little surprise for the person reading them. If you show that you have a life outside of film, it might make you more interesting and help get you a shot at an in-person interview.
- Always Follow Up – If you don’t receive a call back after submitting your application, give the company a call. Obviously you need to wait a little while to ensure someone has had time to read what you’ve submitted! Showing continued interest is important and can often land you an interview because you’ve shown initiative beyond a simple application.
Finally, consider the person who is likely to be reading a mountain of resumes for each and every position that their company needs to fill. Can you imagine the stress they’re under? Try to think of how you would react if you were in their shoes, and use this insight to put together your resume(s) and cover letter(s) – if it’s not short, to the point, relevant, and genuine, it’s not going to get a second look. Follow the advice from our quick tips and put yourself a cut above the rest!
STILL NEED MORE HELP?
At F.I.R.S.T. Institute, we pride ourselves on equipping our students with the tools they need to be successful after graduation. This includes courses designed to help them create resumes and cover letters that will serve them well when applying to their first jobs in the industry! And of course we also provide hands-on instruction from leading industry professionals using cutting-edge industry-standard technology.
To learn more, please give us a call, or get in touch with us through our website!
