Acting Resume Example
If you're hoping to start a career as an actor, you'll need experience in collaborating with directors and memorizing script lines. To succeed in your applications for actor roles, you'll need a resume that reflects your relevant skills and experience. In this article, we'll explain how to write a winning resume for actor applications that best showcases your skills and experience.
After reading this article, you'll feel confident creating an acting resume that effectively showcases your relevant skills and experience. You'll learn how to show employers you've got the relevant qualities, skills and experience for the job, all presented in a format that employers prefer to see. The article also includes tips for formatting your resume according to your experience and strengths. Continue reading to discover how to showcase your creative skills in your resume, with tips from careers experts from Jobseeker.
What to include in an acting resume
The key sections to include in an acting resume are similar to those for any role or profession.
The order you present these sections can vary according to your career stage, but it's still essential to include each of the following:
Resume Header
Your acting resume header should contain your name and contact details. These include your email address and phone number. If you have a LinkedIn profile, you can also add that, to give employers the chance to learn more about your skills and experience. It's not necessary to include a photo or any other personal information. Make your resume header clear, concise and as brief and compact as possible. Consider different layouts that spread the information horizontally across the page rather than using a different line for each piece of information.
Opt for a professional-looking email address based on your name. If your email address could be construed as unprofessional or inappropriate because it contains nicknames or unsuitable language, create a new, more professional email address for your job applications. Always check your contact details to make sure they're up-to-date before you send your resume.
Grace Ramos
grace.ramos@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
308 Negra Arroyo Lane, Albuquerque, NM
linkedin․com/in/grace–ramos123
Resume Summary
Your resume personal profile is a short, concise paragraph to highlight two or three key skills and achievements in actor roles. You may also see this section named as 'resume summary' or 'resume objective'. Resume summaries tend to focus on your career experience, while resume objectives cover your ambitions and plans for the future. Always make sure your summary reflects the job description and highlights some of the key skills required for actor roles.
Alternatively, you could use this section to reference your objectives and ambitions, and how this role would fit into your career journey.
A good resume summary is short and snappy, and focused on the skills and experience listed in the job description, with evidence to back it up. It will also help the reader to form their first impressions of you by providing an insight into your personality and unique qualities. Take a look at some strong examples of how to approach a acting resume summary in the graphic below.
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting with extensive experience as a Film and Television Actor, demonstrating a strong background in performance, character development, and on-screen presence
Involved in acting with a background in arts education. Worked in areas related to film and TV, focusing on acting and developing characters. Have experience being in front of the camera and working on performance skills
On the other hand, a resume summary can be ineffective if it lacks specific information about how your skills align with the job description, or fails to paint a picture of your unique qualities and talents. See above for some examples of things to avoid when writing your acting resume summary.
Employment History
Under your work experience section, add any jobs you've had in the past that are relevant to the position of an actor. For each entry, list the job title, the name of the employer, its location and the dates you worked there. Add each job in reverse-chronological order, starting with your current or most recent role.
In addition, include a few bullet points under each job, highlighting your key achievements so the hiring manager can see how they led to successful outcomes. Back up each point with evidence to show how you meet the job description.
An effective resume work experience section is one that constantly echoes the skills and experience listed in the job description, and shows how you used your skills to positive effect in each job. Each bullet point should be carefully crafted to showcase a particular skill or achievement relevant to actor jobs, with evidence to show the value you added. Review some strong examples of resume work experience sections in the graphic below.
Film and Television Actor, January 2022 - Present
Starlight Productions, Gilbert
- Starred in the Academy Award-winning film "Eternal Horizon," earning global critical acclaim and a Best Actor nomination
- Won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for "Shadow Realm.
- Received a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor in the blockbuster series "Empire of Lights.
Film and Television Actor, January 2022 - Present
Starlight Productions, Gilbert
- Participated in various successful film and television projects, gaining recognition and praise from industry professionals
- Contributed to the success of numerous productions, showcasing versatility and dedication in diverse roles
- Engaged in collaborative efforts with esteemed directors and actors, enhancing overall project quality and audience reception
In the graphic above you can see a great example of what to avoid when writing your resume work experience section. A bad resume work experience section might fail to address skills and achievements that relate directly to the job description. Falling back on clichés, vague descriptions and basic responsibilities, rather than showing the impact you made, is likely to disengage the reader.
Portfolio and Work Samples
Any examples of your work as an actor will help the hiring manager to assess your suitability for actor jobs. If you have a portfolio or personal website, include a link to it here.
Including a portfolio with evidence of your previous work is most effective for creative roles. You could add a link to a standalone website or portfolio in your resume header, or create a separate section with links to published work. Conversely, you might work in a non-creative sector but still have work published online that's worth showcasing. Include links to that work in this section.
Education
Under education, add details of any degrees or professional qualifications relevant to actor roles.
Typically, working as an actor requires a university or college degree, which you'll need to list on your resume. If you're working in this sector, it's usually a good idea to highlight your Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting degree or other relevant qualifications. Focus on qualifications that showcase your stage combat training or voice modulation techniques.
List your relevant qualifications in reverse-chronological order. Add the name and level of the award, the institution, its location (if this isn't obvious from the name) and your dates of study. Include bullet points to show any specialist modules you studied, awards or exceptional grades and achievements that can set you apart from other candidates. These will all contribute to creating a positive impression on employers.
Additionally, mentioning any leadership roles or any societies and clubs you participated in while studying shows proactivity and initiative.
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting, 2017 - 2020
Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Hard and Soft Skills
The skills section of an actress resume is a chance to list any skills you have that match those of the job description. You could include memorization of scripts, adaptability and flexibility or any other skills that show you're a suitable candidate. Again, refer to the job description and make sure you include skills that the employer has listed as essential or desirable for employment as an actor.
Showcasing hard skills on your acting resume
Hard skills are specific skills related to the job you're applying for. They include particular abilities, technical skills and industry knowledge that relate directly to jobs as an actor. Furthermore, your list of hard skills provides a strong indication to the reader of your expertise in actor roles, and how well you'll fit into the position. Include around four or five key hard skills that are listed in the job description. These skills will help to convince the hiring manager that you're a good fit for the position.
The best resume hard skills sections focus on specific technical skills necessary for the job, showcasing skills that you have particular expertise in. There are some examples of valuable hard skills for an acting resume below.
- Stage combat training
- Voice modulation techniques
- Memorization of scripts
Showcasing your best soft skills
In your list of soft skills, add any personal strengths, qualities or transferable skills that make you a good fit for the job. Soft skills are often less specific to different industries, but that doesn't make them any less important. Indeed, without soft skills, you may struggle to adapt to actor roles or meet the standards expected of you. So make sure you include several key soft skills on your resume. In this section, add four of five transferable skills that match the job description.
A good soft skills section would include skills that match the job description, and also reflect your key strengths and qualities. See the graphic below for an indication of what to include in a strong soft skills section for an acting resume.
- Emotional intelligence (EI)
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Effective communication skills
Expert Tip:
Tailor your creative resume to emphasize your expertise in specialized techniques, such as 3D printing for sculpture or digital animation for film. (1) Include a portfolio link with detailed examples that demonstrate your process and the finished product. (2)
Certifications and Training
Under certifications and licenses, add any further qualifications that show you're a good fit for the job. These might be licenses that show you're qualified to operate certain equipment, or certifications that give you the edge over candidates with otherwise similar career history. Therefore, include the details of any licenses and professional certifications required for actor roles, along with completion dates so employers can see you're up-to-date.
Review the list below for some suitable certifications for an acting resume:
- Meisner Technique Certification, 2022
- SAG-AFTRA Membership, 2022
- RADA Acting Diploma, 2022
Optional Sections
In addition to the core sections of an actress resume, there are several optional sections you could include to enhance your chances. Choose any optional sections that showcase essential or desirable skills or experience for actor jobs.
Personal Interests
Add any hobbies and interests that reinforce your credentials for the position. Hobbies can help you show different sides of your personality and make your resume more memorable to hiring managers. They're ideal to include if you're a junior candidate who might lack real world actor experience. Don't include hobbies and interests in your resume unless they showcase a specific interest or aspect of your personality. You'll want them to add something to your application that you can't add elsewhere.
Volunteering
Adding voluntary roles can be a useful way of showing relevant experience and skills for actor roles beyond your main employment history. Add any voluntary roles, including your position, the name of the organization, the dates of your voluntary work and a brief explanation of your responsibilities and achievements.
References
It's not typical to include references in an acting resume, but some employers might ask for them. Don't add references unless requested by the employer. Be sure to prepare your referees in advance, so they've agreed to provide a reference and are ready to be contacted.
References will be available upon request.
Best action words for your acting resume
Start each bullet point in your work experience section with a strong verb to show actions you took. Choose verbs from the suggestions below that highlight your key skills or those mentioned in the job description.
- Performed
- Portrayed
- Interpreted
- Embodied
- Enacted
- Represented
- Depicted
- Dramatized
- Characterized
- Improvised
If you need help creating a resume that impresses HR managers, take a look at Jobseeker's professional resume templates. You can also access beautiful cover letter templates that help your application stand out.
Sample resume for actor positions
The acting resume example below incorporates all the information from above into a full-designed resume template, so you can see how a final resume will look:
308 Negra Arroyo Lane, Albuquerque, NM
•
grace.ramos@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/grace–ramos123
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting with extensive experience as a Professional Actor, demonstrating a strong commitment to theatrical excellence, versatility in various roles, and a proven track record of successful performances in stage and screen productions.
Professional Actor
2020
-2022
Stellar Talent Agency (Aurora)
- Nominated for Best Actor at the 2022 Academy Awards for the role in "The Great Escape.
- Starred in the critically acclaimed Broadway production "Hamilton," receiving rave reviews from The New York Times
- Featured in the Emmy-winning TV series "Breaking Boundaries," contributing to its record-breaking viewership and critical acclaim
Stage combat training
Voice modulation techniques
Memorization of scripts
Emotional intelligence (EI)
Adaptability and flexibility
Effective communication skills
Meisner Technique Certification
SAG-AFTRA Membership
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Quick tips for an actress resume
- Include key skills throughout your resume that reflect the job description, and include a dedicated skills section.
- Reference your key qualifications and educational achievements, including grades if these help you stand out from other candidates.
- Choose a resume format that's clear, professional and makes your resume as readable as possible. Pay particular attention to the font, line spacing, heading and margins to make your document as easy-to-read as possible for employers.
- Use strong verbs to help show the actions you've taken in different actor roles (e.g. characterized, improvised, performed).
- List your relevant work experience in reverse-chronological order, starting with your current or most recent job.
- Don't use passive language because it can switch off the reader. Adapt phrases like 'the work was completed' to 'I completed the work'.
- Don't include hobbies unless they help you prove a skill or experience that's necessary for the job.
- Don't lie or exaggerate the details of your actor career or education, as this can backfire later in the recruitment process.
- Don't forget to keep your contact information up to date, to ensure the employer can contact you if necessary.
- Don't add work experience that's unrelated to the role you're applying for, as it isn't likely to help your chances of success.
Guide to making your resume ATS-friendly
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are one of the key ways recruiters and employers manage the hiring process. The systems can screen candidates by scanning and ranking resumes based on each candidate's likely suitability for the vacancy. When you're writing your acting resume, there are several things you can do to make sure your resume stands the best chance of passing the ATS stage.
Follow these simple rules when writing your resume, to make sure it's ATS compliant:
- Use a traditional resume layout, such as a reverse-chronological or functional format. This will mean your resume includes all the necessary sections, in the expected order.
- Add keywords throughout your resume that help ATS software match your application to the job description. A higher match means your application is more likely to proceed to be reviewed by human eyes.
- Include clear headings that make it easy to identify each section of your resume. This will help any ATS software navigate your resume during the scanning process.
- Utilize a clean, clear resume design that helps make your content more readable. Use simple fonts and subtle color accents and design elements that don't detract from the written content.
- Make sure your resume is as concise as possible, so ATS applications can easily scan and identify the required details.
If you're looking for inspiration for your resume, discover our comprehensive resume examples and in-depth, expert career blog.
Frequently Asked Questions about an actress resume
Most of the time it's not recommended to add a personal photo to your resume. Resume photos can help to create a visually appealing document, but they can also introduce selection biases, whether intentional or not.
If you're applying for a creative role that requires you to make public appearances or be captured on camera, these are situations where a personal photo can benefit your resume. Roles that include acting, modelling, presenting, meeting clients or public speaking may all require a personal photo.
As well as writing a professional acting resume, you'll need a cover letter to introduce yourself and emphasize your credentials.
Before you write your cover letter, think about whether you need a formal, professional letter or if a brief, less formal email might be more suitable.
A full, formal cover letter follows a traditional letter-writing structure and format. Add your header, the recipient's address an use professional greetings and sign-offs. In your first paragraph, introduce yourself and confirm the role you're applying for, along with your reasons for applying. Next, outline your key skills and achievements that are most relevant to the actor job description. Finish by expressing your enthusiasm for the role and adding a call to action to encourage the hiring manager to contact you for further information.
For help creating an eye-catching cover letter that impresses recruiters and hiring managers, use Jobseeker's professional cover letter templates.
Even if you have little or no relevant work experience, it's still possible to write an actress resume that makes a strong impression on employers. Select a resume format that emphasizes your skills and education over your work experience, such as a functional format. Optional sections at the end of your resume can play a stronger role if you're lacking relevant work experience. Use certifications and training, hobbies and interests, volunteer roles and internships to show you've got the necessary skills for the job.
Selecting a font for your resume helps to set the tone for your document, and is one of the most important design decisions you'll have to make. The key choice is whether to select a serif or sans serif font, and to decide which is the most suitable font size. Typically a font size between 10 and 12 is most readable. For creative roles, sans serif typefaces tend to be more popular, owing to their simple, modern, dynamic characteristics. As such, when writing your acting resume, it's worth considering a font from this group.
The best format for your resume depends on two key factors. Firstly, the amount of relevant work experience you have. Secondly, the type of role and its level of seniority. For applicants without much relevant work experience, a functional resume format tends to be best. This places the emphasis on your key skills and relevant qualifications. Once you have some relevant work experience, and for senior positions, a reverse chronological resume format is typically best. This emphasizes your work experience, which will probably be the key thing employers want to know about.
Key takeaways for your acting resume
Writing a strong, impactful resume is about using your experience to demonstrate your relevant skills and achievements. You can do this through your work history or other resume sections. Pick a resume format that matches your experience levels, and tailor the content of your resume to reflect the details of the job description.
Remember, Jobseeker resume templates and other tools make it easy to create a resume and cover letter that leaves a positive impression on hiring managers. Sign up now to start building your perfect resume. To make the best possible impression with your applications, write a cover letter with the help of Jobseeker. You can also find plenty of expert-designed cover letter examples for inspiration.
Sources:
(1) Careers for creative people, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/creative-careers.htm
(2) Occupational Outlook Handbook, Craft and Fine Arts, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/craft-and-fine-artists.htm
