Friday, September 25, 2009

TEN MISTAKES FILM GRADUATES MAKE ON THEIR RESUMES













1. Their name is too small and they don't include their address. Your name should be no less than a 20 pt font.

2. Using fancy, hard to read fonts. Only use Ariel, New Times Roman, or another clear, legible font.

3. Over designing their resume with graphics, photos, and eye-annoying clip art.

4. Not including qualifications and scanable words like “Experienced”, “Skilled’, and “Knowledgeable”. For example, if you wanted to be a DP one day, then your qualifications should read:

a. Experienced Assistant Camera Op familiar with cleaning and mounting lenses, setting up HD and Film cameras, and cabling monitors.

b. Skilled Camera Department PA with proven knowledge about camera department protocol, equipment, and expectations.

c. Knowledgeable about HD cameras and Film Cameras including the HVX900, the Arri 535, etc (fill in the gear you know and be specific).

d. Team player willing to work nights, weekends, and holidays.

e. Possesses current passport (if applicable).

5. They try to pass off student experience as professional experience. UPMs, Producers, and department heads see right through that. Don’t do it. Create a section on your resume that is called “Student Productions” and detail your student experience there.

6. Not including a chronological resume that includes the month and year.

7. Adding an “objective”. The “objective” is to get a job. Don’t do it!

8. Adding “references available upon request”. Really? Are you sure? Trust me, you’re wasting valuable resume page space with this. Any good employer will want to get references from you. Bring them to the interview.

9. Applying for jobs out of state when you don’t live there! No one will call you. Apply for jobs in a state in which you have a genuine residence.

10. Not including non-industry work near the bottom of your resume. You’re fresh out school, starting out, and employers do look at the “Night Shift Manger” job you had before film school at Wal-Mart. It shows you got promoted, can lead, can punch a time clock, can work with a team, and you were given responsibilities. The same goes for military experience. I have always hired someone from the military. If you were trained in the military, production will be no problem for you.

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