Let me state up-front that there is really no right or wrong way to create a resume. Just as you, your voice, your talent and your audio delivery are original with you, so should your resume be. It should reflect the parts of your personality, charm, abilities and all things you can offer a prospective client. However, there are some time tested “rules of thumb”, so to speak.
First, KISS. Yep, KISS. I don’t like the word “stupid” usually associated with this acronym so I will say Keep It Simple, Simple. Simple is the operative word here. You should not feel like you need to give your life’s history on your resume. It needs to be clear, concise, to-the-point and most of all, easy to read. In other words, if you have been blessed to have done hundreds of voice over jobs, you don’t need to list them all on your resume.
Second, be relevant. There are two basic types of resumes – chronological and functional. Most “employers” like to receive a chronological resume but it is my humble opinion that for voice over the best to use is the functional. You are not trying to show a work-history as such. You are showing experience and skills.
Third, keep everything on one page. Name, address, and contact info at the top in bold type.
Fourth, proofread. Even though you are are not applying for a secretarial job here, you still must make sure that your resume is free of typographical and grammatical errors. I might also add that this should be applied to your web site. One of the greatest turnoffs to a website visitor of any kind is to see typos and words errors.
Fifth, skip the ‘objectives’ part. IMHO, everybody knows what you want to do. You want to record your voice and get paid. You are not trying to climb the corporate ladder and become CEO of your client’s company one day. Save that space for more important items related to voice overs.
Sixth, list any experience you have in creative industries other than voice over. Have you performed in stage plays? Are you a singer, musician, dancer or other type of performer? Have you done Improv? Any experience in the creative arts should impress even the most novice of clients because they will recognize your ability to perform. And that is exactly what you will be doing when you provide voice over services for them. Create a separate section for each category such a Stage, Movies, Commercials, Audiobooks, Music, etc.
Finally, have you developed your brand? Your brand is your commitment to clients. Although your name is part of your brand, it is not the brand. Although your logo is part of your brand, it is not your brand. Your “slogan” is a part of your brand but it is not your brand.
Your brand is your promise.
So, before you write your resume you should create your brand. Decide on exactly what you promise to deliver. It is from there that you incorporate all the elements of your over product. Color schemes, logos, designs, etc. All joining together like pieces of a puzzle to create a one-of-a-kind landscape called YOU. I might suggest that the very first thing you should do before you start marketing of any kind is to develop your brand. That is the road map you will use to travel the path ahead.
Incorporate all of those elements into your resume to present a well-organized and thought out product. And make sure you have your resume in digital format. PDF is best.
Creating a good resume is not rocket science. Remember these words: Simple. True. Concise.
If you do that, you will impress.
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Bill Brooks is a 40+ year voice over veteran and provides voice over services to clients all over the world. He appears regularly in theatrical stage productions in the Dalls/Fort Worth area and is serving his second year as President of the Executive Board at Artisan Center Theater in Hurst, TX.
