Having a résumé handy is always a good idea. Do you have one for your voiceover career? Do you know what you should include on a voice actor résumé? When it comes to having a résumé to highlight your voiceover skills, there are two schools of thought. One is that you don’t need one, no one will ever ask for it. The other is that you need a voiceover résumé because a client or agent might ask for it. My opinion? Why not be prepared?
Keep in mind that you’re not creating a boring résumé of yesteryear. You’re creating a document to highlight your acting background and training as well as any other experiences that have helped you become the voiceover actor you are today. Make your résumé eye-catching, easy-to-read, and organized. Consider using an online platform that has ready-made templates you can use as a guide. Try to keep your information to one page. Don’t worry about telling a story, just be factual. If you work in other entertainment areas such as musical theater, stage acting, on-camera, singing, improv, etc., you can also highlight those areas of expertise on your résumé.
Along with all of this, there are a few specific things you should think about adding. Here are 14 things to consider including on your résumé.
1. Name and contact information
Make sure you include your name, title, your business name if you have one, your address, email address, phone number, and website URL. Make it as easy as possible for people to contact you. I suggest putting your logo and name at the top and add the rest at the bottom. Ultimately, it’s up to your personal design preference though.
2. Logo or branding aspects
Keep things consistent by using the same branding and logo that you share across all media.
3. Union status
That way, at-a-glance, your reader will know if you’re a good fit for their project depending on union status.
4. Photo or collage
In today’s world, clients want to see who they’re working with to forge a personal working relationship. You can highlight that fresh new voiceover headshot or add a small collage of photos. No matter what, make sure they look professional and try not to go overboard.
5. Your genres
By making your genre clear, you’ll help the reader delineate your services. If you specialize in commercial, e-learning, and audiobooks, highlight those areas.
6. Your representation and their contact information
If you flow all of your work through your agent or rep, be sure that the reader knows how to contact them directly. Also, add information about how to check with your agent regarding conflicts.
How To Become a Voice Actor7. Voiceover credits
Line them out into categories, i.e., commercials, promos, audiobooks, video games, radio imaging, etc. It’s fine to add the title of the job, the client, and the type of role you played. You can also add information about where the spots aired, national or regional.
8. Your studio equipment
Let them know about your microphone, DAW, and interface or leave it off, it’s you’re choice. If you decide to leave this information off, let your reader know that you have a professional home studio if applicable.
9. Your connection services and equipment
Source-Connect, ipDTL, ISDN, etc. Being easy to connect with for a directed session is paramount. Having the paid version of Source-Connect is standard in today’s business, so be sure to clarify if you use Source-Connect Now versus the paid version. Some producers would also like to know what type of home studio equipment you’re working with, so as I mentioned above, you can consider adding it in.
10. Coaching and training that you’ve completed
You can separate them into groups like voiceover, acting or improv, vocal and dance training, musical theater, etc. Include any masterclasses you’ve attended or degrees you’ve earned.
11. Accurate accents, dialects, and different languages you speak
Accents and dialects will help you stand out.
12. Special accolades and notable achievements
This can include award wins, nominations, and media coverage.
13. An invitation to connect to your LinkedIn profile and social media accounts
Get those social media profiles in good order. If you have a great voiceover related podcast or blog, you can also highlight those.
14. Let your personality shine
This is last but not least! Add a small list of hobbies and interests in a short “about” section. The keyword here is short.
Of course, you don’t have to include everything on this list. This is just a guideline to help you get a solid start on your professional voiceover résumé.
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and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Backstage or its staff.
