Resume - Work/Experience

Mike McCoy · February 19

Question to anyone, when it comes to making a resume, and even making an account/page on sites like LinkedIn for example, would you list your normal day job as well (assuming you're like me and work a 9-5 that is nothing to do with SFX), to at least show you are currently employed and not completely new to the workforce? I know in this course (The Business of Making Monsters) Shannon Shea discusses creating your resume to focus on the job you want (only adding Makeup if you want a makeup position, or only adding Props if you're looking for a prop position). As much as I would like to do this full time, I'm not in the position to do so, so I'd still like to add my current position of employment, but is it necessary? Does anyone in the industry ever look into that or ask about it? Maybe it's a personal thing but just asking out of curiosity. Thanks!

Alexander H · February 20

For sure! When I have done resumes, I've put down a number of recent employments - generally the last three. For each of them, I put the business name, time employed there (start/end month and year), the role, and a brief overview of the role. This overview not only includes what I do, but if relevant, aspects of teamwork, time management, hygiene, communication, quality control, etc.

Your 9-5 job may not be creative, but I'm sure it includes some of the factors mentioned above, and likely others that apply to working in a professional atmosphere.

Mike McCoy · February 20

@Alexander H Yes, my 9-5 is nothing close to SFX/Creative things, but definitely professional and shows I know how to handle important documents and experience in previous jobs with shipping/receiving to get things out on a schedule. I just wasn't sure if it's something that should be included like a normal resume. I appreciate your input and advice!

Gary Tucker · February 21

Hello Mike! Great question actually, as this is something I must revisit and adjust my own profile as I am gearing towards establishing my brand within the entertainment field. Thanks for reading!

Just to answer the question outright, mine would be NO, and this is why, IMO. I have done that with written resumes before (put my acting and small business experience along with my regular work) and for the most part, it didn't mean much I think, yet it did also depend on what I was applying for. To elaborate, I worked in a lot of restaurants, and the only time my acting career was asked about was when I was serving, and if that was gonna mess with my availability. Now my crew work, geared towards more the blue-collar jobs like construction, was noticed a bit, but as a foreman told me, if I knew how to drive a forklift w/certification, that would stand out, not that so much that most concert builds & breakdowns operate almost the same as a construction site. But let's say you are using an online method to show your resume on, like a job search.

Specifically referring to sites like LinkedIn, which are industry flexible, you want to establish as clearly and concisely as possible WHAT your purpose and goals are for using it. It is vital that you have this "conversation" with yourself because it will help keep you on track and focused. For example, are you looking for any type of job, or specifically movie/stage jobs? This will help to not confuse any contacts that come your way and looking to hire for those industries! Nor will it confuse the search link & the alga rhythm that guides us when we are searching for connections, resources, whatever! Thus, again IMO, you should decide to focus on either the SFX or 9-5 separately or make both, just not together!

Another example, speaking for myself, I'm in a similar situation that I'm going to revisit & edit several of my social media profiles on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn too! I'm longer interested in posting "who I am" or "what my interests are" or anything NOT related to my acting career anymore. But they still serve their purposes in the area of networking, so there is no need to get rid of them, just need to make some adjustments. I only want to meet people who do what I do, want to do what I do, and/or invest in what I do. Now, there could be a couple of exceptions in your case. Let say, on the LinkedIn part of the profile where you describe yourself and it's your 9-5 profile, you COULD mention that you have experience handling, measuring, & applying a variety of different materials & substances via work in makeup & SFX. And vice-versa, mention your paperwork and organizational experience on the makeup one. Those added details could help, and be enough to add value to them without overloading all that info into one, does that make sense?

And that's it! I hope this is helpful, and I appreciate the opportunity to chime into the conversation! As a matter of fact, if you would like, check out mine (you might/might not see that I need to follow my own advice, LOL), & add me to your contacts! I always loved practical SFX, really respect the makeup community on stage and on camera, thus I always make an effort to connect w/ the like! One day I WILL make my Werewolf-FMG movie (one of many weird ideas I got cookin'), so I might be looking your way, who knows, LOL! Here is my link, good journey to you, peace!

Gary Tucker | LinkedIn

Mike McCoy · February 24

@Gary Tucker Thank you so much for the information! I really appreciate it! I was on the side of NOT putting my normal 9-5 on those sites so I could focus primarily on SFX related opportunities, but then I wasn't sure. I think I recently added my 9-5 on LinkedIn since it seems like more of an employment based network and wanted to show that I do have regular workforce experience. If I ever got an actual professional SFX opportunity I probably wouldn't include that on my resume and maybe just mention it during any type of interview or conversation.

I will definitely look for you and add you! I am actually finishing up my own Werewolf project as well and hoping to release the final film within the next couple weeks!

Thank you again!

Gary Tucker · February 25

That's awesome Mike, congrats! Can't wait to see it!!!

Chris Ellerby · March 5

As someone who has had to review resumes when hiring staff, my suggestion would be to create a resume that targets the specific job you are applying for. Experience in unrelated areas is great and valuable, but I would save that for the in-person interview stage if the topic or other skills or work experience arises.

Keep in mind that the person reviewing your resume is likely reviewing hundreds of them and doing so very quickly. They are likely looking for very specific things to determine if you get that call or not. Make their job as easy as possible.

When it comes to sites like LinkedIn, you can put everything since it's not for a specific job application but a representation of you.

/Chris

Mike McCoy · March 12

@Chris Ellerby That is very helpful, thank you so much for the information! I will definitely keep that in mind when creating an actual Resume, and that makes sense especially if someone is reviewing a bunch, better to keep it straight to the point and stand out as much as possible. Thank you!!

Darrell Green · March 14

I would love to hijack this and go deep. Does anyone know what the current format for entertainment industry is? I know I have brought this up before but industry standards change and so do resume templates. I had friends who worked in the industry and they were asked for a sample set of photos rather than a resume. One page contact info and one page pictures of themselves or their projects, front and back on a single cardstock. Later I had a friend who worked for a headhunter agency and they advised color resumes with a photo on page one (you or one of your projects) which is not even somewhat similar to industry standard text only black and white.

Also, several major waves of HR hallucination rolled through, like, 1) Reading only the cover letter before dropping some applicants (resume reviewers will come up with any excuse to cull the pile when deadlines arrive), 2) Using an AI online form system (dropping all qualified applicants and gathering only those that put the right buzzword in the right place for AI to pick it up). Some agencies make it sound like it would be preferred that you use the online system but you should do that AND deliver the written resume through their "old" way. Trust me on this, online systems do not work and the person on the other side doesn't know so they just interview whoever the computer said to. There are currently huge lawsuits on this issue after the HR departments finally got a clue when all of their finalists were complete newbs.

ShaneSPFX · March 24

"I’ve never landed a job in Special Effects through a traditional resume. My career started over a decade ago when I met someone in FX. I showed them photos of projects I’d built, and they introduced me to a former boss. After meeting him and sharing my work, I was hired for odd jobs like cleaning and organizing at an FX shop.

That initial role helped me connect with many FX artists, which eventually led to where I am today. Now, I’ve hired others in a similar way—by getting to know them and reviewing their work. Having photo documentation of past projects is invaluable, as it allows you to quickly showcase your skills through a phone or email. In my experience, hiring for specialized FX roles often bypasses traditional methods, with busy decision-makers relying on recommendations from trusted team members when hiring needs arise."

Try cold emailing, not the big boss on a project but a Forman or someone lower on the ladder to establish a professional relationship and see if you can get a foot in the door. With this day and age of technology. You can quickly find names on IMDb of current working professionals from project’s you admire and quite easily find them online.

Resume - Work/Experience

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