CV writing – How to use credits
Our previous CV blog posts have looked at how a standard CV should look and examined how best to construct a CV for those without much experience. This blog will look at those who perhaps have too much experience for a standard two page CV and what to do with multiple credits.
You may be questioning how to fit all of your experience on two pages. We know that’s not always possible. We would really encourage our freelancers to have a document that lists all of their credits. We say it a lot, but it could be that one credit that the client is looking for. Perhaps they can’t place your name but the Producer remembers working with you a number of years ago when they were a Runner. Remember how nice you were to them and that little bit advice that you gave them? Well they took it and run with it and now really want to repay the favour by booking you on a 16 week project starting in January.
Top Tip: Always be nice to runners!
A great way to ensure that all of your credits are included is to have them at the bottom of the CV and just mention the relevant ones at the start. This way someone can see your experience and have the opportunity to see all of the great work you have done as well. We would suggest having your top section on your employment history as your key discipline with selected credits underneath. These credits could be genre specific if you are applying for a certain role or your most recent credits if you want to demonstrate a variety of your skills.
I prefer to see a very brief description of what the credit is, particularly if it highlights the genre or anything extra special about the role. As previously mentioned in our CV posts, it’s always best to treat the reader like an alien and don’t assume they know it. For consistency, it looks better if each credit has a description so best to keep them brief. For example:
X Factor
ITV1, Thames
Reality Music Talent Show. VT edits for live studio show
OR
Crimewatch
BBC One
Live Crime Programme. Filmed reconstructions on location on a C300 – night shoots.
It is best to avoid writing a long list such as this:
Gucci, Moleskine, Samsung, Vodafone, Honda, Nissan, Microsoft, Cadbury, Sky Broadband, Waitrose, Pringles, Polo, ShedWorld, TKMaxx, Primark, Coca Cola, McDonalds, Weight Watchers.
It is likely that all the credits will all mix into one and someone scanning a CV won’t see what they need. Lead the reader easily to what they need to see. Highlight anything of importance at the start of your CV. That is why we often recommend setting your credit list in a genre order. It would mean that you can easily shuffle the selected credits to the top when you are applying for an appropriate role. If you just list your credits in chronological order, there is a threat of being pigeon-holed into the genre that you have worked on most recently.
This post was written by TCC’s Lead Consultant, Charlotte Carter. Find her on LinkedIn or follow her on Twitter.