You have dreams of becoming an actor and doing TV commercials. You want to become instantly recognizable as Flo – or at least being featured in national commercial campaigns. You’ve got dreams, and you’re determined to achieve them.
So you take a commercial workshop and study Improvization, take great headshot, create an impressive resume and cover letter then send your package to all the commercial talent agents. If and when you sign up with a commercial agent. You eagerly wait for all your commercial auditions – but maybe you only get a few,.
If this sounds familiar, it might sound like auditioning for commercial could come down to luck. But there’s actually one simple way that you should be able could get more commercial auditions if you are right for the spot.
It’s so simple, in fact, you could make that small change as soon as you finish reading this article.
It goes without saying that your resume provides agents and casting directors the opportunity to get to know more about you. That means you need to capture their attention within the first couple of seconds, or else they’ll just shuffle your resume into the “Rejected” pile.
You don’t have to add perfume to your resume, or create it using an unusual typography. Instead, focus on your skills section, and ensure you stand out as a multi-faceted, talented, and unique individual.
Because so many commercials require skills and activities, your special skills are definitely an asset. Your skills section should be filled with the hobbies, skills, and traits that make you who you are as a person. Your hobbies could run the gamut from horseback riding and playing computer games to speaking multiple languages and creating stories for your favorite fanfiction site. No matter what makes you unique, it’s important to broadcast these skills and hobbies so casting directors can bring you in for those commercials that require your skill.
When listing your skills and hobbies, be sure to indicate your proficiency level. For example, if you’re fluent in French, make sure you include that information. If you’ve ever won first place or have been a state champion in an event, put that information down, too.
Here is a generic example:
SKILLS (or SPECIAL SKILLS)
Roller blading (state champion), Singing (mezzo soprano, two octave range), French (fluent),
Spanish and Italian accents, Volleyball (B rated), Swing Dancing (competitive), experienced Dog breeder, excellent Cook, intermediate Guitarist, expert on Miniature Doll houses, Choral Director, Collector of McKnight Lithographs, trained in Firearms, Juggling, basic Martial Arts, Crew rowing, JEOPARDY contestant, Balloon sculpting, Valid Drivers License and Passport
One important note: when listing out your skills, make sure to list those you are the strongest first. If you’re an excellent singer, put that information first, and be sure to list your range. Your first few skills are going to capture the most attention, so make sure they’re the strongest representation of who you are as a person.
Just make this small change to your skills section – and depending on the jobs, you should be getting more commercial auditions for jobs you have a better chance at booking.
For more detailed information on putting together your resume, check out Carolyne Barry’s book HIT THE GROUND RUNNING here.