If you’re in the promotional modeling industry and are not getting as many responses as you’d like from jobs or gigs you’re applying for, you could be missing the key items that every event manager or agency looks for. If you don’t include these items, you most likely will NOT get a call or return email for the job. The modeling industry is cut throat… and promotional resumes differ greatly from the traditional resume. Make sure to include these top 7 items in yours!
1. CONTACT INFO. Always include your email address at the top of your resume, under your name. You want your name and email address front and center so it is easy for an agency to contact you straight away. Most agencies will contact you via email. Do include your cell phone number and the city/state/zip code you live in as well. Agencies need models that are close to the job and prefer to see this information clearly as well. Make note that you should ALWAYS say, when you apply for a job, what city you’re interested in, or link the job posting. Too many times agencies get emails from people with subject lines that say “job post” or an email saying, “I’m interested.” The person reviewing applications will have no exact idea on what you’re applying for and if your city isn’t noted on your resume, they have even less of an idea. Even still, always include your city you live in on the cover letter. You may live outside of a large city, in a small town that may be unheard of to some people, and that might be a deal breaker. The person reviewing apps does NOT have the time to search your town or figure out what city/job you’re applying for, etc. Just always be thorough when applying for work and remember the subject line is an attention getter for that agency. Promotional agencies usually have a lot of different things going on at any given time and you want to be recognized quickly and make it an easy process for the agency!
2. PHOTOS. Including a great, professional head shot or full body shot will automatically boost your chances for the gig you’re applying for. Do NOT include ‘selfies’ on your promo resume. Professional photos can be pricey. If you have a friend that is a photographer or an aspiring photographer, ask them to work with you! They might cut you a deal or do a trade with you. Some photographers want to build their portfolio and may do a few shots for free. Only include one photo on your actual resume, but always send a few different photos along with your resume… head shot, full body shot, candid shot, make-up, no make-up, etc. Candid photos of yourself working in the field are a wonderful addition. Professional photos don’t always look like you, but candid ones will!
3. REFERENCES. Most applicants assume they can just throw a few random people they know on their resume as references and the person hiring for the job won’t contact them, or they leave references out all together. WRONG. In the promotional modeling industry references are called, and we want to see them. Sometimes taking the extra step to ask someone for references can be the difference of you being booked over another applicant. Agencies want to make sure your resume is on point and that you’re going to be a good selection for the job. Include references that know you well, how you work in the industry and that will be honest. Remember, your references are people that could make or break your shot at the one gig you want most.
4. EXPERIENCE. Make sure that your resume is broken up into sections based upon the type of work you’ve done or by the agency you’ve worked for. There is no right or wrong way of doing this but you want to make it super easy for whoever is hiring you to read. If you’ve worked for an agency, you could list all the work you’ve done with them in that one section: type of event, what type of model you were and brand you represented, etc. If you worked as a brand ambassador AND worked different trade shows, you can make two sections and list all events/brands under the positions you held, i.e. Trade Show Model, Brand Ambassador, Field Manager, etc. Don’t forget to includes dates on your resume! If you are shortening your experience to the top 3 most recent jobs, include how long you’ve had experience in that particular field. Just keep it clean and simple.
5. BILINGUAL. If you’re bilingual, this is a MUST for your promotional resume. Agencies are always looking for someone to represent them that can speak a foreign language well. List what you’re bilingual in so whoever is reviewing your resume can quickly learn if you’re the one for the job!
6. EDUCATION. You may think this isn’t a necessity for the modeling industry but some brands want beauty AND brains, not just a face. If you apply for a position with an agency to work at a trade show, they may need you to not only represent their brand as a pretty face, but may need you to memorize their products and be able to engage with attendees. Some agencies are health food oriented and if you went to school to be a nutritionist, this bit of information will be beneficial for you! Regardless, education is a staple in the promotional modeling industry and showing off your education is a huge plus.
7. INTERESTS. Show them what you’re interested in outside of work! This can be a huge bonus for brands that you might already understand if it relates to you and your life. You can add this section to your resume or simply include it in your cover letter or email when applying for a job. If an agency is hiring a brand ambassador for a pet product and you love animals, make a note of that in this section! If you’re passionate about healthy foods and take nutrition classes or love the Earth and think ‘green’, add it to your resume!
Now that you have the promotional resume necessities you are ready to create the perfect resume to get the perfect job! Good luck and best wishes!
-Team Brand Greet