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Table of contents

Animation resume examples
Related resume examples
Choose the right resume format for your animation resume
How to write an animation resume in 5 simple steps
Add a cover letter
Key takeaways for your animation resume
Commonly asked question about resume writing

As an animator, your ability to bring characters to life through movement and storytelling is essential for creating engaging and immersive animations.

To secure the roles and projects that will advance your career, you need an animation resume that showcases your unique skills and experiences. We’re here to help you present your animation career effectively!

Continue reading to explore:

Animation resume examples tailored to animators at various stages of their careers.
Key elements that make an animation resume compelling and memorable.
Tips and techniques for writing an animation resume that highlights your career achievements.
Essential information to include in each section of your animation resume.
Selecting the most suitable resume template and format that complements an animator’s portfolio.

Ready to refine your animation resume for exciting opportunities? Try our AI Resume Builder, offering content for animators you can add with one click to the template of your choice, plus detailed assistance for every aspect of your resume so you can apply for your next project with confidence.

Animation resume examples

Entry-level animation resume example

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What makes this a great animator resume sample?

It’s expressive
This animation cover letter uses a bright and bold creative template that illustrates the candidate’s personality and creative style.
Emphasizes skills
As an entry-level animator, this candidate doesn’t have a ton of experience to showcase. Focusing in on skills is a great way to keep the emphasis on her strengths.
Balances soft skills
This 3D animator resume rightfully highlights animation software and technical skills, but it also lists soft skills like communication. This shows that she is well-rounded and easy to work with as well as technically skilled.

Experienced animation resume example

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What makes this a great animator resume sample?

Highlights experience
With well over a decade of animation experience, this candidate’s resume paints him as a seasoned professional by giving his track record space to speak for itself.
Features certifications
Certifications are a great way for a professional animator to show off both expertise and an interest in continuous improvement.
Uses active language
Using action words like “developed” and “collaborated” to describe his experience gives this candidate’s work a sense of energy and initiative.

Choose the right resume format for your animation resume

To secure the animation roles you aspire to, it’s important to present your skills and experiences in a way that captures the attention of potential employers. One key to ensuring your animation resume stands out is choosing a resume format that suits your experience level and showcases your career in the best possible light.

If you’re an experienced animator with a rich history of projects and achievements, you might consider using a chronological resume format. This format highlights your extensive animation background, showcasing your growth and accomplishments over time.
For newcomers to the animation field or those with limited professional experience, a functional resume format could be more suitable. This format emphasizes your skills and potential rather than a lengthy list of previous employers or animation projects.
Animators with a moderate amount of experience, typically around three to five years, or those looking to transition within the animation industry, may find a combination resume format most effective. This format balances the focus between your animation skills and your experience, providing a comprehensive overview of your capabilities.

When formatting your resume for a professional look, ensure you use readable fonts, maintain 1-inch margins and left-align your text.

Selecting an animation resume template

Create your resume

While all resumes contain standard sections such as a professional summary or objective, skills list, work history and education, your choice of resume template can significantly impact how your information is presented.

In creative fields like animation, opting for a creative resume template can help showcase your personality. However, it’s crucial to strike a balance between creativity and clarity to ensure your resume reflects your professionalism and remains easy to read. A modern template can help you achieve this tricky balance.

If you’re not sure how to get started, a simple template is a dependable choice that allows you to focus on the essentials. This approach is always safe and enables your animation talents and experiences to shine without unnecessary distractions.

How to write an animation resume in 5 simple steps

Building a strong resume is a pivotal step in securing your next animation role. To distinguish yourself from other animators, it’s crucial to tailor your resume to both the animation industry and the specific projects you’re applying for. Thankfully, you can get a perfectly tailored resume in just five steps!

Step 1

Understand the animation job description

Tailoring your resume to the role you’re targeting makes your application more compelling and helps it pass initial screenings. A customized resume is better positioned to pass through the applicant tracking systems (ATS) used by some animation studios.

Incorporating industry-specific keywords in your resume is essential for navigating through ATS filters. These systems sift through numerous applications to identify candidates whose skills and experiences align with the role’s requirements.

Keywords may include animation techniques, genres you specialize in, specific projects or characters you’ve animated, and any relevant skills or experiences unique to the animation profession. Integrating these keywords throughout your resume can enhance your visibility to the ATS, increasing your chances of progressing in the hiring process.

Remember, ATS software compares your resume’s content — skills, experiences and qualifications — with the job listing. Failing to include the right keywords could result in your resume going unnoticed, even if you’re well-suited for the role. Tailoring your resume with relevant keywords not only helps you pass the ATS test but also demonstrates your suitability for the position.

Step 2

Write a professional summary or resume objective

Begin your resume with a compelling resume profile, either as a professional summary or a resume objective, depending on your experience level.

For novice animators, a resume objective can highlight transferable skills and career aspirations. More experienced animators should opt for a professional summary, which summarizes achievements, significant projects and key milestones.

Animation professional summary example:

Dynamic animator with over a decade of experience creating compelling animations for diverse projects. Known for innovative storytelling, attention to detail and the ability to bring characters to life. Proven track record of success in both independent and collaborative environments, showcasing a diverse range of animation styles and techniques.

Animation resume objective example:

Passionate animator with a background in 2D and 3D animation seeking to contribute creativity and technical expertise to a forward-thinking animation studio. Committed to delivering high-quality animations that captivate audiences and enhance storytelling.

Step 3

Highlight your relevant animation skills

Hiring managers must quickly identify the skills you bring to the table. Your hard skills are vital to showcasing your technical animation abilities, but your more subtle soft skills are also important.

A standout resume features a balanced combination of both hard and soft skills that demonstrate your value as a versatile candidate.

Hard Skills

2D animation
3D modeling
Storyboarding
Character design
Motion graphics

Soft Skills

Creativity
Problem-solving
Attention to detail
Collaboration
Time management

Example of a strong animation skills section:

Proficient in a variety of animation software, including Adobe Creative Suite, Maya and Blender.
Experienced in developing storyboards and animatics to visualize animation sequences.
Skilled in character design, creating unique and engaging characters for animation projects.
Effective communicator and collaborative team player, able to work seamlessly with diverse teams to achieve project goals.

Pro tip

While your technical animation skills are essential, don’t overlook the value of transferable skills, such as adaptability and the ability to work well under pressure. Animation studios value animators who can seamlessly integrate into their teams and contribute positively to the creative process.

Step 4

Write a strong animation work experience section

The experience section of your animation resume is your chance to showcase your skills and demonstrate the unique value you bring to each animation project. List your animation jobs in reverse-chronological order, providing a brief overview of your key achievements and responsibilities in each role.

Here’s an example of a work experience section for an animator:

Lead Animator, “Fantasy Quest,” Animation Studios, Los Angeles, CA

March 2023 – May 2024

Led a team of animators in creating captivating character animations for a fantasy adventure film, receiving acclaim for bringing depth and personality to each character.
Collaborated closely with the director to develop unique animation styles that enhanced the storytelling, contributing to a 15% increase in audience engagement compared to previous projects.
Utilized advanced animation techniques to accurately portray character movements and expressions, resulting in a visually stunning final product.
Worked with the production team to ensure seamless integration of animation with other elements, leading to a nomination for Best Animation at a regional film festival.
Facilitated workshops on animation principles for local schools, promoting the art of animation and inspiring future animators.

Pro tip

Use action verbs and highlight specific outcomes or achievements to showcase your impact. Quantifying your success, such as mentioning increased audience engagement or award nominations, provides tangible evidence of your contributions.

Step 5

Highlight your education and training

Demonstrating continuous improvement and dedication to your craft through education and training is crucial for animators. List your animation degrees, training, workshops and any relevant coursework in the education section of your resume.

Example animation resume education section:

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Animation
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA

Workshops and Training

Advanced 3D Animation Techniques, Animation Mentor
Character Design Masterclass, Schoolism

Pro tip

Training and workshops demonstrate your commitment to mastering your craft. Include them prominently on your resume to showcase your dedication.

Optional sections for your animation resume

Awards and honors

Awards highlight your achievements and show that your work has been recognized. Mention any animation awards you’ve received and briefly describe the projects and skills that led to your success, providing concrete examples of your impact.

How to list awards on your animation resume:

Best Animation Award, Animation Festival 2022, for “Fantasy Quest.”
Audience Choice Award, Short Film Festival 2021, for “The Animated Adventure.”

Projects

Listing specific animation projects, such as films, TV shows or games, demonstrates your hands-on experience and versatility. This section provides concrete examples of your ability to bring characters to life and contribute to the success of a project.

How to list projects on your animation resume:

“Lost in Space”: Lead animator for this animated TV series, showcasing expertise in character animation and storytelling.
Mobile Game Project, “Space Escape”: Contributed animations for this popular mobile game, enhancing user experience and engagement.

Languages

Being fluent in multiple languages can be an asset for animators, especially for projects requiring specific language skills or cultural understanding. Highlighting your linguistic abilities can set you apart in a global animation industry.

How to list languages on your animation resume:

Fluent in English and Spanish
Conversational in Japanese

Interests and hobbies

Including unique hobbies related to animation can make your resume memorable. Align your hobbies with your animation career to demonstrate a passion for storytelling or character development.

How to list interests and hobbies on your animation resume:

Volunteer animation mentor for local children’s workshops.
Participant in animation film festivals.

Add a cover letter

Create your cover letter

Including a cover letter with your animation resume is an excellent way to introduce yourself and showcase why you’re the ideal candidate for a project. Learn how to write a cover letter that expresses your passion for animation, highlights your most notable projects and details how you can contribute to future endeavors.

A well-composed cover letter can complement your resume by providing a more detailed account of your animation journey and accomplishments. Consider using specific examples from your career to demonstrate your skills and contributions.

To find inspiration, review successful cover letter examples and observe how experienced candidates format their cover letters. If you need a cover letter quickly, you can also try our Cover Letter Builder for stylish templates, expert tips and customizable text for a letter that’s ready in minutes.

Key takeaways for your animation resume

Write with purpose

Tailor every aspect of your resume to the animation job you’re targeting. Each section should reflect the requirements and preferences outlined in the project description.
Choose your resume format wisely

Highlight what sets you apart, whether it’s your range of animation styles, specialized skills or a blend of experience and talents. Organize your resume sections in a format that showcases your strengths effectively.
Blend hard and soft skills

In animation, both technical skills (like 2D/3D animation or character rigging) and soft skills (like creativity or teamwork) are crucial. Present a mix of both to demonstrate your versatility and professionalism.
Make your experience stand out

Use action verbs and quantify your achievements (e.g., project scope or audience reach) to emphasize your impact and successes in previous projects.
Pick the right template

Opt for a clean, professional design that enhances readability and focuses on your qualifications. Avoid overly elaborate designs that may distract from your content.
Go the extra mile

A tailored cover letter can make a significant difference in your application. Use it to express your passion for animation and illustrate how you’re uniquely suited for the specific role you’re pursuing.

Commonly asked question about resume writing

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Hailey Brophy is an experienced writer with a diverse career in digital publication. She is passionate about using her unique skills and experiences to help job seekers find the information that they need to succeed.