A production assistant job is an exciting first step into the world of film and television production. This entry-level position allows you to get on set and see if the world of cinema is where you want to be. Production assistants get a front row seat to the inner workings of today’s industry and the chance to advance by making connections and learning the ropes.
In order to land one of these coveted positions, you’ll need a resume that glitters and shines. Production assistant positions can be competitive and often work based on previous connections, thus having the right material on your resume is key to getting a call back.
Luckily, Resume.io is here to help. This production assistant resume example along with our adaptable production assistant resume sample, tips and tools will give you all the resources you need to create a resume that lands you your dream PA gig.
Here’s what we’ll cover in the rest of this production assistant resume example:
It’s not a coincidence that “production assistant” is a relatively vague term. A PA does pretty much anything and everything needed to aid in the production of a movie or TV show including tasks like:
According to the Nashville Film Institute, the average annual salary for production assistants is $34,300 depending on experience and location. Many PAs work as freelancers and are paid day rates between $150 and $200.
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As with many entry-level positions, the trick of writing a production assistant resume is showing why you’re more qualified than another candidate with a near-identical profile. Your passion for TV and movies is a good start, but you’ll also need to prove you’ve got the right skills to succeed in a sometimes demanding job.
For starters, your production assistant CV will need several basic categories found on most typical resumes including:
Make sure to do your homework before submitting your production assistant resume. What type of production is this? How big is the budget? Roughly how many people can you expect to find on set? Make sure to focus on the unique needs of the particular job. For example, a television travel show filming in multiple locations will care much more about your driving abilities than a studio movie shot mostly in front of a green screen.
Many job seekers have only heard of one resume format called the reverse chronological format. With this model, you begin the work history section of your production assistant resume with your most recent position and work backwards until you’ve listed all relevant experience.
This resume format works great in a variety of traditional industries and can even be a good choice for production assistants. However, it’s not your only option.
For production assistants who don’t have a laundry list of recent credits to show or who have specialized in one area of production, the combination resume format might be the best choice. This resume format starts with an overview of your skills or experience areas before moving on to a more traditional chronological work history section. It’s a great way to highlight your strengths, even if you don’t have a ton of work experience.
Optimize for the ATS
While many PA jobs are filled via word of mouth or other industry connections, some television jobs require applicants to submit resumes via online application portals. These types of submissions often pass through resume scanners known as Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) before landing on the hiring manager’s desk. The ATS searches your production assistant resume sample for keywords and ranks it against the other applicants. Only the top percentage of candidates make it through. It may seem daunting, but there are some concrete steps you can take to increase your chances of passing this test:
The summary section of your production assistant resume, sometimes called a profile or personal statement, is your one chance to speak directly to the hiring manager or production coordinator and even offer a glimpse of your professional personality and overall qualifications for the job.
The summary is made up of 3-5 sentences that describe you, your skills, experiences and relevant education without offering too many details. Make sure to check the job description once more and include any highly relevant information right in the beginning of your summary to impress both the ATS and the production coordinator.
You can see these tips in action in our adaptable production assistant resume sample.
Action verbs can help you convey authority and effectiveness on your production assistant resume example even if you don’t have a ton of film experience. Here are some words to get you started:
Dynamic and trained Production Assistant with an impressive background of providing optimal support to production departments. Skilled in handling various tasks associated with production processes, including the management of complex calendars and the coordination of logistics. Adept in providing support for multiple productions at once and committed to prioritizing and achieving goals.
Every relevant experience you can list in the employment history section of your production assistant resume puts you one step closer to landing this next position. That’s because employers want to know that you understand what qualities are needed to succeed on set, making their job much easier.
While you may be applying for an entry-level position, you still need to create a list of your most recent productions or relevant experiences, working backwards from your current one. Make sure to include the title of the production, the company behind it, the dates and location. Underneath, create bullet points that highlight the most important skills you learned from that job. Offer details, facts and statistics whenever possible to show how your involvement made everyone’s job easier.
Check out the employment history example from our adaptable production assistant resume sample for more details:
Production Assistant at Print Power Productions, Los Angeles
November 2016 - Present
Freelance Production Assistant
August 2014 - October 2016
While much can be learned on the job, having some specialized knowledge can only serve to put you ahead of the competition. The skills section of your PA resume is the best place to highlight qualities that can be described in a word or two.
The bullet point format works especially well for any technical abilities (often called hard skills) like video editing software, script writing programs or even your driver's license.
Production assistants don’t necessarily need formal education, but that doesn’t mean the education section of your PA resume is wasted space. Coursework in film or television, a degree in progress or even one in a related field can help show your passion about and dedication to the industry.
If you’ve completed any higher education, it’s best to leave your high school off your resume.
Check out our production assistant resume example for the best way to format your education section.
Bachelor of Production, The Los Angeles Film School
September 2013 - May 2016
Film is an entire industry based on appearances so it’s no surprise that a good-looking resume is one of the most important things you can do to increase your chances of standing out to the production coordinator. A pop of color or attractive header can help to create a polished presentation and show you’re serious about the job.
If you don’t have time to waste fussing with word processors or graphic design software, a resume template might be able to help. These professional designs make it easy for you to plug in your information and download a finished resume in a few clicks. For production assistant resume samples, we recommend our collection of creative and modern templates.