Your voice holds many different characters and commands attention. As a voice actor, that is your key to success. But as you seek new voice acting roles, you need to command attention without your voice first.
You need a great resume! One that clearly demonstrates your ability to perform voice-overs for movies, television shows, commercials, video games, or any other form of media you can imagine.
Just as you have a professional voice in the recording studio, you need a professional voice for your resume. Here at Resume.io, we have everything you need including 350+ resume examples. Using one of our expertly-designed resume templates, our online resume builder, and this writing guide is the way to go. In this guide, we will cover:
Voice actors — or voiceover artists — are performers who work with a range of mediums. You might voice a character in an animated film, do voice work for a video game, host audiobooks, or even record an instructional audio clip for a company website.
The type of work you do will vary massively depending on the sector in which you work. The average annual salary of a voice actor in the United States is $61,305, according to Glassdoor. However, if you choose to be a self-employed voice actor, you will have more mastery over how much money you make.
Before you can start applying for voice actor gigs, you need to know how to lay out your resume. Your CV should contain the following elements:
Be sure to tailor your resume to the job for which you are applying. When you're writing an application for an audiobook voice actor, you need to take a different approach to writing one for a video game voice actor. Doing some research ahead of time should do the trick!
When it comes to the tone, ensure that it is formal. The hiring manager will have to sift through a load of resumes. Something as simple as using too casual a tone could trip you up.
Looking for some formatting help? Check out our similar resume examples here: actor resume sample, translator resume example, and musician resume sample.
Next up, you need to know which resume format works best here. As a general rule, the reverse chronological approach works well. That means that you list your most recent achievements and qualifications at the top of the page. As you work your way down, you go back in time. This layout allows the hiring manager to quickly get the information they need.
Are you new to the realms of voice acting? If so, you may find that the functional format works better for you. This approach means that you put more emphasis on your skills and talents than your experience. Check out our complete formatting guide for more details.
You’re an actor, and as such, you have the talent to get into character. Think about your profile section, also known as a summary, as the character of your career. You have 100-150 words to describe your voice talent and what makes your voice and approach unique.
Do you specialize in sound effects, voiceovers, or a specific type of character voices? Are you a classically trained actor? Highlight that here. You may want to add one or two sentences on a voiceover recording you are particularly proud of and how that came about.
Voice Actors study assigned characters and do their best to accurately portray them with their voices. They can lend their voice to animations, dubbed foreign language films, live events, trailers, audiobooks, toys, games, and more. They attend rehearsals, memorize lines, and collaborate with other acting professionals.
In addition to your talent, you should explain your love of the craft and your working style. Reliability and a strong work ethic are also great qualities to mention. You may have more space to add information in your cover letter, if one is required before auditioning.
Throughout your resume, you should be trying to highlight all these qualities. Leave the creation of your profile section to the end of your resume-building to ensure that you are truly summing up and showcasing your professional life.
See the resume example below:
Passionate and dynamic Voice Actor with several years of experience in both theater and film. Bringing forth a lifelong passion for performance and character work. Adept in making characters come to life through powerful voice-over work. Strong team player with the desire to use my voice as a stellar source of entertainment.
How does an actor create an employment history section? A bit differently from a nine-to-fiver would, but this section is still very important. You will likely link your work portfolio to your resume, so you want to make sure that casting directors can quickly see what you’ve done and then choose which work examples to hear.
Your employment history gives you a chance to show off your acting experience. As a voiceover artist you should highlight your ability to portray different characters, feelings, and events through the use of tones, speaking techniques, and spacing.
Use each job you worked to show a different talent. Voiceover recordings are used in many different media, including radio commercials, e-learning, and video games, so make sure you list all in which you have experience to maximize your potential for your next gig.
You can list your acting roles without job descriptions, as typically Actors take on various roles in a short period of time. Focus on being neat, accurate, and orderly. Decide on an organization for your work and stick with it. You can list by different media, in chronological order, or by the projects in which your voice-over recordings are most prevalent.
Voice Actor, Crystal Clear Studios, Los Angeles
January 2019 - Present
Stage Actor, The Grand Stage, New Paltz
March 2016 - December 2018
Audio Narrator, Shepfield Studios, New York
June 2011 - February 2016
Because your employment history section does not include descriptions, your CV skills are more important than ever. Consider moving it up if you have unique and alluring skills that will make you stand out as a candidate.
Think in terms of your acting abilities, but also your qualities as an employee and coworker. Even for short-term projects, directors want that you can listen attentively, communicate, and behave professionally whether it be in dubbing during post-production or on a TV commercial set. Then, create a list of your top five to ten skills. Make sure you include your knowledge of different acting techniques, any dialects in which you are adept, and any other talents that will help you land that voiceover work.
You may have a bachelor’s degree in acting, you may have gone directly from high school into your voice acting career, or you may have moved from a different career into acting. In any case, your education section is the place to list the acting classes you have taken that have added to your acting skills.
List all degrees and certifications here. If you are an AFTRA or SAG member, you can list them as a subcategory here, or if you also have any acting awards, you may choose to create a separate Awards and Affiliations Section.
Bachelor of Theatre, State University of New York at New Paltz, New Paltz
August 2008 - May 2011
High School Diploma, Highland Falls High School, Highland Falls
September 2003 - May 2008
No matter how impressive your experience, you need to make a great first visual impression. That means your resume has to look fabulous to catch the eye of recruiters. Never fear!
Using one of our layout templates and following these guidelines will help you to develop a resume that looks as great as it sounds. Additionally, you can consider some options from the Modern or Professional category if you’re applying for a more serious project.
If you choose to personalize one of our designs, make sure you:
Another pointer: Although you are a voice actor, you may still want a headshot on your resume. Creatives are about the only people we recommend do so.
Remember that your goal is to get that casting director to read your career highlights and move on to listening to your portfolio. They won’t get there if your layout is confusing or they can’t find relevant data such as your contact information.
With Resume.io’s online resume builder, you can link your portfolio directly to your resume to give casting directors and other recruiters the full picture.