Animator Resume [+3D]—Examples, Template & Skills Guide

Animation work runs the full gamut, from daily grind to fine art and everything in between—

And often everything at once.

Each animator has walked a unique path to get to where they are and acquired a unique skill set along the way. How can you tell your story? With a vivid animator resume that really impresses.

In this guide you'll find:

• An animator resume example better than most.
• How to create the perfect animator job description for resumes.
• How to write a resume for animator jobs that stands out.
• Expert tips and examples to boost your chances of landing an animator job.

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Looking to put your artistic and animation skills to use in another field? Check out some of our other guides:

• 3D Artist Resume Example 
• Acting Resume Example
• Art Director Resume Example
• Artist Resume Example
• Art Teacher Resume Example
• Creative Director Resume Example
• Film Resume Example 
• Graphic Design Resume Example
• Production Assistant Resume Example
• Technical Writer Resume Example
• UX Designer Resume & UI Developer Resume Example
• UX Researcher Resume
• Video Editor Resume Example

Want to explore other options? See our selection of resume samples for other jobs. 

Animator Resume Sample

Animators use discrete, ordered images to create the illusion of continuity and movement. They are tasked with designing and creating 2D and 3D animation sequences and fine tuning animations. Animators can work in many fields like film, television, or video games.

The purpose of your animator resume is to show you know your way around the relevant physical and digital tools and have the artistic vision and work ethic to succeed. 

Now here’s how to write an animator resume they’ll love:

1. Go With the Right Animator Resume Format

Picture this:

Joseph, hiring manager and gatekeeper for your dream job, is going through his inbox and downloading all the animator resumes that make the first cut.

His “keepers” folder is sorted alphabetically, so it’s easy to see that your animator resume is... not there.

Why?

It just didn’t look like interview material. “First glance” is all it got. So make sure your resume format looks the part. Here’s how:

Animator Resume Format

• Use the reverse-chronological resume format to show your most recent hits first.
• Choose an understated resume font like Calibri in 11–12 pt.
• Leave resume margins at one inch all round and don’t crowd the page.
• Send in a one-page resume. Go to a second page only if you were already working when The Triplets of Belleville came out.
• Include at least these resume sections: Resume Header, Summary, Experience, Education, and Skills.

Treating PDF as the default file format for your resume makes sense unless the company specifically asks for a different file format. They may need a .docx if their ATS (Applicant Tracking System) that can’t deal with PDFs, for instance. 

2. Start With an Elevator Pitch of an Animator Resume Profile

You’re probably no stranger to the so-called elevator pitch—

A resume profile section does the same thing for your animator resume. Have you been creating animations for years? Make your profile take the form of a resume summary. It’ll let you make the most of all that work experience.

Use:

1. One adjective (efficient, creative, hard-working)
2. Job title (Animator, Character Animator, etc.)
3. Years of experience (4+, 6+)
4. How you’ll help (produce high quality animation work)
5. Two or three of your most relevant achievements (produced 15+ minutes of quality, hand-drawn animation within 10 weeks, prepared storyboards for clients, with 90% being accepted with no or only minor changes)

These animator resume examples show how:

Animator Resume Examples—Resume Summary

Who would you hire?

The first of these animator resume examples impresses in two ways: It mentions only concrete achievements, not general duties, and quantifies everything possible. And it’s focused on what the animator can do for their employer, not what they want to receive from them.

What if you have little or no animation experience?

That’s where a resume objective makes for a better profile. Use it to shift the focus onto relevant achievements from your education, freelancing, personal projects, and non-animator jobs.

Animator Resume Examples—Resume Objective

Again, the first animator resume sample takes home the award (of a job interview). It’s OK to estimate when quantifying your achievements, just be ready to justify your estimates.

Struggling to put resume profile-shaped marks on the blank page in front of you?

Leave writing your profile until after you’ve got your job descriptions and skills section done. It’ll be easier, and you’ll do a better job.

3. Finesse Your Animator Job Description and Skills Sections

You don’t tell people how great your animations are—

You show them your portfolio. It’s pretty much the same here:

Fill your work experience resume section with achievements to show them what you’re like as an employee.

How to write a job description for animators:

1. Re-read the job ad.
2. Spot the animator skills and duties they allude to there.
3. Think of times you’ve used those skills to impress employers.
4. Write resume bullet points that put numbers to those times.

These animator resume examples show how:

Animator Resume Examples—Job Description

Small tweaks, big difference.

Lists of duties are never going to be as effective as even just a few quantified accomplishments.

Don’t have enough animation work history to pull this off?

Lean on relevant achievements from non-animation jobs. And while you’re here—It’s time to gather the skills to put on a resume. But remember, cramming in as many random animator skills as possible is not your ticket to success.

Instead—

Cover everything alluded to in the job ad and stop there. 5-10 skills is plenty.

Skills for an Animator Resume

• Character development
• Motion capture
• Game development
• Electronic media
• Storyboarding explainer videos
• Character animation
• Dynamic posing
• Drawing skills
• Animation assets

• Analytical skills
• Artistic skills
• Time management
• Photoshop skills
• Attention to detail
• Organization
• Collaboration
• Teamwork
• Prioritization
• Flexibility
• Communication skills

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4. Outline Your Education on Your Animator Resume

Animation might be an art and a craft—

But that doesn’t mean that formal education isn’t important in becoming an animator.

First list your degrees (including majors), schools, and graduation years. Then add bullet points that speak to key animation and soft skills. This animator resume example shows how:

Animator Resume Sample—Education Section

Short on paid animator experience? 

Expand your education section to include projects, classes, and accomplishments that show animator skills like animation software proficiency and collaboration.

5. Fill Your Animator Resume With Bonus Resume Sections

Like a coyote shopping only at Acme—

Most resumes for animator jobs are limited to experience, education, and skills sections. And those that buck this trend often end up with soot in their eyes after choosing the wrong extra sections to include.

So add one or two of these sections:

• Additional Activities
• Foreign Languages
• Classes Taken
• Awards
• Hobbies and Interests
• Volunteering
• Certifications
• Professional References

These two animator resume examples show yes vs no:

Animator Resume Examples—Extra Sections

Sly cat, meet unexpectedly appearing giant bulldog.

There’s nothing wrong with including hobbies and interests on your animator resume, in fact, they can be among your greatest assets. As long as every single thing you mention in your resume is clearly relevant to the job ad at hand.

One last act to get through:

Does the job ad ask applicants not to include a cover letter? If so, you’re in luck! Otherwise, you still have some work ahead of you. Write a cover letter that elaborates on what makes you eager to join the company and why you’d be the perfect match. 

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Key Points

For an animator resume that gets interviews:

• Use the animator resume template up top. It’s nothing like recycling a corridor background.
• Put animator achievements in your resume profile, work experience, and education sections to make it clear you’re who they’re looking for.
• Choose the right animator skills to include. The job ad is brimming with hints and outright spoilers as to what those skills are.
• Write an animator cover letter. Use it to billboard your passion for the work as you storyboard your work history.

Thanks for reading! Still not confident you can write your best resume for animation? Maybe you have some advice for newbies writing their first animator resume? Leave a comment below!