Production Assistant Resume Example & Tips for 2024
Production Assistant Resume Example & Tips for 2024
Though it's an entry-level job, it's also an on-the-job training program to the film industry. To use the learning opportunities, nail your production assistant resume. Here's how.
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert
You help bring magic to life on the screen. You do the legwork that makes everything fall into place. You’re the film industry’s jack of all trades (and master of most!).
So why aren’t you landing your dream gigs? Well, I happen to know. Your production assistant resume isn’t up to scratch. But that’s about to change.
In this guide:
A production assistant resume example better than most.
How to make the perfect production assistant resume job description.
How to write a TV or film production assistant resume that stands out.
Expert tips and examples to boost your chances of landing a PA job.
I had an interview yesterday and the first thing they said on the phone was: “Wow! I love your resume.” Patrick
I love the variety of templates. Good job guys, keep up the good work! Dylan
My previous resume was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful! George
Efficient, detailed-oriented film and TV production assistant with 4+ years of experience on various types of sets. Skilled in record-keeping, creating schedules, constructing sets, and preparing research templates. Cut XYZ Studios quarterly costs by 25% through negotiating new catering contracts for the crews across 4 locations. Looking to join ABC Production to help optimize day-do-day production processes.
Work Experience
TV Production Assistant
XYZ Studios, Los Angeles, CA
Jun 2017–Present
Organized and executed mass orders for promotional materials, gifts, and studio equipment.
Successfully negotiated $10,000+ contracts with vendors.
Maintained Artist Library through ordering and logging new titles and keeping track of check-ins and check-outs. Boosted efficiency by 15%.
Managed demo reels requests from artists within the studio.
Collaborated with production leadership to effectively manage the changing of schedule priorities and communicate to all involved parties.
Key accomplishment: Negotiated new catering contracts for 4 crews, cut quarterly cost by 25%.
Assistant
Disney, Emeryville, CA
Sep 2015–Apr 2017
Coordinate production schedule requests with the executive team and corporate departments.
Created and support a friendly and professional atmosphere within the team and production offices
Booked all travel and created detailed itineraries for 15+ filmmakers and executives. Frequently commanded by efficiency and attention to detail.
Set up for meetings and conferences with drink and food trays, tables, and audiovisual equipment.
Assisted with the event preparation and the execution of TTF events.
Setting up for meetings and conferences with drink trays, etc.
Education
BA in Content, Media, and Film Production, 3.9 GPA
California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, CA
2015
Relevant coursework: Assistant Directing, Introduction to Cinematography, Production Design, Project Production & Development
Key Skills
FileMaker Pro
MS Word, MS Excel
Photoshop
Google Drive Suite
Camera Boom, Light Boom, Mic Boom
Highly-Organized
Good Communicator
Able to Work Under Pressure
Additional Activities
Non-profit blogger at filmmatters.io
Volunteering every 2 weeks at the American Heart Association in Los Angeles.
That’s a killer resume, isn’t it? Soon, yours will be equally great. Here’s how to write your production assistant resume in 5 simple steps:
1. Start With the Best Production Assistant Resume Format
Few work environments are as chaotic as a film set. Everything happens at once. Unexpected problems pile up. No one seems able to control the chaos… Enter: You.
You’re organized. Dependable. Always on top of things. So—let the formatting of your production assistant resume reflect that. Follow these steps:
Production Assistant Resume Format
Reverse-chronological order: last or most recent job first, followed by the one before it, then the previous one, and so on.
Good font for a resume: an all-time classic such as Cambria, Calibri, Georgia, or Verdana. No Times New Roman, please, we’re not in the 80s anymore.
One-page only if you have less than 5 years of experience. More than that? A two-pager will work fine.
Legible resume sections with big headings: Contact Info, Resume Profile, Work Experience, Education, Skills, Additional Activities.
Once done, save your resume for production assistant jobs as a PDF file to keep the layout intact. Just remember to double-check with the job posting. Some companies will only accept resumes in DOC.
Expert Hint: While employment in broadcasting, in general, has plummeted in the US in the past 20 years, jobs for directors’ and producers’ assistants are on the rise and projected to grow further. The industry might feel to be in decline, but your niche is safe. What does it mean for you? Don’t settle for less. Wait for the perfect opportunity—you should be spoilt for choice.
The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your resume in our resume builder now.
Nail it all with a splash of color, choose a clean font, and highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You're the perfect candidate, and we'll prove it. Use our resume builder now.
2. Write a Stunning Production Assistant Resume Objective or Summary
It’s that paragraph at the top of a resume—called a resume profile. Think of it as a trailer for the rest of your resume. It has to convince the producer to read the whole document.
How to make sure your production assistant resume profile delivers? By offering value.
Start with an adjective followed by your job title (e.g. Dependable TV production assistant).
Add 2–3 skills and achievements.
Promise to help achieve their goals.
See these examples for reference:
Production Assistant Resume Example: Summary
The first example says “I’ve delivered solid results and I’ll help your team achieve your goals.” The second one? It’s so generic it could just as well read “I’m a production assistant.” Little to no experience in the field? Take heart. Make your production assistant resume stand out with a nicely-phrased career objective.
The key to success? Don’t just write about what you want out of the job. Instead, show them what skills you’ve mastered so far and how well you’ll fit in. See how it works in practice.
Sample Entry-Level Production Assistant Resume Objectives
Not awful. But the second candidate failed to provide any proof of his production assistant skills. Anyone can claim to be “well-organized.” And everyone wants to gain experience. That’s just not enough to convince the hiring team you’re worth getting a shot.
Expert Hint: While this section comes at the top of your resume, write it last. Create the rest of your production assistant job application first, then pick the best bits and compile them into the resume profile.
3. Write a Perfect Production Assistant Job Description and Skills Sections
There’s no such thing as a “typical day” in the work life of a production assistant. The pace of your work would make Fast & Furious feel like a psychological drama.
Your work experience section has to show you are:
Able to tackle multiple problems at once.
Versatile and dependable.
Here’s how to craft a strong production assistant job description for a resume:
Read the job ad carefully and spot the most important requirements.
Think of your experience that matches those. Highlight it on your production assistant resume.
Instead of just listing things you did, illustrate how well you did them.
Quantify your achievements whenever possible. Numbers pop!
In every entry, include: your job title, name of the company, dates worked, and bullet points describing your duties and accomplishments. Check out these two, very different, excerpts from production assistant resumes.
Production Assistant Resume Example: Work Experience
One more thing—While the work history section on your production assistant resume has to provide evidence of your varied skills and talents, you should still include a selection of skills for a resume with a snapshot of your key areas of production expertise.
Just don’t cram your resume with production skills you think you have in whatever order you deem right. Focus on the job ad. List only those skills that are relevant to this particular gig. For reference, here’s an extensive list you can pick from.
4. Turn the Dull Education Section into a Reason to Hire You
Listing education on a resume is easy, most of the time. Especially if you’re an experienced production assistant. If such is the case, limit this section to:
Degree
University Name
Major
Minors (if applicable)
Graduation date
Writing an entry-level resume for production assistant jobs? No experience to showcase? It’s time all those courses you slaved over started paying off! Expand your education section by adding extra details:
Relevant coursework
Favorite fields of study
Academic achievements
Extracurricular activities
Expert Hint: What about your GPA? Include it only if it’s higher than 3.5. Also, you don’t need to add it if you’ve had more than a year of full-time experience. Your work history is more important than grades.
5. Add Extra Sections to Make Your Resume Shine
With all the above sections filled out, that’s a decent production assistant resume you’ve got there. But you don’t just want a decent job. So let’s punch your resume up a notch. If you have additional information, add a few “additional” sections to your production assistant resume.
Anything that shows your drive and a sense of purpose in pursuing a career in TV, film, or other areas of entertainment.
Expert Hint: Once done with your resume, create a short and sweet cover letter too. Depending on the source, between 20% and 50% of employers expect covering letters for resumes. You can learn how to write a cover letter in our guide.
Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.
Want to try a different look? There's 21 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.
Key Points
For a job-winning production assistant resume, follow these steps:
Use the reverse-chronological resume format with lots of white space, big section headings, and elegant layout.
At the top, put a carefully-crafted resume profile: a summary or an objective.
In your work experience section, highlight achievements over daily duties. Quantify whenever you can.
List skills that are relevant to this position, not just any production assistant skills.
Add extra sections: conferences, solo projects, certifications, industry awards.
And there you have it. Everything you need to know to write a resume that lands Hollywood-level jobs. If you have more questions or need help, let me know in the comments section—I’ll get back to you straight away.
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With vast expertise in interview strategies and career development, Michael is a job expert with a focus on writing perfect resumes, acing interviews, and improving employability skills. His mission is to help you tell the story behind your career and reinforce your professional brand by coaching you to create outstanding job application documents. More than one million readers read his career advice every month. For ResumeLab, Michael uses his connections to help you thrive in your career. From fellow career experts and insiders from all industries—LinkedIn strategists, communications consultants, scientists, entrepreneurs, digital nomads, or even FBI agents—to share their unique insights and help you make the most of your career.