How do you guys make your CV ?

Hi there

After 3 years of freelancing I am finally about to update my CV.

I was wondering however if I should write ALL the projects I've worked on? The list can be long, esp. if I include all the corporate shoots etc...

How do you guys do it? The most experienced of you have a 10 pages CV ?

If for example you do several corporate shoots for the same client, do you add a new line for each ?

I'm very curious. I think a CV can only be attractive if it is short, at the same time every project is experience...

Thanks!!

manoucho wrote: … After 3 years of freelancing I am finally about to update my CV.…

google for 'functional resume' .....

in only three years, you did a lot of projects, but not a lot of jobs mainly one - being a freelancer .... :silly:

I'm actually 'coaching' jobless, mostly elderly people (50+), and they have a mile-long CV...
A Functional Resume helps the reader to get a short 'management summary' (= I hate this phrase!) about your skills and goals.
A complete list of projects is on my behalf an addendum ...... helpful, but no CV in traditional meaning ("… and then i did that, and that I did that, and then I ....")

Compare how others structure their websites, in most cases you see "About me" and "Credentials" … same concept.

In the same vein as Karsten, who's right on the money;

I've gone from self-employeed to employees and back. Going self-employed to employed is the toughest, unless you're young and it was a short stint. So, if you freelanced, you were self-employed as a contractor, basically. So from such and such a date, to such and such a date, you were a freelancer.

For example-
"2105-2115; Post-Production Freelancer, did editing, color grading, and media management for broadcasters and independent production houses. Clients included, but not limited to: [first most impressive company], [second most impressive company], [third..."

I'd list no more than six companies, and only the absolutely most impressive names you have worked for. WHAT you did doesn't matter at this point, WHO you did if for does. I've seen some folks include "A full client/experience list available upon request." Let them ask for the gory details if they're that interested.

Karsten is right, we call it the K.I.S.S. method of writing. Keep It Short & Simple. I've been in management positions and had to hire/fire folks. I hated it. But, doing interviews, I (and most who do) logistically don't have time to read everything. Those who encapsulate their experience and goals successfully in writing, get to the top of my list. Why? Not because I'm too lazy to read all the resumes, but because I don't have the time to do it. AND, the successfully short and simple and clear resumes show someone who cares, is dedicated to the task at hand, and put a lot of work in to it. I've seen resumes that were so sloppy and slapped together it was pathetic. I wouldn't hire a loser like that to scrub my toilets. But a good, short, clear, to the point resume, catches my eye, shows initiative, shows intelligence, shows sincerity. The things HR folks who hire look for.

Thank you Karsten & Ben. This is what I needed.

I didn't know the word Functional Resume. Will look into it.

manoucho wrote: … I didn't know the word Functional Resume. Will look into it.

yeah, that is a bit new, ... esp. on this side of the pond! When I first established that on my actual company, all the other coaches "Wot?!" ... :woohoo:

We do have here 'career fairs', where HR depts. promote their company to potential employees - there, such FRs or lil' 'CV-flyers' are actually very fancy ... ok, not for 'media business', my territory is more simple white/blue collar jobs

You'll find dozen of examples, even @Microsoft.com/Word readymade templates, just to fill out - my link-list is for German versions - lil' use for you, or, directing to commercial 'career' and 'social network' sites, I don't have to promote here...

First hits on google lead you the way ...

To stress it: That is mainly for employees/9to5-jobs!
A freelancer needs more some sort of 'advertisement', and in film&video, the demo-reel is unmatched ....

Concerning KISS:
From the U.S. I learned the phrase "elevator pitch" sell your [strike]soul[/strike] project on a ride with your new boss btw 1st and 5th floor - or loose your job ... :silly:

Very glad you brought that up, Karsten! That concept was originally called the Escalator Pitch back in the day. You'd write it, practice it, memorize it, be able to give it at the drop of a hat. It is probably the most effective sales pitch trick ever, and can be use to sell a product, a film, or yourself. It was to be less than 1 minutes long (30-45 seconds), the duration of an escalator ride up one floor. Over the years it became the elevator pitch. My father used to teach this to the salesmen in his region way back in the 60s and 70s. It is a fantastic tool to develop. As someone self-employed, I find it very helpful. I was on a panel at a conference once, it was how to sell your film, your script idea, or for an actor, yourself. We spent a good bit of time discussing the Escalator/Elevator Pitch. Super powerful when you get a good one done correctly.