Best Animator Resume Examples for 2024 (Template & Guide)

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Animator Resume: Choose a Format

Choosing the right resume format will showcase your strengths and make a strong first impression. As an animator, your resume should highlight your technical expertise and creative achievements in a way that’s easy for hiring managers and applicant tracking systems (ATS) to follow.

You can choose from three resume formats: chronological, functional or combination. Each format has benefits or drawbacks, depending on your experience and career goals.

Chronological resumes for animators

A chronological resume focuses on your work history, listing your previous jobs in reverse chronological order. A chronological format is compatible with ATS and highlights career growth and industry expertise, making it easy for hiring managers to assess your qualifications.

This format is ideal for animators with steady career progression or significant professional experience in animation. However, a different format might work better if you are just starting out or transitioning from another profession.

Functional resumes for animators

A functional resume focuses on skills over work history, making it a good choice for animators without professional experience or those transitioning from other fields. It organizes your expertise by skill category rather than job titles and a career timeline.

A functional format can highlight your strengths, but employers may question the absence of a work history. This format is also incompatible with most ATS, which may hurt your chances of getting your resume in front of a hiring manager.

Combination resumes for animators

A combination resume blends elements of chronological and functional formats. It starts with a skill section at the top of the page, followed by a brief work history. This format is perfect if you want to equally emphasize your technical abilities and relevant experience.

A combination format showcases a well-rounded profile, making it ideal for mid-level animators or those with unique skills. However, this format can make your resume longer than ideal. Focus on the most relevant information to employers to keep your resume at most one or two pages long.

Choosing a resume format

If you are having trouble choosing a format, a chronological resume is always a good choice for animators. Chronological resumes are familiar to employers and ATS-friendly, which improves your chances of getting through the initial screening process.

Chronological resumes are perfect for an experienced animator, but they can also work well if you don’t have professional experience. You can easily customize this format by emphasizing your transferable skills, relevant projects and educational accomplishments.

Your previous jobs and education have given you the skills to excel as an animator. Focus on showcasing your creativity, storytelling, and graphics expertise to show that you have what it takes to succeed.

For example, if you completed a college project involving 3D modeling or participated in a group animation for a film competition, list these under your work experience or education sections with clear descriptions of your contributions and results.

Including any training or certifications related to animation software or tools can also demonstrate you are qualified as an animator. You can also include a link to personal animation projects to validate your abilities.

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How to Write an Animator Resume

Writing a resume for an animator is a straightforward process. This resume-writing guide will show you how to make the most of each section of your resume to help you land your next animation job. Start by creating a resume outline that includes these essential elements:

• Contact Information
• Resume Summary or Objective
• Work History
• Skills
• Education

Some optional sections can set you apart from other applicants. Don’t worry! We’ll guide you through each step of the resume-writing process.

Contact information

Start with the basics by providing your name and contact information. Include your full name, location, phone number, email, and portfolio link. You can also include your LinkedIn profile; just be sure it is current and complements your resume.

The contact information on an animator resume should look something like this:

Jane Doe
Los Angeles, CA
(555) 123-4567
jane.doe@email.com
www.janedoeportfolio.com

Place this information at the top of your resume, using a standard font to make it easy to find and read. Double-check for typos to ensure potential employers can contact you.

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Summary or objective

Next, you will write a brief introduction that sets the tone for your resume. It’s your chance to grab the employer’s attention and highlight why you’re an excellent fit for the role. You can choose a summary or an objective statement to start your resume.

A resume summary is ideal if you have experience as an animator or in related fields. It’s a brief, impactful two or three sentences showcasing your expertise and achievements to demonstrate your value. For example, a summary of an animator’s resume might say:

Creative animator with 5+ years of experience in 3D modeling and character rigging for major studios. Skilled in Maya, After Effects and collaborative storytelling. Proven track record of meeting tight deadlines and delivering visually engaging content that captivates audiences.

On the other hand, a resume objective is best for entry-level animators. This statement explains your career goals and how your current skills and enthusiasm make you an excellent candidate for the role. For example, an objective statement for an animator’s resume might say:

Recent graduate with expertise in Blender and Adobe Suite, seeking an entry-level role in a creative studio. Eager to contribute strong storyboarding and motion design skills to collaborative projects while growing as a professional in the animation industry.

Whichever option you choose, tailor this section to each job application. Personalizing this section shows employers that you’re genuinely interested in their role and helps your resume stand out to ATS.

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Work history

The work history section is where you demonstrate your professional experience and the impact you’ve made in previous roles. Start by listing your previous jobs in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent. Include your job title, company name and location and your dates of employment.

Then, beneath each entry, write three to five bulleted sentences describing your accomplishments in each role, focusing on measurable results and specific skills. Begin each bullet point with a strong action verb like “developed,” “animated” or “collaborated.” Strong verbs make your accomplishments more dynamic and engaging.

Whenever possible, include quantifiable results to give context to your achievements. For example, don’t just say you “Created character animations,” say, “Created 3D character animations for five feature films, enhancing storytelling and improving audience engagement by 20%.”

Here’s an example of a job entry on an animator’s resume:

3D Animator
XYZ Animation Studios | Los Angeles, CA | Jan 2020 – Present

• Animated 3D characters for three feature films, delivering expressive movements that enhanced emotional storytelling.
• Collaborated with directors and sound designers to synchronize visuals with audio effects, improving scene quality.
• Optimized animation sequences, reducing rendering times by 20% and meeting all project deadlines.

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Skills

A dedicated skills section is crucial for an animator’s resume. It helps employers quickly see how your technical and personal abilities align with their needs. This section is a snapshot of your creative and technical expertise and ability to thrive in team-based, deadline-driven environments.

Include a balanced mix of hard and soft skills in this section. Hard skills show that you can handle industry-standard tools and workflows, while soft skills demonstrate your ability to collaborate, adapt and deliver exceptional results in a dynamic work environment.

Top 5 hard skills for animator resumes

1. Maya: Maya is one of the animation industry’s most widely used software tools. Proficiency in Maya signals employers that you can handle professional-grade projects.
2. Blender: Blender is a powerful open-source tool popular among independent animators and small studios. Proficiency in using this tool demonstrates that you can adapt to any budget.
3. Storyboarding: This skill shows employers that you can translate ideas into actionable visuals, streamlining the animation process.
4. Rigging: Rigging involves creating frameworks for character movement, ensuring fluid and realistic animations. It is a foundational skill for creating lifelike or stylized characters.
5. After Effects: Proficiency in Adobe After Effects indicates that you can enhance animations with dynamic visuals, making your work more polished and impactful.

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Top 5 soft skills for animator resumes

1. Creativity: Creativity is the core of animation. Whether designing unique characters or crafting compelling story arcs, creativity ensures that your animations stand out and resonate with audiences.
2. Collaboration: Animators work with directors, writers, editors and other team members to complete projects. Collaboration demonstrates that you can contribute effectively to a team.
3. Problem-solving: Problem-solving skills show that you can think critically and develop solutions to keep the project on track. Employers value this ability because it reduces downtime and ensures high-quality results.
4. Time management: Time management ensures you can handle multiple tasks — like rendering, revisions and client feedback — while staying on schedule.
5. Adaptability: The animation industry is fast-paced, and projects often change direction based on client or creative feedback. Adaptability shows that you can pivot quickly and embrace new challenges without losing momentum.

The skills section on a resume for an animator should look something like this:

Skills

• Maya, Blender, Adobe After Effects
• Storyboarding, rigging and motion graphics
• Creativity, team collaboration and problem-solving

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Education

Your educational background is essential to your animator resume, especially if you’re just starting your career. List your highest level of education, including your degree and the institution’s name and location. The education section of an animator’s resume will look something like this:

Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation
California Institute of the Arts | Valencia, CA

You can also mention relevant coursework, honors, or extracurricular projects if you’re a recent graduate. However, if you have professional experience, keep the education section concise and focus on your achievements in other sections.

Additional sections

Additional sections can elevate a resume for an animator by showcasing your unique qualifications, personal achievements or extra skills. These sections let you go beyond the basics to make a lasting impression. Some optional sections to consider include:

• Certifications
• Awards and Achievements
• Volunteer Work
• Hobbies and Interests

Adding these sections allows you to create a personalized and well-rounded resume, helping you stand out from other candidates.

Top certifications for animators

Including certifications on your animator resume demonstrates your commitment to staying updated with industry standards and improving your craft. Here are five certifications that can enhance your animator resume:

1. Autodesk Maya Certified Professional: This certification proves expertise in Maya, one of the most widely used animation tools. It’s ideal for roles requiring advanced 3D modeling or rigging skills.
2. Adobe Certified Professional in After Effects: Demonstrates proficiency in creating motion graphics and visual effects, a critical skill for post-production animation.
3. Unity Certified Artist: Highlights your ability to work within Unity’s platform to create interactive, real-time 3D animations.
4. Toon Boom Harmony Certification: Validates your ability to use Harmony’s 2D animation software to produce high-quality animation.
5. Certified Motion Graphics Artist: Recognizes expertise in designing dynamic motion graphics, often used in advertising and film.

10 Tips for Writing an Animator Resume

1. Tailor your resume to the job description. Consider your resume a story tailored to your audience — in this case, the hiring manager.Carefully read the job posting to identify the skills and experiences the employer values most. For instance, if the role emphasizes rigging, highlight your experience creating character frameworks or working on fluid motion. Adjust your resume for each job application to showcase your most relevant skills and accomplishments.
2. Include a link to your portfolio. Your portfolio is where your work truly comes to life. Include a link in your contact information section to show employers your best animations, storyboards, or character designs.Make sure your portfolio is professional, easy to navigate and features high-quality work that aligns with the job you’re applying for. If possible, include a mix of personal and collaborative projects to show your range and teamwork skills.
3. Quantify your achievements. Numbers make your accomplishments more tangible and impactful. Use metrics whenever possible, like how many projects you completed, how quickly you met deadlines or the success of your animations (e.g., increased engagement or awards).Instead of simply saying you optimized workflows, explain how: “Reduced rendering times by 15% through workflow optimization” is specific and demonstrates measurable value.
4. Focus on relevant projects. If you’re new to animation or don’t have professional experience, don’t worry — your academic or freelance projects can still shine. Include details about your contributions, such as designing character models, creating motion graphics or collaborating on storyboards. Highlight how these projects prepared you for a professional setting and align them with your chosen job.
5. Highlight technical skills. Employers want to know you can handle the tools of the trade. List the animation software you’re proficient in, like Maya, Blender or After Effects and align your skills with the job description.Mention any specific techniques, such as rigging or compositing, that make you stand out. This section is your chance to demonstrate your technical expertise in a concise, impactful way.
6. Showcase team collaboration. Animation is rarely a solo effort — it’s all about working with directors, designers and other animators. Highlight experiences where you contributed to a team project, whether by aligning your animations with a director’s vision or collaborating with storyboard artists.For example, you could say, “Collaborated with a team of five animators to create motion graphics for a national ad campaign, meeting a tight two-week deadline.
7. Use action verbs. Start each bullet point in your work history with dynamic action verbs that convey impact. Words like “designed,” “developed,” “animated” and “optimized” are much stronger than passive phrases. Action verbs add energy to your resume and help paint a vivid picture of your accomplishments.
8. Keep it concise. While it’s tempting to include every project you’ve ever worked on, focus on the most relevant and impressive details. Limit your resume to one page unless you have extensive experience. Remember, hiring managers often skim resumes very quickly, so make every word count by emphasizing the skills and projects that align most with the role.
9. Include certifications. Certifications show that you’ve mastered specific tools or techniques, making you a more attractive candidate. For example, Maya, Blender or After Effects certifications demonstrate your expertise and commitment to professional development. If you’ve earned industry-recognized credentials, list them in a dedicated certifications section to give your resume an edge.
10. Proofread for errors. An error-free resume shows your attention to detail — a must-have quality for animators. Carefully review your resume for typos, grammatical mistakes or inconsistent formatting. Use tools like Grammarly or ask a trusted friend to review it. A polished, professional resume ensures that your first impression is strong.