Model Resume Sample

Do you want to create an eye-catching, well-written model resume? Here’s some advice to help you get started with yours.

1. Take time to format your resume carefully

A modeling resume should look the part. A well-formatted resume is easier for hiring managers to scan and helps your resume get past applicant tracking systems (ATS) — software that sorts a resume’s content into categories and picks up on keywords.

Use a resume template or check over the formatting of your current resume before applying for jobs. Here are the basic rules:

• Choose a simple resume layout with 1” margins and plenty of white space so that hiring managers can scan your resume easily
• Left-align your text
• Use a standard resume font between 10.5 and 12 points to keep your resume readable
• To ensure that your application doesn’t get overlooked, write a one-page resume and have clear headers that separate each part of the resume
• Use a reverse-chronological format to present your experience logically
• Save your resume as a PDF because PDFs look exactly the same no matter what software hiring managers use to open your resume

2. Include your bio and online portfolio

When you make a resume, it’s important to know what to highlight. A headshot, links to your portfolio, and bio are essential to your modeling resume so that hiring managers can see if you’re what they’re looking for.

Here’s how to prepare each one:

Provide a headshot

Along with all of the components of a standard resume, a modeling resume needs to include your headshot. Choose a high-quality, front-facing photo and place it near the top of your resume.

Prepare a portfolio

An online portfolio is a visual representation of your previous experiences as a model. Place your online portfolio link along with your contact information at the top of your resume so recruiters and employers can access it easily.

Create a customized bio

Add details about your physical appearance, including eye and hair color, weight, and height in your bio. If you want to share your pronouns, include them here.

3. Add a detailed skills section

To be a successful model, you need many skills. List these skills on your resume to impress hiring managers. Hard skills for modeling include physical fitness, endurance, and knowing how to pose.

In this industry, you’ll work with different clients who have specific expectations, so soft skills are just as important. Soft skills are non-technical skills that allow you to interact with others and solve work-related problems.

Here are some soft skills for a modeling resume:

• Language skills
• Positivity
• Confidence
• Following directions
• Time management skills
• Dependability
• Professionalism
• Interpersonal skills
• People skills
• Flexibility and being open to change
• Self-discipline
• Calmness
• Communication skills
• Teamwork

Optimize your skills section by:

• Providing a mix of hard and soft skills
• Putting your hard skills at the top of your list for more visibility
• Adding your physical attributes (for example, hair color, eye color, weight) in a separate section
• Catering your skills to the modeling job descriptions
• Adding hard numbers to quantify your skills in your work history section
• Including your skills in your experience section, resume introduction, and skills section

4. Use action verbs and resume adjectives

An effective resume includes a relevant work section that impresses hiring managers. Even if your work experience isn’t directly related to modeling, leverage your accomplishments with strong work experience bullet points.

Start each bullet point with an action verb. Action verbs are the first thing that hiring managers read at the start of each sentence, so good action verbs immediately make a strong impression.

Also, add specific details of your achievements so hiring managers can clearly visualize the work you’ve done.

For example, look at the difference between these two bullet points:

Good Bullet Point

• Mentored 3 models on their posing, presentation, and technique for InStyle’s 2014 spring magazine campaign

Bad Bullet Point

• Helped fellow models with their poses

The good bullet point uses a strong action verb and includes a hard number to show employers what you’re capable of, whereas the bad bullet point does neither of these things.

Finally, here’s an example of an aspiring model’s work experience:

Olive Garden — Server (2016–2019)

• Represented Olive Garden as the head brand ambassador in 2018 by promoting the restaurant on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest and appearing in over 30 web advertisements
• Developed excellent lasting relationships with over 100 customers through effective communication, active listening, and fulfilling order requests efficiently
• Promoted to Team Leader in 2017 and awarded the “Best Restaurant Employee of the Year” award for consistently having a friendly and proactive attitude to work