Koryn wrote:
I have modeled as a revenue source for a number of years, and kept it far separated from any "mainstream" job. Never mentioned it on a resume, or to coworkers. People don't really understand it, and most likely, it will not be regarded in either a professional or positive light.

You want people to think you're a total weirdo, and possibly a nut-case? Tell them that you worked as a model.

Take my word for it; you don't want to ever mix your modeling life with your daily life. It's a recipe for disaster.

+1000

Looknsee Photography wrote:
So, list your modeling experience if you are applying for a job that involves modeling, but if you are applying for, say, an office manager job, it is irrelevant.

Exactly.

Also, makes you look unintelligent.

Why, as an employer, do I need to know you have modeled?

Natalia_Taffarel wrote:

Exactly.

Also, makes you look unintelligent.

Why, as an employer, do I need to know you have modeled?

Modeling has been my only job for the last six years.  Before that, I was a stay-at-home Mom and a school bus driver.  Therefore, I am honest and always list modeling on my resumes.  I don't care if they think I'm stupid or not because of that.  I will be myself with them, which means that I will be honest with them. 

Not everyone falls into a category.  I know that I don't.

Danielle Reid wrote:
I've actually been offered a good paying job outside of modeling (or looking pretty) with "Modeling" in my resume. Without it, there would be a 4-5 year gap of work and I would look lazy. Then I would have to explain why I haven't had a "job" in 4 years.

Modeling is a job. I file taxes, I was approved for an apartment, and it shows that I have some form of business sense (SOME form).

Oh, it requires GREAT business sense, but most regular employers aren't going to be able to understand that. What they will immediately understand is that there are potentially sexy images of a possible employee, floating around somewhere out on the interwebz, discrediting the seriousness of their business if they opt to hire that person.

Also, since a HUGE portion of mainstream society hears the words "freelance model," but almost universally interprets this to mean "hardcore porn star." any professional credibility is just flying right out the door the minute you admit ever being photographed in a occupational context, unless it's high fashion and runway work - which people tend to respect mode.

I only ever worked one regular job since I started modeling as a regular income source in 2008, and I just made up some obscure-sounding alternate title (I think I called myself an "arts events coordinator"). I don't think the guy who hired me really even looked below the education lines on my resume, so it didn't matter anyway.

IrisSwope wrote:
Every time I've received a resume that says someone acted or modeled, we've googled and laughed at it.
But none of them were very legit either.

Unless its the only way to fill in a gap of time, I'd skip it.

I would say this, and the gap part would be important. Also the social media and seo things a model would do (if they do it) may be important skills to a company.

Or, make a note of it if your name comes up in google as a model, just so no one gets a suprise.

*edit*

now that I'm home and have a keyboard.

To add to the above, by adding your own business you can also "backdate" your current success. So for instance, let's say you're a photographer and have been doing this for 10 years, but, only in the past 4 have things been making money and your work has been good. On a resume they don't see the 6 years of crap, they just see your current website and your current skills. So for all they know you've been doing it at that level for a while now, and it can really fill in gaps in the past.






Andrew Thomas Evans
www.andrewthomasevans.com

photoguy35 wrote:
Another option is to be a bit fuzzy on the description ("independent artist", "art consultant", "artist representative", etc.), and then focus the resume on the associated business skills (recruiting clients, networking clients, social media promotion, coordinating travel, scheduling, budgeting, etc).

There you go. That's how you do it.  ^^^

Carmilla Jo wrote:
Fellow models, what's your opinion on listing your modelling gig on your resume?

I have put it on my resume when applying for jobs and internships because it showcases my ability to navigate social media proficiently, create contacts, manage and multitask on projects, and submit to publications. I fear that it turns away potential employers, but I have received  (a few) internship and job offers, and got a job position as a content writer for a tech start-up a couple of months ago (I am very happy with the company) and have a summer internship as a social media intern for another company.

I don't do nudes, but I have done implied and fetish. I love them (fetish in particular), though I worry about how this would affect future job prospects.

Thoughts?

I went to a job workshop awhile ago and we were told that you could put jobs like modelling on your resume as  your own company and just list your duties as a model and any notable achievements you have made as a model.
in this way you don't have any work history gaps on your resume.

Carmilla Jo wrote:
Fellow models, what's your opinion on listing your modelling gig on your resume?

I have put it on my resume when applying for jobs and internships because it showcases my ability to navigate social media proficiently, create contacts, manage and multitask on projects, and submit to publications. I fear that it turns away potential employers, but I have received  (a few) internship and job offers, and got a job position as a content writer for a tech start-up a couple of months ago (I am very happy with the company) and have a summer internship as a social media intern for another company.

I don't do nudes, but I have done implied and fetish. I love them (fetish in particular), though I worry about how this would affect future job prospects.

Thoughts?

There are a wide array of responses here - mine leans toward the "I think it depends on the job you're applying for" end.  Personally, my method is never to mention it to potential employers or bosses/coworkers/customers/etc. While everyone in the modeling industry understands the value of networking skills, social media competency, negotiating/sales experience, etc. that comes with being a freelance model...
the vast majority of major companies with any kind of significant image to uphold would probably be extremely wary of hiring someone whose "values" exemplified in their images (read: sex appeal/perceived promiscuity), however good they might be, had the potential to go against the "values" of the company as a whole.

This is a problem with them/societal norms, not you/us. But, personally, I wouldn't risk putting it on my resume because doing so would mean I was also risking having them unearth my modeling portfolio out of curiosity, which could only end in certain doom in one form or another, hah.

I have called it being an "artist's assistant" or "freelance creative contributor" or any other number of vague things when absolutely necessary though

Virtual Studio wrote:
I asked to see her resume one day.

Mine had "summer work: spray painter at the car plant asembly line". Hers had "Catwalk model for the <very famous upscale clothing brand> Summer Collection roadshow".

She said employers loved it - it was a real talking point at the interview. She's a very successful IP lawyer now.

Well and then the traveling models I've had contact with and worked with are some of the best people I know, not to mention the most resourceful. No reason not to put that down and be proud of it. I mean how many of us can live on the road and travel like that, they are living the dream to some extent.

IMO




Andrew Thomas Evans
www.andrewthomasevans.com

Koryn wrote:
I have modeled as a revenue source for a number of years, and kept it far separated from any "mainstream" job. Never mentioned it on a resume, or to coworkers. People don't really understand it, and most likely, it will not be regarded in either a professional or positive light.

You want people to think you're a total weirdo, and possibly a nut-case? Tell them that you worked as a model.

Take my word for it; you don't want to ever mix your modeling life with your daily life. It's a recipe for disaster.

Amen.

Natalia_Taffarel wrote:

Exactly.

Also, makes you look unintelligent.

Why, as an employer, do I need to know you have modeled?

Because it shows the following things:

-This person is organised as hell, because they have been self employed.
-This person is proficient with accounts and taxes
-This person has dealt with a lot of different people wanting different things, and has come out the other side relatively well adjusted.

I've used modelling on my CV as it has been my primary earner for large chunks of my career - I make sure to emphasise the fact it involves me doing my own tax returns, scheduling etc. Plus when i've been working in fashion retail, i've been able to prove my ability to help customers find what they want and what looks amazing on them because i've worn such a variety of stuff myself.

Plus, it would look crap if i got the job and was, a couple weeks in, like "oh btw i can't do overtime this week or that week because i'm off on a modelling job" - i'd rather be upfront with potential employers even if it costs me a job offer (which i am sure it probably has)

Abigail Rose Hill wrote:
Because it shows the following things:

-This person is organised as hell, because they have been self employed.
-This person is proficient with accounts and taxes
-This person has dealt with a lot of different people wanting different things, and has come out the other side relatively well adjusted.

No, it doesn't. It would be a leap of faith for the employer to presume that.

Carmilla Jo wrote:
Thoughts?

As an employer in a non-modeling field, having been a model does not add anything to the resume. It's not a negative  either.