Some questions about CG CV/resume...

[branskyj]

Hi all,

it's time for me to start applying for a job (architectural and product visualization) and got stuck while preparing my CV. I am trying to describe my experience and level of knowledge with certain software products. For instance with 3DS Max I do modeling, texturing and lighting but have different levels of knowledge in them. How do I describe it? As "basic", "intermediate" and "proficient" ...or differently.

 

I looked on-line for some examples but could not find ANY CG CVs. Found some graphic designer CVs but they were not what I needed.

 

I know it sounds like a boring issue and apologise but since my CV will be sent out to many recruitment agencies and employers I do want to get it right the first time.

 

Thanks for any help.

[neil poppleton]

You could suggest basic, intermediate etc . Or maybe software used, i.e. daily , weekly , monthly, used once for a week......just an idea.

[mattclinch]

why give a proficiency level at all? seems fairly unnecessary given that most employers will judge for themselves based on your portfolio. also your idea of 'advanced' is unlikely to tally with their idea of 'advanced'.

 

i'd just go with a list of software used. they can always ask you about it when you get to interview...

[neil poppleton]

I think an understanding of what key pieces of software you use are essential. A list of 20+ pieces of software is meaningless on its own, from my personal opinion when viewing cv's.

[branskyj]

Cheers guys. I will go the basic, intermediate etc. route I guess.

 

Thanks for the help.

[ihabkal]

why give a proficiency level at all? Seems fairly unnecessary given that most employers will judge for themselves based on your portfolio. Also your idea of 'advanced' is unlikely to tally with their idea of 'advanced'.

 

I'd just go with a list of software used. They can always ask you about it when you get to interview...

 

I AGREE!

I once met with a guy who runs a company (who told me he would fail in North America so probably he gets his work from political allies in Lebanon and he told me the craziest thing, that his 2 year experienced modeller should probably be more expert than me in modeling since she does it every day while I run a full business every day so I might not be an expert in one domain since I am doing every aspect of the business. I thought that was presumptuous and crazy talk since I have been doing this for 12 years but of course I was too shocked to tell him that at the time. He also he wouldn’t hire Architects because they have their own view of how to do things. Probably he hires teenagers, make them work night and day for peanuts.

So yeah most employers especially ones that don't have any arts or 3d degrees and work from their dad's assistance or militia/political money in the middle east are expert at judging and presumptuous don't worry about that and they have their own misconceptions and your "idea of 'advanced' is unlikely to tally with their idea of 'advanced'".

Edited June 8, 2011 by ihabkal

[TheAllusionisst]

I would put a generic rating such as beginner, intermediate, advanced, expert as it can't hurt. Like it has been said it is very subjective as I get resume's and demo reels all the time where the individual states that they are fluent in all these programs, but their portfolio looks like a grade schooler did the work. The portfolio is the litmus test of your skills, make sure to note if you did all the work in the image/animation and if not what you did do. That is my two cents, good luck!

[branskyj]

Thanks for the help, guys. Hope that help other people as well.

[Noise]

There are two ways applications work - one way for arch viz and another for special effects.

 

The CG way seems to be based mainly on portfolio - the employer will make their decisions based on that and refer to your CV second.

 

The second is when applying for a special effects post. The standard way there is two fold - 1. State your skills with each program you use with the Basic, Intermediate and Power User definitions. The second is the way your portfolio movie is made. It should show each pass of the work you have created AND it should be only confined to the specific elements that you have created. The reason for this is that you might only create the characters or the particle systems of the if you are the compositor it should show the passes that you have created for each shot.

 

As you are in arch CG, we tend to do all the work ourselves therefore, the work in your portfolio should be entirely yours unless otherwise stated.

 

I agree with Russell - if you haven't done some aspects of the work in your portfolio - make sure you state it.

 

As an employer myself, it is useful if the applicant gives a bit more info on their portfolio pieces for example; modelling techniques used, texture structures, rendering settings, it shows that you know what you are talking about. Maybe this could be simply a small short list below each image or a short notation at the end of your movie.