Create a Professional Music Resume (+Examples for a Musician)

Even though all this can become harsh and tedious for professional musicians –or fresh start ones sometimes-, daring to go to that interview, with all you’ve got, is a good start. It’s taking that first step you’re dubitative to take.

But let yourself be guide by intuition and apply to that first job. Hold on there! Before, you need to create a top-notch resume for music that will make them call you back. In the next minutes, you’ll discover the best advices to write your music resume from 0.

In that order, we’ve gathered all what’s needed to create –from scratch– a music resume that makes you succeed on getting that job you want.

All along this guide, you’ll find expert’s advice on issues like:

• Start your musician resume from scratch.
• Comprehend the best choices and appropriate terms to use in each section.
• See vivid examples of each section with formal language and proper form.
• Have a complete section-by-section guide to write your resume.

So now, let get to the real deal...

How to Write a Summary or Objective for a Musician Resume

The first aspect to keep in mind while writing your resume are the keywords of each section. These keywords are its names.

But beyond focusing on the titles, specifying all what’s relevant is definitely key in all the process of describing the kind of prospect you’re for the job position.

The summary must be located right at the top of your music resume template.

The whole purpose of writing this brief description about yourself is to stand out and answer this question:

What are the reasons you’re eligible for our company?

And as a second question:

Why do we have to choose you?

In this summary or objective, your main goal is:

• Expand the essential and relevant verbs that describe you as an individual and define your own work ethic andprofessional experience.
• Show one or two goals you’re really proud of and or where a challenge for you.
• Skills you have and stand out for and that will contribute to the outcome of the workplace and job.

Now that you know the basis, let me show you a clear example of a simple but useful description of a musician applying to be Solo-guitar Vocalist in a cruise all around the Caribbean.

Detailed and tailored, isn’t it?

You can find some info on key skills and what the potential employer is seeking on applicants on the music job description or gig.

Your goal is not to tell them they found the perfect person. Instead, to show you’re completely capable to do and accomplish all the duties of your job because your experiences backs you up.

How to Write Major Awards on a Musician Resume

During your studies, career or work history, obtaining awards, honors or achieving goals and being recognized for surpassing standards can leave a really good taste in your mouth and career.

Accomplishments are a reflection of your dedication towards music and the duties or creativity you come up with to carry it out. But, how do I give them the importance they deserve on my resume for music job positions? How to list all major awards?

Dedicate a specific section for these achievements if needed. They cannot be buried and be left aside from all the rest.

One easy way to list them and showcase all your key skills -and the right way according to Peterson’s College is the following:

• Date of recognition or award
• Purpose of award and accomplishment it recognizes (i.e., Academic, athletic, job related)
• Significance of award (i.e., What did you have to accomplish? Only one who received the award?)
• Scope of the award (i.e.: National, regional, or local)

The previous key bullet points don't necessarily have to go in that order.

CORRECT

Excellence Award for Arranging an Original Composition, Adelphi College Local Composition Competition, 2015-2019.

Education

Music is an industry that requires dedication, discipline and constancy. Three aspects that become much more attached and marked on musicians who receive formal education, and of course, the ones who are self-taught.

During the job search, these studies can be the difference on getting a job or not. But this doesn’t always happen.

Talent is a must when talking about being a performer of any music genre, an orchestra member, a music teacher, a solo singer or any other musician.

But now, to create a neat section where you describe all the studies you have -in order to catch recruiters’ eye- you need to follow the next combination:

• Add your degree or qualification obtained.
• Specify the dates of study.
• Include the name and city of the entity where you coursed your music career or studies.

Resume Tips to Write Your Musician Resume

Let’s get few things clear first. Even though, this section might not be the decisive one to be selected -recruiters also take a close look at your skills, experience, formal education and others. However, having a concise and tailored summary it’s the best introduction to reduce all the other sections down to some sentences.

Now, when creating follow this expert tips and the next thing you’ll have in your resume is just a professional and accurate description:

• Keep it short! Do go beyond a 5 sentence paragraph, just add relevant information.
• Use strong action verbs to describe your dedication and experience. Show your professionalism and omit using “I”.
• Don’t forget to mention what goals or new projects you’ve successfully got done on previous jobs.
• Use keywords when possible to stand out specific and essential info.
• Tailor it to the company needs but don’t make it obvious!

Example of Music Resumes

In music industry, performers, creators, engineers and any other member of the world musicians are part of offer a great demand of jobs. But to start with it you must introduce who you are as a whole to your future employer. Writing an ideal and compelling music resume will ease the process of becoming a potential employee and gather some more quality experience for your music industry resume.

An accurate example of all the tips we've provided you so far will be displayed so you can oversee what your music resume template will look when finished.

What Does a Musician Do?

Musicians can do a multitude of different field-related jobs, all of them directly connected to entertaining audiences through music. Either in a school, orchestra, cruise, cocktail bar, etc. Some possible jobs performers are capable of doing are:

• Write and arrange music pieces and songs
• Compose
• Record music
• Teach music (practice and theory)
• Tutor people of all ages
• Produce music
• Private event performer

It's well known that make a living solely from being a musician can be hard sometimes. But what it's not commonly known is that people who dedicates to this art can also be doctors, teachers, programmers, sellers, managers, and have any other job besides a performer. Not necessarily one has to be attached to the other.

This doesn't mean that including your surgical abilities on the skills section will increase you eligibility a singing performer. Instead, use these details and info to stand out goals, achievements, and meaningful accomplishments for your career.

A Wide Job Market for Musicians

In the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is a clear perception, based on job market studies, that:

Employment of musicians and singers is projected to grow 1 percent from 2019 to 2029, slower than the average for all occupations.

This is one of the markets increasing their demand in small numbers year by year. As you may know, musicians can perform a multitude of different tasks all joined to the art.

According to the salary figures quoted on various websites, musicians make an average of:

A musician or singer makes approximately USD $14 - USD $116 per hour.

The best format for a musician's resume

Formatting your resume and choosing the right distribution is something that deserves a close look. Working with this area requires creativity, one of the things that’s expected to be present on your resume.

The second thing would be formality and relevancy on each section.

No blank spaces and pure attractiveness all over your resume to create engagement on the recruiter.

Creating a music portfolio for your resume

Other creative way to showcase your abilities is to have a portfolio. There’s no a most nifty way of showing your job. Uploading your creations to a safe place where hirers can later access is key. Having your best and most original pieces ready to be shown.

Keep in mind the word resourcefulness. It will allow you to have tool in the palm of your hand when needed.

Frequestly Asked Questions Section