Information on creating resumes, cover letters, and CVs for professional musicians. This presentation gives a basic overview, as well as tips and tricks, for creating the best possible representation of one's self.
5. ACADEMIC/BUSINESS RESUME
• EDUCATION
• SENIOR PROJECT, THESIS, DISSERTATION, TREATISE – INCLUDE TITLES
• PRESENTATION HIGHLIGHTS
• CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS, ETC.
• PUBLICATION HIGHLIGHTS
• REVIEWS, ARTICLES, ETC.
6. CURRICULUM VITAE
•MULTI-PAGE, MORE COMPREHENSIVE
•SIMILAR STRUCTURE TO RESUME WITH GREATER DETAIL
•LONGER COVERAGE DATES
•ORGANIZATION OF DOCUMENT SHIFTS FOR EACH POSITION
7. GRADUATE SCHOOL APPLICATIONS
• KNOW YOUR DEADLINES!!
• MAKE A CHECKLIST FOR ALL REQUIRED COMPONENTS
• KNOW THE SCHOOL AND ITS PROGRAMS
• DRAFT ENTRIES BEFORE INPUTTING IN ONLINE FORM
• ADHERE TO WORD LIMITS AND PLAN AHEAD
• LONGER IS NOT ALWAYS BETTER!
8. JOB APPLICATIONS
• WHERE CAN YOU FIND JOB POSTINGS?
• COLLEGE MUSIC SOCIETY
• CHRONICLE OF HIGHER EDUCATION
• MUSICAL CHAIRS
• MANY OTHER WEBSITES
• YOUR PROFESSIONAL NETWORK!!
• RESEARCH THE INSTITUTION BEFOREHAND
• CUSTOMIZE YOUR APPLICATION EACH TIME
9. COVER LETTER
•CUSTOMIZE FOR THE SPECIFIC POSTING
•OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE YOUR VOICE
•ADDRESSED TO COMMITTEE, DEAN, OR OTHER PERSON LISTED
•GOES BEYOND WHAT CAN BE FOUND IN YOUR CV
10. CHOOSING REFERENCES
• WHO TO PICK?
• BROAD RANGE, BUT TAILORED TO THE JOB
• SOMEONE WHO CAN SELL YOU TO AN EMPLOYER
• HOW TO ASK?
• ASK EARLY!
• ASK EACH TIME (BEFORE APPLYING)
• PROVIDE APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
11. QUESTIONS?
Licensed by: Creative Commons
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International
Created by:
Patrick Fulton & Sara Nodine
Warren D. Allen Music Library
Notas do Editor
Over the course of this presentation we will see four themes weaving their way into each discussion. Keeping these four themes in mind while building your professional documents will save you time and energy, while at the same ensuring you will have stronger materials.
One page in length.
Just the highlights.
Will need to be edited for EACH application.
Include most recent work (most important).
Performance
Education (where, with whom, and lessons/masterclasses)
Performance highlights (large ensemble, chamber ensemble, solo)
Festival experience
Academic/Business
Education (senior projects, thesis, dissertation, treatise – title and major professor)
Presentation highlights (conferences, etc.)
Publications (reviews, articles, etc.)
Multi-page, comprehensive
Similar structure to resume, greater detail
Longer coverage
Organization of information may shift for each application
Make a timeline/calendar – KNOW YOUR DEADLINES (you are NOT an exception to rules)
Plan ahead to order transcripts, have scores sent, make recordings, and mail materials
Know the school/program to which you are applying (is there emphasis on particular performance styles, areas of research, etc.?)
Not all applications require the same components—Make a checklist! (resume and repertoire list? Complete CV? – if you don’t know ASK!)
Requires the most up-to-date documents (begin to filter out items on your resume/CV that are no longer relevant)
Draft your entries before entering them into the online form (be careful if you copy and paste from Word as formatting may change)
Keep word limits in mind and plan ahead for them. If no limit is given, be sure you have provided enough information without too much filler. Longer is not always better!
How to find a job
Know where to look for postings:
College Music Society
Chronicle of Higher Education
Musical Chairs
Various other society websites
Know who to talk to:
Your professional network
Know the organization to which you are applying (teaching position? Administrative?)
Make sure you actually qualify (meet the basic requirements)
Customize your application for each position
Tailor to specifics of job posting, using terminology/phrasing exactly from the description.
Your opportunity to let them know why you would be the best choice for the position.
One page in length.
Addressed to dean or search committee chair (whoever is listed).
Information beyond what is found in your CV.
Your opportunity to give a voice to who you are personally and professionally.
Who to pick?
Broad range, but tailored to the job
How do they know you and can they sell you appropriately?
How to ask?
Ask early
Initial email: “I will be applying for jobs, would you mind being a reference?”
Provide detailed personal information and job specifics for each position. (Tell them why you think you are perfect for the job so they can include it in their letter.)
Do NOT ask after the fact!
Additional questions you can ask the audience:
What do you think counts as current?
Should you just include “References available upon request”?
What makes a specific item relevant for your documents?
Suggestions for activities to do at the end (time permitting):
Live editing of participant’s document(s)
Editing (change formats, fonts, etc.) on a prepared document if none provided by participants