Question: I’m a musician struggling to pay the bills here in Seattle. Is finding a job the same for musicians as it is for professional people? Do I need a resume, or should I just grab my guitar and move to Austin?
Answer: It’s true that Austin, Texas, is a great place for musicians and professionals alike. Austin is known for its lively music scene and opportunities for creative artists. However, I probably don’t have to tell you that Seattle is one of the best places in the world for musicians to make a name for themselves. Your current hometown offers an abundance of music gigs and other types of positions for inspired people like you.
Many musicians and other artists need a so-called “day job” to pay for rent, food and other expenses. If this is the case for you, you will likely need a resume and cover letter, just like other job seekers. But the style of your documents depends on your job goals.
Before proceeding with your search for a “regular” job, come up with some ideas on positions or industries that might be a good fit for your personality and talents. For example, if you require a full-time job with steady income, a position with a nonprofit organization may be a better match for your skills than a role with an engineering company. If you prefer part-time employment, you may wish to give guitar lessons or work for a music venue.
Do some research to find out what’s available in your part of the city, and contact employers by phone or with a letter and resume that describes your experience and education. Highlight your creativity by including details about your musical background.
Many of your skills as a musician can be transferred to the professional workplace. For example, if you book your own shows, your experience involves scheduling, financial management and contract negotiations. If you organize events or create promotional materials, write about it on your resume.
To some musicians, job hunting means coming up with more ways to play music for money. If this is true for you, make word-of-mouth and self-promotion your new best friends.
Other job seekers call this technique networking, but it doesn’t matter what word you use, the idea is the same. The more people hear your music, the more likely you are to land new gigs. Here are a few ways to get extra buzz on the music scene:
Talk with people in the industry, including the owners of specific venues and fellow musicians. Play as much as you can.
Send notices about your performances to The Herald and other newspapers in the area (most have a calendar with free listings). Learn how to write press releases and send them to the appropriate reporter or editor at those papers.
Also, prepare a promotional packet that includes a short personal bio (one or two paragraphs is plenty, unless you have tons of experience), a list of performance venues or locations, and photocopies of newspaper or online reviews about your shows.
There are lots of ways to pay the bills while increasing your visibility in the Seattle music scene. Use your creativity to your advantage. And have fun.
Send your job search questions to eve.getajob@gmail.com.
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