Writing a choreographer resume is an essential task for those who want to enter a professional career in the arena of the performing arts. Crafting the right resume involves some strategy, so it’s important to be aware of the best practices while developing a resume that stands out. To help you make a resume you can be proud of, here are seven strategic steps that will make the choreographer resume writing process easier:
1. Start with Professional Contact Details
Focus on Your Current Contact Information
When you start your choreographer resume, your professional contact details should be included at the very top of the document. This includes your full name, email address, and phone number. It’s important to use your current contact information here, as this will be the first thing potential employers will see.
Include Relevant Social Media
In addition to your contact information, you’ll want to include any relevant social media accounts that link to your professional work. Include your channel, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn profiles and remember to update them regularly to maintain a professional appearance.
2. Clearly Explain Your Choreography Experience
Your choreographer resume should clearly explain your dance experience. Whether you’ve taken classes or been a paid professional in the past, include the details of your experience in this section. This can include a list of previous dance companies you’ve been associated with, as well as a list of styles of dance you’ve worked with.
Include a List of Accuracy of Styles
Be sure to include a list of styles or genres of dance you are most accurately with. This can include hip-hop, jazz, tap, ballet, and more. Make sure to list the styles you’ve had the most experience in.
List Your Teaching Experience
If you have teaching experience, be sure to include it in your resume. List the type of classes you’ve taught and where, as well as any awards or recognitions you’ve received for your teaching.
3. Include Examples of Your Work
When you’re applying for a job as a choreographer, it’s important to demonstrate your abilities. You can do this through creative compositions, video or audio recordings, or photos of your work. Whichever examples you choose, they should show off your best work.
Wide Range of Material
When you’re putting together visual or audio material to showcase your abilities, make sure that it reflects your range of style and skills. This can include live shows, process videos, and full productions. By providing a wide range of material, employers can get an idea of your capabilities.
Choose Workful Work
Be sure to showcase work that is of professional quality and that you’re proud of. Having such material can be a great way to show potential employers what you’re capable of, so don’t be afraid to include only the best examples of your work.
4. Tailor Your Resume for the Job You’re Applying For
Make your choreographer resume stand out from the competition by tailoring it specifically for the job you’ve applied for. Think of your skills and experiences that are most relevant to the job and make sure that these stand out in your resume. This is something employers will notice right away and can convince them that you’re the right person for the job.
Focus on the Job Description
When you’re tailoring your resume for a specific job, go back to the job description and focus on the specific qualifications, skills, and requirements that the employer is looking for. This can help you to determine what you should highlight on your resume to make it stand out from the competition.
Include Your Unique Qualifications
In addition to focusing on the specific requirements of the job, you also want to make sure to include any unique qualifications that you have that make you an excellent fit for the position. Whether it’s your ability to collaborate or your knowledge of different genres of dance, make sure that it’s reflected in your resume to make it stand out.
5. Update Your Resume Every Six Months
It’s important to make sure that you keep your choreographer resume updated, even if you’re not actively looking for a job. Even if you don’t have any major changes to make, it’s helpful to periodically go through your resume and make sure that every section is up to date. Make sure that your contact information is current and that all dates, such as when you took classes, are accurate.
Change the Visual Design from Time to Time
In addition to making sure the information is up to date, it’s also helpful to switch up the visual design of your resume every now and then. This can help to make sure that it is attention-grabbing and stands out from other competing resumes.
Check Your Resume for Typos and Grammatical Errors
It’s essential to make sure that your resume is free of any typos or grammatical errors that could make it stand out in a negative way. Have someone else check your resume before you send it to a potential employer and make sure that it’s perfect.
6. Show Off Your Technical Skillsand Writing Skills
A choreographer resume is not only a way for employers to get an idea of your dance experience and capabilities, but it’s also a way for them to get an idea of your other skills and experiences. Make sure to include any related experiences that may be relevant to a choreographer position, such as technical skills such as music theory or writing skills.
Include Music Theory Knowledge
It’s important for potential employers to have an idea of your knowledge of music theory. Include any courses you’ve taken in music theory as well as any other related experience, such as your ability to create a musical score or to improvise choreography to a song.
List Your Writing Experience
Choreographers often need to be able to communicate complex ideas through writing, so make sure to include any related writing experience on your resume. Include any writing or journalism classes you’ve taken as well as any freelance writing positions you’ve held in the past.
7. Showcase Your Creativity and Collaborative Abilities
Choreographers are often team players and need to be able to work collaboratively as well as demonstrate their own creative abilities. Make sure to showcase these traits on your resume in order to stand out from the competition.
Highlight Your Collaborative Experience
When employers are looking for a choreographer, they want someone who is able to collaborate with other members of the team. Make sure to highlight any experience you have in working in groups or in leading projects. This can give employers an idea of your ability to work within a team.
Showcase Your Creativity
Finally, make sure to showcase your own creative abilities. If you’ve participated in any competitions or choreography showcases, include them and explain what type of creative approaches you took to the projects.
Final Words
Writing a choreographer resume can be tricky, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. By following these seven strategic steps, you can ensure that your resume is up-to-date, eye-catching, and showcases the best of your abilities. Put the time and effort in, and employers will be sure to take notice.