Back to the real world....

[Jluckie3]

so i have a quandry, i have been playing bass professionally for a couple years now and it has been a good steady source of income, however, it seems that impending fatherhood is forcing me to look for a day job to suppliment my income. now my problem is this, i have no idea what to put for work experience on my resume. i haven't had a day job in over two years and this has come up in interviews and on job applications. i know that i can't be the only one to have this problem. any suggestions?

[stflbn]

Welcome to the real world...

I'd say it just depends what types of jobs you're looking to land. The simple answer of "i've been supporting myself as a professional musician" is honest and straight-forward.



.

[Spinal Tapper]

Is the fatherhood thing making you switch to a real job because you can't make enough as a musician? I'm just asking because I have a 9-5 j-j-j-job and only dream of being able to support myself making music someday.

As far as your past experience during an interview, be honest about supporting yourself as a musician. There's no reason why a company wouldn't hire you because of that, as long as you're qualified for the position you're applying for.

[Jluckie3]

well the fatherhood thing requires me to have medical and dental, as well as the increased cost of having a child. this is something that i am completly excited about, however i am nervous because i don't think that i can support three people on my touring and gigging salary.

[paganjack]

you can highlight how reliability, performance under pressure, ability to work in extreme conditions, and trustworthiness factor hugely into the life and livelihood of a pro bass player. I'm sure that there are other traits/skills that you can point out too. Talk about the good parts that they'll respect and understand.

[winstonthecat]

I would emphasize the aspects of being a working musician that should appeal to any employer:

Self-motivation
Reliability
Marketing
Dedication to continuous learning
Success in a highly competitive market

Think along those lines, put some specific examples of those types of items in your resume.

Good luck!

[Spinal Tapper]

Originally Posted by paganjack

you can highlight how reliability, performance under pressure, ability to work in extreme conditions, and trustworthiness factor hugely into the life and livelihood of a pro bass player. I'm sure that there are other traits/skills that you can point out too. Talk about the good parts that they'll respect and understand.

+1

What kinda work are you looking for? Do you have a degree of any sort? Maybe you could still do something musically related, but still get the benefits and the job security of a 9-5.

For instance, the Lakland factory is near Chicago where I live. I have a BFA in graphic design, so perhaps I could apply for something in their marketing/development department. That's just an example of what I'm talking about though.

[bad_andy]

I agree with the people who recommend focusing on your strengths. You haven't simply "been without a day job". You've also been living successfully from working as an independent contractor in a highly competitive field. If you were working as a sideman then you had to rapidly acquire new information and perform complex work with great precision on short notice... etc. Highlight the ways that your professional skill set is larger than simply being a musician. You're selling yourself not a degree or a resume.

[bburk]

It's not like you've been without a job for two years. On your resume I would put that you have been self-employed for the last couple years as a professional musician. At the interview I would proudly talk about all the stuff that being a professionally gigging musician entails. Financial management, time management, inter-personal skills, self-motivation, stress-management, etc.

At an interview, I would talk proudly about your success as a musician, and explain that with a family on the way you require more stable income, benefits, etc... That's another plus in the interviewers eyes, a guy with a family to feed isn't likely to quit in 2 months.

A good company will view such unconventional experience in a positive light as long as you present it as such.

[idResponse]

on the flip side, i'm a schmuck that works at a mini mart but wants to make money playing music professionally. i have no real employable skills apart from being good with a cash register and retail experience. there ain't no money in retail... but music? there's a ton! right? well, more than working at a mini mart, surely...
considering going to school for some credentials.
anyone recommend any books on becoming a gigging musician?

[Stumbo]

Originally Posted by idResponse

anyone recommend any books on becoming a gigging musician?

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[Dave Bassincus]

One issue will be convincing prospective employers you're not going to be out the door at the drop of a good gig. Self-employment isn't generally a big issue, but the key is convincing someone of 2 things - ability and reliability. Do that, and a job should follow. My job is working as an employment specialist with mentally ill people (GED's to PhD's), and helping them get back to work.
PM me if I can be of help.

[TheDarkReaver]

Originally Posted by Dave Bassincus

My job is working as an employment specialist with mentally ill people (GED's to PhD's), and helping them get back to work.
PM me if I can be of help.

That totally sounds like you're saying the OP has mental health issues.

[deggial]

Originally Posted by Jluckie3

so i have a quandry, i have been playing bass professionally for a couple years now and it has been a good steady source of income, however, it seems that impending fatherhood is forcing me to look for a day job to suppliment my income. now my problem is this, i have no idea what to put for work experience on my resume. i haven't had a day job in over two years and this has come up in interviews and on job applications. i know that i can't be the only one to have this problem. any suggestions?

As pointed above, you should put your experience as a professional musician in your resume.

I don't know what kind of jobs you're applying for, but there are a few things that are appreciated in every job: responsibility, reliability, self-motivation and communication skills. If there are aspects of your music career that portray the above, you can't go wrong with emphasizing them, if not on your CV then in interviews.

[BillMason]

I work for the Canadian division of a F500 US-based IT manufacturer. One of our country's most respected product experts used to be a full-time gigging musician B.C. (before children), at which point he got into IT. His experience as a musician and home recording taught him a lot about computers, and he leveraged it to a career in IT, which he's been doing for several years now.

+1 to the post above - you *have* had a job. List all of the qualities and strengths you have developed in that job, and be prepared to discuss them. Also, be prepared to discuss the challenges (i.e. problems) you faced and how you overcame them, or didn't. If you go in to an interview feeling unconfident about your current job, it will be communicated as a lack of confidence in yourself - which essentially it is. Be proud of what you do, it is a hard job, you enjoy doing it, and you can bring that passion and drive to any other job that you do, especially if it is putting food in your kid's mouth.

[Dkerwood]

Originally Posted by Dave Bassincus

One issue will be convincing prospective employers you're not going to be out the door at the drop of a good gig.

This is something that I ran into often. I've had quite a few music-related jobs, and employers always ask, "Are you in a band?"

I say yes.

They ask, "How often do you play?"

I say, "Not very often. Maybe once a month, if that."

End of problem... but a very legit concern on the employer's part.

[theshadow2001]

+1 to those mentioning the skills you've developed as a musician (I don't mean musical skills)

While you haven't worked for a regular company you have actually run your own business (you as a musician)

There are so many buzz words and skills you can throw at an employer some mentioned already

Bands = Team Work
Getting paid = Negotiating
Studio sessions = listening to and interpreting the needs of a customer (producer)

You don't have to lie or bend the truth. Just make the experiences from being a musician relevant to the job your applying for.

[Scott Roc]

If you don't want to join the work force but health insurance for your family is what has got you looking for a "real job" the Freelancer's Union is working on going nationwide.
www.freelancersunion.org

[lethargytartare]

Good advice above. I'd add that, if you do try to emphasize the skills-side of being a pro musician, be careful how you do it. Be prepared for most prospective employers to hear one thing "he was in a band -- woopie" If they're receptive, go with it; but if they're dismissive, don't get rattled, and just steer into your other professional or relevant skills. So, be prepared for them to NOT care about that phase of your life beyond "it wasn't a break from work, it was a professional touring and performing schedule." And then be ready to map out your other skills and credentials.

Oh, and if you're nervous, go and interview at a few jobs you DON'T want -- so you and work out the kinks there, so you can see how your explanations sound when you're saying them out loud to a stranger, etc.

Best of luck man!

ltt

[OtterOnBass]

*Professional Musician Self-Employed
- Organize and direct group activities
- Market and manage events
- Present prepared material in front of large audiences
- Balance and maintain financial accounts

Make it like this, substituting your actual skills. You were self-employed. Job title was Professional Musician or whatever you like, since you were the boss.