Breaking into the music industry requires more than just talent; it demands a well-crafted resume that showcases your unique skills, experience, and passion.

Whether you're an aspiring artist, producer, or executive, your music industry resume needs to stand out in this competitive field.

In this article, we'll provide you with examples and expert tips to help you create a document that resonates with hiring managers and sets you on the path to your dream job in the music sphere.

Where words fail, music speaks.

Hans Christian Andersen

Music industry resume examples

Freelance musician resume sample

Freelance musician resume template

Freelance musician resume template
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Resume for freelance musicians | Plain text

Sarah Martin

Location: Nashville, TN
Phone: (615) 555-1234
Email: sarahmartinmusic@example.com
Portfolio: www.sarahmartinmusic.com

Summary

Dynamic and versatile musician with over 6 years of experience in live performances, studio recording, and music composition. Adept at collaborating with artists across various genres, have a strong passion for creating original music. Proven ability to engage audiences and enhance live events through captivating performances.

Experience

Freelance Musician

Nashville, TN

January 2016 – Present

  • Perform at over 200 live events, including concerts, weddings, and corporate functions.
  • Collaborate with local artists such as The Bluebird Café performers and emerging singer-songwriters.
  • Compose original music for independent films and local theater productions.
  • Provide session work for studios like Ocean Way Nashville and The Tracking Room.
  • Teach private guitar and piano lessons to students of all ages.

Session Musician

Ocean Way Nashville Recording Studios, Nashville, TN

March 2018 – August 2023

  • Contributed to over 50 recorded tracks for various artists and commercial projects.
  • Worked closely with producers to ensure musical alignment with the artist's vision.
  • Specialized in acoustic guitar, bass, and backing vocals.

Education

B.A. in Music Performance

Belmont University, Nashville, TN

Graduated: May 2015

Skills

  • Instrument Proficiency: Guitar, Piano, Bass, Drums
  • Music Production: Pro Tools, Logic Pro X
  • Songwriting and Composition
  • Live Performance and Stage Presence
  • Collaboration and Communication

Awards

  • Songwriter of the Year at the Tennessee Songwriters Association, 2023
  • Best New Artist at the Nashville Independent Music Awards, 2019

Music Portfolio

Albums

  • Rhythms of the Heart (2022) – Available on Spotify and Apple Music
  • Acoustic Journeys (2018) – Available on Bandcamp

Strong sides of this musician resume example:

  • It highlights a broad range of experience, from live performances to studio recording, music composition, and teaching.
  • The inclusion of a portfolio section with albums and film scores provides tangible proof of the work.
  • Listing awards boosts the musician's credibility and highlights their recognition within the industry.
How to properly format a resume for music industry?
  • Choose a clean, modern font that is easy to read. Good choices include Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica.
  • Use 11-12 points for the main text and 14-16 for your name or section headers.
  • Aim to keep your resume to one page. This is especially important for roles where communication is valued, such as artist management or marketing.
  • Add 1-inch margins on all sides. If you need more space, you can reduce them to 0.75, but avoid going any smaller to provide readability.
  • In the header, include your name, contact information, and a link to your portfolio or LinkedIn profile.
  • Ensure consistent formatting throughout the document. This includes font sizes, bolding, and alignment.
  • Left-align all text, but center your name and contact information at the top.

One of the easiest ways to avoid formatting issues on your application is by using an online resume builder.

Resume Trick provides pre-designed templates that are optimized for readability and consistency, ensuring that your document looks polished and professional across all devices and platforms.

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A&R resume example

Sample music production resume

Michael Davis

Location: Los Angeles, CA
Phone: (323) 555-7890
Email: michael.davis@example.com

Summary

Experienced A&R Specialist with a keen ear for talent and a proven track record of discovering and nurturing successful artists. Extensive experience in scouting, contract negotiation, and artist development. Passionate about the music industry with deep connections across multiple genres.

Experience

A&R Specialist

Interscope Records, Los Angeles, CA

April 2018 – Present

  • Discover and sign emerging artists such as indie-pop sensation Luna Rivera, whose debut album hit #1 on the Billboard 200.
  • Manage artist development for signed acts, coordinating with marketing, production, and touring teams.
  • Negotiate contracts and oversaw recording budgets, ensuring projects were completed on time and within budget.
  • Work with producers and songwriters to match them with the right artists, resulting in multiple chart-topping singles.

A&R Coordinator

Warner Music Group, Los Angeles, CA

July 2014 – March 2018

  • Assisted in the scouting and signing of artists, including alt-rock band Velvet Echoes.
  • Organized and attended industry events, showcases, and concerts to scout new talent.
  • Supported the A&R team with day-to-day administrative tasks, including scheduling and communications.
  • Coordinated with legal teams to finalize artist contracts and deal memos.

Education

B.A. in Music Business

University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA

Graduated: May 2014

Skills

  • Artist Scouting and Development
  • Contract Negotiation
  • Music Production and Direction
  • Budget Management
  • Industry Networking and Relationship Building

Projects

  • Spearheaded the “New Voices” project at Interscope Records, which focused on signing and developing underrepresented artists in the music industry.

Artist Roster

  • Luna Rivera – Debut album reached #1 on the Billboard 200 (2021).
  • Velvet Echoes – Signed to Warner Music Group, breakout single Shadows in the Night (2017).
  • The Neon Dreams – Indie-electronic band, signed in 2020, over 50 million streams on Spotify.

Industry Events Attended

  • SXSW Music Conference, Austin, TX – 2022, 2023
  • Billboard Music Summit, Los Angeles, CA – 2020, 2022
  • ASCAP “I Create Music” Expo, Los Angeles, CA – 2019, 2021

Here are a few reasons why this music business resume will impress recruiters:

  • It emphasizes a strong history of discovering successful artists, including those whose albums have topped the Billboard 200.
  • Listing a variety of successful artists across different genres that the candidate has worked with showcases their ability to identify talent across a broad musical spectrum.
  • This application shows results-oriented accomplishments, which are critical in A&R roles.
Should I choose an objective or summary for a music industry resume?

If you have significant experience in the music industry, a resume summary is the better choice.

  • It allows you to highlight your key achievements, skills, and expertise in a few concise sentences.

Music industry resume summary sample:

Dynamic music producer with over 8 years of experience in creating award-winning tracks for major artists. Expertise in sound engineering, studio management, and collaboration with top-tier talent. Proven ability to deliver high-quality productions that resonate with diverse audiences.

If you're just starting out (e.g., a recent graduate or someone shifting from another industry), an objective can explain your aspirations and how your background aligns with the role you're applying for.

  • It can help clarify your career goals and show your enthusiasm for the field.

Music industry resume objective example:

Aspiring music manager with a passion for talent development and event coordination. Seeking to leverage my organizational skills and industry knowledge to support emerging artists and contribute to a forward-thinking record label.

How to showcase your music skills for a resume?

The music industry is diverse, with roles ranging from production and artist management to marketing and event planning. The skills section allows you to showcase the specific abilities that are relevant to the job you're applying for.

  • Hard skills are specific, teachable knowledge that are typically acquired through education, training, or hands-on experience.
  • Soft skills are personal attributes, traits, or behaviors that influence how you work and interact with others.

Hard skills examples:

  • Pro Tools proficiency
  • Sound engineering
  • Music theory
  • Instrument proficiency (e.g., guitar, piano)
  • Event management
  • Audio mixing and mastering
  • Music production
  • Digital marketing
  • Music licensing and copyright law
  • Studio recording techniques

Soft skills samples:

  • Communication
  • Creativity
  • Teamwork
  • Time management
  • Adaptability
  • Problem-solving
  • Leadership
  • Networking
  • Attention to detail
  • Collaboration

Entry-level music industry resume sample

Beginner music industry resume template

Beginner music industry resume template
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Resume for beginner musicians | Text version

William Obrien

Location: New York, NY
Phone: (212) 555-4567
Email: williamobrien@example.com

Summary

Motivated and detail-oriented music industry enthusiast with a recent degree in Music Business. Strong foundation in music marketing, artist relations, and event coordination. Eager to contribute to a dynamic team and grow within the industry.

Experience

Event Coordinator Assistant

Live Nation Entertainment, New York, NY

June 2023 – August 2023

  • Assisted in planning and executing live events, including concerts and promotional tours.
  • Coordinated with vendors, venues, and artists to ensure smooth event operations.
  • Managed guest lists, ticketing, and on-site logistics during events.
  • Collected and analyzed attendee feedback to improve future events.

Campus Radio Station Manager

NYU Radio, New York University, New York, NY

September 2021 – December 2023

  • Managed a team of 15 student volunteers, overseeing daily radio programming and special broadcasts.
  • Curated playlists and interviewed local artists to feature on the station.
  • Organized live events and fundraisers to support station operations.

Education

B.S. in Music Business

New York University, New York, NY

Graduated: December 2023

Skills

  • Music Marketing and Promotion
  • Social Media Management
  • Event Planning and Coordination
  • Artist Relations
  • Market Research and Analysis

Certifications

  • Certified in Digital Marketing, Google Digital Garage, 2023

Academic Project

Capstone Project: Independent Artist Marketing Strategy

NYU, New York, NY

Fall 2023

  • Developed a comprehensive marketing plan for an independent artist, focusing on digital channels and social media.
  • Analyzed industry trends and audience data to create targeted campaigns.
  • Presented the plan to a panel of industry professionals, receiving high praise for innovative strategies.

Volunteer Experience

Volunteer Event Staff

Brooklyn Music Festival

July 2022

  • Assisted in setting up stages and managing artist hospitality.
  • Worked with the event coordination team to ensure smooth transitions between performances.
  • Helped distribute promotional materials and manage merchandise sales.

This sample resume is effective for several reasons:

  • The inclusion of a detailed academic project shows that the candidate has already applied their knowledge to real-world scenarios.
  • Volunteer work indicates a proactive approach to gaining experience and contributing to the community
  • Managing a campus radio station and organizing events during university demonstrates leadership potential and the ability to handle responsibility.
What educational credentials should I add to my resume?

In the music industry, formal education or specialized training can be a significant asset. It shows that you have a structured understanding of key concepts such as music theory, audio engineering, or business practices.

  • List any degrees or certificates related to the music industry or your field.
  • Include the name of the institution where you earned your diploma.
  • Provide the month and year of graduation.
  • Highlight specific courses or projects that are particularly relevant to the job.
  • If applicable, mention any honors, awards, or recognitions received.
How to organize the work experience in the music industry?

Start with your most recent job or project and work backward. This format highlights your current and relevant experience, which is often the most impactful.

  • Clearly state your role, e.g., "Music Producer," "Event Coordinator," or "Sound Engineer."
  • List the name of the company or organization where you worked.
  • Include the city and state (or country if international).
  • Provide the start and end dates (month and year) for each position.
  • Outline your key responsibilities, but focus on those that are relevant to the job you're applying for.

Use action verbs and metrics to make your descriptions dynamic and engaging.

Conclusion

Crafting a resume for the music industry is about highlighting your creativity, experience, and knowledge.

By following these tips and using the provided examples as inspiration, you can create a resume that captures attention and opens doors to exciting opportunities.

Remember, your application is your first chance to leave an impression, so make it count and let your passion for music shine through every detail.

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