10 Tips for Leveraging Your Skills from Your Ballet Career to Your Next Profession
10/31/20232 min read
Transitioning from a professional ballet career to a new profession can be an exciting and challenging journey. As a former ballet dancer, you possess a unique set of skills that can be highly valuable in a variety of industries. However, effectively translating these skills onto your resume can sometimes be a daunting task. To help you showcase your ballet experience and highlight your transferable skills, here are 10 tips to consider when updating your resume:
Focus on transferable skills: Identify the skills you developed as a ballet dancer that are applicable to your new profession. These may include discipline, time management, teamwork, ability to work under pressure, and attention to detail.
Highlight your achievements: Include specific accomplishments from your ballet career that demonstrate your dedication, perseverance, and ability to achieve goals. For example, mention any awards, performances, or leadership roles you held.
Showcase your adaptability: Emphasize your ability to adapt to new environments and learn quickly. This can be particularly valuable if you are transitioning into a fast-paced industry.
Avoid listing specific roles or performances: While this is important for ballet-specific resumes, this won't mean anything to prospective professional employers. Instead, list more general descriptive terms such as corps, soloist, or principal roles and the skills you cultivated in each (for example, teamwork, leadership, or versatility).
Include relevant training and certifications: If you have completed any courses or certifications that are relevant to your new profession, be sure to include them on your resume.
Quantify your experience: Whenever possible, quantify your ballet experience to provide context and demonstrate your level of expertise. For example, mention the number of performances you participated in each season or the number of audience members you performed for.
Use industry-specific keywords: Research the keywords and phrases commonly used in your desired profession and incorporate them into your resume. This will help your resume stand out to hiring managers and applicant tracking systems.
Tailor your resume to each job: Customize your resume for each position you apply for. Highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the specific job requirements.
Include any promotions: Make sure to mention any promotions you received during your ballet career. For example, you may have been promoted from Apprentice to Corps in 2017 and from Corps to Demi-Soloist in 2022. This shows you are a reliable employee who can handle pressure and go above and beyond in your role.
Proofread and edit: Finally, ensure that your resume is error-free and well-formatted. Pay attention to grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and consider seeking feedback from a trusted friend or professional.
By following these tips, you can effectively leverage your skills from your professional ballet career to your next profession. Remember to showcase your unique strengths and demonstrate how they can contribute to your new role. Good luck with your career transition!