How to Write a Dancer Resume (Examples & Tips)

As a dancer, you will be:

• Performing a story through strategic movements.
• Following through practice routines and preparing for the final performance.
• Moving rhythmically to the beat, music, or sound.

From ballet to breakdancing to ballroom dancing, there is a variety of types of dance that you can choose to perform. Oftentimes, you might hear the word choreographer used in the dance industry. While a choreographer can also be a  dancer, not all dancers are choreographers. A choreographer is someone who specifically designs and arranges dance movements for dancers.  

To tap into the position as a dancer, you will need a professional dancer resume to shine the spotlight on your achievements.

As a dancer, you might be already familiar with how the arrangement of your movements can affect the audience’s impression of the show. Just like in dance, the organization of your dancer resume can affect how the recruiter picture you.

• Chronological resume format:
  - PROS: clearly shows what you have accomplished professionally in the past in reverse chronological order
  - CONS: not suitable for the people with career gaps
• Functional resume format:
  - PROS: emphasizes on skills instead of work experience
  - CONS: might raise suspicion
• Combinational resume format:
  - PROS: focus on both work experience and skills
  - CONS: might make your dancer resume appear repetitive
  

Check through the dance job posting to confirm if the recruiter asks for a PDF or word file for your dancer resume. If there are no specifications, decide on which of the two formats will best fit your dancer resume:  

• Dancer resume in a PDF format (highly recommended):
  - PROS: readable across various devices, the layout and formatting of your dance resume remaining unchanged
  - CONS: not ATS-friendly
• Dancer resume in a Word format:
  - PROS: ATS can read a Word file better
  - CONS: The layout and formatting of your dance resume may be altered when opened on a different device
  

If you are creating a dance resume as a college student or with no professional experience, try these three pieces of advice to strengthen your resume:

• Advice 1: Use the skills-based (functional) format.
  Formats like functional and combinational resume formats put the emphasis on your skills and knowledge, which can help you make up for the limited experience you have for your dancer resume.
• Advice 2: Include a career objective statement.
  Add a career objective statement to your dancer resume to show the recruiter what you plan to accomplish with this dance position. 
• Advice 3: Focus on your educational background. 
  Showing that you have absorbed the dancing techniques through classes and training in your dancer resume lets the recruiter understand that you have what it takes for the position, even if you have no experience.

1. Resume Profile (Personal Information)

Begin your dancer resume with an introduction of yourself to the recruiter: 

• Full name
• Professional title
• Email address
• Mobile number
• Address

2. Dancer Resume Headline 

Capture the recruiter's attention through a captivating headline for your dancer resume in ten words or less. 

3. Dancer Resume Summary

If you are an experienced dancer, incorporate a summary statement in your dancer resume to showcase your knowledge and achievements. 

4. Dancer Resume Objective

If you are an entry-level dancer, use an objective statement, instead of a summary statement, for your dancer resume to emphasize your dance career plans. 

5. Dancer Resume Skills

Show your strengths through technical skills and soft skills in your dancer resume. Remember to organize the list of skills with bullet points.

6.  Dancer Resume Work Experience

For each of the work experience entries that you provide, make sure to include your former job title, name of the organization, date of employment (month/year), and a few descriptions of how you made an impact. 

7.  Dancer Resume Education

From fine arts dance programs to professional training academies, including the educational achievements in your dancer resume proves your dedication to dancing. 

8. Extra Information for Your Dancer Resume

A plus on your dancer resume is your certification or awards earned from dance competition. Not only is this another bonus for your credentials but it also backs up your abilities in acing that next dancing job. 

✨ 1. Tailor your dancer resume to the job description. 

Display yourself as the fitting applicant by including what the posting requires in your dancer resume. 

✨ 2. Make your dancer resume concise and relevant to the dancing position. 

From a dance instructor resume to a choreographer resume, to a ballet dancer resume, resumes for various positions different from each other. Read requirements and qualifications in the job posting to know what an ideal dancer resume should look at. 

✨ 3. Refer to online dancer resume samples. 

Just like how you learn from other dancers and their movements, there are many dancer resume examples that you can refer to learn what to incorporate and exclude in your own resume. 

✨ 4. Keep the formatting of your dancer resume consistent. 

Having consistent formatting and structure for your dancer resume makes it easy for the recruiter to read your resume and is crucial for landing that dream dance position. 

✨ 5. Write a dancer cover letter with specific details.  

Whether you are creating a competitive dancer resume, or a dance resume for college, having a dance cover letter to pair with your dancer resume shows your dedication to the position. For your dancer cover letter, you can further express your interest in the role as well as your accomplishments or experiences related to dancing.

🖋 Should I use a resume template?

A dancer resume template can be advantageous for you, especially if you are creating a dance resume with no experience. It can save you time so that you know what details to include as well as where to put them in your dancer resume. 

A downside is that while resume templates can save you time, they might not effectively show your potential and talents. 

🖋 What is the best dancer resume template?

For an entry-level dancer, you will want to choose a simple design with a focus on your skills. 

For an experienced dancer, you will want to select or create a unique design that focuses on your work experience. 

🖋 Where can I create a free dancer resume template?

• CakeResume - for a personalized dancer resume template with many accessible features.
•  Microsoft Word or Google Docs - for an easy, manageable premade resume template for your dancer resume.