Musician CV examples

A Musician CV needs to capture more than just your past performances – it should reflect your dedication, technical abilities, and versatility. It’s your chance to show why you’re the perfect fit for a band, venue, or studio.

This guide will teach you how to writing a CV that amplifies your strengths, lands auditions, and gets you noticed in the competitive world of music.

Your CV structure needs to be as well-arranged and easy to follow as your setlist – and it should leave the recruiter wanting an encore. The layout should be simple to navigate, letting the recruiter pick out the key expertise and experience that makes you the musician to reach out to.

Here’s how you should structure your Musician CV:

• Name and contact details – Make these contact details the first thing recruiters see so they know how to reach you. Adding a picture of yourself is entirely down to personal preference.
• Profile – Open with a compelling summary of your musical expertise, style, and standout achievements.
• Core skills – List your key abilities in this section, focusing on those that will be most relevant to the job, from instrument mastery to musical arrangement.
• Work experience – Provide a detailed breakdown of your performances, collaborations, and other relevant gigs in reverse chronological order.
• Education – List your qualifications, including degrees and relevant awards, in reverse chronological order.
• Additional info – This section is optional, but it’s a good place for hobbies that complement your musical interest.

A cluttered CV is like a band with no rhythm – it’s hard to follow, and nobody is going to stick around for the finale. Keep it polished and professional, and let your talent shine. A clean, well-organised design ensures hiring managers focus on your talent, not your formatting mistakes.

If you want to make your CV format as effective as possible, follow these tips:

• Bullet points – Use short, snappy lines to make your experience easy to digest.
• Divide sections – Making the information easy to navigate with clearly-defined sections is important in your CV.
• Use a clean font – Choose something professional and readable – save the fancy font for your album artwork.
• Keep it the right length – No more than 2 pages in length, ensuring your highlights are front and centre while avoiding unnecessary fluff. Save the rest for a cover letter.

Your CV profile (or your personal statement if you’re a junior candidate) is the opening act of your application – set the stage with a killer intro that leaves the recruiter eager to see what’s next. Grab the reader’s attention and convince them that your musical talent is exactly what they need.

Here are some simple tips on what to include in your Musician CV profile:

• Where you’ve performed – A good CV profile will mention the notable venues, events, or gigs you’ve played at in the past.
• Your top qualifications – Be sure to note which music degrees, performance certifications, or any notable training you’ve got.
• Your musical style – Highlight your genre expertise or ability to play across multiple styles.
• Collaborations – Quickly note any notable bands, artists, or ensembles you’ve worked with.
• Technical skills – Mention tools like audio production software or specific instruments you excel at.

This section is your CV’s greatest hits album – a highlight reel of the skills that make you the one to call when they need a virtuoso. Your CV skills section is your chance to spotlight the abilities that make you a standout musician. 

Tailor this section to the type of music roles you’re applying for, whether it’s studio work, live performance, or teaching.

Your work experience section is where you detail your performances, collaborations, and professional contributions to music. Focus on the value you’ve brought to past gigs or projects to convince recruiters.

Whether you’ve played Wembley or just your cousin’s wedding, every gig counts – what matters is how you frame it. Always list roles in reverse chronological order.

• Outline – Provide a brief description of the performance, event, or organisation.
• Responsibilities – Highlight your role, whether it was as a lead performer, arranger, or session musician.
• Achievements – Include specific outcomes, like audience size, successful recordings, or awards received. 

The education section is where you demonstrate your musical training and academic background.

Talk about your degrees, conservatory training, or specialised workshops that have honed your skills. For self-taught musicians, highlight relevant achievements or certifications to show your expertise.

Always list qualifications in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent.