Creating a comprehensive CV can be a significant challenge for dancers, as it needs to encapsulate their dynamic range of performances, skills, and experiences. Our guide provides clear instructions to help you effectively showcase your artistic accomplishments and tailor your experience to different roles within the dance industry.
- Applying the simplest CV design, so that recruiters can easily understand your expertise, skills, and professional background;
- Ensuring you stand out with your header, summary or objective statement, and a designated skills section;
- Creating your CV experience section - no matter how much expertise you have;
- Using real life professional CV examples to enhance the structure and outline of your profile.
If you still have no muse to write your professional CV, find some more industry-leading examples.
How complex should the format of your dance CV be?
Perhaps, you decided to use a fancy font and plenty of colours to ensure your dance CV stands out amongst the pile of other candidate profiles. Alas - this may confuse recruiters. By keeping your format simple and organising your information coherently, you'll ultimately make a better impression. What matters most is your experience, while your CV format should act as complementary thing by:- Presenting the information in a reverse chronological order with the most recent of your jobs first. This is done so that your career history stays organised and is aligned to the role;
- Making it easy for recruiters to get in touch with you by including your contact details in the CV header. Regarding the design of your CV header, include plenty of white space and icons to draw attention to your information. If you're applying for roles in the UK, don't include a photo, as this is considered a bad practice;
- Organising your most important CV sections with consistent colours, plenty of white space, and appropriate margins (2.54 cm). Remember that your CV design should always aim at legibility and to spotlight your key information;
- Writing no more than two pages of your relevant experience. For candidates who are just starting out in the field, we recommend to have an one-page CV.
One more thing about your CV format - you may be worried if your double column CV is Applicant Tracker System (ATS) complaint. In our recent study, we discovered that both single and double-column CVs are ATS-friendly . Most ATSes out there can also read all serif and sans serif fonts. We suggest you go with modern, yet simple, fonts (e.g. Rubik, Lato, Raleway) instead of the classic Times New Roman. You'll want your application to stand out, and many candidates still go for the classics. Finally, you'll have to export your CV. If you're wondering if you should select Doc or PDF, we always advise going with PDF. Your CV in PDF will stay intact and opens easily on every OS, including Mac OS.
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For certain fields, consider including infographics or visual elements to represent skills or achievements, but ensure they are simple, professional, and enhance rather than clutter the information.
The top sections on a dance CV
- Personal Information includes your contact details.
- Dance Training outlines your formal dance education.
- Performance Experience showcases your stage involvement.
- Dance Styles highlights the genres you are skilled in.
- Achievements & Awards recognises notable dance accomplishments.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight your technical skills and styles of dance, mentioning any specialisations like ballet, contemporary, or hip hop to showcase your versatility and expertise in the field.
- Detail your performance experience, including the names of productions, choreographers you've worked with, and the venues where you've performed, to underscore your professional background.
- Include any choreographic or teaching experience, as these skills demonstrate leadership, creativity, and a deepened understanding of dance that's valuable for collaborative projects.
- Emphasise your physical fitness and any cross-training you participate in, as this indicates your commitment to maintaining peak performance condition as a professional dancer.
- Integrate reviews or quotes from directors, instructors, or critics when relevant, as third-party endorsements can add credibility to your professional standing in the dance community.
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Tips and tricks on writing a job-winning dance CV header
The CV header is the space which most recruiters would be referring most often to, in the beginning and end of your application. That is as the CV header includes your contact details, but also a headline and a professional photo. When writing your CV header:
- Double-check your contact details for spelling errors or if you've missed any digits. Also, ensure you've provided your personal details, and not your current work email or telephone number;
- Include your location in the form of the city and country you live in. If you want to be more detailed, you can list your full address to show proximity to your potential work place;
- Don't include your CV photo, if you're applying for roles in the UK or US, as this may bias initial recruiters' assessments;
- Write a professional headline that either integrates the job title, some relevant industry keywords, or your most noteworthy achievement.
In the next part of our guide, we'll provide you with professional CVs that showcase some of the best practices when it comes to writing your headline.
Examples of good CV headlines for dance:
- Principal Ballet Dancer | Vaganova Trained | Choreography | Dance Education | 10 Years' Experience
- Contemporary Dance Performer | Improvisation Specialist | Movement Direction | BTEC Certified | 5+ Years Professional
- Senior Jazz Dancer | West End Experience | Dance Captain | Fitness Coordination | 15 Years On Stage
- Hip-Hop Dance Instructor | Urban Choreography | Workshop Leader | Youth Dance Development | 7 Years Teaching
- Tap Dance Artist | National Tours | Ensemble Coordination | Rhythm Technique Expert | 12-Year Stage Presence
- Modern Dance Choreographer | Dance Company Founder | Movement Analysis | MA Dance | 20 Years Industry Leader
Catching recruiters' attention with your dance CV summary or objective
Located closer to the top of your CV, both the summary and objective are no more than five sentences long and serve as an introduction to your experience. What is more, you could use either to entice recruiters to read on. Select the:
- Summary, if you happen to have plenty of relevant experience. Feature your most impressive accomplishments and up to three skills that are relevant to the job you're applying for;
- Objective, if you're just starting your career off. Provide your career goals and answer how you see the role you are applying for will match your professional growth.
Judging which one you need to add to your dance CV may at times seem difficult. That’s why you need to check out how professionals, with similar to your experience, have written their summary or objective, in the examples below:
CV summaries for a dance job:
- Seasoned ballet dancer boasting over 15 years of classical training and experience with renowned global dance companies, having performed in over 50 productions. Expertise in choreography, possessing a refined technical skill set, and celebrated for a principal role in a critically acclaimed rendition of Swan Lake.
- Dynamic contemporary dancer and choreographer with a decade of immersion in the performing arts, dedicating 8 years to touring with a cutting-edge dance troupe. Noteworthy for original choreography showcased at the International Dance Festival, combining modern aesthetics with traditional movements.
- Multi-faceted graphic designer eagerly transitioning to professional dance, bringing 7 years of disciplined, creative campaign work for major advertising agencies. A ceaseless passion for dance, having trained consistently in jazz and modern styles whilst crafting a successful design career.
- Driven software engineer with an impressive 12-year tenure pioneering mobile applications, seeking a profound career change into the dance industry. An ardent devotee of salsa and ballroom dancing, actively participating and winning in regional competitions whilst excelling in technology.
- Eager to embrace the world of dance as a fresh canvas, armed with boundless enthusiasm and an unwavering commitment to mastering the art form. Dedicated to rigorous training and learning, aspiring to contribute creative vitality to the dance ensemble with a novel perspective from a non-traditional background.
- Embarking on a journey into dance with no prior professional experience but fueled by an intense passion for performance arts. Aim to leverage a quick learning ability and innate musicality to excel in dance, while embracing the collaborative spirit and artistic expression synonymous with the field.
More detailed look into your work history: best advice on writing your dance CV experience section
The CV experience is a space not just to merely list your past roles and responsibilities. It is the CV real estate within which you could detail your greatest accomplishments and skills, while matching the job requirements. Here's what to have in your experience section:
- Prove you have what the job wants with your unique skill set and past successes;
- Start each bullet with a strong, action verb, and continue with the outcome of your responsibility;
- Use any awards, nominations, and recognitions you've received as solid proof of your skill set and expertise;
- align your experience with the role responsibilities and duties.
For more help on how to write your CV experience section, check out the next section of our guide:
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- List the most impressive or relevant dance experience first, placing emphasis on performances, competitions, and roles that showcase your versatility and skill level.
- Specify the style of dance for each performance or job to highlight your expertise in particular genres such as ballet, contemporary, hip-hop, or folk dance.
- Include notable choreographers or dance companies you have worked with, as collaborations with respected professionals can enhance your CV's credibility.
- Mention any lead roles or solos you have performed to showcase your ability to carry significant responsibilities within a production.
- Highlight your experience with diverse dance environments, such as stage shows, music videos, festivals, and corporate events to demonstrate adaptability.
- Include dates and durations of performances and tours to give employers a sense of your commitment and career progression.
- Detail significant training and workshops you've attended, focusing on how these have developed your technique, expression, and performance skills.
- Outline any experience you may have in other aspects of dance production, including choreography, teaching, or mentoring others.
- Quantify achievements when possible, such as the number of performances in a role, the size of audiences you've entertained, or awards won.
- Choreographed and led 20+ contemporary dance routines for the annual showcase with positive reviews and a 30% increase in community engagement.
- Designed and facilitated a dancer development programme, resulting in 5 dancers progressing to professional contracts with renowned companies.
- Liaised with local schools to implement a dance outreach programme, engaging over 200 students in the first year and expanding the company's reach.
- Developed a unique dance curriculum that was adopted by 4 major dance studios in the region, increasing their student retention rate by 25%.
- Organised and directed a multinational dance festival, featuring over 100 dancers and attracting an audience of 5000+ attendees.
- Managed a team of 10 dancers and staff, fostering a collaborative environment and achieving a 95% satisfaction rate among team members.
- Directed the integration of cutting-edge motion capture technology, enhancing performance quality and audience experience for the flagship contemporary dance productions.
- Secured £150,000 in funding for a virtual reality dance project collaboration with tech companies, providing immersive experiences to the audience.
- Established a comprehensive dancer wellness and injury prevention protocol, reducing dancer injuries by 40% over a two-year period.
- Tailored and executed personalised dance training programmes for elite performers, with clients achieving top awards at international competitions.
- Implemented a cutting-edge fitness and conditioning programme that improved company dancers' stamina and performance endurance by 50%.
- Collaborated with costume designers and music directors to create a cohesive production style, enhancing the visual and auditory experience for audiences.
- Launched a multi-disciplinary dance initiative, bridging the gap between dance genres and fostering innovative performances shown across the UK.
- Trained and mentored a diverse company of 25+ dancers, delivering performances noted for technical excellence and emotive expression.
- Negotiated successful partnerships with local businesses, securing venues and sponsorship deals that increased the company's financial stability by 20%.
- Orchestrated the successful merger of two dance schools, expanding class offerings and increasing overall student enrollment by 35% within one year.
- Created and executed a strategic marketing plan that utilised social media, resulting in a 50% increase in online engagement and ticket sales for performances.
- Cultivated a partnership with a national dancewear brand, enhancing the school's visibility and providing students with high-quality attire at a discounted rate.
- Pioneered a digital dance platform, allowing for remote learning and live streaming of performances, which reached an international audience of 10,000+ viewers.
- Founded an annual dance technology symposium, bringing together industry leaders to discuss and advance the integration of technology in dance.
- Led a team of developers and dancers to create an award-winning dance app, enhancing home practice for dancers and resulting in over 20,000 downloads in the first year.
- Provided expert dance consultation for television and film projects, ensuring accurate portrayal of dance sequences viewed by millions worldwide.
- Coordinated the talent scouting and casting of dancers for 5 major productions, critically acclaimed for their dynamic and skilled dance ensembles.
- Developed a dance education program for the film crew and actors enabling a deeper understanding of dance, contributing to the authenticity of the film projects.
Lacking professional expertise: how to write your CV to highlight your best talents
Don't count on your lucky stars when you're applying for a role, where you happen to have less (or almost none) professional experience. Recruiters sometimes do hire inexperienced candidates if they're able to present their unique value from the get-go. So, instead of opting for the traditional, CV experience section:
- List any applicable expertise you happen to have - no matter if it's a part-time job, internship, or volunteer work. This would hint to recruiters that your profile is relevant;
- Focus your CV on your transferrable skills or talents you've obtained thanks to your whole life and work experience. In effect, you'll be spotlighting your value as a candidate;
- Separate more space for your applicable academic background and certificates to show you have the technical know-how;
- Ensure that within your objective, you've defined why you'll like the job and how you'll be the perfect match for it. Always ensure you've tailored your CV to individual applications.
Looking for more good examples for your first job? We'll show you how other candidates, with less professional experience, have created their job-winning CVs.
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Include examples of how you adapted to new tools, environments, or work cultures, showing your flexibility.
The CV skills' divide: between hard and soft skills
Of course, you may have read the job requirements plenty of times now, but it's key to note that there is a difference between technical and personal skills. Both are equally relevant to your job application. When writing about your skill set, ensure you've copy-pasted the precise skill from the job requirement. This would not only help you ensure you have the correct spelling, but also pass any Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessments.
- Hard skills show your technological capabilities. Or whether you'll be a good technical fit to the organisation. Ensure you've spotlighted your hard skills in various sections of your CV (e.g. skills section, projects, experience) by including the technology and what you've attained;
- Soft skills pinpoint your personality and people or communication skills, hinting at if you'll easily accomodate into the team or organisation. Quantify your soft skills in your CV achievements, strengths, summary/objective, and experience sections. Always support your soft skills with how they've helped you grow as a professional.
Top skills for your dance CV:
Classical Ballet Technique
Modern Dance Technique
Jazz Dance Technique
Hip-Hop Dance
Choreography and Composition
Improvisation Skills
Dance Notation and Literacy
Pointe Work
Partnering and Lifts
Dance Pedagogy
Creativity
Physical Fitness and Stamina
Interpersonal Skills
Teamwork
Adaptability
Time Management
Self-discipline
Attention to Detail
Performance Skills
Resilience
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If there's a noticeable gap in your skillset for the role you're applying for, mention any steps you're taking to acquire these skills, such as online courses or self-study.
Listing your university education and certificates on your dance CV
The best proof of your technical capabilities would be your education and certifications sections. Your education should list all of your relevant university degrees, followed up by their start and completion dates. Make sure to also include the name of the university/-ies you graduated from. If you happen to have less professional experience (or you deem it would be impressive and relevant to your application), spotlight in the education section:
- that you were awarded a "First" degree;
- industry-specific coursework and projects;
- extracurricular clubs, societies, and activities.
When selecting your certificates, first ask yourself how applicable they'd be to the role. Ater your initial assessment, write the certificate and institution name. Don't miss out on including the completion date. In the below panel, we've curated relevant examples of industry-leading certificates.
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If you have received professional endorsements or recommendations for certain skills, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, mention these to add credibility.
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Key takeaways
What matters most in your dance CV-writing process is for you to create a personalised application. One that matches the role and also showcases your unique qualities and talents.
- Use the format to supplement the actual content, to stand out, and to ensure your CV experience is easy to comprehend and follows a logic;
- Invest time in building a succinct CV top one third. One that includes a header (with your contact details and headline), a summary or an objective statement (select the one that best fits your experience), and - potentially - a dedicated skills section or achievements (to fit both hard skills and soft skills requirements);
- Prioritise your most relevant (and senior) experience closer to the top of your CV. Always ensure you're following the "power verb, skill, and achievement" format for your bullets;
- Integrate both your technical and communication background across different sections of your CV to meet the job requirements;
- List your relevant education and certificates to fill in gaps in your CV history and prove to recrutiers you have relevant technical know-how.
