DrumEatDrum
Platinum Member
My question is when looking for a new day job, do you ever bring up you being a drummer? Or the time you spent focused on the music business rather than being in your day job career?
All through my 20’s and early 30’s I only took day jobs that would still leave me enough time to be a band. I didn’t pursue many day jobs and promotions that came my way because I didn’t want anything that might get in the way of being available for gigs, and the jobs I did have were mostly sales in four different drum stores. And there are gaps where I had no day job and was living the starving musician life. I don’t regret it, I was this “-” close to taking it to the next level, but it just never happened for me.
So now, I’m done with chasing bands, or trying to make a career as drummer.
And while I have a great education (a bachelors in Finance, and 2nd bachelors equivalent in Accounting, working on the CPA exam) my resume is full of holes.
So while I can have the best resume writers in the world make what I have look good, there is no getting around the gaps where I had low level jobs or no job.
I did have one great job in the mortgage industry right before it collapsed; the guy who interviewed me was a frustrated guitar player, so we hit it off as musicians. But I only worked for a year and 1/2 before the whole industry fell apart.
I’m always hesitant to mention I was in bands for fear they’ll think I’m unreliable (stereotype of might leave if the right tour comes along), or won’t be able to focus on the job (like in the move Rockstar when Mark Wahlberg’s character goes to his office job, still wearing eyeliner from the night before, and using the excuse of he had a gig last night as to why he can’t get the copy machine to function, never mind I rarely, if ever gig these days).
And worse, I’m really hesitant to mention being a drummer for fear of all the drummer stereotypes out there (What did the drummer get on his IQ test? Drool….)
Not that I lie (I’m a terrible liar anyway, just ask my wife!), I just tend to leave out the details.
On my last interview, the holes became an issue I couldn't get around.
Anyhow, I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s had to pick up the pieces of a career after chasing music.
Anyone have some input on changing from a music oriented career to full time day job career?
When going for an interview, do you bring up time spent in bands?
Does being a drummer ever come up?
(Obviously, without the experience, I won't be jumping into anything high level, and I don't mind working my way up from the bottom, I'm more referring to getting in the door.)
All through my 20’s and early 30’s I only took day jobs that would still leave me enough time to be a band. I didn’t pursue many day jobs and promotions that came my way because I didn’t want anything that might get in the way of being available for gigs, and the jobs I did have were mostly sales in four different drum stores. And there are gaps where I had no day job and was living the starving musician life. I don’t regret it, I was this “-” close to taking it to the next level, but it just never happened for me.
So now, I’m done with chasing bands, or trying to make a career as drummer.
And while I have a great education (a bachelors in Finance, and 2nd bachelors equivalent in Accounting, working on the CPA exam) my resume is full of holes.
So while I can have the best resume writers in the world make what I have look good, there is no getting around the gaps where I had low level jobs or no job.
I did have one great job in the mortgage industry right before it collapsed; the guy who interviewed me was a frustrated guitar player, so we hit it off as musicians. But I only worked for a year and 1/2 before the whole industry fell apart.
I’m always hesitant to mention I was in bands for fear they’ll think I’m unreliable (stereotype of might leave if the right tour comes along), or won’t be able to focus on the job (like in the move Rockstar when Mark Wahlberg’s character goes to his office job, still wearing eyeliner from the night before, and using the excuse of he had a gig last night as to why he can’t get the copy machine to function, never mind I rarely, if ever gig these days).
And worse, I’m really hesitant to mention being a drummer for fear of all the drummer stereotypes out there (What did the drummer get on his IQ test? Drool….)
Not that I lie (I’m a terrible liar anyway, just ask my wife!), I just tend to leave out the details.
On my last interview, the holes became an issue I couldn't get around.
Anyhow, I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s had to pick up the pieces of a career after chasing music.
Anyone have some input on changing from a music oriented career to full time day job career?
When going for an interview, do you bring up time spent in bands?
Does being a drummer ever come up?
(Obviously, without the experience, I won't be jumping into anything high level, and I don't mind working my way up from the bottom, I'm more referring to getting in the door.)
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