Task 1a - Professional Profile

Task 1a - CV Profile

A CV is a very important part in every person’s application for a job. It is the first point at which the employer gets a chance to read about you, what you have achieved and what you are looking to do. It is the starting point at which you are judged and have the potential to stand out from the rest. 

As a performer you usually have two types of CV. Your professional CV and what I call your ‘everyday job’ CV. These two types are very different for example if you are auditioning for a dance company, you would not need to include that you have great customer service and you met all your sales targets. Also vice versa if you are applying for office work it isn’t going to help putting on your CV that you have toured China for three months and one of your skills is Irish dancing. The information given in both are completely unrelated to the job you are applying for. 

Here is my current profile:

 Francesca Marie Smith

Address:                 

                                

                                

Mobile: 07                

Email: ch                            

Nationality: British 

Height: 5ft 5                           

Dress Size: 6/8                                                                      

Bust: 32 inches

Waist: 24 inches                                                                                    Training and Qualifications

Hips: 34 inches                                                              Diploma in Professional Dance Level 6 NQF

Hair Colour: Dark Brown                                          A Levels in Dance, Psychology and Sociology

Eye Colour: Dark Brown                                           Skills: Ballet, Pointe Work, Jazz, Commercial Shoe Size: 6                                                              Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Partner Work, Singing,

Playing Age: 16-25                                                                  Acting, Musical Theatre, Swimming 

Vocal Type: Mezzo – Soprano

Vocal Range: Chest voice – bottom G to B, Head voice top A

March - April 2014	Spirit of the Dance, Holland Tour	Dancer	Spirit Productions
January 2014	X Factor Israel, Israel	Dancer	Spirit Productions
January 2014	Spirit of the Dance, Israel Tour	Dancer	Spirit Productions
August - December 2013	Red Hot Broadway, China Tour	Dancer	Spirit Productions
July 2012 - January 2013	Spirit of the Dance, UK and International Tour	Dancer	Spirit Productions
March - June 2012	Essence of Ireland UK Tour	Dancer	Prestige Productions
December 2011	Essence of Ireland, Arab Games, Qatar	Dancer	Essence Productions
September - December 2011	Essence of Ireland UK Tour	Dancer	Essence Productions
March 2008	The Immodest Tease Show with Julian Clary, Club Koko	Dancer	Choreographed by Katie Taylor
March 2008	Theatre Spring Gala, Lords Cricket Club	Backing dancer for Immodesty Blaize	Choreographed by Katie Taylor

When I first read this task I analysed my own CVs and researched online for tips given to improve your CV. There were several points that stood out the most to me upon reading these tips:

1. The basics: All your details and information are up to date and accurate.

2. Clear Presentation: Correct spelling and format clear and easy to read.

3. Keep CV short, not too many pages.

               And mainly………

4. Tailor your CV to each job/role you are applying for

Recently I have found how important it is to alter your CV to match different jobs. Focusing your the CV to the job you are applying for will immediately make the it more personal and you will stand out more. From the following points above I had found that I had not updated certain details on my professional CV i.e. my playing age, my skills and a job that I had recently done. I had been more concerned about which headshot to use and what to wear rather than concentrating on updating my CV and online profiles. I also realised that the layout was confusing and unclear. Below I have re-arranged my Profile slightly. 

Francesca Marie Smith

Address: 127          

                                                                                        

                                

                                

Mobile: 07                   

Email: chess                    

D.O.B: 03              

Personal Information:      

Nationality: British                            Height: 5ft 5                                         Dress Size: 6/8

Bust: 32 inches                                   Waist: 24 inches                                   Hips: 34 inches

Hair Colour: Dark Brown                 Eye Colour: Dark Brown                     Shoe Size: 6

Playing Age: 18-28                            Vocal Type: Mezzo – Soprano                                        

Vocal Range: Chest voice – bottom G to B, Head voice top A

Training and Qualifications:

2008 - 2011 Stella Mann College National Diploma in Professional Dance Level 6 NQF

A Levels in Dance, Psychology and Sociology

Skills:

Ballet, Pointe Work, Jazz, Commercial Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Partner work, Singing, Acting, Musical Theatre, Irish Dancing, Swimming.

Performance Experience:

  

June 2014	Spirit of the Dance, South Africa	Dancer	Spirit Productions
March - April 2014	Spirit of the Dance, Holland Tour	Dancer	Spirit Productions
January 2014	X Factor Israel, Israel	Dancer	Spirit Productions
January 2014	Spirit of the Dance, Israel Tour	Dancer	Spirit Productions
August - December 2013	Red Hot Broadway, China Tour	Dancer	Spirit Productions
July 2012 - January 2013	Spirit of the Dance, UK and International Tour	Dancer	Spirit Productions
March - June 2012	Essence of Ireland UK Tour	Dancer	Prestige Productions
December 2011	Essence of Ireland, Arab Games, Qatar	Dancer	Essence Productions
September - December 2011	Essence of Ireland UK Tour	Dancer	Essence Productions
March 2008	The Immodest Tease Show with Julian Clary, Club Koko	Dancer	Choreographed by Katie Taylor
March 2008	Theatre Spring Gala, Lords Cricket Club	Backing dancer for Immodesty Blaize	Choreographed by Katie Taylor

                                                                       

My CV now has a clearer layout and has been updated with the accurate information. Another aspect of a CV that I have noticed since graduating is the increase in popularity of a video CV i.e. a show reel or demo. In the past it was not important to have a show reel as it was always better to see the person in real life rather than casting off of a video. However now that technology has improved so much I have found employers want to see show reels on your professional profiles as well as a written one before looking at you as a potential dancer. Software such as iMovie, Garageband and Youtube, has enabled a person who has average computer skills to create and upload their work, whereas before you would of had to paid a skilled IT professional to help you put together your work. New devices such as camera phones and tablets has made creating a show reel a lot easier with a greater quality end product. I am currently in the process of editing my own show reel. 

As the industry and technology is constantly moving forward, it is essential to keep up to date and research media and styles to anticipate what the next trend will be. 

My 'everyday CV', Headshot and Professional CV

http://www.theguardian.com/culture-professionals-network/culture-professionals-blog/2012/mar/15/cv-tips-first-arts-job

http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Dance-Resume