Getting Your First Job in Music: How to Make Your CV Stand Out

Breaking into the music industry starts before the interview - it starts on paper.

I’ve read hundreds of music CVs from people desperate to get their first job in the music industry. Some were strong. Many weren’t.

And here’s what always strikes me: most people are trying so hard to sound “professional” that they forget to sound human.

You can feel it in the language... robotic sentences, generic phrases, lists of “skills” that mean nothing to anyone who actually works in music.

The truth is, your CV isn’t just a document. It's your first creative pitch. It tells a story about who you are, what you care about, and how you think.

If you’re trying to land your first role, whether that’s at a label, a management company, a live events team, or a music tech startup, the way you write your CV can open or close doors long before the interview.

Let’s fix that.

Working in A&R, management, marketing or the live sector - it's not unobtainable with the right support

Everyone’s Writing the Same CV

Here’s what I keep seeing:

• Templates downloaded from job sites, filled with jargon like “passionate about music” or “excellent team player.”

• Layouts that bury the most interesting stuff halfway down the page.

• Bullet points copied straight from job descriptions.

• A complete lack of personality.

The problem isn’t that these people can’t do the job. It’s that their CVs don’t show how they think. When every CV looks the same, the only thing left to compare is experience. And for entry-level roles, experience is exactly what most people don’t have.

So the question becomes: how do you stand out when you’re competing against a hundred people who all “love music”?

You make them feel who you are - clearly, confidently, and in a way that tells a story.

Your CV Is a Narrative, Not a List

The music industry runs on narrative. Artists have stories, brands have stories, campaigns have stories. Your CV should too.

You’re not just listing things you’ve done - you’re showing how you think, what you value, and how you connect dots.

Instead of writing like an applicant, write like someone already inside the ecosystem.

This doesn’t mean you fake experience. It means you frame what you do have through the lens of the role you want.

Let’s say you helped a friend plan a gig. That’s not “helped with event.” That’s:

“Coordinated logistics for a 200-capacity live show, managing stage times and artist communication.”

Or maybe you’ve never worked in music but you run a playlist, produce tracks, or promote local nights. That’s relevant. It shows initiative, cultural awareness, and audience understanding - all qualities that matter far more than titles.

The key is to connect your experience to the bigger picture of the industry. Show that you understand the ecosystem, even if you’re not in it yet.

How to Build a Music CV That Gets You Your First Job

1. Lead with clarity

Your name, contact details, and a short personal summary should be clean and easy to find. The summary isn’t about what you want, it’s about what you bring.

Example:

“Aspiring artist manager with hands-on experience coordinating local events and building artist campaigns on social media. Strong understanding of music marketing, metadata, and audience engagement.”

2. Make it visually readable

Recruiters spend seconds scanning. Use white space. Bold your headings. Keep it one page if possible. Your design should say “organised and creative,” not “template from 2012.”

3. Tell the story through action

Every bullet point should start with a verb. Coordinated, produced, researched, supported, designed.

Focus on outcomes, not duties.

Example:

“Created TikTok content plan that increased artist engagement by 40% in four weeks.”

4. Include the world you move in

List relevant tools (Canva, Logic, Airtable, Google Workspace). Add a “Music Involvement” section - playlists, DJ sets, production work, blogs, podcasts. Anything that shows immersion in the culture.

5. Show curiosity and initiative

The people hiring for entry-level roles care less about what you’ve done and more about what you’ll learn. Mention workshops, courses, or communities you’re part of.

Example:

“Currently completing the ‘Fan Growth Lab’ course with Xpandr to strengthen understanding of digital fan ecosystems.”

6. Always customise

Generic CVs are invisible. Every job you apply for deserves a slightly different version. Adjust keywords, tone, and focus so it feels written for them, not for everyone.

It’s extra work. It’s also what makes the difference between getting noticed or getting lost.

4. The Future: Real People Beat Perfect Templates

The more digital this industry becomes, the more human it craves.

AI-generated CVs and polished templates might tick boxes, but they don’t create connection. The people reading your application want to feel curiosity, energy, and intent.

The candidates who stand out are those who care - not just about getting the job, but about the culture they’re joining.

And that’s what music still is at its core: a culture. A network of people who care enough to make things happen.

If your CV reads like you already belong in that world, someone will invite you into it.

The people reading your application want to feel curiosity, energy, and intent.

Closing Thought

A great CV doesn’t just land you interviews. It starts conversations. It opens doors you didn’t know existed.

And once you’re through that door, the same principles apply - clarity, story, and human connection.

If you’re building your career in music right now, this is exactly what we explore at Xpandr - particularly in our "Breaking In" programme - how to design a creative life that actually fits you, not a job description

Because the first impression you make shouldn’t sound like everyone else. It should sound like you.