Category Archives: Jobs
Finding the Right “Day Job” While Pursuing a Career
“The future is not a result of choices among alternative paths offered by the present, but a place that is created–created first in the mind and will, created next in activity. The future is not some place we are going to, but one we are creating. The paths are not to be found, but made, and the activity of making them, changes both the maker and the destination.” – John Scholar Ever feel like you might not have the … Continue reading
Jobs – When to Say “Yes”, and When to Say “No”!
“Do not depend on the hope of results … In the end, it is the reality of personal relationship that saves everything. —Thomas Merton “ I am often asked how to go about choosing the right job and also how to decline a job offer in a professional way so you are continuing to maintain those important relationships you have established. These are both two very important parts of becoming a professional singer. First things first – Know … Continue reading
Confidence in Your Value
Others may try to decide for you what you should do and how you should do it. Whether innocently or intentionally, they may try to put you into a box of their own expectations, regardless of your best interests. Pressure to conform to these expectations may come from employers, customers, colleagues or friends. I have had clients who wanted me to work in their office or change my pricing because it was easier or more convenient for them. I … Continue reading
Increase Your Value
The only way to become attractive and consequently more valuable to the market is to have expert knowledge. In 2008, the University of Utah football team was undefeated and ranked number two nationally. For Head Coach Kyle Whittingham, his years of experience finally paid off and his value as a coach skyrocketed. To keep him from accepting another position, the school doubled his salary from $600,000 to $1.2 million! For most, it takes years to get to the … Continue reading
Young Artists Series – CS Convention
This past weekend in Chicago was the two-day Young Artist Series at the Classical Singer Convention. On the first day presenters William Florescu, Robert Swenson, and Mark Stoddard inspired singers with a full day of information-packed classes on everything from the value of grad school to how to get into grad school to negotiating your first contract to getting into Young Artist Programs and more. Participant Sarah Conwell commented, The Classical Singer Convention Young Artist Series was an … Continue reading
Emotionally Intelligent Job Search
There has been quite a revolution in Psychology over the past 20 years or so with the ideas around Emotional Intelligence. Daniel Goleman is one of the most prominent pioneers on the subject with his bestselling books “Emotional Intelligence” and “Social Intelligence”. The essence of the concept is that we have two biologically and functionally distinct parts of the brain – thinking and feeling. The problem is that the feeling part often takes over the thinking part in such a … Continue reading
Autonomous Agent
I’d like to challenge you to think in a way that may require a subtle, yet pivotal shift from your current perspective. Think of yourself as a unique, autonomous agent who has the ability to clearly define your ideal work situation, and the confidence to make it happen. Why? Because you must believe that you have the power to choose your work experiences before you’ll be able to take control of your work life. If you don’t believe that … Continue reading
Getting Paid for Your Work
A reader wanted clarification about how to get paid for your work in organizing a concert and wanted to know if “salaries” are expenses. First, if you have to pay the technician to set the lights and the fellow on spot, you pay them a salary. So, yes, salaries are expenses. The real question then is, “are you a legitimate salary?” And the answer is the same – yes – provided you’re providing a service that someone who warrants … Continue reading
Benefit Concerts
Nothing begets success like success. Successful people are constantly doing something. For a singer to get a job, consider the person or producer who is trying to hire a singer. A producer will hear lots of voices, and many will be right for the part. Given the choice, however, between an A singer who is new and an A- or even B+ singer who is just finishing a singing job, the producer will likely lean to the singer who … Continue reading
