Playing the Piano Will Rev-Up Your Resume! Did You Know that You Have These Skills?

​Somewhere in the back of your file cabinet lies an old, forgotten and outdated resume...just longing to be spruced up. 

It may be, that you've never written your own resume before, but chances are, you're going to have to sooner or later!

Even if you aren't actively seeking a new job right now, keeping your resume updated each year is a good idea so you won't have to take time to do it right when you need it. 

So what does playing the Piano have to do with updating your resume? Glad you asked!

One of the most important items that we put on our resume is our skill set. This shows a future employer our strengths, what we have experience in, and what we can do well.

Important skills for many jobs are:

• Problem Solving
• Analytical skills
• Being A Team Player
• Creativity
• Discipline
• Working/Thinking Independently

All of the above skills are learned through playing the piano! Let's see how. 

• Problem solving skills are developed in learning the piano because pianists - more than any other instrumentalist, uses both sides of their brains at the same time. Pianists play from two different clefs (treble and bass) simultaneously, while reading notes, rhythm, key and time signatures. There's a lot going on mentally when playing the piano!
• Analytical skills are honed as well through learning and playing the piano. Pianists are constantly analyzing musical notations and expressive interpretations while they are playing. Often there will be changes in key, tempo, and even counts per measure several times throughout one piece. Pianists anticipate these changes by looking past where they may be playing to figure out how to easily manage these transitions.
• Working as a team player comes with the territory in music. Music is inherently a connective type of activity...meaning it connects people together either by playing together or listening together. In a variety of ways, pianists act as team players. Many pianists accompany other instrumentalists, vocalists, and choral groups. Many play in the services at their place of worship. Others play locally in restaurants and pubs on a regular basis. All of these, involve working with others in a successful and supporting way. 
• Creativity is more important that most realize; especially those in the non-arts careers. First of all, anyone who even desires to play the piano is functioning from their creative mind. Pursuing that dream serves to increase the connection of our rational brain to our creative/abstract brain. Creativity makes us more alert mentally, gives us the passion and drive to come up with alternative solutions, think outside of the box, and have a willingness to try new things. 
• Discipline is developed anytime we learn something new, especially when we play an instrument like the piano. Did you know that "discipline" means "self-study"? Most of us associate it with punishment, or restriction of some type; which carries a negative connotation to it. Discipline is actually one of the most positive words in our vocabulary! Self-study...is exactly what pianist do, when they learn or play the piano. Every boss wants someone that has developed a good sense of self-discipline because that shows that they have what it takes to get the job done, and done well. 
• Working independently is one of the greatest skills that pianists gain. The most "solo" aspect of playing the piano, is practice time. No one can do your practicing for you, which is a great thing. Pianists learn independence through this "alone time" where they are talking with themselves and actually the music only. It's a journey of self discovery actually, and seeing just how your own brain works and grows as you continue playing. Being able to work and problem solve independently is a highly sought after skill in most careers. 

Now do you have a different perspective how much you can increase your skill set by learning and playing the piano? 

Music affects every aspect of our lives. Playing music, has an even greater affect on our success in work and prepares us very well for work in corporate or entrepreneurial work. So the next time you work on your resume, think about these skills that you have learned through your piano studies, and add them in. You will be surprised at how much this can help you achieve success with your dreams!