Career Change for Creatives

Source: Pixabay, Public Domain

“I want to be an artist" (or a fiction writer, musician, or actor). Those words strike fear into many parents’ hearts.

Of course, Mommy and Daddy are sometimes wrong. Many artists, writers, musicians and actors have ignored parental warnings of impracticality and gone on to enjoy successful—or at least successful enough—careers as creatives. They can thus tell their parents and the world, “See?!”

Of course, some creatives come to experience why the words “starving” and “artist” so often adjoin, and are thus willing to swallow their pride and look for a “straight" job.

But how does a creative convince a standard employer that a free-spirited, often anti-“The Man” would-be employee is willing to conform to "The Rules": Show up 9 to 5 (or 9 to 7) like clockwork and work, if only indirectly, to build profit. (That’s also true of “non-profits”— they’re about as interested as for-profits in making money but, hopefully, to help the needy).

Some visual artists, especially graphic artists, make a good living if they have or can develop a business sense: what sort of visuals will get people to buy or donate? To prove you can do that, create a portfolio of visuals aimed at bringing in the bucks.

In job interviews, focus on the business side of things. If the employer liked your portfolio enough to interview you, s/he doesn’t need convincing of your artistic ability. S/he needs proof that you’re willing to suppress art-for-art’s sake wildness for the timely creation of what will sell. The better you can demonstrate that, the more likely you are to get the organization to open its pocketbook to fill yours.

Of course, the same principle applies to writers. I love the idea of taking ten years to write the Great American Novel, but if you’ve decided to relegate that to after-work time, your portfolio needs to show you can quickly write, for example, fundraising letters that make fat cats open their wallets, speeches for the CEO to inspire the troops, annual reports that make people want to invest, and/or PR pitches compelling enough to rise to the top of journalists' mountain of “Pick me!" press releases.

If you’re a musician, have you shown transferable skills? Leadership, for example, in creating and leading a band? Marketing that puts butts in seats? The charisma to wow a crowd? The ability to organize and plan, for example, getting the band’s gear to and from gigs, coordinating with marketing and venue staff?

Those skills are applicable to a wide range of careers, from small to large organizations, for-profit to non-profit to government. Again, the trick is convincing them that someone who’s been all about making music can be all about making money.

Actors are masters at listening and responding authentically—well, at appearing authentic. And of course, actors are poised in front of an audience, owning the stage with a compelling presence. So, actors can make the case that they’re worth hiring as teachers, trainers, salespeople, fundraisers, and even as people managers. A great manager is a great listener and teacher, inspirational, and can adapt his or her personality to fit who they’re interacting with—just what good actors do.

Of course, taking a straight job doesn’t mean you have to abandon your craft. Plenty of serious creatives take day jobs but discipline themselves to devote plenty of after-work time to their art. And who knows? Maybe a few years of pursuing your craft avocationally will yield enough progress to again make that your main gig, but this time without the words “starving” and “artist” adjoining.

I read this aloud on YouTube.

This is part of a series. The others are Career Change for Counselors, Career Change for Teachers, 10 Big-Impact Careers, 11 Big Money and Status Careers, Career Change Ideas for Boomers, Future-Ready Careers, Careers for Liberals, Conservatives, and Libertarians, and Big-5 Careers: careers for key personality types.