Needing a day job to make ends meet does not make you any less of an artist. Supporting yourself solely on singing and singing-related jobs is a wonderful goal, but it is out of reach for the majority of young singers. So how do you approach finding a job that pays the bills and still allows you to pursue your dreams?

Most young artists are left with a hard choice:

1. You could pursue a 9am-5pm job with a company that pays reasonably well, provides health insurance, and has the stability of a steady paycheck. 
2. You could pursue customer service jobs in retail or the restaurant industry that provide a flexible schedule and the opportuity to make fast cash.  

Decide on the most important aspect of your job: Do you need health insurance? A consistent schedule? Flexibility for last minute gigs and auditions? Can your cash flow fluctuate? Do you need something more consistent to attack student loan debt? No matter what you decide, remember you can change your mind. In fact, it might take a few years of struggling to find a balance between pursuing your dream of being a singer and making enough money to support your creative goals. Here's a few tips to get you started! 

Day Job Tips: When you’d rather be singing.

Getting a day job might limit your travel schedule and audition opportunities, but you would have open availability in the evenings for rehearsals, local auditions, and networking. This is perhaps the best option if you live in a city that has an abundance of local opportunities. If it is a larger city like New York or Los Angeles, you could schedule auditions over the weekend. The primary drawback of this option is that summer gigs and any extended out-of-town gigs will be difficult to navigate.

If working a 9am-5pm job is your best option: 

• Apply for companies that interest you. Being able to speak passionately about the company mission makes you a more appealing candidate.
• Play up the skills you've developed as a singer. Detail-oriented, outgoing, and organized candidates are always appealing. 
• Be prepared to describe the ways you run your own business as a singer. These skills are applicable in the corporate world and may provide an acceptabe substitute for other work experience. 
• Ask a non-singer friend or mentor to help you with your professional resume. You would never submit a subpar resume to an opera company, so make sure your professional resume is just as eye catching.
• Utilize a temp agency if you need a few months or weeks of work between gigs. 
• Be honest with your potential employer about your goals. You only hurt yourself if you try to hide that you are in pursuit of an artistic career. Building a basis of trust with your employer and being a hard worker means they will be more willing to work with your needs down the line. 

Customer Service Tips: Can I survive without benefits?

These jobs provide the necessary flexibility to go to gigs and auditions, and restaurant jobs often have a high-risk high-reward cash flow. Most importantly, you could leave these jobs quickly if a last minute gig should arise. Once you have restaurant or retail experience, there are always opportunities. The largest drawbacks of these positions are limited health insurance options, the physical toll customer service takes on your body, and the fluxuating nature of your cash flow. 

If the customer service is your best option: 

• Service industry employers want motivated, outgoing applicants. Chances are you qualify!
• Apply for a wide range of restaurants, ideally popular localtions with a lot of foot traffic. 
• Consider accepting a host position and work towards a promotion to a server. Some companies won't hire a server right away if they don't have prior experience, but if you can make hundreds of dollars a night at the local hot spot, it will be worth it to start off slow. 
• Retail positions offer similar flexibility, but the wages can feel stagnant compared to waiting tables. 
• If a retail position is the most appealing option to you, be sure to apply for places where your employee perks will be a hefty financial benefit, like free makeup from Sephora or heavily discounted professional clothes from J Crew. 
• If open market health insurance is too costly, consider picking up a second job that provides health insurance to their part-time employees. Starbucks, Trader Joes, Costco, UPS, Whole Foods, REI, Lowe's, and Home Depot all provide health insurance for their part-time workers. Many also offer comprehensive packages that include dental insurance, stock options, and a 401k. 

Finding the perfect job doesn’t happen overnight, and there is no shame in piecing together a hodge-podge of jobs to fill your needs. You might have to work at Starbucks for health insurance but make the bulk of your money waiting tables or driving for Uber. Assess your situation every six months. If you aren’t making enough money to support your singing career, try changing your work dynamic to suit your needs. Remember, you're in good company! Ask your artistic friends for their tips and tricks to help navigate these stressful life choices. Get to applying and Toi Toi Toi!