How to Develop a Professional Attitude (In Preparation for the Auditions)
Professional cheerleading just like any life career follows its own standards and ethics. This is not the cheerleading you know in middle school to college games. We’re talking about NFL and NBA levels of standards.
That means as an auditioning pro cheerleader, you must show a high level of professionalism towards the profession during the auditions. Let’s cut to the chase and discuss what professionalism is, the importance of it in cheerleading, and ways to develop it for the career.
What Is Professionalism And Why Is It Important?
Professionalism is a person’s ability, skill, behavior, quality, or attitude of being competent according to the demands of a career. In the case of pro cheerleading, professionalism means that an aspiring pro cheerleader must be a mature woman, with dance skills, athleticism, confidence, and preparedness.
It also means representing and adhering to the goals and rules of the pro cheer squad. For aspiring pro cheerleaders, professionalism is an essential requirement in auditions because it makes you show passion for the profession, respect towards your future employer, and it significantly affects your chances of landing a spot in a pro cheer team.
7 Ways To Develop A Professional Attitude As An Aspiring Pro Cheerleader/Dancer
1. Wear appropriate clothing for pro cheerleaders
Developing professionalism starts with your everyday appearance. Pro cheerleaders are athletes, beauticians, and artists. You should start dressing yourself to look like a dancer and a fitness enthusiast while staying beautiful by wearing proper makeup.
It’s highly recommended to go for athleisure fashion as your everyday OOTD so when audition day comes, you’re able to comfortably wear the recommended clothing. To know the recommended clothing for pro cheer auditions, visit the website of your dream pro cheer squad for audition instructions and other details.
Please bear in mind that audition attire varies among squads. If there are no specific attire instructions, use this guide.
2. Be confident and respectful in your speech
Avoid stuttering, use of slang, curses, and other unnecessary expressions like “uhm” or “uhh” in your everyday life. When talking to people for the first time of the day, start with a smile and greeting even if you know the person. Then, depart with a proper goodbye.
Practicing to speak with respect and confidence every day develops an attitude of politeness which is one of the foundations of professionalism.
3. Act in an ethical way
Avoid offensive opinions and actions. Most, if not, all pro cheer teams believe in diversity and inclusiveness. If you have personal opinions regarding gender, race, ethnicity, or religion, just keep it to yourself. Better yet, respect and accept individual differences.
4. Practice and train for pro cheerleading efficiency
As mentioned, pro cheerleaders are athletes, beauticians, and artists. You must practice applying your own makeup effectively, learn how to dance well, and have an athletic body. Self-care, strength, endurance, and stamina is also a requirement for pro cheerleaders.
Follow proper hair and skin care routines. Eat healthily and train your body to be strong and energetic.
5. Always remain calm under stress
Life as a pro cheerleader is no walk in the park. You have to juggle other personal responsibilities like school, work (if pro cheerleading is your side job), or motherhood with the career as well. What’s important is, you must know how to avoid panic when you’re stressed by the multitude of your tasks.
Start now by making problem-solving your default action to stress rather than brooding, anger, blaming, or giving up.
6. Be honest
When a judge asks you a question, answer truthfully. Lying might get you somewhere but it won’t make you stay there for long. The truth will eventually come out and when it does, your reputation will be ruined.
Instead of lying, be patient if you’re not old enough for the auditions. Or, work to fix your shortcomings before the big day.
7. Be punctual and prepared all the time
Avoid being late during the audition. That’s minus points in the judges’ scorecards. It’s best to come early and prepared. Start by strictly sticking to a schedule for bedtime and for doing your audition prep activities. Sleep and wake up early. Always list everything you need for activities and put all of them in your bag the night before you need them.
An aspiring pro cheerleader that displays a high level of professionalism is the top priority of judges when sending the preliminary audition passage. So train your body hard. Practice your dance moves with determination. Up your ante when it comes to beauty and self-care. Show them that it is your destiny to dance under the arena spotlight!
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