The Interview 101
After all your hard work with getting your demo reel and resume completed and sent out, you want to make sure you give out the best impression when you get invited to a studio for an interview. Here are a few tips on how to make it a good one.
Be Yourself
Your professional self. If you fake a response, act like you think a recruiter wants you to act, it will SHOW! Try to relax, think before you answer. If you are very uncomfortable and nervous, talk about your artwork–its what you know best. But don’t over do it, you don’t want them to think you are too big for their company! Leave your GOD ego at the door.
Know something about your potential employer
Read magazines, look online, read newsletters. You want to make sure you DON’T say: “Hey you guys did a great dinosaur job on Jurassic Park” and you are talking to Dreamworks! The more you know about the company, the more questions you may want to ask about them and the more interested you will appear.
Practice answers to difficult questions
You may be asked questions such as what your goals are, what are your weaknesses, why they should hire you, how to describe the ideal supervisor…etc…make sure you will have an answer for them…don’t sit there with the ” ummm..aahhhh… well…” words coming out of your mouth for 10 minutes.
Dress appropriately and be on time!
Casual is OK, dirty, sloppy, is not. Maintain eye contact, be alert, give a strong handshake, good posture is important, and DON’T chew GUM!
Also, make sure you are not late, the companies will not be happy if you waste their time by making them wait for you to show up.
Prepare a list of questions
A list you would like to ask about the company, memorize them. If you can’t, its ok to bring and/or take notes.
Be Positive
Identify your selling points: your art, volunteer work, jobs, accomplishments. Don’t apologize for past experiences (or lack of them), don’t complain about previous employers or teachers- its too negative! You want to make sure they get a good vibe from you.
Psyche yourself up
Make yourself seem confident, talk to someone positive and happy, treat yourself to something that you’ve been wanting. And be friendly…if you appear comfortable, the interviewer will feel comfortable with you too. Remember, if you have a good confortable vibe with the interviewer, it will make the interview go a lot quicker and feel less painful.
Express interest in the job
Even if you aren’t! You never know who the interviewer knows in other companies. It helps to keep a positive attitude. If you are not interested and you are asked if you want the job, however, don’t lie- say “no”.
Remember to breathe
The more interviewing you do, the easier it becomes. Sometimes the recruiter is also nervous, specially if interviewing is not part of his/her normal job. Remember to always SMILE and say thank you when the interview is over.
WOW, you did great! If you have come this far…you will hopefully have a new job soon!
Congratulations…and remember that no job is stable. Just because you have a job it doesn’t mean you can’t get laid off, fired, or you may want to leave.
Always keep your doors open, make lots of friends, and be very friendly and nice to everyone. You never know when you will need your friends to help you give you information about a new job or help you find a new one. In this industry, things come and go as fast as the tides, and you would be surprised how many people know each other, so make sure to not burn your bridges and/or create enemies.
Sat, Jan 5, 2008
Job Hunt Tools