It seems I spend a lot of time interviewing people.
Here's the secret . . . about 90% of the time, if I am calling you in for an interview, I think you can do the job - either based on resume, references, my calling people who might know you, etc. I think you have the basic skill set to do the job. The rest is about personality. I can tell within about ten minutes if you are in the right line of work . . . I don't know. Something about the way you carry yourself, answer questions, look me in the eye. The bottom line to this job is it is MANAGEMENT, you have to have those basic skill sets of a manager.
I interview for two types of positions; AEA and Non-AEA (PA/Intern) positions. Obviously I am give more leeway to Non-AEA canidates when applying, since they have the most varied background.
If you are applying for an Equity position, these are some great starter questions:
1) What contract is this under? Are there any concessions?
2) Specific Calendar Questions – rehearsal, tech, previews, run?
3) Specific Questions regarding understudies – do you have them, who rehearses them, when do they rehearse?
4) Specific Questions regarding facilities and equipment – where do you rehearse, access to office, computer, supplies?
5) Specific show related questions – cast size, info on director, design team, level of automation, how big is the crew, etc, etc. Typical rehearsal span of days, tech, etc – are all good.
6) And then, if I am interviewing an assistant, I love questions like “What do you expect of me?” “What would your ideal assistant be like?” Anything that gets me talking about what I am looking for that can lead to you talking more about yourself.
Be careful – there are dumb questions. Be careful about asking anything that undercuts what you are trying to present. If you are presenting yourself as a professional stage manager, be careful about asking something that undercuts. Do your homework on the theatre company. Talk to people who have worked there. Come in excited about the project.
When you are applying for a non-AEA position, the field is wide open for questions – there are not set guidelines, so asking about how long your work week is valid. (I hate when AEA stage managers ask this question – it’s in the freaking rule book.). But again, I give a lot more freedom.
Now, as far as what questions to expect from me when you sit down. I don’t want to tell you – my whole goal is throw you off you kilter, make you a little uncomfortable, see who you really are and what your personality it. I just finished filling positions for a 20 week contract. 20 WEEKS of working with people – my number goal is to make sure I can spend 10 hours a day with you for six days a week for 20 weeks. It’s all about your personality. I will ask questions to feel out your sense of humor, how you work under stress, how you deal with kid actors, actors who are older then your grandparents, what you are like at 9:00a, what you are like at midnight, what your favorite coffee drink is, what your favorite booze is, what do you parents do, why you chose this town to live, best SM moment, worst SM moment – it’s all about getting to know who you really are.
THE NUMBER ONE THING TO REMEMBER: Relax and be yourself. Put forward the type of person you are when you are working in the interview. If you are more relaxed and laid back, that is fine. If you are more uptight and type A, then that’s okay as well. I am usually trying to put together a team, and I want to balance personality types.