Common Interview Questions for Actors with Answers

If you are planning to take an interview for the job of an actor, it is important to find out the kind of questions you might be asked and prepare for the interview with them.

This post provides sample actor interview questions you can use in your preparation for the interview to improve your chances of success.

Please, read on:

What do Interviewers look for in an Actor?

Interviewers look for an actor who will do what is required of them. This includes not only looking the part and giving a performance, but also having a dependable work ethic and ability to follow instructions in any situation.

Interviewers want actors to speak well enough that their words can be understood by most people without too much trouble and with only minor accenting or helping cues (laughs, gasps, etc.).

An actor should also take instructions from the director or other movie person very easily during takes or while working on scenes.

They must have excellent concentration skills so that they don’t drift off while doing boring tasks such as lighting changes between scenes.

10 Most Common Interview Questions for Actors (with Answers)

Here are some of the most common questions you might be asked in an interview for the position of an actor (with suggested answers):

1. What are you hoping for in a role?

Answer: Well, I really enjoy characters that have a sense of humor. It’s so fun to me when someone’s being goofy and silly.

2. What makes you happiest when you work at your job?

Answer: This is a question that I have been asked a lot recently, and it made me really think about what makes me happy at work. The thing is for all of us to be happy, we need to feel safe, appreciated and valued as employees. And the key ingredients here are transparency from management, continuous feedback from upper management and supervisors, positive reinforcement from upper management and supervisors as well as the chance to grow our skills by talking with those in leadership positions who have been there before!

3. What does it mean when someone compliments you?

Answer: It means they are trying to make you feel good about yourself. It can also mean that they want something from you.

4. What are your strengths?

Answer: I’m good at overcoming challenges and getting back on my feet after I’ve been knocked over. I’m also good at creatively thinking about solutions to problems.

5. Walk me through a time when you had to work with a difficult co-worker.

Answer: A few years ago, I worked with a co-worker who I really didn’t like. We had different approaches to problems and different ways of solving them. Whenever we disagreed about the right course of action, he would try to undermine me with our boss. It was an extremely difficult time working with him, but I learned a lot from the experience and figured out how to handle it.

6. What is the difference between being prepared and being over-prepared?

Answer: Being prepared is knowing a little bit about a variety of topics, while being over-prepared is spending a lot of time learning a lot about the same thing.

7. How do you feel about taking direction from others?

Answer: I usually always take direction “from others”. I tend to be especially good at it because I’m able to make changes quickly and easily, without getting stressed or upset.

8. What are your career goals?

Answer: I want to work in theater. This is what I love and I hope that one day, it can become my full-time profession.

9. How would you describe yourself?

Answer: I am persistent and hard working. People sometimes think I’m quiet or shy because people don’t often see me speak during an audition but when the camera is on, I know how to command the scene.

10. How do you handle stress?

Answer: During stressful situations, I try to focus on the positive things going on in my life. It’s a reminder of how blessed I am and that can lower my stress levels drastically. Trying not to overthink everything also really helps. All too often we convince ourselves that there’s something drastically wrong when in fact, the problem isn’t all that serious.

More Sample Interview Questions for Actors

Here are additional actor interview questions (in categories) that you can prepare with for a successful interview:

Sample Behavioral Interview Questions for Actors

1. Do you work well with others?
2. Can you imagine yourself fitting into our company culture at LargeCo Inc.?
3. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
4. How do you handle stress?
5. Why should we hire you over another candidate for the actor position who interviewed recently or is still interviewing today?

Sample Case Interview Questions for Actors

1. What is the difference between a cold read and a memorized audition?
2. Where can I find copies of current casting calls?
3. Where would I find recent taped productions in my area that one could perform after seeing them on TV?
4. How often should you update your resume to match the job market’s demands, and what information should be changed or added on the document when making changes happen?
5. How can an actor save money for their career while maintaining (or even improving) their lifestyle and still get work – especially if they live in expensive areas like New York City, Washington D.C., California, etc.?

Sample Competency Based Interview Questions for Actors

1. What are your favorite types of roles, and why?
2. Tell us about a time when you had to overcome performance anxiety or stage fright.
3. Tell us about a time when you were able to work well under pressure.
4. Give me an example where you showed initiative at work.
5. What is your definition of success?

Sample Problem-solving Interview Questions for Actors

1. Tell me about a time you had to adapt to a difficult circumstance on the spot.
2. What was your biggest success in your last position?
3. Describe a situation where you had to use your people skills, and how did you use them.
4. Describe a situation where you needed to be creative and solve problems on your own.
5. How would your co-workers say you are as an individual?

Sample Situational Interview Questions for Actors

1. What are some of the roles you’ve played?
2. Why do you think this role (or profession) would be a good fit for you?
3. What kind of experience do you have in the acting world?
4. How did you prepare to play this role (or go into this profession)?
5. Can you talk about an audition that didn’t go well and what happened – can we see video footage (if applicable)?

Sample Communication Skills Interview Questions for Actors

1. How do you feel about receiving feedback?
2. What is your best quality?
3. What would you like us to know that we haven’t mentioned yet?
4. Explain a time when you were able to successfully influence someone.
5. Can you give an example of a time when somebody didn’t listen and it caused problems for them?

Sample Interpersonal Skills Interview Questions for Actors

1. Can you please give me an example of a recent conflict you’ve solved?
2. What’s your greatest strength and weakness as an actor?
3. Share with me about a time when you had to handle difficult people.
4. Who is your hero? Why are they your hero?
5. Give me one way that you have been able to successfully interact with difficult people.

Sample Company Culture Interview Questions for Actors

1. What are you looking for in a company culture?
2. Why did you decide to apply with this organization?
3. Are you OK working overtime when needed?
4. Is it easy for your personality to strictly follow rules set by management team members?
5. What makes you well-suited for the position?

Actor Interview Success Tips

Acting is one of the most demanding professions there is. It takes up a lot of time and energy, but it’s also incredibly rewarding if you can get past obstacles that stopped other talents.

Here are helpful hints and tips for actors to be successful in their interviews:

It’s important to be well-prepared for any question that comes your way and make sure you have the right answers to some of the more popular ones.

Consider brushing up your resume and asking friends or family what they think might come up in an interview with actors.

In most cases, it is beneficial to start with a well-written application form. Try to provide the interviewer with as much information as possible.

Ensure you leave enough time after completing the application to make any corrections or changes before sending it off.

In some cases, the casting director may want you to send a video of yourself. Be as concise as possible and try to keep the application form to around a page in length.

Conclusion

When preparing for an interview for the position of an actor, it’s important to be well-prepared and brush up on some of the more common interview questions.

It may also be beneficial to start with a well-written application form that provides as much information as possible.

And very importantly, be concise when answering any question that you’re asked.