When interviewing for a videographer position, the hiring manager will assess your skillset, previous experience, and level of interest in the role. You, therefore, need to take a look at several common videographer interview questions to increase your chances of landing the job. Here are some of the questions:
1. Why are You Interested in this Position?
Why do you want to be a videographer for this particular company? The interviewer knows that there are lots of options that you could have picked. Therefore, it is upon you to give a convincing reason to highlight your interest in this job and intentions for the workplace.
Sample Answer
I have always wanted to work for this particular TV station. I grew up admiring your footage and documentaries. After working for over five years as a freelancer, I believe I have everything I need to succeed. I will put my best foot forward and deliver excellent results. This position will also expose me to new challenges, which I’d love.
2. What are the Roles of a Videographer?
Do you know what you are expected to do in this position? You can either mention your mandates in your last job or reread the job description to establish your roles.
Sample Answer
A videographer films videos on set, ensures that all the shooting equipment is in perfect condition, plans the shoot with the help of a creative team and the client, edits the footage as part of post-production, and directs other camera operators to capture the footage in the proper manner.
3. What are the Qualities that a Videographer Needs to be Successful?
Do you know what one needs to be good at this job? You can either mention some of the things that have helped you reach where you are or reread the job description. All in all, convince the interviewer that you know what it takes to be a good videographer.
Sample Answer
A videographer should have basic knowledge of how all the equipment used for shooting works and how to operate the upper-range ones. They should be skilled in white balance levels, camera movement, and basic lighting setups. One must also have excellent editing and communication skills to be a good videographer.
4. Mention a Challenge that You Faced in Your Last Role. How Did You Manage It?
This is a common interview question that assesses if you are a problem solver. Will you be finding solutions to problems or spending time whining about the same to the manager? Give an experience that clearly highlights your problem-solving ability.
Sample Answer
My last role saw me working for a difficult and over-demanding candidate. He wanted to do things in his own way and didn’t care that I was the expert. I calmly dealt with him, assuring him that I would deliver better results if he allowed me to do things my way. He understood, and we never had a problem. The results were satisfactory.
5. Describe Your Daily Routine
What do you do daily? This question will only apply to you if you work at a definite establishment and not as a freelancer. You can also reread the job description to gain more insight.
Sample Answer
I have been freelancing for the last two years and therefore have no definite daily routine. I usually spend my days meeting with different clients, writing quotations, making site visits and working on projects. I also spend some time editing films and making correspondences.
6. Briefly Describe Your Experience
This is a straightforward question that you shouldn’t struggle with. What are some of the positions and roles that you have held and performed respectively in this field? What events can you shoot? Be as detailed as possible and convince the interviewer that you have all it takes to deliver in this field.
Sample Answer
This is my sixth year as a videographer. I have worked on several projects, including car and wildlife videography. I was also the head of videography and editing at a local media station, which saw me expand my network. I had the chance to cover the last presidential election, which brought me to the limelight, enabling me to scoop several awards.
7. Mention a Strategy and Mindset Required for this Role
The interviewer wants to know if you understand what it takes to be good at this job. Do you have a way or style of doing things that will guarantee success? What sets of beliefs help you be at your best and deliver? Make sure that whatever you mention relates to the job.
Sample Answer
I believe that the best strategy for any videographer is sticking to the client’s vision. It helps in planning for the shoot and equipment allocation. Knowing what the client wants also means that you can alter your shooting techniques to meet their preferences. As for the right mindset, a videographer needs to be positive and open-minded.
8. What is The Biggest Challenge that You Foresee in this Job?
You should take a detailed look at the potential workplace and identify some of the challenges you will likely face. Mention anything that may prevent you from giving your all or make your work harder. Just ensure that it doesn’t paint you as incompetent.
Sample Answer
I love your company. You have mitigated some of the problems that I faced in my former workplaces. Your policies are also good, making me believe that I will have a good time working here. I cannot, therefore, pinpoint a particular challenge at the moment. I believe that I will be better positioned to do that once I am on the inside.
9. How Do You Stay Motivated in this Role?
Videography is not as easy as you may think. Arranging for a video shoot, shooting the video and ensuring that everything is okay requires lots of tact and precision. You must therefore have something that inspires you to give your all and be at your best consistently. Mention that motivating factor to the interviewer.
Sample Answer
I love what I do. The more I shoot, the more my passion for this career grows. I love being exposed to different challenges and shooting in different scenes. I believe that my passion and interest in this field give me the push I need. I also love making clients happy. I, therefore, give my all to ensure that they don’t end up disappointed after investing a lot of money in a videographer.
10. Mention a Time that You Failed in this Role. What Did You Learn?
This is also another common question in interviews to establish if you can be accountable and learn from your mistakes. We are all predisposed to failure by being human and, therefore, do not shy away from admitting that things didn’t go as planned at one point. Just focus more on the lesson learnt from the particular incidence.
Sample Answer
My camera once broke down in the middle of a shoot, and I had to organize for another one, which took two hours, inconveniencing the client. Even though he was a friend, I could see the disappointment on his face. This experience taught me always to carry a backup camera if things don’t go as planned. Taking nothing for granted means that I can respond well to such problems.
11. Why Do You Believe That You are The Most Suited Candidate for This Role?
The interviewer wants you to sell yourself and convince them why you deserve the job from all the available candidates. Mention some of your skills, attributes and qualities that set you ahead of everyone else. You can also mention any special experience that you believe makes you a better candidate.
Sample Answer
I can’t speak about the others since I don’t know much about their experience and skillset. However, I believe that I have everything it takes to deliver in this job. I have been in this industry for over team years and have handled lots of different projects. I can shoot weddings, graduations, birthday parties, sports and even wildlife. My versatility, therefore, sets me ahead of other candidates. I have also been featured in several publications and received lots of awards which shows just how good I am at videography.
12. What is Your Greatest Achievement?
The interviewer normally asks this question to know more about you and assess how you define success. Mention an achievement in your career life that will convince them that you are the best person for this job.
Sample Answer
I have had a successful career and can therefore mention several achievements. However, the main one was appearing in the national top 25 under 30 most influential videographers of all times based on my works shooting the presidential elections. I got several endorsements and a part-time job teaching videography in our local institute.
13. How Do You Normally Plan For a Shoot?
The interviewer wants to know about your work ethic and potential organizational skills. Offer an answer that highlights a systematic approach to organization and planning. Make sure that you clearly show your extensive planning process before the shoot.
Sample Answer
Before leaving the house, I first think about what the shoot entails and the clients’ vision. This helps me make a list of the necessary equipment and determine how the shoot should go. If it is a wedding, I will carry my primary camera, a backup camera, different lenders, memory cards, a tripod and extra batteries. All these allow me to avoid any technological mishap.
14. Tell Us about Your Most Favourite Project
The interviewer wants to know if you are genuinely passionate about this career. Your answer will also tell them your favorite types of projects. Mention one that you enjoyed working on the most and explain why it is your favorite.
Sample Answer
I recently shot my best friend’s graduation. Even though I usually enjoy my work, this was special since I witnessed him exert himself and work hard to top his class. I also spent quality time with him, just being there for such a special occasion. Our long-lasting friendship helped me create something unique, which he will cherish for years to come.
15. Why Did You Decide to Come a Videographer?
The interviewer wants to know what made you pursue a career as a videographer. This will help them gauge if you have a genuine interest in this field and the role you are interviewing for. Explain what inspired you to pick this field out of all the possible options.
Sample Answer
My love for documentaries made me decide to be a videographer. I watched lots of National Geographic Films and was always impressed by the quality of videos that I saw. I also got my camera at a pretty young age and therefore grew up capturing moments that I still cherish up to now. I knew that I’d be a photographer or videographer later on in life and worked hard to make it a reality.
16. As a Videographer, What is Your Preferred Working Style? Do You Prefer to Work Alone or With Others?
The interviewer wants to know if you are a team worker or an independent worker. Be careful and ensure that whatever you choose matches the organization’s working style. If possible, convince the interviewer that you prefer a blend of both and mention the aspects that call for independent work and those that require collaboration.
Sample Answer
I prefer getting some help during shoots. Carrying around equipment and setting up a shoot location can be challenging if done alone. I don’t, therefore, mind shooting with a crew. However, I prefer to edit the films alone. I am confident in my ability and believe that I work better alone when it comes to editing. It means less distraction and more focus. I, therefore, prefer a blend of both.
17. Tell Us About a Time When You Had to Work with a Difficult Client
You need to have in mind that people differ, be it in behavior or personality. You will therefore come across overly demanding clients that may give you a hard time when shooting. Give an experience that shows you professionally handling one and giving your all despite the circumstances. Convince the interviewer that you can work with all types of clients.
Sample Answer
I have worked with several demanding clients in my career. However, this particular one was a former videographer and wanted to control everything, including the settings and shooting modes. I calmly explained to him that I had my work style and would appreciate it if he allowed me to work freely. I even showed him some of my former samples doing the same job, and he agreed to give me a chance. I put my best foot forward, and he was delighted with the results at the end of the shoot.
18. What Would You Do if Your Camera Broke in the Middle of the Shoot?
The interviewer wants to know how you would react to technological mishaps in your line of duty. As a videographer, you should always think ahead, identify some of the things that may happen in your line of work, and think about possible solutions. Convince the interviewer that you can handle such situations well.
Sample Answer
I usually think about such things before the shoot. I have never gone for a shoot without an extra camera. Therefore, if my camera broke during a shoot, I will use the extra one. I wouldn’t want to inconvenience a client because of a technological problem from my side. Preparing in advance allows me to mitigate such occurrences.
19. Can You Work Under Pressure?
Being a videographer will expose you to several stressful situations that you should be prepared for. You will have deadlines and client expectations to meet as well as huge workloads. You need to have strategies that will help you manage such situations. Share such with the interviewer.
Sample Answer
I believe that I can work well under pressure. It brings the best out of me. I love challenges, and anything that pushes me out of my comfort zone is always welcome. During such times, I usually breathe, stay focused, organize myself and prioritize work. I have successfully managed lots of situations through this routine.
20. Has a Customer Ever Been Dissatisfied With Your Work? How Did You React?
The interviewer wants to know how you would react to negative feedback. Do you have the emotional strength to handle a negative response to something you gave your all to? Show the interviewer that you don’t have a problem with negative feedback as it does not influence who you are and your capabilities. Your primary focus should be on making corrections.
Sample Answer
I once did a wedding shoot for a demanding client who was not satisfied with the edited film. I apologized and asked him how we could make the film better. Luckily, I still had the unedited copy and made the necessary corrections, which he finally loved. I have discovered that being defensive when a customer offers negative feedback doesn’t help anything.
Conclusion
We hope that these 20 questions will help you land your dream job. Ensure that you give the interviewers an excellent first impression and work on your interviewing skills to increase your chances of landing the job.
