Interview Questions for hiring a stage technician

jessamarie6

jessamarie6

Member
I've been conducting interviews recently and often feel like I just have enough good, probing questions to ask. I was wondering what some of your favorites were (either that you like to ask or you have been asked in the past).

For example, one of my favorites is to ask people "If you could take a class to learn or improve one skill right now, what would it be?"

(in the interest of full disclosure I hope to eventually put together a post on my blog on this subject)
 
From Google:
"You are shrunk to the height of a nickel and your mass is proportionally reduced so as to maintain your original density. You are then thrown into an empty glass blender. The blades will start moving in 60 seconds. What do you do?"

It is an odd question though (there is no right or wrong answer in Google's mind), and it's used to judge the creativity of the applicant.
 
My brother is the interview guru, I will have to ask him when I see him next.

Some good ones I have used/been used on...
Whats a good day look like for you?
Whats a bad day look like for you?
 
I'm partial to "What's the strangest interview question you've ever been asked, and how did you respond?"
 
What would you do if a smurf spontaniously appeared in your pants?

Ok not a real invterview question but it should be.

I've never been asked really good interview questions...I've had a few random ones, such as "What books are you reading?" But nothing strange.
 
What is the interview for and what are you trying to assess?

Added: By the way, that was a question and not a response. One of the oddest question I had during an interview was "Before you left home today, did you make your bed?", I guess they were looking for signs regarding personal organization. But that was the type of question I got coming right out of college and the questions I received later in my career definitely differed. My favorite question as an interviewee is always "When could you start?"
 
Last edited:
Why should I hire you and what can you do for us?
 
One I was asked is "how would your best freind describe you?" It caught me by suprise, and I had to think a bit, but it's a great question.
 
My favorites I've been asked are, "How would this (job/project/position/etc...) benifit you," and, "What are your goals for this project."
 
I was asked to sell the interviewer a stapler while interviewing for a job in HS (selling bibles at a store, never felt more like a prostitute)... It kind of threw me for a loop.
 
I think that if you ever go to an interview a good question to ask is if they ever press charges. haha.

;)
 
I am currently going through the process of hiring a stage technician for the first time. Anyone have any questions out of the box they like to ask or any advice? Thanks
 
Well, what duties are you expecting this person to fulfill? "Stage technician" is a pretty broad job title.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free
 
How do you deal with/ handle stress?

How do you resolve conflict?


I believe that interpersonal skills and the ability to resolve conflict are just as important of a skill set as knowing the ins and out of three phase power.


I wish more people in the industry felt the same.
 
chawalang said:
How do you deal with/ handle stress?

How do you resolve conflict?


I believe that interpersonal skills and the ability to resolve conflict are just as important of a skill set as knowing the ins and out of three phase power.


I wish more people in the industry felt the same.
Click to expand...
These are good, but let me add a twist. Past performance is the best prediction future.

I like to ask something like "Give me a specific example in your past work history where you . . . . . successfully resolved conflict."

Applying this format will tell you a lot. Do they listen to your question, or make up something they would've done, or were they the problem.
 
Personally, I would try to narrow it down a bit then throw a gig at each person and see how they do. I have had people that look great on paper crash and burn and I have had people go the other way as well. What kind of job? What kind of clients?
 
Footer said:
Personally, I would try to narrow it down a bit then throw a gig at each person and see how they do. I have had people that look great on paper crash and burn and I have had people go the other way as well. What kind of job? What kind of clients?
Click to expand...

This is excellent advice which has worked out where I work as well. Some of our best technicians may or may not look good on paper or even interview well (and it goes both ways). The best way to gauge how they do is to put them through the paces.

Character-based interviews are great if you're looking to fill a managerial position. For technicians, I would emphasize less on how they answer hypothetical/HR questions and more on experience level, technical skill/interest, and over all enthusiasm.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Rip Van Winkle
Hello/Posting Etiquette
Replies
18
Views
2K
StradivariusBone
StradivariusBone
Rip Van Winkle
Hanging powered monitors
Replies
13
Views
2K
Rip Van Winkle
Rip Van Winkle
Darin
Drawing a Theatre in Vectorworks
Replies
16
Views
3K
Darin
Darin
gafftaper
Gaff's Guide to Seattle
2
Replies
29
Views
3K
gafftaper
gafftaper
Rip Van Winkle
Projected backdrops on a multipurpose stage
Replies
2
Views
1K
ship
S

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)
Back