How do you keep up to date in changes within the animation industry?

"My professor encouraged us to utilize a few resources for staying up to date on the animation industry, including Cartoon Brew and Disney Animation Studios. Personally, I have a few Google alerts set up so that animation news is delivered to my inbox daily. Also, I follow some of my favorite animators on social media."

The interviewer would like to be assured that you have a true interest in the animation industry. Show that you spend your time getting to know the industry and educating yourself of trends, and changes. List a couple of your favorite resources and be sure to ask the interviewer about their preferences. It could be a great opportunity for you to learn!

"When it comes to keeping up to date on the animation industry, I subscribe to Animation Magazine and also AWN.com. I am very open to suggestions. What are some of your favorite sources for animation news?"

"I currently manage a 6,000 member LinkedIn group for animation professionals. Every day, members add new articles, send links, and debate industry hot topics. It's an amazing resource for me."

Why are you looking for a new animator position?

"My most recent position was a 6 month internship that I recently completed. I was hoping to become a permanent employee once my internship commitment was complete but unfortunately they did not have the budget to take me on full time."

When an interviewer asks you this, make sure you always keep your answer positive. If you are leaving your position because you don't like your boss, be sure to phrase it in a more eloquent way. If you aren't sure how, remember - it's always a safe bet to focus you answer on career growth and exciting opportunities.

"I value growth. It's important to me that I grow in my career so I can continue to be a valuable asset to the company I'm working for. I've noticed tremendous growth in your company the past year, and that really appeals to me."

"I have been with my current organization for 12 years and have moved up through almost every rank in the organization. I am so grateful for the growth I've experienced over the last decade of my life. Now, I need to conquer the next challenge. I need to stretch outside of my comfort zone now. I do not take this move lightly but I am excited at the thought of what is to come."

Can you talk to me about your GPA during undergraduate/graduate school?

"Definitely! I studied hard in school and averaged a 3.5 GPA. I am very excited to now take that same diligence and apply it to my career in animation."

Are you satisfied with your GPA or would you change it if you could? Talk to the interviewer about your post-secondary experience.

"I graduated top of my class and am very proud of my accomplishments during University. The experience taught me to study hard and set goals for myself. OR I feel that my GPA could have been higher; however, I was working full time while attending classes. All in all, I did learn a lot about discipline and commitment."

"I graduated from university some time ago but I can assure you that my grades were top of the class at that time. I was on the deans list and also spent my spare time working as a tutor to ESL students."

If you had a co-worker call in sick and you were asked to take over their project requiring overtime from you, how would you react? Where do you draw the line when it comes to being a team player?

"I'm happy to help the team out and work overtime as necessary. I plan to always jump at the opportunity to help."

Show your confidence to your interviewer by explaining your willingness to be part of the team and not being afraid to pick up the slack when needed, but make sure you don't allow someone to take advantage of you.

"I will always choose to be a team player. If I had a co-worker call in sick, I would take over what I was capable of. The only time I would draw the line would be if I felt I was being taken advantage of. For example, if they were purposefully being inefficient and expecting me to pick up the slack. For the sake of the company, I am always willing to go above and beyond what is expected of me."

"I have learned in my career that you cannot take control of other people's work ethic. I put my head down and ensure that my projects are running ahead of schedule. This allows me time to jump in on my college's projects whenever they need me."

What is your current salary?

"As I am a recent graduate, I would like to be offered a fair salary that reflects my recent education. I am most concerned with joining an organization that will help me to grow my career in animation. Compensation is not my primary driver."

A potential employer will often base their offer on your current salary. You should be transparent about your most recent earnings and be prepared to back up any salary requests.

"I am currently earning a base salary of $78,000 plus health benefits. I am looking for a competitive salary in my next position."

"I am currently making $100,000 per year with two bonus opportunities. I am looking for compensation that is aligned with the role and provides opportunity for growth."

What sources do you look to when you need to solve a complicated problem?

"If there's a complicated problem, I'll write out what I think the possible solutions would be, and make note of what my gut tells me to do. Then, I will weigh those potential solutions against one another and list the complications that may arise as a result of each choice."

The interviewer wants to know that you are able to think outside the box, or even ask for help, when you are stuck on a complicated problem.Maybe you look to a mentor or boss for advice. Perhaps you have handbooks, manuals and systems you turn to for help. Offer some relevant examples based on your industry. If you work in the medical field, you may turn to textbooks, online research, colleagues or even patient's history to find the right solution. If you work in customer service, you may ask the customer what they need in order to find the best way to solve the problem. Show the interviewer that you are knowledgeable and equipped to handle these types of scenarios.

"When I am faced with a complicated problem, I will look to the resources that my current company has provided me. The answer is almost always in there. If it's more of a moral dilemma vs. a knowledge based dilemma, I will ask my supervisor for his thoughts and opinion since I value him as a mentor and expert in our industry."

"In order to solve a complex issue, I will reach out to a mentor to ask them how they've handled such issues in the past. Despite my years of experience in animation, I know that there are still many folks in the industry who have so much to teach me."

What are the top qualities would you bring to our company?

"Here are some qualities you could mention: - Strong communicator - Honest and trustworthy - Reliable and diligent - Specific technical skill or competency - Flexibility in your schedule - Persistence - Interest in continued training - Loyal and focused"

There are some things that your resume cannot do. Showing off your great personality is one of them! Talk to the interviewer about some of your unique qualities and be sure to tie these qualities into how they will benefit the company, should they hire you.

"I have a unique ability to strike up conversation and build rapport with nearly anyone. This is a great help when it comes to getting to know our clients. The better I understand my clients' personality, the better work I am able to deliver."

"I have a Bachelor's Degree in Animation as well as 12 years' industry related experience. My top strengths include topics such as Scripting, Story-boarding, and Digital Imaging."

Do you demonstrate leadership qualities even when you are not in a leadership role?

"I try to. I always strive to set a good example to my peers and take charge when needed."

This question challenges you to think about how you act as a leader in your daily life. Even if you're not leading a team, you can still demonstrate the qualities of a leader! Give an example of how you coached a coworker who was having difficulty preparing for a big presentation. Maybe you gave them confidence in their strengths by encouraging them, or maybe you offered some helpful hints. You can be a motivator and a positive communicator in any situation at work!

"I naturally take on a leader and mentor-ship type of role with my co-workers. In one instance, I had a new coworker who was having some troubles fitting in. I took her out for lunch and talked to her a bit about the workplace culture and semantics surrounding the various departments. I really wanted her to stay and enjoy her employment with us so I took the responsibility of ensuring she was settling in well. I believe there are always opportunities for leadership - you just have to keep your eyes open!"

"I definitely feel I'm always leading by example, with or without any sort of managerial authority. I always try to come in a bit early and stay a bit late, pitching in and going the extra mile whenever possible. I feel this makes you just a good teammate and human, not to mention sets you up for a strong career trajectory. That way, when the opportunity for a true leadership role presents itself, I have positioned myself to be top of mind for the promotion."

How can we motivate you on the job?

"Here are some ways that an employer may try to motivate you. Which ones resonate most with you? - Incentive programs where points are earned - Showing complete trust in your work and performance - Setting smaller, more achievable goals - Helping you to find your greater career purpose - Being a positive example to you - Maintaining an open and transparent workplace - Personalized incentives vs. Team driven incentives - Getting to know you on a personal level - Positive feedback based rewards system - Offering a strong work/life balance by encouraging time off - Letting you know your voice matters - Allowing you to take the lead on projects that excite you - Handing out big picture projects so you feel that you are contributing to the company's future - Public recognition"

Every employer should know how each staff member is best motivated. Talk to the interviewer about the variety of ways in which you are best motivated on the job.

"I had a project mate during University, on a particular assignment that held significant worth to my final grade. She was not very diligent and her organization skills were messy. I suggested that we create a timeline for the project with specific milestones, and dates, attached. She agreed. In the end, she commented on how my level of organization helped her to stay focused. Our final grade was very strong."

"I am best motivated through words of praise and recognition for a job well done. I do like to know that my efforts are being noticed. In my current position we have a leader board and I do like that concept because it creates a healthy bit of personal competition in me as well."

Tell me about a time when you worked with a person who did things very differently than you. How did you get the job done?

"My co-worker and I approach deadlines differently, and that is okay. I prefer mapping out the situation and putting myself on a timeline whereas she prefers to just jump right into the task. We have found a good balance of our two working styles after discussing our differences. On our last project, we agreed to split the tasks up and come together at the end of each day to put the pieces together. We have also agreed to keep the lines of communication open throughout the day. As different as we are from each other, we both agree that so long as we get to the end goal together, it doesn't always matter how we got there."

These situations seem to happen often in the workplace since everyone's work style is a bit unique. Maybe you are organized, and you had to work with someone who is not organized. Perhaps you are a 'big picture' thinker, and you had to work with someone who micromanaged the details. Maybe you are a technology whiz, and you had to work with someone who likes to do things with paper and pen. Start by discussing the project you were working on and the ways your work styles differed from each other. Explain how you came to a mutual consensus on how to conquer the project. Show the interviewer that you are capable of giving merit to other working styles, even if they do not match your own.

"I recently worked with a peer that had a very different work style in terms of how they organized and prioritized work. I approach work by scheduling meetings in advance and having a list of items to review to make the most of that time together. My peer was rarely prepared for the sessions, spent a great deal of time talking about personal items and operated in reaction mode to many situations. I took it upon myself to speak to that person about our different styles and come to an agreement how we could work best together. I am open to working with all types of people and welcome challenges with a smile!"

How do you react when a deadline changes?

"Experiencing a deadline change is always a bit scary, but I understand that it happens from time to time. If I experience a major deadline change I will take a few moments to debrief with my manager and create a plan of action. Then, I get to work!"

Everyone handles the stress and disappointment of deadline changes differently. Discuss with the interviewer how you typically cope with major changes in the workplace.

"Deadline changes always happen for a reason and they do not affect me emotionally in the least. I am a very pragmatic thinker and stay focused despite the challenges that come my way."

What single project in your portfolio do you consider the most significant?

"I have a few projects from my school portfolio that I look forward to showing you. I would say that the one project I consider to be most significant would be the final project I had for my character development course. I received the top grade in the class so I am especially proud of that work."

The interviewer would like to know which project you feel is the most significant in your career, so far. This could be the biggest project you worked on, the most complicated project, or one that was closest to your heart. Briefly describe why you are proud of this particular piece of work, and then be prepared to show your work.

"The most significant project in my portfolio is the project I worked on with (Client ABC). It is by far the largest project in my work history. The deadlines were tight, the details were complicated, and the budget was vast."

"Over the years I have worked on some incredibly important projects that I am proud of. If I could, I would love to show you my portfolio of work. I have handpicked some of my most significant work for you to see today."

Why do you want a career as a 3D Animator?

"My recent degree is focused primarily on digital animation. I am eager to start working in my area of educational specialty. The creative component of your 3D Animator position is very exciting and I look forward to learning from your experienced team."

The interviewer would like to understand the driving force behind your career goals as a 3D Animator. When your employer understands why you want this career, they will better understand how to motivate you on the job. Explain what pushes you to be the best you can be, in this line of work.

"Since I was young, my dream was to be an animator. The stories that I can tell through my craft and art are therapeutic to me, and I have a lot of fun at the same time."

"I have worked as a 3D animator for the past 6 years and it is the best career choice that I could have made. It's a creative outlet and a challenging discipline, all in the same breath. Every project is unique, and presents it's own challenges. This keeps me interested, and on my toes."

What would you change about yourself to make you a better 3D animator?

"Because I am new to my career as a 3D animator, I believe that any shortcomings will shine through as I gain more hands-on work experience. For now, I would like to gain more experience working on cross-departmental projects."

Pick a weakness that is not a core skill for this position. You can be candid in your answer; recognizing that you really aren't great at something and acknowledging your need to improve. Be sure to have an action plan in place for improving on this weakness.

"I believe I could improve on some technical skills including (a) and (b). Currently I am at a beginner to intermediate level; however, I would be more comfortable at an advanced level. I have enrolled myself in an evening/weekend workshop for the next six weeks. We will see how stellar my skills are after that course!"

"I believe that we can always become better at what we do. I read a lot of animation books and publications so that I can continue to challenge my creativity. If I could change anything about my current 3D animation skills, I would choose to take additional coursework in (choose a topic)."

How do you handle a larger than average workload?

"Here are some suggestions on how to handle a large workload:- List your tasks and prioritize them - Think of which tasks add to the company's bottom line, and start there (Closest to the money!) - Exhale. Relax for a minute and collect yourself - Organize your tasks by which ones you can complete independently and which ones you need help with - Take sufficient breaks so you do not exhaust yourself - Communicate your struggles with your leadership or team"

The interviewer wants to be assured that you can handle the workload required of you in this position, and that you will not become overwhelmed if/when workloads unexpectedly increase. When workloads increase, stress levels do too. How do you react?

"When I have a large workload on my plate, I do not stress over the tasks that are in front of me. Rather, I make a simple plan of which tasks are a high priority and which tasks are a low priority. The higher priority tasks, I complete first. Through this system, I am able to focus on my tasks individually, rather than stress out by the multitude of tasks ahead of me."

"I first take a step back and make a list of all the deliverable work that I have. Then, I prioritize the list by deadline and ease of completion. I always try to hit the easy tasks first and get them off my to-do list. Feeling like I am making progress keeps me motivated."

Have you ever broken a confidentiality agreement?

"No. I have only once had a confidentiality agreement and had no problem adhering to it."

Companies will have confidentiality agreements for a variety of reasons. These could be to protect their trade secrets or to ensure that you do not bring clients over on the occasion that you leave their company. Talk to the interviewer about your thoughts on confidentiality agreements.

"I have never, to my knowledge, broken a confidentiality agreement. Despite my reasons for leaving a position, I would never choose to hurt a previous employer in any way."

"Confidentiality agreements are necessary and important to protect an organization. I understand the need for confidentiality and take those factors very seriously. I have never broken the trust of my employer."

How do you handle a situation where your supervisor does not properly communicate information to you?

"If I had a supervisor who did not properly communicate with me, I would work hard to put the pieces together for myself. I believe this would teach me discipline and independent thought."

You cannot force others to communicate with you in a way that you would always prefer. Talk to the interviewer about a time that you have handled a supervisor who does not communicate with you in way that you like.

"Whenever I have had a supervisor who does not properly communicate with me, I try to learn their style of communication and emulate it. Sometimes you simply have to relate to others in their own style to be understood."

"There are times in business when this happens. I make sure I regroup with the supervisor to explain the strain a gap in communication causes on the team. I then go into mending mode, ensuring the information that needs to be communicated gets disseminated out to the team."

What questions do you have for me?

"Here are some sample questions: - When would you like to have this position filled? - How long has this role been vacant? - Is this a replacement search or a newly created role? - What is your favorite part about working here? - What is the company's primary goal for this position in the next 12 months? - Is there anything from my background and experience that I can clarify for you? - What do you see as the biggest change in this industry over the past 3 years? - Is there any reason why you would not hire me?"

It's always a great idea to have questions ready for the interviewer. Review the company website and other online resources to ensure the questions you are asking are not mundane, or redundant. The last thing an interviewer wants to hear is a list of questions you could have found the answers to from simply watching a video on their company site!

"Thank you for asking - I do have a few questions. What is top of mind when it comes to filling this role? In addition, what types of career growth opportunities would follow this position? And lastly, do you have internal candidates who are also interviewing for this position?"

"I have been a fan of your company for as long as I can remember and I am curious what the vision is for expanding in the future to new markets and securing new clients. Especially considering the growth of freelance platforms and online solutions for hiring animators."

How often do you take work home with you?

"I will try not to take my work home with me too often since it's best to utilize my time at work the best I can. However; if a deadline is present, I will ensure it is done on time. That may mean taking my work home from time to time."

The majority of people will work overtime hours or take work home with them on occasion. Talk to the interviewer about how frequently to take your work home.

"I make sure to utilize my work hours very efficiently so the only time that I take my work home is when there is an extremely stringent deadline. I would say that, overall, I take my work home maybe twice per month. It's all about being diligent with your time in the office!"

"I take my work home with me whenever it is necessary. Some positions I have held, I work from home nearly every day. Other roles, such as my current position, I work from home just a couple of times per month."

What do you know about our company culture?

"I read many positive reviews online about your organization and company culture. You offer great incentives to keep people motivated and it seems to be the type of fast paced environment that values innovation and performance. My type of place!"

Company culture and fit is a very important factor when considering a career move. Assure the interviewer that you have put thought, research, and consideration into how the company culture will work for you.

"I have researched your company through your social media channels, and on glassdoor.com. Your employees have really great things to say and overall it seems that you have fun while you work. I am looking forward to joining an organization, like yours, that is upbeat and thoughtful with an eye on helping the community at the same time."

"I have been in the animation industry for some time and have met a collection of people from your organization. I know that you encourage collaboration, embrace diversity, and reward diligence. I am confident that I will fit in very well here."

"I noticed on your career page, that you have a part where you discuss how to enter the industry or have a job as a developer. To be honest, it's the first time I've seen this, it gives the vibe that you are towards inclusivity and that you care about giving a chance to anyone willing to put the work into it. I personally appreciate and value transparency in a working environment, trust is stronger between the company and the employees that way. And by the look of your youtube channel, it seems like you share a lot with your audience, and by extension, with your staff."

Tell me about your greatest accomplishment as a 3D animator.

"The greatest accomplishment in my career was graduating University as an honors student while still working full time in a related field. I was top of my class, and working full time. This showed me that I am able to dedicate myself to my career, and reach the goals that I set for myself. It felt great to accomplish so much and be recognized for my dedication."

Talking about your greatest accomplishment will give the interviewer a strong idea of where you place your values. It will also show the interviewer more about your personality, how you like to be motivated, and how to coach you in the future. It is okay to brag a little bit when answering this question. Show that you are proud of yourself and your career accomplishments!

"I have many accomplishments that I am very proud of. Overall, I would say that my greatest work accomplishment is the positive reputation that I have in this industry. 3D animation is a competitive industry and I've worked incredibly hard to get here."

How often do you discuss work with your colleagues in order to think up new systems and styles of working?

"I think it is important to discuss work with colleagues in a collaborative nature to encourage all types of ideas to come forth. Often times, when people put their heads together, they will create something better than something one individual could have done alone."

Do you use your creative mind with your colleagues in order to discuss ideas and systems in the workplace? Talk to the interviewer about how you have used creative thinking in the workplace.

"I communicate with my coworkers, subordinates, and supervisor daily. We may not always think up new ideas, but we often discuss 'what-if' scenarios."

"I have a policy with my team that if they have an innovative and helpful idea, they can bring it to me at any time. If their idea or system is something that I think could work, we then create a plan together to present it to our creative group. This policy has generated some really strong ideas in our office over the past 3 years."

What are your strengths?

"Some great strengths to mention are: - Communicative - Loyal - Collaborative - Tech Savvy - Flexible in Schedule/Availability - Persistent and Determined - Eager for Knowledge/New Skills"

Which personal strengths make you excellent at your job? Strengths can be skills or qualities that help you overcome difficult circumstances or accomplish challenging tasks. In a work context, your strengths will help you to complete your to-do list, understand client needs, and help you to apply what you have learned in your training. Talk to the interviewer about a couple of your strengths and why those will help you to be successful in this role.

"My top strengths include my attention to detail and my ability to build relationships. I am a very relational person, and I enjoy getting to know my colleagues on a personal level. I think this fosters a very positive environment at work. Former colleagues often asked me to review their work, because they know I pick up on even the smallest of details that can make a big difference as an animator. I am very observant, focused, and driven, and I'm always willing to lend a hand."

"According to the performance reviews that I have had with previous employers, I believe that my strengths are my dedication, determination, and ability to build long lasting and trusting professional relationships."

3D Animator Interview Questions

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1. How do you keep up to date in changes within the animation industry?
2. Why are you looking for a new animator position?
3. Can you talk to me about your GPA during undergraduate/graduate school?
4. If you had a co-worker call in sick and you were asked to take over their project requiring overtime from you, how would you react? Where do you draw the line when it comes to being a team player?
5. What is your current salary?
6. What sources do you look to when you need to solve a complicated problem?
7. What are the top qualities would you bring to our company?
8. Do you demonstrate leadership qualities even when you are not in a leadership role?
9. How can we motivate you on the job?
10. Tell me about a time when you worked with a person who did things very differently than you. How did you get the job done?
11. How do you react when a deadline changes?
12. What single project in your portfolio do you consider the most significant?
13. Why do you want a career as a 3D Animator?
14. What would you change about yourself to make you a better 3D animator?
15. How do you handle a larger than average workload?
16. Have you ever broken a confidentiality agreement?
17. How do you handle a situation where your supervisor does not properly communicate information to you?
18. What questions do you have for me?
19. How often do you take work home with you?
20. What do you know about our company culture?
21. Tell me about your greatest accomplishment as a 3D animator.
22. How often do you discuss work with your colleagues in order to think up new systems and styles of working?
23. What are your strengths?

3D Animator Interview Questions

1. How do you keep up to date in changes within the animation industry?

2. Why are you looking for a new animator position?

3. Can you talk to me about your GPA during undergraduate/graduate school?

4. If you had a co-worker call in sick and you were asked to take over their project requiring overtime from you, how would you react? Where do you draw the line when it comes to being a team player?

5. What is your current salary?

6. What sources do you look to when you need to solve a complicated problem?

7. What are the top qualities would you bring to our company?

8. Do you demonstrate leadership qualities even when you are not in a leadership role?

9. How can we motivate you on the job?

10. Tell me about a time when you worked with a person who did things very differently than you. How did you get the job done?

11. How do you react when a deadline changes?

12. What single project in your portfolio do you consider the most significant?

13. Why do you want a career as a 3D Animator?

14. What would you change about yourself to make you a better 3D animator?

15. How do you handle a larger than average workload?

16. Have you ever broken a confidentiality agreement?

17. How do you handle a situation where your supervisor does not properly communicate information to you?

18. What questions do you have for me?

19. How often do you take work home with you?

20. What do you know about our company culture?

21. Tell me about your greatest accomplishment as a 3D animator.

22. How often do you discuss work with your colleagues in order to think up new systems and styles of working?

23. What are your strengths?