25 Model Interview Questions & Answers
1. Let's discuss your availability. Are you able to travel? Can you work any hours, on any day?
How to Answer
The interviewer would like to know if you have flexibility in your schedule. Are you willing to do what it takes to be a successful model? If you do have restrictions, be sure to express those. You will want to keep your schedule as open as possible, to show your willingness to sacrifice for your dream of becoming a model.
Written by Rachelle Enns
1st Answer Example
"I am happy to work day, and night, to make my dream of becoming a model happen. I am diligent and will do what it takes to succeed. Consider my schedule open!"
Written by Rachelle Enns
Entry Level
"I have a fresh passport, and nowhere to go! I am open to working any days or hours, and can travel as needed."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced
"I do have a part-time job, asides from modeling; however, they allow me a great deal of flexibility with some notice. I am happy to travel for work, and have a valid passport ready."
Written by Rachelle Enns
2. Have you ever been fired from a modeling job?
How to Answer
Being terminated does not have to be an embarrassing or shameful thing. Be open and honest with the interviewer regarding your dismissal. Be sure to let the interviewer know that you can provide positive references despite a previous termination.
Written by Rachelle Enns
1st Answer Example
"I was terminated from a contract earlier in my career due to my inability to travel. It was unfortunate but, I was too young to travel on my own, and my parent could not come with me. Despite that termination, I can provide you with strong work references."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Entry Level
"I have not experienced being fired from a modeling job, or any job, for that matter. I have an incredible work ethic and could not imagine what circumstances that would happen. Rest assured, I will bring my all to every client your agency sends me to."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced
"No, I have not. As they say in the modeling world, 'You are only as good as your last job.' This means that I need to bring it, 100%, each time. My work ethic is strong, and I value every job that comes my way."
Written by Rachelle Enns
3. Do people see you as a trustworthy and honest individual?
How to Answer
It is easy to say that you are trustworthy and honest, but it's best if you can back it up with a review or words from a previous client or manager.
Written by Rachelle Enns
1st Answer Example
"I am told quite often that I am an honest and trustworthy individual and you will be able to hear that directly from my clients when you call for a reference. I hold honesty and trustworthiness as fundamental virtues."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Entry Level
"Yes. People who know me, and have worked with me, always know that they can rely on me, to tell the truth, and be a person of integrity."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced
"My clients rely on me because I am trustworthy and honest. They can count on me to be straightforward with them and depend on me to be there when it matters the most."
Written by Rachelle Enns
4. As a model, have you ever broken a contract, NDA, or confidentiality agreement?
How to Answer
Clients and agencies may have confidentiality agreements for a variety of reasons. These could be to protect their trade secrets or to ensure that you do not bring existing contracts over on the occasion that you leave their agency.Talk to the interviewer about your thoughts on respecting these agreements.
Written by Rachelle Enns
5. Would you consider yourself a creative person?
How to Answer
Talk to the interviewer about any creative interests that you and how you have implemented that into your modeling career. Even if you do not consider yourself to be a 'creative person,' there is a significant chance that you have made creative minded decisions in your modeling career.
Written by Rachelle Enns
6. How do you deal in uncomfortable situations?
How to Answer
Often, a modeling environment holds the possibility for awkward or tense situations. It can be challenging to know how to respond when you have a director who is moody, or when a fellow model lacks social skills and continually asks inappropriate questions. The interviewer wants to know that you can keep your cool in situations like these.
Written by Rachelle Enns
7. When have you worked among a diverse group of people?
How to Answer
Are you accustomed to working with a very large or diverse team of individuals? Assure the interviewer that you can handle an environment that offers diversity. As a model, you will work with a vast range of personalities, and backgrounds. Some people will be incredibly professional, some may be arrogant, and others may be disengaged completely. Can you handle it all?
Written by Rachelle Enns
8. When entering a new modeling gig, describe how you build relationships with the creative team or your fellow models.
How to Answer
Due to a wide variety of personalities, relationships can take time to form. How do you ensure that you have a strong line of communication with your fellow models, or creative team, right from the start?
Written by Rachelle Enns
9. How do you handle a situation where a photographer does not properly direct you?
How to Answer
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 situation of miscommunication with a photographer.
Written by Rachelle Enns
10. Models need to be clear communicators. Rate your communication skills from 1-10.
How to Answer
On a scale of 1-10, how skilled are you in communication? Why did you choose that particular rating for yourself?
Written by Rachelle Enns
11. Being a reliable model is of utmost importance. How would you describe your work ethic?
How to Answer
When the interviewer asks about your work ethic, they are looking for specific examples or keywords they can relate to. When you read the agency's mission statement, do they refer to particular company ethics? Talk about their values and how those align well with your work values.
Written by Rachelle Enns
12. Tell me something I wouldn't know about you, from looking at your portfolio.
How to Answer
When an interviewer asks an open-ended question like this, it can be difficult to know where to begin...and end! This question haunts many individuals who may accidentally go a little too in-depth into their personal lives. It happens. Keep your reply light, and work relevant. Share how you became interested in becoming a model, and what you enjoy about it. This is an excellent opportunity to describe yourself by discussing the strengths and qualities that you bring.
Written by Rachelle Enns
13. When you suffer a setback during a shoot, how do you recover?
How to Answer
Everyone handles the stress and disappointment of setbacks differently. As a model, you may not be able to control these setbacks. Wardrobe malfunction, a director who is running late, an unexpected cold, or a makeup artist who is disorganized and causing everyone stress. Discuss with the interviewer how you typically cope with setbacks during a gig.
Written by Rachelle Enns
14. Tell me about your experience as a model.
How to Answer
The interviewer would like fuller details on your overall experience in the modeling industry. Bring your expertise to life for the interviewer. Highlight some of the photographers you have worked with, or some of the shows you have walked in. If you are a new model, and just starting your portfolio, discuss who you worked with to build your comp card or tell a story on how you were discovered.
Written by Rachelle Enns
15. Tell me about your education and training related to modeling.
How to Answer
You may have formal training when it comes to modeling, or you may not. This is a straightforward answer. Bring your education and training to life for the interviewer!
Written by Rachelle Enns
16. Do you work well under pressure?
How to Answer
As a model, you will be under constant pressure, on and off the set. Demonstrate to the interviewer that you can remain calm with high volumes of work or during tough photo shoots.
Written by Rachelle Enns
17. Who do you look up to in the modeling industry?
How to Answer
Your industry hero could be a model from the past, the present, or even an amazing and talented photographer, choreographer, stylist, or shoot director. Keep your answer concise and show off your knowledge of the industry's trailblazers.
Written by Rachelle Enns
18. What is your greatest weakness, as a model? What are you doing to improve on it?
How to Answer
Pick a weakness that is not a core skill as a model. You can be candid in your answer; recognizing that you 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.
Written by Rachelle Enns
19. What is your greatest strength, as a model?
How to Answer
Which personal strengths make you excellent at your job? Strengths can be skills or qualities that help you overcome difficult circumstances or kill it in challenging photo shoots. Talk to the interviewer about a couple of your strengths and why those will help you to be successful as a model.
Written by Rachelle Enns
20. What do you know about our agency?
How to Answer
It is essential that you research the agency before you meet. You need to know how long they have been in business, who the owner is, who their most popular models are, what type of clients they book, and some of the most significant successes that the agency has seen. Highlight some of your research and be sure to let the interviewer know that having you on their roster will be a massive benefit to them as well.
Written by Rachelle Enns
21. Why are you the best model for us?
How to Answer
The interviewer would like to know what sets you apart from your competition! This is not the time to be humble! A successful booking needs to feel like the right fit by both parties. Express to the interviewer that you think this gig is a strong fit for your experience and your career goals as a model. Emphasize why hiring you will make their job easier.
Written by Rachelle Enns
22. Why did you choose to pursue a career as a model?
How to Answer
Your reason for chasing a modeling career does not need to be complicated. You can keep your answer personal, or tell a story if you would like. Perhaps you grew up in pageantry, your parent was a model, or you grew up watching modeling shows like America's Next Top Model. Fun! Whatever your reason, keep it concise and confident.
Written by Rachelle Enns
23. How would you react if asked to do a shoot you were not comfortable with? What are your limitations?
How to Answer
Many models make their career by holding nothing back and jumping entirely into every job. Other models have set rules for themselves such as no nudity. Talk to the interviewer about any boundaries that you have for yourself.
Written by Rachelle Enns
24. What are your goals as a model?
How to Answer
Provide the interviewer an an idea of where you see your modeling career take you. Be specific but also realistic. If you are a fitness model, don't say that you want to become the next Kate Moss. If you are a high fashion model, don't focus on your desire to land more commercials.
Written by Rachelle Enns
25. Tell me about your most difficult photo shoot.
How to Answer
This question requires you to think back to a time when you were challenged and tested as a model. When you answer this question, be sure to show the interviewer a shot from that particular shoot. Bring the experience to life for the interviewer.
"My most difficult photo shoot was for a print ad, where I had to have a dog in my lap. I am deathly allergic to dogs, so the biggest challenge was to be engaged, and not allow my watery eyes or sneezes to get in the way of the shoot. Benadryl was my friend that day! The client was very pleased with my work and dedication."
Written by Rachelle Enns