Looking for Animator Jobs? Best Do’s and Don’ts for animation Interviews

animator jobs

Animation and animator jobs surrounds us everywhere: it’s used in films and cartoons, mobile apps, computer games, advertising, and music videos. The list has no end! As a rule, animator jobs use 2D and 3D technologies, draw flawlessly by hand and have a good imagination. They often work in large companies, becoming part of the creative team. Or they take project orders, combining them with the creation of illustrations and drawing banners or logo designing.

One way or another, at least once in a lifetime, an animator will have to go through a difficult stage called an interview. How to pass it with brilliance and show yourself from the best side, read below.


Nail it: Interview Do’s for Animator Jobs

#1. Get familiar with the hiring company

It’s always recommended to familiarize yourself with all available information about the brand, its projects, and the team as a whole. So the employer will immediately see that you’re interested in the vacancy, and you won’t fail on any issue related to the activities or development of the organization.

Before an interview, consider the following stuff:

  • Brand’s experience
  • Company’s key players 
  • News and latest events 
  • Mission, values, and culture
  • Previous projects

#2. Get prepared for common and animator jobs specific questions 

There are never two identical interviews, so making 100% perfect preparation is nearly impossible.

There may be general interview questions that are popular with employers. It’s unlikely that you’ll anticipate all of HR’s questions, though. In either case, be sure to confidently respond to every general question at a job interview.

And of course, prepare answers to questions such as:

  • What software/tech do you use?
  • How do you follow animation trends?
  • What animation gimmicks do you know?

It will be great if you prepare a short video portfolio of work in advance. You can use software like a Mac screen recorder or Windows screen capturer to record your screen and voice. This will come in handy if the interviewer asks you to show some of your trending works or how you work with a particular tool. 

Be willing to ask questions yourself, too. Some candidates believe it’s improper to ask direct questions, but this is completely okay. It’s more likely that the interviewer may doubt your interest in the position if you don’t have questions to ask an HR specialist. So prepare a list of questions in advance of applying for animator jobs.

#3. Highlight your tech skills

Animation’s technical side is crucial. Your technical aptitude is an essential component that will determine whether the employer will find you appealing. When hiring, some organizations place a high priority on technical expertise while overlooking some social skill gaps.

Most in-demand skills are:

  • Engines knowledge
  • Familiarity with animation software and tools
  • Your realized prototypes and style frames
  • Adobe Creative Suite savviness

In-depth knowledge and possession of job-specific skills make you a professional ready to get to work. This readiness is viewed by many employers as a signal to hiring you.

#4. Send a friendly follow-up message

The post-interview stage is crucial because it gives you a chance to establish your professional standing. Just write a polite follow-up email and send it to the interviewers sometime after the interview.

This polite request may include:

  • request for contact details or next steps
  • ask to evaluate your work at the interview
  • thank you letter to interviewers

Instead of showing your impatience or desperation, a thank-you email will help you demonstrate your effective communication skills and genuine interest in animator jobs.

Never Ever Do This: Interview Don’ts

#1. Never be late 

Regardless of whether you’re going to get into a large gaming company or a small project development office, you should always remember the “golden” rule: don’t be late, and if it does happen, warn the recruiter. It’s punctuality that will provide a potential employer with your first portrait as a responsible person.

#2. Don’t wear a formal suit

Trust us, it’s just not the right industry for black tuxedos. No one says that now you can come to an interview in pajamas. Of course, you should look responsible and trustworthy but your job interview outfits should still be casual. Specialists in such a creative field don’t trust candidates in suits. Moreover, this is a great way to emphasize your individuality.


#3. Don’t just talk about money

Our salaries are what keep us alive. But you don’t want to look like you’re only animating for the money. Focus on the job, the task, the skill, and the experience, and ask if the animators can get rich later. One way or another, if you have the prospect of development, grab this opportunity. Well, if you’re offered to work for free or be badly paid as an animator – just run.

#4. Don’t complain about your former employers

Everybody has had a job they didn’t like, but job interviews aren’t the time to patch up past wounds. First, most businesses just prefer an optimistic person to a pessimistic one who will bring down others around them. Second, because of how tiny this sector is, it’s very conceivable that the person you’re criticizing is a close friend of the employer. Third, employers don’t appreciate the thought that you may criticize them to your future employer if you decide to leave.

To indicate all your previous jobs in an animator jobs resume and not go into detail talking about them is the wisest possible decision.

#5. Don’t violate the privacy

This is a kind of related problem to the previous one. Animation values ​​privacy very highly. While we always want to show our latest work, sometimes that’s just impossible because the last project hasn’t hit networks yet. Professional brands will respect you for having such quality because it decreases the likelihood that you’ll ever be able to disclose their confidential work. 

Wrap Up for an Animator Jobs Search

No doubt, there are many subconscious and unpredictable factors that can change the course of an interview. That’s why it’s crucial to be prepared for everyday issues and general situations. Stay focused, be calm, and take the time to research. By following these job interview tips, you’ll ensure you pass every interview and move quickly to success in animation.

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