As an Art Director, I've hired numerous artists and made the terribly tricky decision of choosing one applicant from thousands. I've also been the interviewee countless times which is overall, a much less pleasant experience. Having experienced being on both sides of the table, I wanted to write this article to help you prepare for interviews, manage expectations, and ultimately land the role you want.

The competition for roles is higher than ever, and people are up against literally thousands of other incredible artists. If you've made it to the interview stage, that in itself is a massive achievement. Even then, the brutal truth is there's probably 1-10 other people interviewing for the same role. It's crucial to make sure you are prepared to show up as your best and most professional self so you can stand out from the crowd. Let's explore some strategies that can greatly improve your chances of being hired at the interview stage.

Research: Your Secret Weapon

Researching the employer is the number one thing that many artists neglect before interviewing for a role while it's actually one of the most valued qualities that employers look for. Most artists get so caught up in polishing their portfolio that they forget to research and understand what the employer needs from this new hire. Before your interview, do as much research as possible about your potential employer. The number one thing you must know is the company’s mission statement. This is crucial as it can help you guide the conversation about how your skillset can be beneficial for the company's overarching goals. You can typically find a company’s mission statement on the home or about page of their website.

Here's a comprehensive list of research you should conduct before any interview:

• When was the company founded?

• Why was the company founded?

• What is the company's mission and core values?

• How large is the company / how many employees?

• What are the company's latest projects?

• Research any recent company news articles.

• Research any recent company blog posts.

• Who are their main competitors?

• What art style or aesthetic does the company typically use?

• What engine or software does the team primarily work with?

• Who would you be reporting to, and what's their background?

Depending on the company, you may not find all of the answers to these questions, but try to find as much information as possible as these are all valuable things to help you gain a basic understanding of the company. This knowledge can also help you form compelling questions for your interviewer during the process. Showing that you are familiar and knowledgable about the company going into the interview can show that you are interested in the company’s work and is a great tactic that can set you apart from other candidates.

Presenting: Tailoring Your Story

Research into your employer can greatly help if you are asked to present your portfolio. By understanding what the employer needs from this role, you'll be better equipped to identify the work you want to show and how to present it effectively.

For example, if your employer creates sci-fi games for a Gen-Z audience, make sure that when you present your work, you showcase your best sci-fi pieces and demonstrate how they can appeal to their target demographic. Don't just show random work that you personally like, think about it from the company's perspective and prove that you're the best person for the job.

Remember that your interviewer has most likely already looked through your portfolio, so it's actually more important how you present yourself than just going through your work. Make sure you are:

• On time (ideally 5-10 minutes early)

• Look presentable (dress appropriately for the company culture)

• Organized and prepared to show your portfolio via a working website or slideshow presentation

• Ready with backup plans in case of technical difficulties

Presentation Best Practices

• Tell stories about your work. Explain your process, challenges you overcame, and what you learned through the process.

• Be specific about your contributions on team projects.

• Show work in progress alongside finished pieces to demonstrate your process.

• Explain your thinking behind creative decisions.

• Be honest about areas where you received help or collaboration.

Interviewing can be nerve-wracking, but the person interviewing you will likely understand that and won’t hold it against you, especially for junior roles. Relaxing as much as possible is beneficial as it can help you focus on your presentation and the conversation. One of the most important aspects of interviewing is demonstrating enthusiasm about the work the company is doing. Even if you're primarily motivated by the paycheck, enthusiasm will be scored highly in the interview.

Questions: Show Your Interest and Initiative

Typically interviews will end with some time for Q&A. Make sure you have thoughtful questions prepared beforehand. This is a huge opportunity that many people miss. While you're researching the company, make sure you're noting down possible questions to ask during the interview. For example, if you read news articles about the company exploring a new genre of games, ask why they're exploring that direction and what their goals are. This shows you are proactive and interested in the company and you can then identify commonalities and explain how you can help achieve those goals. Questions can be a great way to expand the conversation, learn more about the company, and showcase how and why you would be a great fit for the role.

Examples of Strong Questions:

• "What does success look like in this role after 6 months?"

• "What are the biggest creative challenges the team is facing right now?"

• "How does the art team collaborate with other departments?"

• "What opportunities are there for professional development?"

• "Can you tell me about the team culture and what you enjoy most about working here?"

• "What tools and software does the team currently use, and are there plans to adopt new ones?"

Soft Skills and Cultural Fit

Beyond your artistic abilities, employers are looking for candidates who will fit well within their team culture. They are hiring someone who they will be interacting with every day so making sure that the candidate is a reliable, professional person is a high priority. Consider these often-overlooked aspects:

Communication Skills

• Practice explaining your work clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Listen actively during the interview and ask follow-up questions.

• Be prepared to discuss feedback you've received and how you've implemented it.

Collaboration and Teamwork

• Prepare examples of successful collaborations with other artists, designers, or developers. This can be physical projects but also stories of your past experiences where you worked with a team.

• Show flexibility in your approach and willingness to iterate and receive feedback.

• Demonstrate problem-solving skills when creative challenges arise.

Adaptability

• Show examples of learning new software or techniques quickly.

• Discuss how you handle changes, conflict, or set backs.

• Express openness to different art styles or genres.

Technical Preparedness

Technical difficulties always seem to occur at the worst times. Being prepared with multiple ways to show your portfolio and being able to adapt to any last minute difficulties will help you stay calm and professional.

• Test your portfolio website on multiple devices and browsers beforehand.

• Prepare high-resolution versions of your work for detailed review.

• Bring a backup (USB drive, printed portfolio) in case of technical issues.

• Know your software inside and out and be prepared for technical questions.

• Understand industry-standard pipelines and workflows.

Managing Expectations

Remember that you can execute everything perfectly, but the hiring team may still choose a different candidate for reasons completely outside of your control. Employers often advocate for hiring their friends or people who others have recommended to them. Sometimes the decision comes down to specific technical skills, team dynamics, or even budget considerations that have nothing to do with your abilities.

It's important to stay confident in your skills and keep applying to new roles even if you're already in an interview process with a company. The job market is competitive, and having multiple opportunities gives you more negotiating power and options.

The current market and employment conditions remain challenging, and it’s common for unprofessional employers to ghost candidates after interviews. Remember that your time is valuable. Try not to get caught up waiting for responses, and keep working on improving yourself and your portfolio.

After the Interview

Here are some final strategies that can be the cherry on top of a great interview. Even though these seem like a small part of the process, they can surprisingly have an impact on your chances.

• Send a thank-you email within 24 hours, reiterating your interest.

• Continue applying to other positions (don't put all your eggs in one basket!)

• Reflect on the experience. What went well, what could be improved?

• Follow up appropriately if you don't hear back within their stated timeframe.

• Keep developing your skills regardless of the outcome.

Final Thoughts

Remember that interviewing is a skill in itself and, like any skill, improves with practice. Each interview experience, whether successful or not, teaches you something valuable about the process and about yourself as a professional. Stay persistent, keep learning, and don't let rejection discourage you from pursuing your dream role.

The concept art industry is incredibly competitive, but it's also filled with passionate, creative people who want to see others succeed. Approach each interview as an opportunity to connect with fellow artists and learn about different studios and projects, even if this particular role doesn't work out.

I hope this guide provides valuable insights to help you succeed in your next interview. Good luck out there, and remember that you've already accomplished something significant by getting to the interview stage!