Interview Questions for a Video Editor

Interviews are a vital step in any hiring process. While your cover letter and resume introduce the hiring manager to your skills and professional experience, the interview process allows potential employers to evaluate your personality, demeanor, and ability to integrate into the company culture. The strongest Video Editor job candidates will be able to mix authenticity with polished answers and research tailored to the needs and brand identity of the company. Use the following article to explore the questions you may be asked in an interview for a video editing position and how you can best set yourself up for success. 

What to Expect in a Video Editor Interview

Video editing jobs take multiple forms, from temporary freelance to full-time work. Consequently, your job interviews will also vary depending on which type of position you are pursuing. Most freelance work will require video editors to respond to a client’s request for specific projects with a proposal and an informal conversation with the client. More competitive part or full-time positions may require a complete application and work samples before offering an interview. Depending on a company's size and where you will be expected to work, you may have one interview that explores your personality and working style. If you advance as a candidate after the first interview, the next might focus on testing your technical knowledge. Many companies will require you to work on a sample project they provide during the interview process. 

Top Interview Questions for Video Editors

Every hiring manager or client has a unique way of structuring their interviews for a Video Editing position. Nevertheless, there is common ground among most of these recruitment processes. For example, most recruiters will avoid yes or no questions to evaluate your depth of comprehension and ability to communicate, so it may be helpful to make a list of relevant information that can be used for multiple questions. Most interviewers will also want to explore your technical and soft skills, so you must be able to convey your talents beyond video editing. Keep reading to explore other potential interview questions, the reasoning or inspiration behind these questions, and how to provide concise answers. 

How would you situate your work in the larger industry? Which video editors’ work inspires you the most? 

The Video Editing profession is constantly evolving and growing as new technologies develop and more industries require the services of these professionals. Consequently, most companies will want to know how well you understand and keep up with the industry and how you see your work fitting in the larger matrix of visual media production. If you are applying for a job to create special effects for Marvel movies, the job manager would likely be unimpressed if you could not identify other professionals who have established the company's current practices. You can also use this opportunity to differentiate yourself from your peers and predecessors by detailing the unique vision you will bring to the screen.

How to answer

Take some time to research and reflect on the types of media that made you want to pursue a career in video editing. Who worked on these projects, and what was their vision? Why do these projects resonate with you, and how would you like to improve upon them? If there is a specific software program many of the creatives you admire use, you may want to consider learning the program as well so you can converse capably about it and discuss how you would expand on their skills. 

Which video editing programs do you use most frequently? 

Companies often use different video editing programs depending on their size and production needs. Larger companies or film production studies may gravitate towards Avid Media Composer or Blender, which can support larger projects without crashing. Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro are ideal for companies using Mac computers or working on mid-level or smaller projects. Throughout their training and continuing education, video editors should work to balance diversifying their technical skills with creating depth of knowledge. In many cases, it is much more productive to specialize in a program relevant to the type of video editing you plan to pursue over having basic proficiency in several programs. 

How to answer

Honesty and detail are the two most important factors when answering this question. While you may feel tempted to embellish your skills to get the job, it is much better to pursue additional training than be unable to provide the skills necessary to complete the job. Successful job candidates will avoid single-word answers to this question. Rather than saying that you have used Premiere Pro before, consider including information such as how long you have used the program, what types of projects you have completed with the software, and any certifications or certificates you have earned that demonstrate your skill and knowledge level. 

Describe a time when you struggled to complete a task or project. How did you navigate those obstacles, and what did you learn from the situation? 

Job managers are responsible for identifying your video editor and employee skills. Asking how you navigate difficult situations is a great way to gauge how you will deal with conflict, uncomfortable situations, and deadlines as an employee. Your answer to this question provides helpful insight into how you will fit into the company culture and environment. Many companies work on tight deadlines, so it’s crucial to have employees who remain calm and focused under pressure. 

How to answer

Consider all the parts of this question and how you might answer each. Identify the significant lessons you learned and the necessary details and points that you should cover to make the narrative flow and make sense. If you are new to the video editing industry, use relevant examples from educational opportunities or previous employment in your answer. Remember that interview time is limited, and the best answers are concise, confident, and purposeful. 

Do you enjoy working individually or in groups? What role do you most frequently adopt when working on a group project?

Video Editors must be adaptable to different working environments and employee organizations. They may be required to work with a team for one project and independently on another. Job candidates who demonstrate their ability to take on multiple roles in different projects will likely easily integrate into the company’s work environment. 

How to answer

Use a narrative structure when talking about past projects. It’s more engaging and insightful for the interviewer than reciting a list. Like your answer about navigating a tricky situation, build your story around a central theme or lesson you learned through the experiences. Focus on the positive aspects and cushion the negative ones by explaining how they helped you learn and grow. 

How would you build a good relationship with a client? What do you prioritize when establishing these relationships? 

Building client relationships is essential if you work as a freelance video editor or are part of a larger contracting company. There are many ways to develop a positive rapport with potential clients, but having a structured plan can help you stand out during an interview. Reviewing other video editors’ online portfolios and professional profiles may be a helpful step in determining the qualifications and skills potential clients may want to see in someone they plan to hire. 

How to answer

Consider your values as an employee and individual when mapping out ways to build good client relationships. Most clients value honest and transparent communication throughout their partnership with contractors. How might you work to ensure that your client is satisfied with the work you are producing? Do you handle criticism well? If you disagree with a critique of your work, have you planned an even-keeled, non-confrontational response? Thinking about these questions can help you navigate tricky situations with your clients and demonstrate your preparedness to potential employers. 

Learn the Skills to Become a Video Editor at Noble Desktop

Are you excited to begin your Video Editor career but unsure where to start? Don’t stress! Noble Desktop is here to help! Noble Desktop offers many resources relevant to video editors at each leg of their professional journey. Professionals looking for a road map to entering or building their careers can explore training opportunities and career paths through Noble Desktop’s Learn Video Editing Page. Editors looking for a comprehensive overview of educational and practical training opportunities offered live online and in-person should check out Noble Desktop’s Video Editing Topic Page. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the video editing profession and relevant editing applications that professionals regularly use. 

Video Editors use various professional-grade applications to design and create their projects. But how do you determine which programs to add to your tool kit? Noble Desktop provides a comprehensive archive of learning resources that detail the functionality, level of learning difficulty, and cost of learning different applications. Foundationally, most professionals are well-versed in video editing software such as Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro. If you are already established in the field and looking to gain a competitive edge in the job market, consider learning more about motion graphics software like After Effects or 3D animation and modeling through Cinema 4D. 

As you explore these sophisticated visual graphics programs, you will likely recognize that learning these intricate programs on your own can be a lonely and complicated process. Luckily, Noble Desktop offers live online and in-person courses for video editors at all stages of their careers. For example, professionals ready to dive into the video editing field may want to enroll in a Premiere Pro Bootcamp or After Effects in a Day course. These fast-paced classes are an excellent way to rapidly build your video editing skills with the guidance of an experienced instructor. Video Editors looking to diversify their portfolios and demonstrate their skills to potential employers can pursue a Video Editing Certificate or a Video Editing and Motion Graphics Certificate. Students gain robust hands-on experience through small class sizes and project-based learning opportunities. Noble Desktop even offers a free retake option so students can refresh their skills and maximize their retention within a year of their class.