Interlochen Center for the Arts Interview Questions
& Process

So there were two interviews. The first one was a self-recorded video interview where I got a couple chances to answer the questions they showed me just before recording. The second interview was in-person for the finalists and included a tour of the school and meeting with several people.

I applied online, and then a recruiter emailed me. After that, I was asked to do a video interview on a different website where I didn't speak to anyone and just answered questions on video. I never spoke to a single person throughout the whole process. It felt really rude and tactless. I wasn't able to ask any questions to see if Interlochen was a good fit for me. It was just a bizarre video interview where I answered questions on video, and then it was submitted. They then eliminated candidates based on the video interview, and that was it. If this is how they treat potential employees, I would definitely not want to work there.

I applied and interviewed in spring, and then they ghosted me for a few months. They resurfaced in the summer with an offer to live on campus (starting fall), design and teach 3 or 4 classes (can't recall exactly), and pay me $20,000 for the academic year (winter and summer semesters). This is unlike any teaching or resident artist gig I've seen. Feels like they're trying to get a teacher on the cheap without full salary or benefits. I countered with a fair number and wished them well. Honestly, I can't fathom why anyone would accept this 'residency'.

I applied online and heard back within a week for a phone chat with the Program Director. Another phone interview happened a week later, this time with the VP of Education Programs too, and it was more thorough. Then, two weeks after that, I went to campus for the whole day. They covered my travel and lodging. The day involved a campus tour, meeting various faculty from the MPA department, and ended with me doing a sample class. I got the job offer by phone from the VP within 3 days.