THE JOB SEARCH

This information was presented in a workshop conducted at a Southwest Theatre Association Conference

Searching for a job within the college/university environment can be a time-consuming process for both the employee and employer. The "Applicant Job Interview Questionnaire" below was created as a guide for those searching for a position within a college/university environment. It is my belief that the prospective employee should learn as much possible about the position, program and community prior to the phone or in-person interview. Most employers are searching for the best person available in their field. The employee must be happy with their personal situation, their work environment and the community in which they live. Although it may appear reasonable for the employer to provide such information, often employers do not. The questions below are questions the prospective applicant may wish to have answered through their own research or by the employer. However, I encourage prospective applicants to answer as many questions as possible on their own. Although the interview is a two-way process, the interviewer must remain as such and the applicant must respect their role in the process. The list of questions is by no means all inclusive. Additional questions are welcomed. Please contact me to add valuable questions to the lists below for those seeking employment.

APPLICANT JOB INTERVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Question # Information Sought Information / Answer
1 College/University?  
2 City?  
3 State?  
4 Contact?  
5 Salary?  
6 Title?  
7 Rank?  
8 Formal Job Description?  
9 Length of Appointment?  
10 Contract or Appointment Form ?  
11 Date that renewal contracts or forms are processed?  
12 Is salary provided in renewal contract or appointment form?  
13 Tenure Requirements?  
14 Tenure Probationary Period?  
15 Method of yearly evaluation & promotion & tenure?  
16 # of teaching assignments per semester/quarter?  
17 # of directing or design assignment per contract year?  
18 Additional production/university assignments 
i.e. Promotion/Publicity 
Administrative 
Advisement 
Department Committees 
College Service 
University Committees 
Community Service
 
19 Retirement Benefits/Plan?  
20 Health Benefits/Cost?  
21 Dental Plan/Cost?  
22 Summer Employment (teaching and/or artistic)?  
23 Summer Salary?  
24 Moving Expenses?  
25 Travel Expenses (faculty development)?  
26 Faculty Office?  
27 University Supplied Computer?  
28 Parking?  
29 College of Department is Theatre program associated?  

APPLICANT JOB INTERVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Question # Information Sought Information Answer
1 # of majors?  
2 # of productions produced annually?  
3 College/University/Community expectations concerning choice of material presented?  
Program production budget?  
5 Program administrative budget (classroom support)?  
6 Facilities? 
Mainstage? 
Seating capacity? 
Stage dimensions? 
Proscenium? Thrust? 
Automated Orchestra Pit? 
Wing Dimensions? 
Scene Shop? 
Costume Shop? 
Prop/Scenery/Costume Storage? 
Dressing Rooms? 
Computer Light Board? 
Light Inventory? 
Sound Equipment? (Mixer, DAT, etc.) 
Fly System? 
Lab Theatre? 
Dimensions, equipment, seating, etc.)?
 
7 College Endowment?  
8 # and amount of Program Scholarships?  
9 How are scholarship decisions made?  
10 Audition Procedures? (Open)?  
11 Box Office - Computerized?  
12 # and location of classrooms?  
13 Library Theatre collection including video/C.D./tapes?  
14 Departmental Library?  
15 Projected # of faculty/staff for upcoming academic year?  
16 Traditional rehearsal schedule (days and times)?  
17 Type of program (B.A., B.F.A., M.A., M.F.A., Ph.D.?  
18 How would the present faculty rate the students: 
Intellectual Capacity? - Excellent Good Average Poor 
Commitment to Academics? 
Commitment to the Theatre?
 

APPLICANT JOB INTERVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE

COMMUNITY INFORMATION

Question # Information Sought Information Answer
1 Population?  
2 Cost of Living Index?  
3 Quality of Public School system?  
4 Private School System?  
5 Unemployment Rate?  
6 Cultural Climate? Theatre, Dance, Music, Art  
7 Business Climate?  
8 Landscape of the city/county? (Water?)  
9 Housing? 
Buyers Market or Sellers Market? 
Rental Market (apartments and houses)?
 
10 State Income Tax?  
11 Auto Insurance Rates?  
12 Churches?  
13 Temperature/Rainfall/Snowfall Statistics?  

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