17 Entertainment Manager Interview Questions and Answers

Entertainment managers are the unsung heroes of the entertainment industry. They work behind the scenes to ensure that the stars of stage and screen are well taken care of. From negotiating contracts and arranging travel to overseeing the day-to-day details of their clients’ lives, entertainment managers keep the trains running on time.

If you’re looking to enter this competitive field, you’ll need to be prepared to answer some tough questions. From questions about your experience and skills to queries about your understanding of the entertainment industry, interviewers will want to know that you’re the right person for the job.

To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of the most common questions asked in an interview for an entertainment manager position. We’ve also included some sample answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Are you familiar with the booking process for entertainment professionals?

The interviewer may ask you this question to gauge your experience with booking entertainment professionals. If you have previous experience booking entertainers, share the steps you took to find them and secure their performances. If you haven’t booked entertainers before, explain how you would go about doing so if given the opportunity.

Example: “I’ve worked as an event planner for several years now, and I’ve had plenty of opportunities to book entertainers for events. In my last position, I was responsible for finding local musicians to perform at our company’s holiday party. I started by searching online for bands that were available on nights we needed them. Then, I contacted each band to see if they were interested in performing at our event. After narrowing down the list, I met with each band face-to-face to discuss details like price and performance length.”

What are some of the most important qualities that an entertainment manager should have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you possess the skills and abilities that are necessary for this role. Use your answer to highlight some of the most important qualities an entertainment manager should have, such as excellent communication skills, problem-solving skills and organizational skills.

Example: “An entertainment manager needs to be a highly organized individual who is able to multitask effectively. They also need to be someone who has strong interpersonal skills so they can work well with their team members and other staff members in the organization. Finally, an entertainment manager should be someone who is passionate about the entertainment industry and understands what it takes to keep people entertained.”

How would you handle a situation where one of your clients is not getting along with another one of your clients?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle conflict and whether you have experience with it. Use examples from your previous work to show that you know how to resolve conflicts between clients, vendors or other employees.

Example: “In my last role as an entertainment manager, I had a client who was unhappy with one of our DJs because he played music that wasn’t quite what they were expecting. The client complained to me about this situation, but I explained to them that we always try to accommodate all of our clients’ requests. They still weren’t happy, so I offered to refund their deposit and find another DJ for them. They agreed to keep the DJ and ended up being very pleased with his performance.”

What is your process for evaluating the financial viability of a potential client or client project?

An entertainment manager needs to be able to evaluate the financial viability of a client or project. This question helps an interviewer understand how you would use your expertise and experience to make this important decision. In your answer, explain what factors you consider when making this evaluation.

Example: “I have worked with many different types of clients in my career, so I know that not all projects are created equal. When evaluating a potential client, I look at their budget for the event and compare it to similar events we’ve done in the past. If they’re asking for something more extravagant than our typical event, I will ask them if they can increase their budget to accommodate the request. If they still want the same level of extravagance, then I will discuss ways we can reduce costs without sacrificing quality.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to deal with a difficult client or customer. How did you handle the situation?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills. They want to know how you would handle a similar situation in their organization. Use examples from previous jobs or describe what you would do if faced with such a situation.

Example: “In my last position, I had a client who was very demanding and wanted everything done exactly as they requested it. This made it difficult for me to meet all of their demands while also meeting the needs of other clients. Instead of getting frustrated, I spoke with them calmly and explained that we were doing our best to provide excellent service to everyone. They appreciated my honesty and understood that I couldn’t give them special treatment.”

If a client wanted to try something new, such as expanding into new markets, how would you convince them to stick to what has been successful in the past?

An interviewer may ask this question to understand how you would handle a client who wants to try something new. This can be an important skill for entertainment managers because they often work with clients who want to expand their business and increase revenue. In your answer, explain that you would use data and research to show the benefits of sticking with what has worked in the past.

Example: “I have found that when working with clients who want to try something new, it’s best to first look at the success they’ve had in the past. I will pull up reports on previous events and compare them to similar ones from other companies. Then, I’ll present my findings to the client and discuss why expanding into new markets might not be the best idea.”

What would you do if one of your clients was performing poorly on stage and potentially hurting their reputation?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to make tough decisions. Your answer should show that you can be decisive, but also compassionate when necessary.

Example: “I would first try to understand the situation by talking with my client privately. If I discovered that they were under the influence of alcohol or drugs, for example, I would immediately stop their performance and tell them that we cannot continue until they are sober. Then, I would find an appropriate replacement act and inform our audience about the change. If it was just a bad day, I would give them another chance.”

How well do you know the local entertainment industry in your area?

The interviewer may ask this question to see how much you know about the local entertainment industry. This can help them determine if you are a good fit for their company and whether or not you would be able to effectively market their venue. In your answer, try to show that you have knowledge of the local entertainment scene and what types of events people in your area typically attend.

Example: “I am very familiar with the local entertainment scene in my city. I’ve been going to concerts and other shows since high school, so I have attended many different types of events over the years. I also keep up with new bands and artists by following music blogs and social media accounts. I think this helps me stay current on who is performing where.”

Do you have experience negotiating contracts for both individual artists and groups?

The interviewer may ask you this question to understand your experience with contracts and how well you can negotiate terms. Use examples from past experiences where you successfully negotiated a contract for an artist or group, including the details of the contract such as payment schedules, travel arrangements and other important information.

Example: “In my last role, I was responsible for negotiating all contracts for individual artists and groups that we booked at our venue. One example is when I had to negotiate a new contract with a popular band because their previous contract expired. The band wanted more money than what we were offering, but I used my negotiation skills to get them to agree to our original offer. They ended up performing at our venue again.”

When approaching a new client, what is your sales pitch and what do you focus on to secure the deal?

An entertainment manager needs to be able to sell their services and convince clients that they are the best option for them. A hiring manager may ask this question to see if you have a proven sales pitch and understand what makes your company unique. In your answer, try to include some of the skills or strategies you use to close deals.

Example: “I approach each new client with confidence and enthusiasm. I want them to know how excited I am about working with them and how much I believe in our team’s ability to provide an excellent service. I also focus on highlighting the ways we can save them money while still providing quality entertainment.”

We want to increase ticket sales for our local theater. What would you do to increase ticket sales and get more people in the door?

An interviewer may ask you this question to see how you can increase sales and attendance for their organization. Use your answer to highlight your experience with marketing strategies, advertising campaigns or other methods of increasing ticket sales.

Example: “I would start by analyzing the theater’s current marketing strategy. I’d look at what types of ads they’re currently using, if they have a social media presence and if they offer any discounts or promotions. Then, I’d create a new marketing plan that includes all of these elements. For example, I might use targeted Facebook ads to reach specific audiences in the area. I could also run discount offers on our website and through email newsletters.”

Describe your process for managing a team of artists and making sure everyone is on track for upcoming performances or events.

An interviewer may ask this question to understand how you plan and organize your work. Use your answer to highlight your time management skills, ability to communicate with others and organizational abilities.

Example: “I start by creating a calendar for the upcoming month or season that outlines all of our events and performances. I then assign each artist their roles for each event, such as who will be performing what act, when they need to arrive at the venue and any other important details. I also make sure to include deadlines for any assignments or projects so everyone knows when they need to complete them. This helps me stay organized and ensures that we’re ready for every performance.”

What makes you the right candidate for this entertainment manager position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications for the role. They want someone who is passionate, knowledgeable and experienced in their field. Before your interview, make a list of all your skills and experiences that relate to the job description. Use these points to highlight how you are an ideal candidate for the entertainment manager position.

Example: “I am passionate about music and love working with musicians. I have been involved in the music industry for over five years now, so I know what it takes to be successful. My experience as a musician has given me valuable insight into what performers need from their managers. I also understand the importance of budgeting and time management when working on projects. These skills help me create realistic schedules and stay within budgets.”

Which industries have you worked in previously and how did you adapt your skills to fit those industries?

An interviewer may ask this question to understand how you adapt your skills and abilities to new environments. Use your answer to highlight any transferable skills that helped you succeed in previous roles.

Example: “I’ve worked primarily in the music industry, but I also have experience working with theater productions and festivals. In my current role as an entertainment manager for a concert venue, I use many of the same skills from both industries. For example, I still work with bands on their stage presence and performance quality, which is similar to what I did when managing a band’s tour. I also still work with festival organizers to create unique experiences for attendees.”

What do you think is the most important part of your job as an entertainment manager?

This question can help the interviewer understand what you value most in your role. Your answer should reflect a commitment to customer service and ensuring that guests have an enjoyable experience at the venue.

Example: “I think the most important part of my job is making sure our customers are having fun. I always try to make sure that everyone who comes into the venue has a great time, whether they’re watching a show or eating dinner. I also think it’s important to be organized and efficient when working as an entertainment manager. This helps me keep track of all the different aspects of my job so I can ensure everything runs smoothly.”

How often do you update your knowledge of the entertainment industry?

The entertainment industry is constantly changing, and employers want to know that you’re committed to keeping up with the latest trends. Show them that you’re passionate about your career by describing how you stay on top of developments in the field.

Example: “I’m always looking for new ways to learn more about the entertainment industry. I subscribe to several entertainment blogs and newsletters so I can read articles and watch videos about what’s happening in the world of music, film and television. I also take online courses through my local community college because they offer a variety of classes at an affordable price. I’ve learned quite a bit from these courses, including how to use social media to promote events.”

There is a shift in consumer tastes. How would you adjust your client’s marketing strategy to reflect this change?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your ability to adapt to changing consumer tastes and preferences. Your answer should demonstrate that you can analyze data, interpret trends and develop strategies for implementing change in the entertainment venue’s marketing strategy.

Example: “I would first conduct research on how consumers are currently engaging with entertainment venues. I would then use this information to create a marketing plan that reflects these changes. For example, if I noticed that more people were using mobile devices to search for entertainment options, I would recommend my client implement a mobile-friendly website and app. This way, they could reach their target audience through multiple channels.”