20 Ravinia Music Festival Interview Questions and Answers

Ravinia is the oldest outdoor music festival in North America, and each summer it draws hundreds of thousands of music lovers to its picturesque setting in Highland Park, Illinois. Ravinia is known for its diverse lineup of classical, jazz, pop, and rock concerts, and its commitment to education and outreach programs.

If you’re hoping to land a job at Ravinia, you can expect the interview process to be competitive. To give yourself the best chance of success, you’ll need to be prepared to answer a variety of questions about your experience, qualifications, and knowledge of the music industry.

In this guide, we’ve gathered a list of sample Ravinia interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Ravinia Music Festival Interview Process

The interview process at Ravinia Music Festival is relatively simple and straightforward. After submitting your resume and cover letter, you will be contacted for an initial interview. This interview can be conducted in person or over zoom, depending on the position you are applying for. Following the initial interview, you may be asked to participate in a second interview, either in person or over the phone. Finally, you will be given a job offer, which you can accept or decline.

1. What is your favorite music genre?

Ravinia Music Festival has a wide variety of musical acts, so the interviewer wants to make sure you can enjoy all types of music. Your answer should show that you are open-minded and willing to try new things. Try to pick a genre that is different from what Ravinia typically offers.

Example: “I love classical music because it’s soothing and relaxing. I also appreciate jazz because it’s upbeat and fun. However, my favorite type of music is bluegrass because it reminds me of home. My family would always listen to bluegrass when we were driving in the car together.”

2. How do you feel about working in a team environment?

Ravinia is a large event that requires many people to work together. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re comfortable working with others and can collaborate well. In your answer, explain how you enjoy teamwork and what makes it successful for you. Share an example of a time when you worked in a team environment and were able to successfully complete the task at hand.

Example: “I love working in a team environment because I feel like it allows me to learn from other people’s strengths. When I was working as a server at a restaurant, my manager would assign us different tasks each night so we could all try new things. One night, I was assigned to bartend while another employee took orders. I had never done that before, but she taught me everything I needed to know. By the end of the night, I felt confident enough to take on that role by myself.”

3. Do you have any experience with ticketing software or systems?

Ravinia uses a ticketing software system to sell tickets for its events. The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience with similar systems and how you might use them in the role. If you have worked with ticketing software before, explain what kind of system it was and what your responsibilities were. If you haven’t worked with ticketing software before, consider discussing any other experience working with customer service or sales systems.

Example: “I’ve never worked with a ticketing software system before, but I do have some experience working with customer service and sales systems. In my last position as an event coordinator, I used Eventbrite to manage our online ticket sales. I also had to work with several different sales channels to promote our events. This helped me understand how important it is to have multiple ways to reach customers.”

4. Why do you want to work at Ravinia Music Festival?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you are a good fit for their organization. It also helps them determine if your goals align with those of Ravinia Music Festival. When preparing your answer, think about what attracted you to this role in particular. Consider mentioning any personal experiences you have had with the festival or how you learned about it.

Example: “I want to work at Ravinia because I’ve been attending the music festival since I was a child. My family would pack up our camping gear every summer and head out to enjoy the beautiful weather and amazing performances. Now that I am older, I find myself wanting to be more involved in the event. I’m hoping to use my communication skills to connect with other attendees and make sure they’re having a great time.”

5. Describe the last time when you had to deal with an angry customer, how did you handle it?

Ravinia Music Festival is a music festival that attracts thousands of people each year. As such, it’s likely you’ll have to deal with an angry customer at some point in your career there. Employers ask this question to make sure you know how to handle difficult situations and can keep calm under pressure. Use your answer to show the interviewer that you’re confident in your problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm when faced with challenging customers.

Example: “I once had a patron who was upset because we ran out of his favorite beer. I apologized for the inconvenience and offered him another beer on us. He seemed satisfied with my response and left the line.”

6. Tell me about a concert that you went to, what was your overall experience like?

This question is a great way to learn more about the applicant’s concert experience. It can also help you determine if they have attended concerts in the past and what their overall opinion of them was. If you are interviewing someone who has never been to a concert, it may be beneficial to ask them why they haven’t before deciding whether or not to hire them.

Example: “I went to my first concert when I was 15 years old. My parents took me to see one of my favorite bands at the time, which was The Rolling Stones. I remember being so excited for the show that I couldn’t sleep the night before. When we got there, I had an amazing time with my family. We were able to get some really good seats, and I even got to meet Mick Jagger after the show.”

7. If you were going to plan a festival, how would you go about it?

This question is a great way to see how you would plan an event. It also shows the interviewer your organizational skills and ability to work with others. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to plan a festival. Try to include all of the major steps in planning an event like this.

Example: “I would start by researching similar festivals that are already happening. I would then decide on a theme for the festival and find artists who fit that theme. Next, I would create a budget based on the number of attendees we expect and the costs of hiring performers and vendors. Then, I would book venues and set up transportation options for guests.”

8. Would you be comfortable working outside for long periods of time?

Ravinia Music Festival takes place outdoors, so the interviewer wants to make sure you’re comfortable working in this environment. If you have experience working outside for long periods of time, share that information with your interviewer. If you don’t have any outdoor work experience, explain how you would adapt to this type of work environment.

Example: “I’ve worked as a server at an outdoor restaurant during my college summers, and I really enjoyed it. The weather was usually nice, and I got to meet new people every day. I’m used to being outside for long periods of time, but if there are inclement weather conditions, I am prepared to stay indoors.”

9. Are you willing to relocate if needed?

Ravinia Music Festival is a seasonal event that takes place in Highland Park, Illinois. The festival typically runs from mid-July to early September and attracts thousands of attendees each year. If you’re interviewing for an open position at Ravinia Music Festival, it’s likely the company will want you to relocate to Chicago during this time period.

If you are asked this question, be honest about your willingness to move if needed. You can also use this opportunity to discuss how excited you would be to live in Chicago. This can help show the interviewer that you have genuine interest in the role and the company.

Example: “I am willing to relocate to Chicago if needed. I’ve always wanted to visit Chicago, so I’m actually quite excited about the idea of moving there. I think I could make a great addition to the team and enjoy living in the city.”

10. Give us an example of a time where you had to use conflict resolution skills.

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a time when you had to use your communication skills to help resolve a conflict between two or more people.

Example: “In my previous role as an event planner, I was working on a large corporate event where the CEO wanted to have a special guest speaker at their annual meeting. The company’s CFO disagreed with the idea because he felt that hiring a speaker would cost too much money. I met with both individuals separately and explained why having a speaker could benefit the company in the long run. After some discussion, they were able to come to an agreement.”

11. What are some ways that you can ensure that everyone has a positive experience at a music festival?

Ravinia Music Festival is a large event that attracts thousands of people. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience working with large crowds and how you can make their festival enjoyable for everyone. Use your answer to highlight some strategies you use to keep the crowd happy and ensure they’re having fun at the music festival.

Example: “I think it’s important to create an environment where everyone feels safe and comfortable. I always try to be friendly and helpful, which helps me build rapport with the attendees. This makes them feel more comfortable approaching me when they need help or have questions about the festival. Another way I ensure everyone has a positive experience is by making sure there are plenty of food and drink options available so no one goes hungry.”

12. When was the last time you attended a live musical performance?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your interest in music and how often you attend concerts. You can use this opportunity to share about a recent concert experience or talk about an event that inspired you to pursue a career in the music industry.

Example: “The last time I attended a live musical performance was at my friend’s wedding, where they had a string quartet play during their ceremony. It was so beautiful, and it made me realize how much I love classical music. Ever since then, I’ve been more intentional about attending concerts and finding new artists to listen to.”

13. Can you tell me about a time when you worked on a project that involved multiple people and there was conflict, how did you resolve it?

Ravinia Festival is a large event that involves many people, so it’s likely you’ll have to work with others. Employers ask this question to make sure you can resolve conflict and get along with your coworkers. In your answer, try to show that you’re willing to compromise and are able to communicate effectively.

Example: “In my last position as an event planner, I had to organize a large festival where there were multiple stages and performers. There was one performer who wanted to play at the same time as another performer on another stage. This caused some conflict because we couldn’t have two performances going on at once. I talked to both of them about their concerns and they decided to perform back-to-back for half an hour each.”

14. What do you think makes a good manager?

Ravinia is a large event that requires many people to work together. The hiring manager may ask this question to see if you have the skills necessary to manage your team effectively. In your answer, explain what makes a good leader and how you apply those skills in your own management style.

Example: “I think a good manager needs to be able to communicate clearly with their team members. I always make sure to check in with my employees to find out how they’re doing and if they need anything. I also encourage my staff to come to me with any questions or concerns so we can solve them as soon as possible. Another important skill for managers is problem-solving. If something goes wrong at Ravinia, it’s up to me to figure out a solution.”

15. How would you describe your leadership style?

Ravinia Music Festival is a large event that requires many people to work together. Employers ask this question to learn more about your leadership skills and how you would interact with their team members. Use examples from past experiences to describe the type of leader you are.

Example: “I believe in being an approachable leader who treats everyone fairly. I try to be available for my team members, especially when they need help or have questions. I also like to delegate tasks so that each person can develop their own strengths. For example, at my last job, I had one employee who was great at communicating with vendors while another excelled at managing social media accounts. I let them take on these responsibilities so they could feel confident in their roles.”

16. Have you ever managed a team before?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience working with a team and how well you managed that team. If you haven’t worked in an event planning role before, you can talk about your previous work experience to show that you are able to collaborate with others and support them when needed.

Example: “I’ve never had the opportunity to manage a team before, but I have been part of several teams throughout my career. In my last position as an assistant manager at a local restaurant, I helped lead a team of servers and bartenders who were responsible for serving customers during peak hours. I also led a small group of volunteers at my church’s annual fundraiser where we served food and drinks to attendees.”

17. What kind of tasks would you expect from someone who works as a production assistant?

This question can help the interviewer understand what you expect from your role and how you would approach it. Use examples of tasks you’ve done in previous roles to show that you’re prepared for this position.

Example: “In my last production assistant role, I helped with a variety of tasks including organizing paperwork, managing schedules and communicating with vendors. I also assisted with setting up equipment and supplies before events and cleaning up after them. These tasks are all important parts of ensuring an event runs smoothly.”

18. What type of computer programs do you have experience with?

Ravinia Music Festival uses a variety of computer programs to organize their event. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience with the same or similar programs they use. List any relevant software and describe your level of expertise. If you don’t have experience with the specific program, explain what other types of programs you’re familiar with.

Example: “I’ve used Microsoft Office for all my projects at work. I also have some experience using Adobe Creative Cloud, which is helpful when creating marketing materials. I’m always eager to learn new programs, so I would be open to training on anything Ravinia Music Festival uses.”

19. What would you do if you saw someone being disrespectful during a concert?

Ravinia Music Festival is a family-friendly event, so the interviewer wants to know that you would take action if someone was being disruptive. Your answer should show your commitment to upholding the values of Ravinia and keeping attendees safe.

Example: “I would first ask them politely to stop their behavior. If they continued, I would alert security or an usher. It’s important to me that everyone has a good time at the festival, so I would do everything in my power to make sure no one ruins it for others.”

20. What do you know about our company?

Employers ask this question to see if you’ve done your research. They want to know that you’re interested in the position and have taken the time to learn about their company. Before your interview, make sure you read through the job description and familiarize yourself with the festival’s history. You can also look at the Ravinia Festival website to get a better idea of what they do.

Example: “I’m excited to be interviewing for this position because I am such a big fan of the Ravinia Music Festival. I’ve been attending since I was a teenager, so I feel like I already know quite a bit about the event. However, I did take some time to look over the website before my interview today. It looks like you are one of the most well-known music festivals in the country, which is why I wanted to apply.”