There is no better place to start if you want to break into Hollywood than a talent agency. Whether you want to write, act, direct, negotiate, produce, or walk a famous person’s dog, start there. Inside those clean, heavy glass doors in Beverly Hills (or Culver City, you know who you are) is everything you could ever need to start a successful career. The best (and worst) scripts to read. People you can talk to who will get your resume seen by the right people and lie to the powerful about how great you are. And, oh yeah, information. Specifically on job openings. At an agency desk, you’re the first to find out about the juiciest positions.
First, you have to get past the interview. Unless your uncle is a Partner at the agency. If he is, good for you, skip it and prove that nepotism ain’t always bad. If he’s not, here are 6 tips to crush that high stakes meeting.
Agencies pride themselves on appearance. I worked for a company that would send you home if you came in with a five-o’clock shadow. You don’t have to get all Patrick Bateman crazy about your threads, but looking good is imperative. It will give you a confidence boost, too.
Nice clothes are expensive. If you don’t have much money, ask about the return policy, put it on some plastic, and keep the tag on. Just hide it before you walk into the room. If you’re just out of school, most department stores have great Memorial Day sales. If you don’t return an item before the sale starts, you can get the sale price early.
Guys, make sure your suit and tie fit well, style your hair, act like you deserve to be there, and look like you should be paid every two weeks. Don’t bother with the Axe body spray, it wreaks of amateur.
Girls — sex sells, especially in Hollywood. Use it, just don’t push it too far. Keep it classy and professional. You never know who could be in the interview and might be put off by too much skin. In the agency world, a lot of women are very competitive, and there’s a thin line between being a cool, hot new coworker and a threat.
Yeah, obviously. This means be 5 to 10 minutes early. There’s no reason to walk in 30 minutes before the show. Agents are generally back to back with calls, meetings, and massages. For people who don’t like being rushed, it can be annoying. You also don’t want your first impression to be too eager or annoying. Parking is a vortex of loathing and despair in LA, even if the agency has a parking lot. Give yourself plenty of time to deal. It’ll take you 5 minutes to translate most street signs. Factor it in.
If you’re interviewing with an agent to work as their assistant, you might spend up to 14 hours a day with them. It’s not just about whether you’re qualified to handle the work. They want to know they can get along with you, too. They’re human beings. Talk to them. Check out their decorations, look for pictures that you can relate to. Are there pictures of kids? Ask how old they are. A picture of a wife and husband. “How long have you been married?” A picture of someone rock climbing. “Oh, I climbed Mount Rainier last summer and almost died in a rockslide.” ” Find some common ground if you can, just don’t dig too deep; it can be creepy. It’s part of the job of an assistant to be able to easily socialize with many different personalities. Show your skill set.
It’s not always easy to find client lists, but databases like imdbpro can help you find a lot. You can get useful information from a lot of people in the business world on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and here on Stage32. Studio System is also great if you can find a password, but it costs a lot. Research the history of the agency. They’ll ask you about it. And don’t stop at Wikipedia. Be a sleuth, it will pay off. (Check out The Mailroom, it’s a great resource and an entertaining read).
Do research on yourself, too. Come prepared with a list of your top five favorite male and female actors (include some clients). Movies and television shows, too. If you just marathon’d House of Cards, see if any of the directors are represented at the agency. It might sound silly, but it’s easy to blank during a stressful interview if you haven’t thought about these things ahead of time. Do homework on yourself so you can fire off some thoughtful answers.
There is no bigger liar on the planet than a Hollywood Agent. It’s they’re job, and they’re terrific at it. While I was working as a temp for a senior agent, he told a studio executive over the phone that our agency was working longer hours than usual because of the 2007 writer’s strike. It was 3PM and during the call he was packing up his bag to leave for the day. Don’t BS these folks. They’ll smell it on you. And they’ll call you on it just to watch your face turn red.
If you only met someone once, don’t pretend you’re great friends — it’s lame. Do not lie on your resume about having a degree when you only need four credits to finish it; HR will check. I almost got swindled on this one. Don’t say you want to be an agent if you don’t. This is something you might not hear very often. A lot of people think that to get a job at an agency, you have to lie and say you want to be an agent. Yes, agencies prefer longevity in their candidates. It’s better business. But it’s also a numbers game. I’ve met 2 people in 10 years who came out of school wanting to actually be agents. Too many assistant positions need to be filled to wait around for these highly unusual folks. At Wilshire Blvd and El Camino, a SuperMassive Black Hole would appear and rip a hole in the time-space continuum. No one would be able to answer the phones. If you want to direct or write, my advice is DO NOT LIE. Even if you slip the fib by them, they’ll find out eventually, and they’ll lose faith in you. Plus, if that writer’s assistant or second-to-second-advertising position opens up, it would be rude to blow your own cover so they can send your resume. You could hurt relationships you’ve worked hard to build up over the past year. They invest time and resources into candidates who are serious about being agents. Don’t waste anyone’s time, including your own.
Here are some polite ways to answer the question about whether you want to be an agent in an interview.
If you’re unsure of what you want to do: “I can’t answer that 100%. The potential of it is very appealing to me. That being said, I’m determined to learn everything I can about the agency business, and I’m ready to work hard every day to do so. ”.
If you know what you want to be but it’s not an agent, say, “To be honest, I’m in this game to eventually write for TV [or be an attorney or direct or work in development at a studio].” And I’m determined to be successful in this business. Right now, all I want to do is work for this agency and learn everything I can so I’m ready to be successful when the time comes. I work really hard and am ready to go the extra mile for at least two years. ”.
Smiling is contagious. Try to look relatively happy and upbeat when you walk in the room. If they look pissed and not in the mood for your joviality, recalibrate. I will ask someone if everything is okay if they look really angry or upset in a meeting. Don’t try this at home. It’s dangerous, but sometimes being that perceptive can open the door for a more candid conversation. Plus, if doing that makes them feel better, more points to you. Regardless, opening with a blank expression gives the interviewer too much room to turn sour on you. Let them see you as a positive highlight in their day right from the get-go.
And if the interview is going poorly, work a joke in. Working at an agency can be a loathsome, monotonous affair. A surprise laugh can be like a triple shot almond milk latte for an agent. I was taking painkillers and getting better after surgery for a hernia when I went on interviews at 4 outside of school. I put my foot in my mouth during one interview and the energy in the room turned. I apologized and asked if we could “chalk up that last sentence to the Vicodin. I just had surgery last week and I’m still on painkillers. ” He chuckled and the rest of the meeting went great. I got an offer from them and worked at that agency for 2 years. Get engaged.
Stage 32 Teacher as well as a writer-producer-actorWant to share your Story on the Stage 32 Blog?
Landing a job at United Talent, one of the most prestigious talent agencies in the world, is no easy feat. With A-list celebrities and chart-topping musicians on their roster, competition is fierce for the limited job openings. This means their interview process is designed to thoroughly vet candidates to find the cream of the crop.
This complete guide will go over the 20 most common United Talent interview questions and give you tried-and-true tips on how to answer them. Read on to learn how to show that you have the right skills, experience, and personality for the job. You’ll be ready to impress hiring managers and take your career to new heights if you prepare well.
Overview of United Talent’s Hiring Process
Some roles may have different specifics, but here’s a general idea of what to expect:
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Initial application – Submit your resume and complete any screening assessments or questionnaires Stand out by tailoring your materials
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HR phone screening – A 30 minute call to evaluate basic qualifications and communication skills
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1-3 Interviews – In-person meetings, typically starting with lower-level screeners then progressing to senior staff. Each session is an opportunity to showcase abilities.
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Follow up – Don’t forget to send thank you notes after interviews. Stay in touch about your status.
The process is highly competitive, so persistence and preparation are key. Let’s look at the kinds of questions you’re likely to encounter.
Top 20 United Talent Interview Questions and Answers
1. Why do you want to work at United Talent?
This fundamental question assesses your interest in and understanding of the company. Do your research to have an informed response.
- Strong Answer: I’m extremely excited by the opportunity to work at the world’s leading talent agency. Representing renowned artists and actors aligns perfectly with my background in artist management and passion for the entertainment industry. Beyond the big names on your roster, I’m drawn to United Talent’s reputation as an advocate that empowers talent. If hired, I would leverage my 5+ years of experience as a talent manager to contribute to that mission.
2. What can you bring to United Talent that makes you stand out?
An open-ended way to sell your unique background. Focus on transferable skills and quantifiable achievements.
- Strong Answer: With over half a decade of experience at a boutique artist management firm, I’ve developed specialized expertise in nurturing talent and negotiating win-win deals on their behalf. For instance, I increased bookings for 7 musicians under my management by 25% year-over-year through targeted marketing and networking strategies. My ability to spot and develop raw talent, even without a big name, will bring immense value in helping expand United Talent’s clientele.
3. How do you handle pressure or stressful situations?
This role inevitably involves stress, rapid change, and competing priorities. Demonstrate level-headedness.
- Strong Answer: I actually thrive under pressure and enjoy the dynamism of fast-paced environments. For example, while planning a major music festival, our headlining act dropped out just 48 hours before doors opened. Keeping calm, I immediately contacted backup performers until finding a replacement. While not ideal, we pulled off the event smoothly thanks to contingency plans. High pressure motivates me to stay solution-focused and tackle challenges hands-on.
4. How do you stay up-to-date with the entertainment industry?
Prove you have your finger on the pulse when it comes to latest trends, technologies, and influential figures.
- Strong Answer: Maintaining a 360 degree understanding of the entertainment biz is crucial, so I make it a daily habit to study trade publications, top podcasts, and social media influencers across the various sectors – film, TV, music, digital media. I also set Google News alerts for keywords like “entertainment industry innovations”. And I never miss industry events when possible. For example, I attended the AEG Worldwide Summit last year to network and learn about new touring tech. These efforts ensure I’m always up-to-date with the latest happenings.
5. Are you willing to work non-traditional hours?
The reality is you’ll need to work evenings, weekends, even holidays in this industry. Express flexibility.
- Strong Answer: Absolutely. The entertainment business operates 24/7 with much activity happening nights and weekends, especially for live events. Throughout my career, I’ve consistently worked non-traditional schedules to be accessible to clients and partners at all hours. Whether it’s taking a red-eye for an early morning shoot or attending back-to-back evening events, I’m no stranger to long hours. I’m fully committed to working whenever needed to get the job done right.
6. How do you juggle multiple projects and priorities?
Hiring managers want to know you can multitask and manage your time efficiently. Provide examples.
- Strong Answer: Organization and effective prioritization are key to successfully managing a high workload. I use tools like Asana to track multiple projects in one place so I can monitor deadlines and task progress. I also block time on my calendar to focus on high value activities without distraction. Most importantly, I regularly re-evaluate priorities as new tasks come up, which prevents dropping the ball on urgent items. For example, when I was coordinating a press tour alongside 2 other major projects, I used these strategies to complete everything on time despite constant shifting priorities.
7. How would you resolve a conflict between colleagues?
Demonstrate your maturity, empathy, and problem-solving skills.
- Strong Answer: My approach is to first understand all perspectives of a conflict without judgment. I’d have an open discussion to identify core issues and find common interests. If emotions run high, I’d give everyone time to calm down before resuming the conversation. I would then focus on generating solutions that satisfy mutual needs, rather than compromising. My goal is to rebuild trust and preserve workplace relationships, because team cohesion impacts client service quality. I’ve used this approach to successfully resolve tense conflicts at past companies.
8. Tell me about a time you exceeded a client’s expectations.
Showcase your commitment to over-delivering value, not just meeting basic requirements. Share outcomes.
- Strong Answer: One music artist I managed was hoping to book 20 city tour but only had contacts in major markets. To expand their access, I tapped into my network to secure bookings at 12 smaller venues they normally couldn’t play. The client was thrilled at how these additional markets enabled them to arrange a truly nationwide 40 city tour. Thanks to boosted ticket sales and press buzz, their next album saw a 15% increase in first week sales. Going above and beyond made the difference. I’d bring this same drive to add value for United Talent’s roster.
9. How do you keep confidential information secure?
Intellectual property, trade secrets, personal details – you’ll handle sensitive info regularly. Prove you understand risks and best practices.
- Strong Answer: Having worked extensively with sensitive client data, I’m vigilant about information security. First and foremost, I follow all company data policies and only access confidential documents for legitimate business needs. When sharing sensitive info internally, we use encrypted file transfer tools. I take precautions like password protection, screen locks, and avoiding public Wi-Fi when working outside the office. If I ever have questions about what constitutes confidential data or the right precautions, I’m proactive about consulting management to ensure I safeguard IP and privacy.
10. How do you prioritize your workload when everything is high priority?
Another question probing your time management abilities. Share your logical decision-making process.
- Strong Answer: When each task feels urgent, I take a step back to make strategic prioritization based on impact and deadlines. For example, I categorize tasks into 4 types: mission critical long-term goals; time-sensitive urgent requests; low-value busywork; and team member needs. With this lens, I can focus on immediate client requests while ensuring long-term projects aren’t neglected. Open communication with colleagues and leaders helps validate priorities. The key is balancing the tactical urgent work while moving top objectives forward. This prevents falling into a reactive mode.
11. How would you convince a celebrity to join United Talent?
Demonstrate your powers of influence and persuasion in this hypothetical scenario.
- Strong Answer: My approach would focus on three key points: unmatched reputation, total career empowerment, and the strength of our talent network. I would highlight major accolades like Agency of the Year awards that cement our status as the top influencer in the industry. I would discuss our advocacy-focused mission to be our clients’ trusted advisor, pushing their career in bold new directions. Finally, I would emphasize how signing with us offers next-level networking with other A-listers under our management who can collaborate on projects. My goal would be outlining a vision of what we can achieve together. The range of benefits we offer makes for a very compelling and personalized pitch.
12. Describe your experience with contract negotiations.
Prove you can create mutually beneficial deals and relationships.
- Strong Answer: My past experience as a manager required regular contract negotiations on the artist’s behalf for events, branding
Houston Bradley | United Talent Agency Agent Trainee
FAQ
Why do you want to work at United Talent Agency?
Does United Talent Agency drug test?
What is the star method when interviewing?
