The Complete Guide to Acing Your DJ Interview

There are 40 very important questions you should ask any professional DJ you are thinking about hiring for your wedding. These questions will help you get a good idea of how professional, trustworthy, and honest the DJ is. While this list of questions will help you during the interview process with the DJ, doing some research ahead of time will help you decide which wedding DJs are even worth talking to. Good luck in your search!.

All of the wedding disc jockeys you interview may not have the same standards of professionalism. A written, legal contract is one of the first indicators of whether a DJ is professional and reliable. A contract also sets the DJ’s responsibility to the client and spells out what the DJ needs to do to be successful, such as how he should set up and other performance-related details. In light of this, a written contract is a must, and we believe that any DJ who does not use one should not be considered for a wedding reception.

A lot of the time, the person you talk to is not the DJ your wedding day. This is a very common practice among large agencies. It is very important that you can talk to the DJ you will be working with and decide if you feel comfortable with them. You should also make sure that the name of the DJ is written on the contract. That’s the only way you can be sure that they will be at your wedding.

Many DJ companies will try to get customers to sign a contract without talking to their DJ first. They will then ask couples to trust that the DJ the company sends will be a good fit for their wedding. In our experience, this is a terrible idea. You can only be sure about the DJ you hire for your wedding if you talk to them before you sign a contract. When choosing the right disc jockey, go with your “gut” feeling. It will be tough if you talk to your DJ a week before the wedding and realize you’re not going to get along.

If you call a professional disc jockey, they should be willing to hold your date for you for a while so you can meet with them. They should also give you a lot of time to think about what to do and talk to other DJs after the meeting. Some DJs will try to “hard close” you at your meeting by telling you about a sale that ends that day or saying that another couple is meeting with them for the same date, which is meant to get you to decide right away. A DJ who acts in this way is not professional, and they probably do it to keep you from meeting other DJs that they know you’ll like more than them. After the first meeting, you should be able to expect your date to be held for you for about a week.

Most large agencies use independent DJ subcontractors to perform their events. Often, these DJs work for several agencies and also accept bookings directly. A disc jockey or the agency that books him should be able to tell you what DJs have to do for their agency and what will happen if they leave. Most of the time, the independent DJ and the agency only confirm each booking over the phone, which can lead to problems. If the DJ you choose works for more than one agency and books his own events, you should know what will happen if he gets booked for your wedding date by someone else. You should also know what will happen to your event if you hire the DJ through an agency and he cancels yours to book something else for a higher price. A web search for your DJ’s name and the word “DJ” will show you if they work with multiple agencies or can be hired on their own.

A wedding is a very important event, and you don’t want it to be the DJ’s first wedding. If someone has been a DJ for a while, you can get an idea of how experienced they are. However, some DJs only do a few events (and even fewer weddings) each year. You should also find out how many weddings the DJ has done. A DJ with half as many years in the business may have done many times as many. Also, make sure you ask the DJ if they have any formal training from a DJ school or company.

Just like any other profession, performing for weddings requires one’s skills to be in top form. If a DJ only does a few weddings a year, they might not be “on top of their game” when your wedding day comes around. To find out how dedicated they are to your type of event, ask them how many weddings they do each year.

Different DJs specialize in different types of events. Some say they are “jack of all trades” and can handle any kind of event, while others say they are experts in just one type. The DJ’s main focus will be clear from the number of weddings they play for compared to the number of other events they play for. If the DJ you meet mainly does school dances or Bar Mitzvahs and you want a “low-key” wedding, they might not be very focused on giving you the classy show you want for your wedding.

Some DJs work as many events as they can, and they often try to do all kinds of DJ work on the weekends. If a disc jockey worked an event in the afternoon before your wedding, they will probably be very tired by the end of your wedding, which is when they need to be the most alert and active. Large agencies are most likely to do this; “weekend warriors” may perform at four to six events in three days. It’s tough to think that a DJ could give that many couples enough attention beforehand and on the day of the wedding.

There is no professional wedding DJ who doesn’t take pride in their work. They will be honest when asked about what makes their services different. However, some DJs will use this chance to “bash” their rivals and say bad things about certain DJs or agencies. We consider this type of behavior unprofessional, and is a poor reflection on them. You might even want to meet any DJ that they say bad things about. DJs who do this usually go after the DJs they think you’ll book instead of them, and they’re probably right!

Wedding experience is important, and so is familiarity with your reception site. Each site has its own problems, such as different ways to load and unload, different room sizes and layouts, different sound levels, and even old electrical outlets that need to be grounded by hand. If you hire a DJ who knows your venue well, you can be sure that there will be no surprises on your wedding day. There are hundreds of venues in every area, so even the best DJs can’t have played at all of them. But if he hasn’t been to yours, he should be willing to properly prepare himself before your event by visiting the venue, talking to the site contact, and studying a floor plan.

As part of their job, all professional wedding disc jockeys should know how to make announcements and host the event. Some DJs, though, don’t like this and would rather give this job to someone else, like a site manager, who might not have a professional voice or experience talking on a mic.

Asking this question is very important because it will help you decide if the DJ will fit in with your guests and the mood you want to create. There are “party motivators” and “entertainer DJs” who might not be the right choice for you if you want to have a simple, elegant wedding. It might not be the best idea to hire someone who refuses to make announcements if you know your guests will need a lot of encouragement to dance.

This is something that different wedding DJs handle in very different ways. Some choose to use the microphone to try to “energize” your guests and get them to dance. Others would never do this and would rather choose songs carefully to make sure they do well on the dance floor. You should find out what the DJ would do in this situation and decide if that’s how you want things to stand.

Despite meticulous planning and preparation, accidents do happen. What is the backup plan if the DJ gets hurt or can’t work on your wedding day? Most responsible professionals have some kind of backup plan in case this happens, but some don’t. Most of the time, DJs belong to a local DJ association and network with other DJs who might be able to help them out in an emergency. Others plan this more carefully and make sure that the same DJ plays every date, plus a backup is ready and available in case of an emergency. The answer to this question is very important because you need to be sure that you will still have a qualified and ready DJ on your wedding day, no matter what.

Some DJs say that all they have to do to be successful is show up at your wedding, but this isn’t really true. A professional DJ will want to make sure they know what you want to happen, when you want it to happen, and what music you want to play. They will also want to talk to you briefly to go over the plan. If a DJ tells you otherwise, you should probably be concerned.

Hopefully the answer to this question is “no. “We’re sure you wouldn’t like it if the DJ invited potential clients to your wedding to see how he works.” If you’re a professional DJ, you should be willing to protect your clients’ privacy and not do this. Professional wedding DJs never allow this.

Getting feedback from a wedding DJ’s past clients is a great way to find out what it’s like to work with them. Any DJ should be happy to let you talk to their references. Additionally, he should be willing to call a few of these references before giving you their information. This way, you know they have his permission and can feel free to call them.

To keep their collections up to date, most professional DJs sign up for at least one of the major music update services. These services send new music that has been edited for radio to the DJ, often before it even airs on the radio. Ask the DJ if they subscribe to any of these. The most common are Promo Only, TM Century Prime Cuts, RPM Top Hits Monthly, and ERG NuTraxx.

It’s important to ask this because some DJs like to choose most of the songs on the playlist and add a few of your requests to make it more interesting. Some disc jockeys like to let the client pick most of the music and then use their skills to make it all work. The DJ should be able to play the kinds of music you like, and you should be comfortable with how they work and how much control you have over the music they play.

Some professional DJs will give you an online planning system that will walk you through the whole process, while others will give you a printed song list and planning worksheet to help you talk about the details of your event. You should have plenty of time to choose the music and plan the schedule for the event, but the DJ should also need to know about these things ahead of time so that he can properly prepare for it. If the DJ doesn’t ask for your requests at least two weeks before the wedding, they might not be able to do what you want. The DJ should also be open to any changes or additions that come up later. They shouldn’t force you to dance to a song you later regret or refuse to let you change the order of your toasts.

Most DJs are happy to do that, but you should also be pretty sure that any song you ask them to play won’t be something you don’t like.

Any professional DJ should be able to do what you ask, even if you don’t want certain songs or genres to be played. If you give a DJ a “Do Not Play” list, they will know exactly what songs you don’t want them to play at your wedding.

When you hire a bad DJ, they often don’t show up on time or get set up before your guests arrive. Professional DJs always get to the wedding at least an hour early so they have time to set up and get organized before the party starts. MyDeejay’s policy is to arrive at least an hour and a half before our scheduled start time.

This is more important than you think. Some DJs like a simple, classic look, while others wear tuxedos with vests that sparkle, shine, or have patterns on them and bowties that match. It is important that the DJ’s “look” meets your expectations. As a general rule, MyDeejays wear dark business suits and ties. We want to blend in with your wedding photos, not stand out like sore thumbs.

This is something that is often overlooked, but can make a big difference. If your guests come early for the reception or stay late, will they see the DJ in sweaty underwear and gym shorts? Professional disc jockeys always look nice, even when they’re setting up and taking down their equipment.

Almost every DJ will require some sort of deposit or retainer in order to secure your date. This is for their protection and yours. The industry standard for deposits is 50%. Some DJs require far less, but this is not always a good idea. If the contract language doesn’t include a clear cancellation policy and a specific guarantee of services, the DJ may only have to return your deposit, which could be as little as $25, if they decide not to do your wedding. Even though it’s not professional, the DJ has no reason to back out if he only has to pay a small fee.

DJs use vastly different systems when pricing their services. Most DJs offer a la carte pricing, which means they charge by the hour and add fees for any extra equipment that is needed. Others choose to use a flat-rate pricing system and make their packages all-inclusive. Make sure you understand what a DJ is giving you for the price they’ve given you. This way, you can compare their package to those of the other DJs you’re talking to.

Your DJ should do such a great job at your wedding that you’ll want to keep dancing! Make sure that the DJ’s contract includes a clear rate for extra time at the end of the night, either as a set amount or a percentage of the original price.

Every DJ will require a few things that you’ll need to provide them in order to be successful. The most common are adequate shelter, electricity, and a table for their equipment. Make sure you know exactly what the DJ wants from you so you can tell the reception site and caterer what they need to know.

There are DJs who think they should be fed at the wedding, and some even want the same food as the guests. Others do not require a meal at all, or simply accept one if you happen to offer. Again, be sure you know what the DJ’s requirements are so you can plan accordingly.

It is absolutely essential that any DJ you consider carries a full liability insurance policy. They are fairly inexpensive (less than $250 per year in some cases), so being uninsured is inexcusable. Some reception sites even make all vendors show proof of insurance before the wedding. You and the reception site are protected by liability insurance in case your DJ hurts one of your guests or sets the reception site on fire.

One big benefit of hiring a DJ instead of a band is that the DJ doesn’t have to take breaks. The only times they might need to is to go to the bathroom or eat quickly in another room, if your site contact or caterer asks them to. In any case, the DJ should promise that there will be no breaks in the music during the reception.

A professional DJ will never consume alcohol or take cigarette breaks during your wedding. When you talk to a DJ, if he says he needs a few drinks to “loosen up” while working, you should probably look for someone who is more professional.

Any DJ you consider should be proud of his sound system, and should be using professional-grade equipment. The majority of DJs know that you probably don’t know how to use professional DJ gear, but he should be able to explain his sound system to you. There shouldn’t be many “home audio” brands in what he talks about. Pioneer, Denon, PCDJ, Traktor, Serato, Electro-Voice (EV), JBL, Bose, Mackie, RANE, QSC, and Shure are the best brands for DJ gear.

Even the very best and most well-maintained equipment will malfunction at some point. Your DJ needs to be prepared in case this happens at your wedding. You won’t have any problems on your big day unless the DJ always brings a second sound system. Just because you have backup gear in a warehouse 50 miles away won’t help if your wedding doesn’t have music for an hour.

A professional wedding DJ should have a wireless microphone that can be used for toasts, blessings, and any other speeches that need to be made by your guests. The industry standard for wireless microphones is Shure, and most professional DJs use Shure wireless technology.

There are some DJs who also offer “party lights,” either as part of their package or as an extra service. You should find out if the DJ is going to light up the dance floor and make sure that this fits with your ideas. Also, if you do want a light show, you might want to find out how it will affect the look of your reception (i.e., how big and awkward the setup is) and the quality of your photos or videos. We’ve seen that most weddings don’t need a big light show, and almost none of our clients even ask for one. However, many couples do book us to provide uplights.

At wedding receptions, shameless self-promotion can show up in the form of a sign or banner that lists the DJ’s company name and contact information. These things will always be in your wedding photos and videos, ruining what would have been a commercial-free event otherwise. We think that any DJ who does this should never be hired for a wedding because it is disgusting and not at all professional.

Most of the time, a DJ who is serious about his job and wants to get better will join a local DJ company or trade group. These are chances for DJs to talk to each other, share ideas, and make connections with other DJs who could help them in an emergency. Being a member of one of these groups doesn’t mean that DJ is good, but it does show that they want to get better and become a better DJ.

Want to talk to one of our award-winning DJs about your wedding? Click the button below to get in touch with us. Enjoy your time!

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What Your DJ REALLY Wants You to KNOW

Why should you ask a music interview question?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have a good understanding of what types of music are popular in their area. It also helps them understand your personal taste in music and how it may align with the type of music that is popular at their venue.

How do you answer a DJ interview question?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your personality and how you would fit in with their team. Your answer should include information about what kind of music you play, but it can also be an opportunity to talk about your unique style or personality as a DJ.

What do Interviewers look for in a DJ?

Learn what skills and qualities interviewers are looking for from a DJ, what questions you can expect, and how you should go about answering them. Being a DJ is all about having a good ear for music and being able to read a crowd. As a DJ, you need to know how to mix different tracks together and keep the party going.

How do I become a DJ?

Being a DJ is all about having a good ear for music and being able to read a crowd. As a DJ, you need to know how to mix different tracks together and keep the party going. If you’re looking to become a DJ, you’ll need to know how to answer DJ interview questions.