Carmike Cinemas is an American motion picture exhibitor has been in operation for nearly 33 years. As of March 2015, the cinema has more 2,894 screens in 272 theatres in 41 states. Nearly all of their screens are digital and they operate 1,062 3-D screens.
The company prides itself is “America’s Hometown Theater.” It is one of the largest in the United States but it is best known for its focus on serving mid-sized, non-urban communities. Its theaters generally have local names combined with the company name and the number of auditoriums at that theater. For example, the Carmike Frontier 9 theater in Cheyenne, Wyoming has 9 auditoriums and is located at the Frontier Mall.
The company struggled through the early 2000’s and was forced to sell or close almost 150 of its theatres, some of which were historic. By 2002, the restructured it’s operations, exited bankruptcy, and began to recover from debt. In 2006, it became the leader in digital projection and 3D technology.
Since exiting bankruptcy, the company has purchased several theater companies and has grown significantly. It has also significantly increased its concessions, enhanced its food and beverage menus, and implemented refillable popcorn buckets at some locations. Some locations have also recently experimented with a dine-in movie concept.
Carmike Careers
Carmike offers various entry-level and management positions across many smaller communities in the United States. Theater locations hire Concessions, Cashiers, Ushers and Floor and Door staff as well as staff leaders, assistant managers, and managers.
The company offer industry standard wages and a fun working environment. There are many jobs openings listed online in employment section of their website. Current openings include Cashiers, Concession and Door Staff, Assistant Managers, Manager in Training, and Bartenders and Wait Staff (for their dine in concept theaters).
How old do you have to be to work at Carmike? You must be at least 18 years old to work in most states, however some states allow minors over the age of 18 to work with a work permit. Be sure to check your state and locations age requirements for the job you are applying for. Most positions require you to be able and willing to work on nights, weekends, or holidays.
The company seeks friendly and energetic team members that excel in custom service. Entry-level positions find pay or at minimum wage. Minimum wage varies by state. Some state minimum wages are set as low as $5.00 per hour while others states are set at nearly $9.00 per hour. In many states, tipped employees such as Servers and Bartenders make less than $3.00 per hour. Some positions require a high school diploma or equivalent.
Carmike is an equal opportunity employer. Hours vary by location and position so contact the location directly for detailed hours of operation. Most theaters begin showing movies at 10:00am on weekdays and their last showings begin before 11:00pm but you may need to start earlier or stay later. Theaters can also have limited hours of operations on weekends and some holidays.
Job Descriptions & Salaries
Concession and Floor Staff – Concession and Floor Staff are responsible for engaging customers with a smile and providing excellent customer service. Their duties generally include selling drinks, popcorn and other food items. They also clean equipment, sell or take tickets and clean and monitor the theatres.
Staff Leader – Staff Leaders report directly to the Assistant Manager and the Theater Manager. They are responsible for ensuring that staff members are performing their jobs and the theater and staff are ready to go (properly attired, well stocked, clean restrooms etc.). Typical duties include assisting Assistant Manager and the Theater Manager with training, customer service, paperwork, and supply ordering. They also fill-in for the Assistant Manager when the Assistant Manager is off-duty.
Assistant Manager – Assistant Managers report directly to the Theater Manager. They are primarily responsible for assisting the Theater Manager in day-to-day operations. General duties include managing and training staff members, providing customer service, handling patron and employee completes and filling out paperwork. They also fill-in for the Theater Manager when the Theater Manager is off-duty.
Manager in Training – Most Theater Managers begin as a Manager in Training and are awarded a manager position when the training is complete. Managers in Training attend a training program that lasts 2-4 months. The training salary is $455.00 per week. Managers in Training must be willing to relocate to whatever position is offered to them.
Carmike Interview Questions
Take some time to prepare for your interview with these questions.
Why do you want to work for Carmike? This is a very common interview question that you should always be prepared to answer. Don’t just say something like “I like movies.” or “I need a job that is near my home/school” Take the time to learn about the Carmike culture and benefits so you can tell the interviewer why it is your first choice.
What experience do you have? This is your chance to talk about your relevant work experience. If you are applying for a floor staff position, talk about jobs where you have provided customer service or operated a cash register. You should also try to talk about a few successes you have in that area.
Where do you see yourself in five years? This question is sometime tricky. What the interview is looking for is to gauge your level of ambition. Answer this question honestly but you may not want to mention it if you are moving soon (unless you are applying for a temporary position). Show that you are interested in taking on more responsibilities.
Manager job applicants are often asked: “Do you consider yourself a leader?” or “What are some examples of how you were able to address patron or employee complaints at past jobs?” Think about why you consider yourself a leader rather than just simply saying “Yes.” Are you organized and detail oriented? Do you have a talent for teaching others how to provide good customer service? Are you a natural motivator?
Advice For Application Process
Positive and respectful applicants stand out from the crowd. Always approach Carmike hiring managers with respect. Most Carmike job application processes are informal so you can dress and speak casually.
Be sure you are presentable. Wear clean, appropriate tops and slacks. If you are interviewing for a manager position wear business-casual clothing. You don’t want to be too casual but you don’t need to wear a suit and tie.
Job interviews will be generally short and may take only 10 to 15 minutes. Plan ahead and bring a list of things you want to make sure to say. If you are stumped by a question you can refer to your list. It’s also good to bring any questions that you have about the company and the job. Be sure to ask them, it shows that you have taken some time to do your homework.
When the interview is over, thank the hiring manager for the opportunity. They may offer you the position right away. If they don’t, be sure to ask them how to follow up. If you don’t get the job, ask if they have any other positions they might consider you for. Sometime management hopefuls have to start in a lower position especially if you don’t have a lot of experience working at a theater.
How to apply for Carmike job online? Follow the links below, to find a Carmike job application online, obtain a printable application for Carmike, and to apply for jobs at Carmike.
Also See:
Caesars Palace: See our resource page for more information on Caesars Palace careers.
Circus Circus: Checkout the application page for work at Circus Circus.
Wynn Las Vegas: Wynn Las Vegas offers opportunities for both, beginners and experienced roles.
Parx Casino: See our guide for careers at Parx Casino.
Busch Gardens: For career opportunities, fill out the Busch Gardens online application.
Company Links
http://www.carmike.com/Employment