Not all studios use Maya or Max.  That is an assumption.  Not all studios are Pixar or ILM (there are actually studios in other countries, for instance).  Some use Cinema 4D (yes, really), some use LightWave3D, some use Houdini, some use XSI, some use who knows what.  So, your 300 years of Maya experience (which won't hurt), isn't as good as my 10 years of Cinema 4D experience when the studio is using Cinema 4D and looking at applicants.  Here it would come down to skills and quality of work - not toolset.  But there would be more of a leaning toward someone with direct experience rather than side experience.

Yes, you should be aware of what the studio uses prior to the interview - but they should make it clear what they are looking for.  If they don't, it is not the fault of the interviewee that they neglected to provided required information, now is it? ;)  Just because a studio is seeking applicants, my first thought wouldn't be - I must know Maya.  Probably good for most of the industry, but never assume.

For instance, AutoCAD isn't used by all technology companies for design.  I should know - I worked in the field.  There are other CAD systems out there - some 'off the shelf', some proprietary, some in-house.  Even my twenty years of AutoCAD experience won't help if they are using something else.  They either turn to someone who knows the software or invest in my edumacation. :D

C makes it easy to shoot yourself in the foot. C++ makes it harder, but when you do, you blow your whole leg off.

 -- Bjarne Stroustrup

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