Since joining Key Lime Interactive, I have had the opportunity to meet a lot of exceptional professionals in the field; Many of them were through interviews and professional development activities. One thing that really stood out for me was how differently a UX role interview is from the “typical” office job interview. I’ve put together a list of my findings to help someone new in UX prepare for their future roles.
After reading my last posts, you probably are tired of hearing me talk about how important your portfolio is. In our industry, if you don’t have one, you may not get an interview. If you are still in the process of creating one, make sure you have a great Powerpoint Presentation with work examples to share a few days before the interview. For more on creating a portfolio, catch up with my Portfolio 101 blog post.
As a consulting firm, our employees are the face of the company. In the interview, making sure that you embody that corporate culture is essential. Keep topics professional, relevant, and interesting. Dress professionally, but don’t be afraid to show your creative side in a professional manner.
Since work experience is everything, once you have made it through the first interview, don’t be surprised if you are asked to demonstrate your hands-on experience. It’s typical to be asked to provide a report, or moderate a mock session in preparation for a hire.
You’ll be working very closely with the team on a daily basis. During the interview process, don’t be shocked if you are asked to interview with several people, or a panel interview. This is equally important to both the client and you as the potential employee. If you can’t see yourself talking to these people everyday, then the role may not be the best fit.