Archives § The Adventures of Cindy Li

Tips on how to interview for a design job

September 8 , 2006

Once upon a time

I graduated from college. I had $1000 to my name and left for Atlanta the day after graduation. I had to prove to my family and to myself that I could do design and make a living at it. My family wanted me to follow the good asian path and study medicine, business or something not art. So that was more fuel for me trying to prove myself. I asked my professor for any names he knew of alumni and I started calling all of them and emailing to see when was a good time to show my portfolio book. I asked the various companies if they knew of other jobs or other agencies so I could get more practice interviewing and just networking (with each passing day crossing my fingers and asking please give me a job). I think by the end of the two weeks I could have talked about my portfolio blindfolded and standing on one foot on an elephant. My day job has been hiring a lot lately and I’ve had a couple of conversations on what you should do and not do in an interview.

Here are the tips

1. Be prepared: Here’s a list of things to do a. Transportation: If you are driving/metro, etc. Make sure you know where you are going, on time, leave early. So you aren’t panicked when you get to the interview. b. Portfolio: clean print outs, no rips, no tears, make sure you have copies of your resume. It is always better to have more than nothing. Bring a printed portfolio and an url. Print your sites out and have it in a book. c. Dress the part: Clean/brushed/professional. Even though we dress in jeans on a normal day to day work day. You are trying to make a good impression in the interview so dress old school professional. d. Research the company: look at the sites they have worked on and how you would like to contribute to making it better
2. Topics a. Talk about the work you have done during an interview, practice if you need to with your friends/mirror/pet. Sample topics that might come up… What kind of project was this? Who was the client? What did you contribute to this? Do not lie and say you worked more on the code if you didn’t do it. If you did print mostly it is ok! If you are a good designer it will translate. Typography will translate to web from print. Color sensitivity will translate as well. What was the goal of the site? Was it a redesign of the site? Explain why you went the direction you used? Conceptual explanation of what you did. Be prepared to talk about the work you have on your site?
4. Do not bash your current job/coworkers (it only makes you look bad) Attitude is everything! I am not saying have attitude. Be positive, and inquisitive. Ask questions like: When are they looking to fill the position? What would you be working on?
5. Fitting into a team is important and see for yourself if it is a good fit. Design teams like most teams are built on chemistry.
6. What to do after: a. send an email/letter to say thank you and that you are looking forward b. check back to see status