What To Expect In A UX Career Interview

By Elizabeth Kormesser
October 15, 2015

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.

What To Expect In A UX Career Interview

  1. Be prepared with your portfolio and work examples.

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.

  1. Show up on time, professionally, and with personality.

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.

  1. Be prepared to work during your interview.

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.

  1. Team Culture is everything.

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.

 

With these tips in mind, work with your mentor or other people in the field to practice your interview. Now you know what to expect in a UX career interview. Having the opportunity to “dry run” the interview will help ease nerves, and prepare you for in-person success. Good luck!

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