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Posts Tagged ‘interview’
Client “How to Interview” Tips for Interface Designers
8/9/2009 11:08 AM By Catherine THow does a client or employer know if they are interviewing the best candidates or those that just “look good and smell good”? Even IT professionals might be fooled by impressive user Interface Designer portfolios. As a client, you need to ensure that you are getting the best “fit” for the job position you need filled. Here are some interview tips to help you go beyond evaluating user Interface Designer portfolios to hire the best professionals you can afford.
- A top Interface Designer knows his/her audience. Ask candidates questions that display their a) respect for the importance of knowing their audience, and b) how they compile their knowledge base regarding the components of their audience.
- One of the best indicators of a top Interface Designer is the use of consistent navigation tools for users. Ask questions about their technique and philosophy for designing the navigation tools for the website.
- Usability expert, Steve Krug, effectively reduces interface design to its lowest common denominator in his book, “Don’t Make Me Think Too Much.” Interview questions that emphasize your desire to retain an Interface Designer, who makes it “obvious what the user should do” to get the answers they want, will get you the best professional for your company.
Top freelancer and job candidate companies, like Artisan, can refer the best Interface Designer candidates available. Typically, you can bypass most “investigative” questions and concentrate on specifics for the job position you need filled or the project you want completed.
Interviewing Potential Clients
8/5/2009 10:23 AM By Catherine TWhen you interview with clients for potential graphic design jobs, bear in mind that you should be asking questions, not just answering them. Of course you want to sell the client on your fantastic skills. At the same time, though, you need to find out whether the job at hand carries a sufficient promise of reward for it to be worth your time.
Benefits of a job might include networking, portfolio-building, skill-building, or simply the chance to work on a fun project. The primary reward, though, is money, and it's important for you to establish yourself as a professional who expects and deserves to be paid.
Questions to ask include:
- What are the business goals of this project?
- How do they fit into your goals for the business as a whole?
- Who are the decision-makers on this project?
- What is the budget for this project?
- What is included in that budget?
- Does the budget include revisions?
Your network may also be a useful source of information about the prospective client, and you should also do a little basic web research on them. Use your intuition as well — if an organization doesn't seem legit to you, or if they seem to be making shifts to survive, take action to be sure you get paid, or seek another client.
Questions to Ask Your Interviewer
7/22/2009 10:39 AM By Catherine TAfter discussing your qualifications, your interviewer will usually ask if there are any questions you have. Here are some questions you may want to ask:
- What are the objectives for this job?
- How does this job fit into your organization's goals?
- What is the top priority for this job?
- What is the deadline for this project? What intermediate deadlines exist along the way?
- Who will I report to? What other people will be part of the team working on this project?
- What is the next step in the hiring process?
- Is there any more information I can give you that will help you in your decision?
At an interview for a full-time job, candidates are usually encouraged to pretend they want the job for the sheer joy of working for such a fantastic organization in such a compelling field. In a freelance interview, you can usually be a little more up-front about money issues.
Often you'll find the client has budgeted a specific amount for your services — an amount which may be less than you're prepared to accept. Resist the temptation to undercut your own rates. Instead, reiterate the specific virtues of your experience and talent, and name the figure you consider appropriate for the whole project. If the budget is firm, you can work with the client on reducing the scope of the job.
Remember that you're not asking questions just to look good or prolong the interview agony. You're gathering information so that you can end the interview with a solid statement that you want the job. If it turns out you don't want the job, convey that politely — "I'm very sorry, but it looks like the gap between your budget and my rates is just too big. Please call me if there's anything else I can do for you."
Present Yourself Professionally
6/22/2009 10:39 AM By Catherine TWhen you're doing freelance work in your home office, you can wear anything you please. On an interview, though, you need to look sharp, up-to-date, and professional. As a freelancer you may spend less on work clothes than you would as a full-timer, but you may find you need to buy new interview outfits more frequently. That means a suit and tie for a man, a skirt and jacket or pantsuit for a woman. Keep jewelry classic and understated, use little or no perfume or aftershave, and trim your fingernails. A professional look extends to shoes, briefcases, purses and watches. Even the pen you pull out of your pocket is a chance to create an impression.
In most business settings, tattoos and non-ear piercings are still not consistent with a professional appearance. While your body art may not hurt your chances at a job, particularly at a progressive, design-oriented shop, it probably won't help either. Minimize or hide the decorations.
Beyond your personal appearance, your professional look should be reflected in your business cards, resume, portfolio, and website. Use the opportunity to prove you can make a business (your own) look great.
Tips for Information Architects to Prepare for an Interview
5/13/2009 11:02 AM By Sharon PotschUnlike those for many other members of the workforce, tips for Information Architects on preparing for an interview include some specific considerations. For example, Information Architect portfolios are critical to a successful interview. Consequently, you should prepare your information, presentation, and examples carefully. You also need to remember that many of the classic preparations for job interviews also apply. Here are a few tips you should always follow.
- Research the client and the company. It is imperative that you know as much about the client or employer as possible. Your vast Internet expertise should allow you to locate volumes of information about your prospective client or employer to help you prepare properly for interviewing.
- Prepare printed examples of your prior successful projects. Do not assume that you and your interviewer will have the opportunity to view your website or interactive examples of your portfolio online. You may meet in a restaurant, café, or in a conference room lacking Internet access, even if you have your laptop with you. Printed “snapshots” of your finished products may be very important.
- Know the critical components of the project or anticipate the job focus in advance. Whether you’re being considered for a specific project or full-time employment, learning about the client’s needs and desires for the finished product or long term goals prepares you for their questions and allows you to create excellent and relevant questions for interviewers.
What Questions Might I Be Asked In a Behavioral Interview?
5/8/2009 12:30 PM By Sharon PotschHere are some examples of the types of questions you might be asked in a behavioral interview. The exact questions will depend on the skills and personal qualities the employer wants you to illustrate. "Tell me about a time when you dealt successfully with an unstructured work environment." "Tell me about a time when you had to communicate with a client or customer under difficult circumstances." "When have you found it necessary to use detailed checklists/procedures to reduce the potential for error on the job? Be specific." "In a busy environment it is necessary to prioritize goals to insure that resources are allocated appropriately. Tell me about the most important time in your working history when you prioritized your goals successfully." "Give me an example of a time when you had a sense of urgency about getting results." "Give an example of a time when you were able to build rapport with someone at work, even when the situation was a difficult one." "Give me an example of a time management skill you have learned and applied at work. What resulted from use of the skill?" "Tell me about a time when you employed creativity to address a problem." "Tell me about a time when your understanding of organizational structure and culture helped you get good results." "Give me an example of a time when you were able to persuade a person to take action."
Know Yourself
4/22/2009 10:38 AM By Sharon PotschIt’s hard to sell a product you don’t know. In a freelance job interview, you’re selling your skills and energy. The better you know yourself, the better your interview will go.
- Know your skills. Don’t tell an interviewer you know Freehand when you don’t, or when you haven’t used it in five years.
- Know your limits, and don’t overdo the caffeine or sugar on the day of the interview.
- Know your career goals, and be prepared to answer questions about where you want to take your business.
- Know your worth. How much money do you need to make this job worth your while? What are the factors that could change that number up or down? What information do you need before you answer the “What do you charge?” question?
After the Interview
2/22/2009 10:38 AM By Sharon PotschPhew! You're out of that interview suit. Right now, before you do anything else, sit down at your computer and write a quick note thanking your interviewer(s).
This is vital if you want the job, and a nice gesture even if you aren't all that excited about it. (After all, the next freelance job from that person may be just what you wanted.)
Use the opportunity to express your appreciation, but also to ask for the job and to reiterate your top selling points.
In most cases, e-mail thank-you letters are fine. The exceptions are if you interviewed with a particularly traditional or formal institution, or if the freelance job involves designing great letters on paper.
Be sure your letterhead or e-mail signature includes your phone number, e-mail address, and the URL of your Web site.
How Can I Present Myself Well to an Agency?
1/15/2009 12:03 PM By Catherine TTo start getting agency jobs, you'll need to market yourself in the same way you would for a high-profile client. Begin by checking out the agency's website and asking around among people in your network. When you've selected a couple of agencies that seem right for you, don't just send in a resume. Cultivate contacts at that agency, and tailor your resume and web portfolio to match the sort of clients and jobs the agency describes on its site. When assembling an electronic or in-person portfolio, don't assume the client will visit URLs, look at a CD, or watch a video. Use storyboards and printouts to convey your ideas while making the reviewer's job easier.
Interview Tips for Interface Designers
7/15/2008 11:03 AM By ArtisanFor resume services, interviewing, and how to market yourself issues, tips for Interface Designers focus on
- Usability, and
- Knowing your audience.
User Interface Designer Interview tips begin and end with these two critical principles. All the usual classic interview tips also apply, including
- Be on time. Arrive five to fifteen minutes early to allow you to “spruce up”, if necessary, and find your interview office or conference room.
- Dress appropriately. Unless you are advised otherwise, dress in classic business attire.
- Smile and project self-confidence to make a positive first impression.
- Prepare and ask thoughtful, informed questions.
Specifically, however, display your knowledge of website design and offer examples of your user Interface Designer portfolios. Stress your expertise in marrying the two primary factors needed to create a superior user interface design:
- Aesthetics. The appearance and attractiveness of your design should rival the best graphic designers’ efforts. Users want to access aesthetically pleasing websites.
- Information. Your interface design should mimic the title of usability expert Steve Krug’s wonderful book, “Don’t Make Me Think Too Much.” Your user Interface Designer portfolios should display consistent navigation, common icons and references, and the ability for users to get their information in three clicks or less.
These tips for Interface Designers will help you secure the job position you want at the compensation you desire. Your knowledge of your audience combined with your technical expertise will help you have an outstanding interview.
