The Design Interview Process and what hiring managers are looking for

[@Joker-rj3nm]

Every design interview I've been to is way harder than the actual job tbh lol

[@StephanieDaniels]

Ahahahahhaha facts. These interviews are so stupid.

[@angelzhelyazkov]

Nowadays, marrying someone is simpler than going through a hiring process.

[@iamhozaayy7284]

LMAO

[@connectionism3754]

And this was presented as a buyers market 🤣

[@jaloliddinesonboyev]

Hahahaha

[@boteagao8465]

True

[@advisevo2153]

Yeap. Is the rapport. Hiring now has turned like a dating-hookup app!

[@synchrxny]

Interviewing is the most insane thing right now. My company is small and almost everyone is involved in every interview. I remember a previous coworker who was fresh out of school would ask questions like candidates' opinions on highly specific schools of thought in our very niche area of design/engineering and was super critical of their responses, even though half the people at the company didn't even know what he was talking about. I remember a lengthy internal conversation that followed regarding the crazy raising of standards once in a company, even though the people doing it were still relative novices in the field. It's happening everywhere and it's completely unchecked so the hiring process is just getting lengthier and increasingly exclusive.

[@synchrxny]

It also blows my mind that _very very often_ while looking through job postings, digging into the hiring managers'/UX leads'/etc. resumes and portfolios (if they even have one), that they'll be completely lacking any design conventions or be completely underwhelming. It's mind-boggling the steps that those higher-ups are forcing any of us coming into the field to go through while they have clearly done none of it themselves. It's incredibly frustrating.

[@emilyk2398]

I ran into this same issue recently... in a recent interview they seemed upset that I'm junior/mid level but when I asked them about their experience working at the company they were also clearly only mid level! And they would both be my boss!

[@CoryMckinnonHandle]

This process is for large enterprise companies. Most small to mid-size outfits don't have the process or resources to run this type of vetting cycle.

[@femkedesign]

Agreed!

[@katerinak5933]

OMG, I subscribed 2 days ago and cannot stop watching the videos. Great content, very helpful! Thank you so much❤

[@wetiot]

Thanks Femke. Although, I think that a lot of these companies treat the interview/hiring process as though you are applying to become the president of the USA. A lot of the vetting that happens is simply long-drawn-out and completely unnecessary.

[@femkedesign]

lol i know, sometimes it can definitely be overkill

[@Rebecca236]

Nowadays (and I'm old) the amount of hoop jumping that we need to go through makes me wonder who these people are actually hiring?? I would love to know. I would love to be a fly on the wall for the candidates that "do" make it past these interviews. I agree, the interview process seems to be very lengthy, but also very vague. What do they want exactly?? On the one hand I am told they want a designer who will stand up to difficult stakeholders, on the other hand they want designers who are prepared to work in an agile environment where change can happen at the drop of a hat, so "don't be too precious about your designs" (I'm not). So, what is it to be? Do I challenge the stakeholder who's asking me to change the designs, or do I change the designs at the drop of a hat. Answers on a postcard please....

[@underscoreroa]

Asking the real questions

[@elizabeth4689]

this is a lifesaver, femke!

[@gellayo9885]

Thanks for sharing. It's very useful.

[@CieloSkin]

Hello Femke, Thank you so much for creating such a pro and informative content. Recently I have signed up to your newsletter and I am wondering which platform did you used to created /designed it? It looks really nice! 🥰🙏🏽

[@yt.michaelbui]

Love your content, keep doing what you’re doing, it helps me so much

[@femkedesign]

Thanks, will do!

[@jaloliddinesonboyev]

Thanks Femke! I learned a lot from you! Keep it up

[@femkedesign]

Thank you! Will do!

[@isaiahcole1898]

I have a recruiter call tomorrow and I’m shook but this has helped some

[@femkedesign]

Good luck Isaiah!

[@isaiahcole1898]

@@femkedesign thanks Femke. I think I should do a portfolio review with you as well. What’s the link to sign up for that ?

[@MichaelBerchak]

Ok so this was 2 years ago (pre mass layoffs) do you think this has stayed the same or do you think they are changing how they do interviews? Also what about companies that use a SaaS based software platforms to build their products?

[@gandreini]

Great video as always Femke! I honestly don't think I'll ever make it through that process :)

[@femkedesign]

Thank you! And yah this is a loonnnngg process and again, not all companies have this complete end to end process!

[@ashutoshlawange5784]

Hi hope you are doing well, I am UX designer I have done when companies give out heavy take home assignments and after submission do not respond, some companies says your are shortlisted for next round and then no response after that. I have mostly stopped accepting design take home assignment. A whiteboard session interview is fine any short assignment is also fine . But end to and problem solving journey then document it. Provide high fidelity prototypes along with separate figma prototype link. I am sorry it is too much especially i am doing full time job at same time. Can we do something collectively to make industries understand it is not fair demand to ask.

[@viktoriiarakytianska4584]

I just love your videos!!!!

[@femkedesign]

Thanks so much!!

[@boseul6816]

Thank you Femke for uploading this video! I have a question, I have a working holiday visa that allows me to work up to a year. should I say about this to HR person or Hiring manger and also ask if its an option to get a sponsor visa before my visa ends?

[@femkedesign]

I think it's worth mentioning so that they consider you for the role! Would be unfortunate if they assumed you didn't have the ability to work and thus discarded your application.

[@milecavalieri3961]

I find this process a bit long, in your experience, do most companies have all these steps before they hire you?

[@femkedesign]

Not most, I'd say most have a mix of some of these things.

[@jsm2687]

The hiring process is like a 10-storey building that you need to climb up by stairs only to find out that the only floor is on the 10th floor.

[@femkedesign]

🫠

[@llu2736]

Imm having issue, I'm getting called for mid senior position although I'm a junior and it gives me anxiety already! I feel like my portfolio looks really good that perhaps I set the bar way too high.

[@femkedesign]

What about it is causing you anxiety? :)

[@bhoitee]

If the recruiter has approached you with the mid-senior position, it looks like a case where they believe more in you than yourself! Just go for it. I know this comment is very late, I hope you landed a great job.

[@starting5524]

How inclusive is the UX Design space for people with Autism for example?

[@Thryym]

Hi! I think Im blind but where the presentation template, would love to see it!

[@femkedesign]

Here you go !! femke.ck.page/portfolio-presentation

[@jaloliddinesonboyev]

Also I have a whiteboard challenge interview with one company)

[@femkedesign]

good luck!!

[@mohammedbenmchich2629]

Hi 👋👋