How to prepare for a UX interview
UX designers are now becoming in-demand specialists in software companies, but there is a lot of confusion with regards to what this role represents. Different companies have different expectations and requirements for this position. Whatever they may be, here are four things you should do to prepare for a UX interview.
Show your achievements
Prepare your portfolio or resume. Polish it up a bit, make sure everything works, and if you have a web portfolio make sure that your code is neat and organized. Remember that hiring managers have very little time to review your portfolio and resume. Focus on those projects that you are really proud of and that demonstrate your skills. Describe your workflow — don't just show the final design. Add templates, links, and everything that helped you create your project.
Learn the tools
During the interview, you will be asked about your technical skills and abilities. Emphasize how you use each program, how well you understand it, and what results you have obtained with its help. It is very important to understand the features of each piece of software and the value it brings to the development process.
For example, if you use Framer X say that it has the ability to work with React. This makes workflow easier for a team that uses this framework. Figma lets designers build dynamic prototypes and mockups and also allows multiple people to work on or view a project at the same time.
Understand the tech
Understanding programming helps you create interfaces without going beyond the limits of what is possible. Think more deeply about projects and make them more effective. The ability to refer to JavaScript and AJAX, for example, will increase your possibility to formulate a particularly complex design idea for developers.
Your prospects will expand if you spend time on learning frontend technologies. It doesn’t require any advanced education. Online courses or books and tutorials will be enough. There is no need to go into coding — if the designer knows the basics of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, he will have a better chance of getting the job he wants. That’s why more companies are including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript in their list of “good to have” requirements.
Prepare your own questions
Don't forget that you are also interviewing the company to figure out whether they and the job are a good fit for you. Before the interview, do research on the company and prepare some questions. Good questions to ask relate to the exact tasks you’ll be expected to do, career opportunities, the company's growth and so on. If all your questions are answered during the interview itself and you are unable to think of more, explain what you wanted to ask and say that you have already got the information you needed.
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