In-person Interview Tips

1.    Do Your Homework. It is key to be able to effectively present yourself as the best candidate
        for the position and having done some research will make this possible. There are four major
        areas that you want to enhance with some background work before the interview: knowledge
        about the company; knowledge about the position; knowledge about yourself; and physical 
        preparation. Let’s discuss these.

2.     Knowledge about the company: Learn about the company’s history, their mission, their goals,
        products and annual reports. Try to nail down as many names as possible, including the hiring
        manager, the HR interviewer, and team members you’re likely to interact with.

3.     Knowledge about the position: Make sure your UX recruiter provides you with a detailed job
       description before you head to the interview and spend some time reviewing ways that your
       resume and portfolio align with the job description. Make sure you have a clear understanding of
       the position, including any questions you might want to ask during the interview.

4.     Knowledge about yourself: Many of us don’t spend much time talking about ourselves,
        especially our work history, which is why it’s important to take time out to go over the last
        three or four jobs you had, and to start to make the connections between the tasks, projects,
        and duties you had there, and the way they relate to this job you’re interviewing for.

5.     Physical preparation: This is really composed of two categories: physical copies of materials
        you want to bring with you, and the physical appearance you will make at the interview. Dress
        in clothes that are comfortable, but professional. Dress like you’re going to meet someone you
        really respect and you’ll usually make the right wardrobe choice.

The physical copies of materials you will want to have in folder with you include:

•   Resumes. One copy for everyone you expect to meet, as well as one or two extras. (Splurge on some
    nice paper for this, it’s worth it).
•   A completed application if you were asked to fill one out in advance.
•   Professional references and their current contact information. It’s a common courtesy to let your
    references know they should expect to be contacted on your behalf. A quick e-mail or phone call to
    someone who might be key to you getting a job is such an easy way to help your cause.
•   Social security card, driver’s license, passport and/or VISA. These documents are key to filling out I-9s
    and W-2s. If you anticipate needing this sort of proof of ID, it can be a good idea to have these pieces of
    information with you in a safe secure place
•   Written performance reviews, or letters of recommendation.
•   College transcripts if requested.
•   UX Design professionals should take along portfolio of work relevant to the position in hard copies or on a
    disk. Even if you shared your portfolio electronically prior to the interview, it can be great to have the
    ability to show them again something you are proud of (some extremely large and complicated projects
    you had designed) when referring to past work or why you think you are a good fit for the company.
•   A notepad and any questions you had thought of in advance to ask the interviewers.

Lights, Camera…. Action!

The interview is your opportunity to make a great personal and professional impression. Although you want to be authentic, this is also a time when you are “on stage” to some extent. You are assessing how well you would fit with a company’s expectations and culture, and they are doing the same with you. A good interview is a two-way conversation in which you each determine if there is synergy in qualifications, experience, and attitude.

Here are a few simple things you can do to ensure this process goes smoothly:          

•   Arrive 15 minutes early.
•   Check in with the front desk and let them know who you are expecting to meet with.
•   Keep in mind that the receptionist is the company’s “Vice President of First Impressions.” Employers
    frequently ask them for their impressions of candidates so make sure you’re on your A-Game from the    
    minute you walk in the door.
•   A firm handshake and good posture are essential.
•   Be appropriately open and friendly with the interviewer while focusing on your listening more than you are
    talking.
•   Show enthusiasm and excitement for the company and keep your energy level appropriately high through
    the interview.
•   Minimize empty words in your conversation. Examples: “uh,” “like,” “y’know,” “well.”
•   Though it is good to occasionally use small affirming words or nods, so your interviewer knows you’re
    engaged.
•   Make sure you understand the question before answering. Feel free to politely request that the
    interviewer repeat the question.
•   Always give yourself a moment to collect your thoughts and make sure that your answers are brief, while
    complete thoughts. At the end of your answer, you can ask: “Would you like more detail? Would you like
    to hear an example of occasions where I used [insert skill]?” This subtly hands the control of the interview
    back to the interviewer and makes you appear to be very easy to work with.
•   Always, always thank the interviewer for his or her time and ask them what the next step is so that
    everyone’s expectations are clear.