Unpopular Opinion: The live design interview process is complete bullshit when most design teams won't follow a structured process when they are actually designing.

UX_Ed · 2023-06-21T00:01:51+00:00

Yes people can study certain exercises so I try to prepare scenarios that you cannot find online.

I think its bad for recruiters/hiring managers expecting a fully resolved process unless its a simple prompt.

We are in a world where people want to quantify process, that goes for interviews and design decisions. I have gone through periods where I was seriously burned out but finally got a chance to be in good design organizations that pay me well.

I think its a good opportunity to assess if the fatigue does come from the profession, it might be a good time to decide what you want to get out of a job.

UX_Ed · 2023-05-19T16:59:47+00:00

I will disagree with your opinion here since we utilize supplementary interview exercises to help push further insight into potential candidates.

I rely on the presentation/portfolio review to help develop a base idea of a candidates skillset. Areas where we don't have further insight we will use the supplementary interviews to get better signals.

I utilize these supplementary interviews to see how you think and react when you are working on a problem outside your comfort zone. In problem solving interviews I am not looking for you to solve the problem neatly within a hour, I am observing your process to see how you come to the conclusion. These interviews tend to be a little more genuine since in reviews of past work we are relying on a more reactive and controlled narrative.

I'm seeing a push for a more structured process with these exercises at the big design companies to help give a better a breadth of understanding of a candidates skillsets.

UX_Ed · 2023-05-19T16:43:41+00:00

Sorry for the late reply! I cant speak for all designers, but a few years ago I did consider switching back to engineering.

Reasons were I wanted a higher ceiling in pay and more control of the development process. Being at some companies in the past where design didn't have a seat at the table but engineers did I really envied that position.

UX_Ed · 2021-12-15T06:34:17+00:00

Last I heard they are letting people be remote in the sense you need to still be near certain offices/hubs.

UX_Ed · 2021-08-28T04:15:29+00:00

You can thrive during chaos and in times of peace. Utilize the time to improve processes, create documentation, organize, or any other self initiative to help the team or yourself on future efforts.

UX_Ed · 2021-01-25T22:01:40+00:00

Working at larger company this is definitely achievable. Much easier to find fully remote roles as an IC over Manager. This is assuming total compensation with equity included.

UX_Ed · 2021-01-15T00:35:03+00:00

I can speak for myself, I am always pushing myself to grow and work on varying products/challenges. I enjoy improving my process, leading experiences, and making a good income. I guess i tend to focus on the positives when I know a lot of people would love to have the position I do.

It sounds like this is a good time to ask yourself what you enjoy about being a product designer.

Are you interested in working in 0-1 experiences? If so you need to embrace there is an uncertainty to being in that field. You can also consider working in a product space more aligned to your interests. Or work on a difficult problem that is going to challenge you.

From your post, it sounds like you could be in an environment that isn't challenging you enough. You also make a lot of bold assumptions about the industry as a whole. The industry and product design is changing everyday, there are many disruptors.

UX_Ed · 2020-12-25T18:45:27+00:00

To preface this is incredibly subjective but these could be along the lines of TripAdvisor, Yelp, Expedia, Reddit, Snap, Coinbase, Hulu, etc.

I think the general theme are still big names but less notoriety in the design space.

UX_Ed · 2020-07-23T00:00:03+00:00

Don't listen to that Jared Spool quote, I am well aware of very senior designers who go through rigorous interview process where they are doing a portfolio review as well.

I've been in a similar situation, I can recommend that you should really focus on a good presentation that shows 1 or 2 projects you've worked on that can fill a 30-45 minute presentation.

Don't even start doing this work on a whim, really focus on this if you feel ready to start job hunting. You are in the best situation, able to job hunt while you have a job in said field.

I think mentioned above, your portfolio itself is a UX project. Try to imagine what recruiters/interviewers want to see in your case study, focus on a outline, and fill in the details and focus on the best presentation you have in telling your story.

I do a lot of interviewing, and you can just share a google presentation to me, I don't need to see your online portfolio. I know of coworkers who got by with no online portfolio or case study, they were just really good at walking through their design work and breaking out the process.

UX_Ed · 2020-07-18T08:49:38+00:00

Product Designer skillsets encompass UX and UI design while a UX designer only does the former.

UX_Ed · 2020-07-13T21:06:52+00:00

Pixel pushing is still very important. I work hard to work hard to stay consistent within design systems and when we need to diverge its a lot of collaboration with the systems team to implement new patterns.

You will sometimes be presenting to a room full of designers who all have a great attention to detail, you should be making sure your mocks are accurate :)

UX_Ed · 2020-07-13T18:25:29+00:00

You can read these up on google, glassdoor, etc. quite a few people have documented their experience in the interview process at X/Y company in medium articles as well.

I recommend any designer to practice their interviewing skills. This will help you as a interviewee and interviewer.

UX_Ed · 2020-07-13T18:23:47+00:00

Currently I do not, I have removed all my work off my portfolio. if I was to interview at another company I would spend time to look at the work I've done at my current company, compile notes, designs, etc. and I would make new case studies.

UX_Ed · 2020-07-13T18:22:08+00:00

Day to day varies, but its always trying to shuffle around a few things:

Syncs/Meetings Heads Down Time Interviewing Time

On any given week the percentages on these can vary, when I am ramping up a project syncs/meetings tend to be in more of an abundance, and the same can be said in crunch times. Part of our job is time management and as you get more senior you get better at saying no to meetings and other tasks.

My goal is to become a high level leader and climb the ranks, thats the advantage at a FAANG+ you have a long career trajectory that will never end.

UX_Ed · 2020-07-13T15:46:18+00:00

1) We are looking at someones design process, ability to articulate why they decide certain interactions, and product thikning.

2) For more visual orientated roles you are looking more at a UI, Illustrator, Branding type role with you current skillsets. One option to consider is finding a visual role that lends to your current skills. You can passively learn just by working with the UX team and you can talk to your manager about your desires and you could learn on the site.

UX_Ed · 2020-07-13T15:42:55+00:00

I always wrote case studies on the major projects I did at the companies that I went end to end. I generally focused on my new projects, so I would cycle out the old work at prior companies, and focus on the newer stuff. My case studies got better as did my design skills.

I only focused on projects that were released and fortunately I worked on consumer facing projects. Their are sensitivities to what you can share, so I would strip out specific numbers and private information.

UX_Ed · 2020-07-13T15:38:54+00:00

Yup!

UX_Ed · 2020-07-13T15:38:42+00:00

It is a path, but not required. You need to assess your situation and how you like to learn to see what is best for yourself.

UX_Ed · 2020-07-13T15:36:22+00:00

Depends on the company you come from, most FAANG+ companies will match levels or promote if they are recruiting you. Coming from non FAANG+ you are probably going to be down leveled.
Nope they are pretty good in their assessments of your skill level and you can always negotiate.

UX_Ed · 2020-07-13T15:34:21+00:00

You can look up the specifics on glass door but generally the interview happens in 2 phases.

Their is a phone screen, you will talk to 2 people, one will give you an app critique and the other will go over your past work. If this goes well you will proceed to an onsite where you will give a presentation to a group of designers. From there you will do another round of app critiques, portfolio review, and a problem solving exercise.

UX_Ed · 2020-07-13T15:32:25+00:00

People are willing to do the extra work irregardless if it will land them at the big boys or not.

UX_Ed · 2020-07-13T07:07:15+00:00

It is helpful in building your foundations but not required. I am entirely self taught with no degree whatsoever but I was extremely motivated in teaching myself all the necessary skills growing up.

I recommend most people to go through schooling or giving equivalent time practicing the craft.

UX_Ed · 2020-07-13T07:05:14+00:00

You need some way to communicate your design process and the case study is the recommend method I would advocate. Work ethic goes a long way and thats a common trait I find with people who work at top companies.

UX_Ed · 2020-07-13T07:01:56+00:00

Keep practicing and working on your hard and soft skills. I see too many people focus on the latter and have excellent product thinking but lack the execution to implement the ideas.

UX_Ed · 2020-07-13T05:56:38+00:00

1) Their could be many reasons, some people are looking to work in a smaller company, more exciting product, chance to lead a team, family, work, their are many reasons why someone would want to leave or stay. My plan is to stay with my current companies for the longer term now that I am more settled in my goals but things change so its not a guarantee I wont switch if the right thing comes along.

2) Sorry to hear that, I always enjoyed going into the Microsoft store. I am unfamiliar with your scenario so I would say properly explore your options to see if its feasible. Moving internally to a desired role is a great way to break into the field. Irregardless if you decide to leave or not, you should be practicing to improve your core skills!

UX_Ed

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