10 Tips for Interviewing a Graphic Designer
Graphic designers make images that show a company’s values and brand to the people they want to reach. They might work for themselves, as part of a company’s internal marketing team, or for a graphic design agency with many clients. If you want to get a job as a graphic designer, it can help to prepare for the interview so you can explain how you design and how you work with clients. 10 Tips for Interviewing a Graphic Designer
In this article, we look at 10 important interview tips for graphic designers that can help you show the hiring manager that you would be a good addition to their team.
What is a meeting with a graphic designer?
You can show a hiring manager or other interviewer that you are qualified for the job of graphic designer by answering questions and talking about the role. During an interview for graphic design, you might be tested on your ability to do things like:
- Making templates for brand identity
- Changing ideas based on what clients say
- Making sure that printed materials and other physical items meet brand and design standards
- Talking with clients about what they want from a design
- How to get a job as a graphic designer
- Here are 10 tips to help you make a good impression on the hiring manager as a graphic designer:
- Using many different design and art programmes
- Making prototypes for branded goods
- Working with software engineers and UX teams to make websites and apps
1. Learn the terms used in graphic design before your interview.
When the hiring manager talks to you about your work samples and experience, he or she might ask you questions about the design of your examples. It can be helpful to review key terms about fonts, layout, and colours before the interview. They might also ask you about your business experience, such as if you have worked with brand identities, trademarks, or style guides. Reviewing common graphic design terms can help you have a good conversation with them and also show that you know the field.
2. Prepare ahead of time by practising how to answer common interview questions
Preparing answers to common graphic design interview questions can help you answer them easily and with confidence, which can show the hiring manager that you’re a good candidate. Even though hiring managers may have their own requirements for candidates, many of them will ask you about your work style, how long you’ve been doing graphic design professionally, and what you want to do with your career. Here are some common graphic design interview questions:
- Can you tell me about a time when you had to get past a problem to finish a design project?
- What kind of software do you use most often for work?
- Where do you plan to work in the next five years?
- Why did you choose to work as a graphic designer?
3. Look over your portfolio and focus on your biggest projects.
Even though hiring managers can ask you questions about your whole career as a graphic designer, they may focus on your biggest projects, which can give them a good idea of your skills. Before your interview, you might want to go over your major projects, starting with any notes you took during the planning stage and ending with the finished product. Think about why you made the design choices you did and how you overcame any problems you ran into. So, you’ll be ready to answer any questions the hiring manager might have about those projects and how you work.
4. Learn about the company and come up with questions to ask the interviewers
Learning more about the company’s goals and clients can help you highlight specific skills and qualifications and show the hiring manager that you are a good fit for their needs. You can also use the information you find to come up with questions about the company and the job that you can ask the hiring manager at the interview. You can find out if the job is a good fit for you by asking questions. You can also show the hiring manager that you are curious, which is a good trait for a graphic design candidate.
5. Bring multiple copies of your printed resume.
The hiring manager may have already seen your resume and portfolio as part of their interview preparation, but bringing extra copies and giving each interviewer one can show that you are organised and well-prepared. If the hiring manager asks you questions about a certain experience or other part of your resume, having your own copy can help. You can also point to a specific job detail or accomplishment to back up your answers to more in-depth questions.
6. Bring hard copies of your portfolio’s most important pieces
You can put your whole portfolio online, but you might also want to have some pieces professionally printed and bring them to the interview in a portfolio case. If you have hard copies of your work, you can use them to show how you did something when you answer questions about your technique and style. You can also give the samples to the person in charge of hiring, so they have something to look at as they decide.
7. Let your clothes show how creative and professional you are.
Graphic designers combine artistic talent with professional marketing skills. Your interview outfit can do the same thing to make a good impression on the hiring manager. Look at the company’s website or social media pages to see what people wear to work and then try to dress like that for your interview. Many graphic design firms have a business casual dress code, but you can also use your clothes to show off your artistic side. Think about adding a scarf, tie, or bag with a pattern or a bright colour to a business outfit.
8. To answer questions about past experiences, use the STAR method.
When answering a question about your past graphic design work, you might find it helpful to use the STAR method to organise your answer. STAR stands for:
- Task: Explain what you’re supposed to do.
- Action: Tell us what you did to get out of the situation.
- Result: Explain what happened because of what you did.
- Situation: Start by telling what happened or what you had to do.
- The STAR method can help you give detailed answers that show how you solve problems and think critically.
9. Give your interviewers your full attention.
When the hiring manager asks you a question, use active listening skills like nodding and keeping eye contact. If you need to, you can also ask clarifying questions. Active listening skills can help you understand the questions the hiring manager asks and prepare answers that answer the whole question. Using active listening skills can also show the hiring manager that you can talk to people well, which is a skill that is useful in many jobs.
10. Send an email or letter to thank the people who interviewed you.
Sending a thank-you note, either in person or by email, can show the hiring manager that you have important interpersonal skills like communication and empathy. If you made your own business cards or an email banner, you can also use a thank-you note to show off your design skills. In a thank-you note, you can include your phone number and email address, which could make it easier for the hiring manager to get in touch with you and set up the next steps.
