Preparing for an Interview in the Design Field

In the competitive world of product design, securing your dream job can be a challenging endeavour. Here are some tips and strategies to help you stand out during your interview process, based on the latest insights.

Research is Key

Before diving into the interview, it's essential to understand the company's expectations and culture. Researching the company, its values, and its project success factors will give you a head start in demonstrating your suitability for the role. Sturm GmbH, for instance, is a forward-thinking company specialising in 3D printing, with a culture that values structured and responsible work, digital affinity, and collaboration in innovative technology solutions for various industries.

Understanding the Role

It's crucial to familiarise yourself with the designer's role within the company. Understanding the specific design requirements, such as those related to 3D printing, will help you tailor your portfolio and responses to the job at hand.

Preparing Your Portfolio

A well-organised portfolio should be easy to review and tell an interesting story to the interviewer. If your past work does not closely resemble the new job, use your portfolio to demonstrate similarities. Personalising your portfolio, even if not done during the application, is recommended for interviews.

Guerrilla Research

Conducting guerrilla research can initiate useful conversations and provide valuable insights. Reach out to LinkedIn contacts at the company for potential direct contacts, or consider speaking with regular users of the product to gain insights about its strengths, weaknesses, and their perceptions of the company.

End-of-Interview Questions

Writing down end-of-interview questions is recommended to ensure they are not forgotten. End-of-interview questions should focus on the job, culture, team dynamics, and the interviewer's perception of the role. Asking about the company's future plans, the interviewer's expectations, and the potential challenges in the role can demonstrate your interest and preparedness.

Demonstrating Impact

Offering suggestions for product improvement, particularly identifying a "quick win," can demonstrate potential impact. This shows the interviewer that you have thought about the role and the product beyond the interview itself.

The Importance of Notes

Using notes during an interview is acceptable and can help focus questions on the job rather than salary and benefits. This demonstrates your interest in the role and your ability to organise your thoughts.

Securing Your Dream Job

The design job of your dreams can be challenging to secure if you cannot meet the interviewer's expectations. Ensuring you have a comprehensive understanding of the company, the role, and the product will help you stand out from the competition and increase your chances of securing your dream job.

Obtaining the Company's Product

If possible, obtaining the company's flagship product for examination is beneficial for designers. This allows you to gain a better understanding of its design requirements and to provide more informed responses during the interview.

In conclusion, with careful preparation, research, and a well-organised approach, you can increase your chances of securing your dream product design job. Good luck with your interview!