As you probably know hiring in UI/UX agencies most usually happens in sessions. For example, we have spring and winter high seasons, when we usually need new designers, so instead of hiring every month new people we prefer hiring 3–5 designers at a time (which appears to be quite a lot for a small design boutique like ours) and train them effectively in a new team with new art-director.

Art-Director and Team Approach

Neither trainees nor independent designers — that’s how we call sessions when we hire junior or middle-level specialists, since how it works:

• we pick 1 strong designer from our team and turn him or her into 4h per day designer and 4hr per day art director;
• we open interviews session;
• conduct a series of interviews;
• hire a team of 3–4 people with common views and ideas;
• make a separate team and train them having full-time salary and support from the art director;

This method works perfectly since it’s easier for people to be surrounded by those who are lookalike with them. Also, being on the same level there is healthy competition in the team and designers can grow faster. Finally, it results in the quick development of the whole studio.

How to Interview Designers?

Coming closer to the idea of designer interviews, to make successful sessions, you just need to make a list of questions like the brief you have for the clients. You should keep in mind, that the goal is to realize whether the person is burning with the desire to work, not just to earn money. To find this feel free to ask something like:

• Why have you decided to go to UI/UX design?
• Who are your key examples?
• Who you’d like to be like in 2 years?
• What is your goal?
• What do you like the most about the design?

The best employee is someone who wants to work. He or she may know small about the design, but if they will be burning with the desire to work they will present the highest quality work and will be safe from burning out quickly.

How to Apply for an Interview?

If you want to apply successfully to the job interview, take into consideration the values of the company. You need to analyze in detail:

• website
• portfolio
• social networks
• tone of voice
• work conditions

before applying, since the organization itself is way more important than finances. In case you may rely on the company and feel like working with friends, this cooperation will bring a lot of use to you. However, if you are applying only to get some quick bonuses this won’t result in a good story.

To get ready for the interview itself there is no need to go over some complicated preparations, instead just be honest and rely on the truth. Tell honestly what you know and what you don’t and be open-minded.

In the modern world job interview is a cooperation between a company and a talented person. Take as much from this cooperation as you can to make it effective and to make it comfortable for you. While hiring, we always believe that surrounding ourselves with good people is way more important than forming a team of soul-less professionals. Find your way, but never forget that we spend 80% of our lifetime at work — make it cool!