We always look for new designers. Like 11 months per year. And during 3 years of work we’ve received numerous CVs and emails. However, only a few people were invited to the office. But 90% of those who came to us got a position in the studio. Among them, everybody turned out to be successful UI/UX designers and not a person left the company because s/he lacked growth, development or wanted to boost skills. How does this approach work and what is the secret of finding not skilled, but talented people?

Talent is not skill. A talented person may be a complete beginner. Your task is to reveal the fire in the eyes of someone, who is willing to work. Not for money, not for fame and career development, but the bigger goal.

First Filter: Portfolio or CV

The first point of contact is a letter, the studio receives on the email or on Instagram. Usually, here first issues may be revealed. You simply may find out, that some people don’t know which tone of voice they should use while applying for the job.

You here look for people, yes?

What can you offer me, guys?

I am here for you!

Such texts we were receiving to the inbox and obviously, they were losing to the normal and intelligent applications written with honest willingness to get the job and a true desire to become a cool designer.

Of course, not only people with CVs and Portfolios were texting us. Moreover, we even hired several people who had no experience in design at all and were only visiting design courses and they have shown themselves way better, than skilled and experienced designers. Let’s take a look at 2 scenarios:

I’m a Designer With Portfolio

In this case, you should present either Dribbble (preferably) or Behance link. People, who show their portfolio on Tilda or Google Files have very tiny chances to get the job position. Of course, it’s not enough to just have Dribbble and upload all the works you have there. It’s better to filter and leave only the best shots and projects to show. Make people understand, that you put quality over anything.

I’m a Designer Without Portfolio

In this case, you don’t need to use that same old template for the CV or write a long story of your life. Try to wrap up everything you want to say in 2 paragraphs and apply the only experience, that can be meaningful for this exact job position. Speak with all of your heart and honestly tell, that you don’t have any experience behind your shoulders but you would do a lot to learn and ready to work hard. Being completely honest is the best strategy here.

Second Step: Private Talk

If your portfolio passed the first check. Usually, agencies always look at the applicants’ portfolio with a lot of scepticism and say “okay, probably we need to talk, but these works are…you know, they are”. So if you were invited to the studio, you’re lucky! Because if people decide to talk to you and waste their time on you, you 99% received this job position. While coming to the office, be nice and be yourself. Ask everything you’re interested in and be honest with the studio regarding your salary and holidays expectations. It is better to discuss everything from the start, than cause a scandal in 1–2 months of work.

Answer questions you’re asked honestly. And even you think your answer is the most stupid answer people have ever heard, still say it. Be yourself. Before starting my design boutique, whose article you are reading now, both I and TheRooms co-founder failed at 3 job interviews because we simply were not fitting the studio. So be yourself. It’s like normal human relations — you will find something, that fits exactly your vision. One day it definitely happens!

Third Step: Ideal Test Task

A successful interview ends with the test task, that studio will give you.

Ideal test task receipt: UX research with competitors analyses, MVP functions outline, screen map and user flow diagrams and main UI. It will be just awesome if you add graphic and motion design there.

Usually, the studio gives one week to complete the task. And you’d better use the whole week for that because after the poor test task a chance to get a job position will be lost forever. Ask questions as much as you can: it will both show your interest in the task and allow people to understand your mindset. Because the main goal of this task is not to find out what you can and can not design, it is to reveal the way you think and see this world. The way you feel design. And understand if this vision and feel fit the studio. Once the task is created, make a short introduction text or even a Loom video with the overview of the task. And wait for the feedback.

Here are some tips for newcomers, that will allow you to understand, you’ve got to the good UI/UX design studio:

• people always make a chat with you for the discussion of questions, that may pop up during the work on the test task;
• you get complex and full feedback on the test task you’ve done even if you were not picked for the certain job position;
• you get a second chance to fix everything if your task was 50/50;
• people are showing their office, employees and can discuss terms and conditions of work one to one with you without any shame or fear.

Pick good studios to work at and do your best!