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March 31, 2009
Interview Feedback
These are just some random things I've learned from doing interviews these last few months and include type of questions asked and any advice recruiters have provided.
Types of Questions asked:
1. What (usability) method (the kinda stuff you'd learn in SI682 or 622) do you like the best and why?
2. What method did you find most helpful/informative?
3. Tell me about X project? (Include the final outcome not just the context/ problem statement.)
4. How do you deal with a coworker/ team member/ manager who does not see the need for UX design/usability evaluation or your recommendations related to it? (lots of questions about persuasion.)
5. How would you structure a testing session? (Include key features about it.)
6. Tell me a time when you've lead a project.
7. Questions regarding conflict within a group and how you handled it.
8. Often there is a question about an area of weakness or maybe a response shows a weakness...which is okay (so I hear) as long as you tell how you are improving on this weakness/learned from the experience.
9. Multi-tasking/ How you deal with conflicting priorities and limited time.
...my friend (a recruiter) told me for behavioral interviews to have two or three instances from your work/school experience prepared in advance for each type of behavioral interview question (conflict, persuasion, leadership, weakness, regret, successful experience etc) so that they easily come to mind and you can choose the best situation based on the context of the interview.
One recruiter told me to quantify work as much as possible, either by listing the number of people you've worked with, time or other measurement saved as a result of work, .... (this goes for resumes too)
For behavior questions structure your responses as such:
- The problem
- Your role and how you addressed the problem
- The outcome
Resumes/Cover Letters:
Include your GPA (if its a good one) for undergrad or other graduate programs. (I've found they always ask.)
Include any study abroad experiences. They tend to ask questions about this especially since industry is so globally connected and its generally a good talking point.
Also try to structure your job summaries to include the results of your work. Work resulted in 2 second time savings for the 5,000 users...etc.
My friend with lots of corporate experience said keep your cover letters short and to the point (mine were like a FULL page and crammed with stuff LOL) but include information about the company and how your skills fit what you know about them. This shows your letter isn't generic, you've actually thought about what the company does and your "fit" within it.
Just some thoughts for ya...I plan to talk about my experience looking for employment in the current job market next. Stay tuned :)
Posted by krosalia at March 31, 2009 04:06 PM