A small guide to help you tighten up your interview-readiness and teach you how to feel confident during the job hunt process

You don’t have an “ask”

When talking to hiring managers, a common point of frustration has surfaced –– many candidates lack a specific “ask.” Hiring managers will have an inbox filled with potential candidates pinging them for help, but what they’re asking for is unclear. Do they want a full-time job? An internship? Do they just want an informational interview?

Next time you reach out, be explicit about the type of help you need.

For example:

• “I came across the [design] article you wrote. Can I shoot you a few specific questions I have about transitioning into design?”
• “I’m really interested in working for [X company]. Do you have 30 minutes to talk about the work you’re doing and the culture?”
• “I’m sending my revised portfolio to hiring managers. Does this case study meet the quality you would look for in a candidate?”

You don’t know how to talk about yourself

It's essential to know the language used in the Design Field. I’m not advocating for the overuse of buzzwords, but understanding how to leverage industry phrases as you discuss the value you’ll bring is an important piece of the interview process. Certain phrases can help managers zero in on how your strengths might fit into their team structure

When asked about yourself and why you’re interested in X company, here’s what you should be able to communicate:

• The specific design skills you have (e.g. I’m a Product Designer operating in a generalist capacity, but I really love rapid prototyping and visual design)
• Why you’re drawn to the company or role (e.g. I read your interview where you discussed how your team is tackling Augmented Reality. I’m really interested in stretching my design skill sets in this area)
• Your current state in the job hunt process (e.g. Currently, I’m freelancing for a few e-commerce startups but I’m actively looking for roles at a company with a larger design team. I’d love to be considered for your open product designer role. Here’s my portfolio. I’m excited to hear back about the next steps.)