The three questions I ask every designer I interview

They’re not tricky, but they are revealing

When I’m interviewing you for a design role, I want you to succeed. I’m rooting for you. I’m not trying to trip you up or hit you with some kind of “gotcha” question. When you’re struggling, my empathy kicks in and I’ll try to help you out. When it’s going well, it’ll feel more like a conversation than an interview. But when your answers fall flat, I’m duty-bound to take note.

Over the years, I’ve come up with a number of questions that help me understand what kind of designer you are, and what it’ll be like to work with you. Of these questions, there are three I ask during every interview. They’re neither novel nor clever, but they are telling.

1. What’s your design story?

This is one of the first questions I ask. To help you get started, I’ll often add, “Not your résumé or work history. Your story as a designer. How did you get to where you are today?”

Despite the prompt, many designers recite their LinkedIn profile, starting with their education, then plodding through their work history, job by job. Instead of a story, I’m getting a grocery list. Good news: this is really the only wrong answer.