The tough questions Flashcards
Tell me a little about yourself
I’m a UX/UI product designer with a unique blend of experience, having worked for a diverse range of companies. From start-ups like a sass entertainment payroll solution provider to a consumer services crowd gifting platform, and larger corporations such as a prominent digital agency and a Fortune 5 healthcare giant.
During my time at the digital agency, I played multiple roles like UX architect, Visual Designer, and the hybrid UX/UI designer for different clients in different industries like healthcare, e-commerce, and finance. My tasks ranged from leading client presentations and workshops to crafting essential UX deliverables – user flows, site maps, wireframes, prototypes, design systems, and polished high-fidelity design comps. I also took charge of planning and conducting user research, usability tests, and interviews, providing valuable insights to both our team and clients.
One standout achievement was leading the design initiative for an urgent care scheduling app, which garnered the 2022 eHealthcare Leadership Award for Best Mobile App. This project resulted in a remarkable 25% improvement in appointment scheduling accuracy, highlighting our commitment to innovation and user-centric design.
During my tenure at CVS Health, I crafted customer experiences for both CVS Caremark and CVS Specialty. Working within the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), collaboration became the cornerstone of our success. I engaged closely with cross-functional teams, collaborating seamlessly with product managers, developers, accessibility designers, content designers, and stakeholders.
One notable achievement was on a recent project where my team efficiently launched an onboarding pilot website within a mere 3 months. As you may know, things move in a slower pace in large corporations like CVS, so this was a huge feat to launch a brand new site within 2 months. The results were remarkable, witnessing a 15% surge in successful registration rates compared to the standard site. This showcased our ability to not only meet but exceed project goals in a fast paced timeline.
Now, I’m on the lookout for a new challenge within a company that places a high value on user and customer experiences. I’m eager to join a team that keeps me on my toes, encourages continuous learning, and provides an environment where I can contribute my problem-solving skills to create meaningful solutions.
What are your greatest strengths?
User Empathy: I deeply understand the importance of empathizing with users to create designs that truly resonate with them. I excel in conducting user research, gathering insights, and translating them into intuitive and engaging user experiences.
Design Thinking: I have a strong foundation in design thinking principles, allowing me to approach problems with a systematic and empathetic mindset. This helps me to identify opportunities, brainstorm innovative solutions, and iterate designs based on feedback.
Collaboration: I thrive in collaborative environments where I can work closely with cross-functional teams including product managers, engineers, and stakeholders. My communication skills enable me to effectively articulate design decisions and incorporate feedback to produce the best possible outcomes.
What do you consider to be your weaknesses?
In the realm of UX design, my insatiable curiosity and passion for problem-solving have been both a driving force and a challenge. The nature of the work encourages us to delve deep into user and stakeholder interviews, uncovering a multitude of insights and identifying various problems. It’s almost a paradox – the more you learn, the more issues you want to address.
Admittedly, I have found myself in situations where the desire to solve every single problem becomes overwhelming and has caused timelines risks and “scope creep”. Even on projects with well-defined problem statements, the temptation to address every pain-point discovered during the process can be strong. However, I understand the importance of staying focused within the constraints of a project’s scope and timeframe.
The challenge I’m actively working on is balancing my eagerness to address all identified issues with the practical reality that not every problem can be solved within a single project.
To proactively manage this challenge, I’ve instituted a communication framework within the project lifecycle. Recognizing the tendency to identify numerous problems during user and stakeholder interviews, I’ve scheduled regular calls with the product team. These calls serve as dedicated forums to collaboratively address the uncovered issues and collectively determine their feasibility within the project timeline. This structured communication ensures that everyone is aligned on the challenges at hand and enables swift decision-making on whether a particular problem aligns with the project’s goals.
By implementing these measures, I’ve created a proactive system that not only addresses the challenge of wanting to solve every problem but also enhances collaboration and decision-making within the team. This structured approach ensures that our passion for problem-solving contributes meaningfully to the project without compromising our focus or timelines.
Tell me about a time you had to collaborate with someone that you found difficult to work with?
Situation: In a previous role, I encountered a challenging collaboration scenario with a senior manager who, while well-intentioned and possessing valuable insights, had a habit of derailing stakeholder calls with unexpected comments or ideas.
Task: As part of my responsibilities, I needed to ensure smooth and productive stakeholder interactions, despite the disruptions caused by this senior manager.
Action: Recognizing the importance of aligning our efforts and maintaining a constructive atmosphere during stakeholder engagements, I suggested scheduling dedicated working session calls before the stakeholder meetings. During these sessions, we could openly discuss our strategies, align on key messages, and address any potential areas of concern. This approach allowed us to collaborate effectively in a less pressured environment, ensuring that our discussions during stakeholder calls were focused and productive.
Result: Implementing this approach yielded positive results. By fostering open communication and collaboration before the stakeholder calls, we were able to mitigate the disruptions that previously occurred. The senior manager felt more engaged in the process, and stakeholders appreciated the clarity and coherence of our presentations. As a result, our team’s credibility and effectiveness in these meetings increased, leading to smoother and more impactful interactions overall.
This experience taught me the importance of proactive communication and finding constructive solutions to collaboration challenges. It also reinforced the value of building strong working relationships, even in challenging circumstances, to achieve shared goals effectively.
Tell me about a time when a project or initiative you worked on was unsuccessful. (Tell me about a time you’ve failed.)
One project that didn’t go as planned was a new platform feature targeting thousands of new members. Despite our initial user research, we missed a crucial pain point that became evident after the launch. After launch, adoption was much lower than expected. Recognizing the need to understand the root cause, we initiated a series of user interviews to unravel the underlying issues.
Through these interviews, we discovered a critical problem related to the entry point into the website – the mailers sent out to users. Participants consistently referred to the mailers as ‘trash’ due to their unappealing design and unclear messaging. As a result, many recipients either discarded the mailers without exploring further or received them too late, missing the opportunity to engage with the platform.
This revelation prompted a comprehensive reassessment of our design strategy. I collaborated with the marketing and communication teams to overhaul the mailer design, ensuring it not only conveyed a compelling message but also stood out positively. We also optimized the delivery timing to ensure users received the mailers well in advance.
Upon implementing these changes, we closely monitored engagement metrics and witnessed a remarkable turnaround. Engagement levels increased significantly, surpassing the initial 10% benchmark. This experience highlighted the profound impact of the entry point on user engagement and reinforced the importance of considering the entire user journey, even beyond the digital interface. It underscored the iterative nature of UX design, where failures serve as opportunities for refinement and improvement.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I’d love to be in a company where I could eventually lead/mentor other designers while solving interesting problems, working with the kind of teams that push me and challenge me to continually improve and use my position and skills to give back to my community in a meaningful way.
In the next five years, I see myself flourishing as a Senior User Experience Designer within a dynamic and innovative company. My goal is to evolve into a leadership role where I can not only contribute to solving complex problems but also lead and mentor a team of passionate designers. I am driven by the desire to work alongside teams that inspire me, challenging me to continuously elevate my skills.
Beyond professional growth, I am enthusiastic about leveraging my position and expertise to make a meaningful impact in the community. I envision using design as a force for positive change, whether through mentorship programs, community initiatives, or projects that address real-world challenges. The prospect of contributing to a company’s success while fostering a culture of learning and giving back motivates my career aspirations over the next five years.
What is your dream job?
I’m passionate about not only designing interfaces but also shaping the overall strategy that enhances user interactions. Ideally, my dream job involves a blend of hands-on design work and strategic decision-making, allowing me to influence the entire user journey.
Moreover, I thrive in environments that encourage continuous learning and growth. A dream job for me is one that fosters a culture of creativity, where I can mentor and inspire other designers, contributing to a collective pursuit of design excellence.
Ultimately, my dream job is at the intersection of creativity, leadership, and meaningful impact – a place where every design decision contributes to making users’ lives better and more enjoyable.
How would your supervisors and co-workers describe you?
I think my supervisors and coworkers would both describe me as resourceful and someone who solves problems before I’m asked. In my most recent job, I was asked to design the desktop version of a government tax form that was already designed in their mobile APP. Although I knew it was already designed previously, I still did the research and actually found that the mobile version was overly simplified and they were missing fields that could cause them trouble later. I presented my findings along with a wireflow that would solve the problem.
How would friends describe you?
Friends would likely describe me as someone who brings energy, positivity, and creativity to any situation. Whether it’s planning a weekend getaway or working on a passion project, I’m the person who enjoys bringing people together and creating memorable experiences.
In social settings, I’m known for my sense of humor and ability to make friends feel at ease. I cherish deep connections and actively listen to understand the perspectives of others. Recently, during a friend’s event planning, they appreciated my attention to detail and creative suggestions that made the gathering more enjoyable for everyone.
Furthermore, loyalty is a core value in my friendships. I’ve been part of a tight-knit group for years, and friends often mention my reliability and willingness to support them through both celebrations and challenges. Whether it’s lending a helping hand with a move or being a sounding board for ideas, I take pride in being there for my friends.
Overall, I believe my friends would describe me as an outgoing, reliable, and creative individual who values meaningful connections and adds a positive touch to every social dynamic.
What are your salary requirements?
I appreciate the question, and when it comes to salary, I always consider the specific details of the role and the overall compensation package. For a Senior UX Designer position like this, considering the responsibilities and the value I believe I can bring to the team, I’m looking for a salary in the range of $152,000 to $162,000 annually. Of course, I’m open to further discussion and understanding more about the role and the opportunities it presents.
Why are you looking for a job?
Recently, I experienced a professional transition as I was unfortunately laid off in August 2023 due to organizational restructuring. While this change was unexpected, it has provided me with an opportunity to reassess my career goals and aspirations.
I’m actively seeking a new job because I’m eager to contribute my skills and expertise to a forward-thinking company where I can make a meaningful impact.
During my time off, I’ve invested in professional development, enhancing my skillset. Now, I’m excited to bring this refreshed knowledge and my proven track record to a new role.
I see this transition as an opportunity for personal and professional growth, and I’m excited about the prospect of contributing to the success of a dynamic organization like ____.
Why do you want to be a designer?
Design, for me, is a deeply personal journey that intertwines my experiences and aspirations. Growing up, I navigated through moments of both isolation and joy, never quite finding a sense of belonging. This shaped my perspective, fueling a desire to ensure others feel included and heard.
As a child who didn’t quite fit in, I now channel that energy into my work as a UX designer. My goal is to create designs that resonate with users on a profound level, alleviating any sense of loneliness or misunderstanding. I’ve actively advocated for user-centric approaches in my projects, fighting to prioritize empathy and inclusivity.
Being a UX designer, to me, is more than a profession; it’s a mission to fill the void of empathy and inclusivity for people on a broader, digital scale. I find profound satisfaction in crafting experiences that make users feel seen, understood, and valued. I see design as a powerful tool to connect with people, empathize with their needs, and create digital spaces where everyone feels a sense of belonging.
