Becoming a graphic designer is an exciting endeavor and one of the first steps to becoming one is landing your first graphic design job. One of the best graphic design entry-level roles is becoming a junior graphic designer at a company because you will get real world experience working on a team. In most cases, the requirements to getting a junior graphic design role are submitting a résumé and a portfolio, but it is good practice to double check what the company is specifically requiring of applicants. If you fit the requirements and the company decides to set up an interview as a next step, that is a great sign! Here are 10 tips for acing a junior graphic designer interview:
1. Remember your purpose.
Why did you get into graphic design? (Aside from making money.) What makes you excited about it as a field of work? Think about how it relates to the specific company that you are interviewing with.
2. Do deeper research on the company
It is so important to know as much as you can about the history of the company that you are interviewing with. If you can get any information from people who work there (like peeking at the company’s Glassdoor reviews), even better. Use this information to formulate questions about the company and your role for your interviewer.
3. Ask who will be interviewing you
Is it a recruiter? Is it a creative director? Knowing who will be interviewing you helps inform you on how to prepare for the meeting. If it is a recruiter, they likely will want to know about your background. If it is a creative director, there is a chance that they might want you to walk them through some of your work.
4. Research the person that will be interviewing you
Once you know who is interviewing you, look for information about them that can start as a conversation starter in your interview. Going back to the creative director example, maybe you saw on LinkedIn that they have been at the company for 10 years. You can ask them what they like about their job that has kept them at the same company for a decade.
5. Study your portfolio and prepare what you would like to say about your work
You made the work in your portfolio, but it is always good to review the work that you will be showing to a potential future employer. How would you talk about it if they asked about it? What did you learn when making each project? Think about why you included it in your portfolio and what you want your interviewer to understand about you by looking at this work, whether it’s your technical skills or your ability to strategize.
6. Practice your answers to typical design job interview questions
Try not to memorize a monologue because it will sound rehearsed. However, it can be super helpful to consider questions that might be asked and think about how you would answer them beforehand. If you know your answers to certain questions, it can help let the interview be as conversational as it can be.
7. Assess what you want out of an employer and what your expectations are
There are a lot of cool companies and people to work with, but every experience is so different. Think about what environments suit your work style. Think about what kind of qualities that you expect of a boss or manager. Be honest with yourself and let it inform questions that you may have for your interviewer.
8. When you’re in the interview, don’t be afraid to ask any and all questions
As much as it is important for an employer to know about you and make their expectations clear, interviews are a huge opportunity for you to learn about the company and if they meet your expectations. You’re not employed by this company yet, so ask them anything, even if they’re hard-hitting questions. For example, if diversity, equity & inclusion matters to you and you found that the company was recently in the news with bad press, ask them about it! Their answers can be informative in more ways than one.
9. Look presentable
You don’t have to look any specific way. With that being said, keep hygiene in mind and stay true to your style while looking your best. If you feel good in what you’re wearing, you’ll feel more confident too.
10. Remember that nerves are normal and you will survive, no matter how it goes
It’s totally normal to be super nervous. Try to channel those nerves into preparation. The nerves are temporary and you will get through it one way or another!
Preparing for a junior graphic designer interview is an important step in getting your first design job. While there are many other parts to being employed as a junior graphic designer, it is helpful to know how to approach an interview. Try out these tips on how to ace your interview for a junior graphic designer role.