A web designer is the most in-demand job right now. The proliferation of the Internet in various forms in the daily life of people is the biggest reason that everyone wants a presence on the web. For the same reason, web designers who have good knowledge of HTML, CSS, Javascript, and software like Adobe Photoshop are being sought after by various firms all over the world.
There has been no better time to look for a new job in the design industry. This is the age of the Internet, where every business which wants to grow and expand has no other option but to embrace the digital medium. This is why websites have become an indispensable means of communication, sales tool, and a medium of generating more sales. That’s the precise reason a career as a web designer might be the best bet considering the current time. If you also want a bite of this career then it is safe to know some inside secrets and web designer interview questions to stay ahead of the competition.
1. Built a portfolio showcasing your best work
Boasting yourself as an aspiring web designer and not having your own portfolio is nothing less than a sin. A web designer’s job is all about creativity, and a portfolio is a great way to showcase your creativity to your new clients. You can easily show your excellent skills to the world through a well-built portfolio. It’s always worth taking the print version along to the interviews you have. A printed portfolio will promote a healthy conversation between you and the interviewer, which is better for your candidature. Always keep the portfolio updated with your latest work, and avoid underselling yourself by only keeping the best work.
2. Show passion in your talks
An interviewer is always looking for clues to find how passionate the candidate is about his job. Since creativity is directly proportional to your passion, the more passionate candidate will infuse more creativity in his job. All employers enjoy working with people who enjoy their job and treat their job as just more than a paycheck. When you answer the interviewer, show some enthusiasm and eagerness. Also, mold your answer with some creativity.
3. Show your industry awareness in the interview
Web designing is a dynamic industry that constantly changes with time. Your preparedness for the new role also includes how updated you are with such trends. The interviewer might come up with some questions like, “What’s the hottest web design trend according to you right now?” or “What are your hopes for the coming year for the web design industry?” Instead of coming up with answers solely out of wishful thinking, you should only rely on your knowledge and current awareness to answer such questions. If by any chance, you are not prepared for such questions, it is more sensible to accept your unawareness rather than shooting a blind shot.
4. Brush up your skills
While it is not possible to acquire web designer job skills overnight, if you have got a week’s time prior to the interview, the best thing to do will be to subscribe to short job-oriented courses that will impart specialized skills in the field of design. These design-based online courses can include tutorials for software such as Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop CS6. Such niche courses are a good way of keeping ahead with changing times.
5. Preparing for more general questions
More than anything else, the interviewer will undoubtedly test your technical expertise and knowledge related to various aspects of web designing such as HTML, Javascript, and others, which you can learn through interview questions guides available on the web. In addition, the interviewer will test your aptitude and attitude with questions such as “What did you like about your last job?”, “Tell something about your experiences you have had working with developers in the past?” or “What is your vision for the coming five years?” It is good to remain prepared for these questions as they will determine how good a team player you are and how easily you can associate yourself with the current job.
This guest article was written by Saurabh Tyagi.
Photo credit: Nicolas Mirguet
