Get ready for your upcoming User Experience Designer virtual interview. Familiarize yourself with the necessary skills, anticipate potential questions that could be asked and practice answering them using our example responses.
Updated April 20, 2024
The STAR interview technique is a method used by interviewees to structure their responses to behavioral interview questions. STAR stands for:
Situation: Describe the context or background of the situation you were in.
Task: Explain the challenge or task you were faced with.
Action: Detail the specific actions you took to address the task or challenge.
Result: Share the results or outcomes of your actions.
This method provides a clear and concise way for interviewees to share meaningful experiences that demonstrate their skills and competencies.
How do you integrate user feedback into your UX design process?
Asking about integrating feedback assesses your receptiveness to users' opinions and your capacity to translate those into design improvements.
Dos and don'ts: "To discuss integrating user feedback, explain your methods for collecting and analyzing user feedback, and how you use it to iterate and refine your designs. Show your dedication to user-centered design."
Suggested answer:
Situation: I was working on a mobile application for a retail company.
Task: An important part of the process was integrating user feedback into my UX design.
Action: I implemented a system for collecting and analyzing user feedback. This included usability tests, surveys, and feedback from customer support. I used this information to inform design decisions and made iterations based on it.
Result: By actively integrating user feedback, we significantly improved the app's functionality and user satisfaction. As a result, the app's ratings increased in app stores and engagement metrics improved significantly.
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Can you describe a UX design project you are particularly proud of? What was your role and why does it stand out?
You are asked about a project you're proud of to gauge your passion, dedication, and to understand what you consider as a successful project. It reveals your ability to deliver results and the skills you used to achieve those results.
Dos and don'ts: "In discussing a project you're proud of, focus on your role, the design process, the challenges you overcame, and the impact of the project. Don't just talk about what you did—explain why it was successful and what it meant to you."
Suggested answer:
Situation: At my previous job, I led the redesign of our main product's user interface, an application that was struggling with usability issues leading to high churn rate.
Task: My role was to oversee the whole design process, from research to implementation, while ensuring that we address the usability problems and provide an improved user experience.
Action: I began by conducting user interviews and usability testing to understand the core issues. Based on the findings, I brainstormed with my team and crafted new designs that focused on ease of use and efficient navigation. We iteratively tested and refined our designs based on continuous user feedback.
Result: Post-redesign, we witnessed a significant drop in the churn rate by 30%, an increase in user engagement, and received positive user feedback on the improved interface. This project stands out because it had a direct positive impact on the company's customer retention rate and user satisfaction.
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What steps do you take to understand a user's needs and pain points before beginning the design process?
Asking about understanding user's needs probes your empathy, research skills, and how you transform data into actionable design strategies. It shows if you prioritize the user in your designs.
Dos and don'ts: "When discussing understanding user needs, emphasize your methods of research—like interviews, surveys, or user testing. Avoid generalities; instead, focus on specific tools and methodologies you use, showcasing your ability to empathize with users and translate their needs into actionable insights."
Suggested answer:
Situation: When tasked with designing a new mobile app for a retail client, understanding user needs and pain points was crucial.
Task: Before beginning the design process, my task was to gain an in-depth understanding of our target users.
Action: I initiated a series of steps: starting with a user survey to get a broad understanding of their needs, followed by in-depth user interviews for qualitative insights. We also conducted a competitive analysis to identify industry standards and gaps in our client's service.
Result: These insights informed our design process, allowing us to create a user-friendly app that addressed user pain points effectively, leading to the app's high adoption rate and positive user reviews.
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Can you provide an example of when you used user feedback or data to inform your UX design decisions?
The question about using feedback and data assesses your ability to adapt and improve designs based on user input, and how you leverage quantitative and qualitative data to inform design decisions.
Dos and don'ts: "For incorporating user feedback, provide specific examples of how you adjusted a design based on data or feedback. Highlight your analytical abilities, and how you take a user-centered approach in your work."
Suggested answer:
Situation: During my tenure at a digital health startup, we were working on the beta version of a new health tracking app.
Task: My task was to incorporate user feedback to inform design decisions and improve the product's UX.
Action: I established a user testing group comprised of potential end-users. After each round of design iterations, I facilitated testing sessions, collected feedback, and analyzed the data to understand usability issues and areas of improvement.
Result: By directly incorporating user feedback, we managed to create an app that was intuitive and easy-to-use, reflecting in our user satisfaction surveys where 90% of respondents found the app helpful and easy to navigate.
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How do you foster collaboration within your design team, as well as cross-functional teams, such as product management and development?
The question on fostering collaboration is to understand your teamwork and communication skills, and how you handle interacting with different teams to align everyone towards a common goal.
Dos and don'ts: "In describing your collaboration with teams, share concrete instances of teamwork, consensus-building, and cross-functional collaboration. Avoid any negativity about past teams or colleagues, and focus on positive outcomes."
Suggested answer:
Situation: In my previous role, we were working on a major revamp of our core software product.
Task: It was crucial to foster collaboration within my design team and with other teams like product management and development.
Action: I initiated regular cross-functional meetings to discuss updates, challenges, and ideas. We used shared project management tools for transparency and facilitated design critiques, allowing for constructive feedback from various perspectives. I also encouraged the use of a shared design system to maintain consistency and improve efficiency.
Result: This collaborative approach fostered better communication and mutual understanding among different teams. It resulted in more innovative solutions, seamless transitions between phases, and the successful delivery of the project on time.
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Can you recall a time when you received substantial criticism or feedback on your UX design? How did you respond?
When asked about receiving criticism, recruiters want to know how you handle feedback, if you're open to learning and improving, and how you manage situations of conflict or challenge.
Dos and don'ts: "When discussing criticism or feedback, showcase your ability to handle criticism professionally, learn from it, and use it to improve. Make sure you present feedback as an opportunity for growth, not a setback."
Suggested answer:
Situation: I once designed a user interface for a fintech application, which received significant criticism for not aligning well with the target demographic, primarily older users who were not tech-savvy.
Task: My task was to accept this criticism constructively and improve the design.
Action: I took the feedback as an opportunity to learn and grow. I conducted more detailed user research, focusing specifically on our demographic. I then revised the design to simplify the user interface, improve the information architecture, and incorporate features that were friendly to less tech-savvy users.
Result: The revised design was well-received, leading to a user base growth and a significant reduction in customer service inquiries related to app usage. This experience taught me the importance of deeply understanding user needs before initiating the design process.
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How do you stay updated with the latest trends, technologies, and methodologies in UX design?
The inquiry about staying updated with trends evaluates your commitment to continuous learning, curiosity, and whether you can adapt to the rapidly evolving field of UX design.
Dos and don'ts: "To showcase staying updated, mention the resources you follow, the courses you've taken, or the community events you participate in. Highlight your continuous learning mindset, but avoid the impression of trend-chasing."
Suggested answer:
Situation: In the fast-paced field of UX design, staying updated with latest trends, technologies, and methodologies is imperative.
Task: My task is to ensure my knowledge and skills are current and relevant.
Action: I regularly follow top design blogs, participate in online UX communities, and attend industry conferences and webinars. I also take online courses to learn new tools and techniques. Furthermore, I’m part of a local design group where we meet regularly to share knowledge and critique each other's work.
Result: This continuous learning process keeps me abreast of the latest design trends and technologies, allowing me to incorporate innovative and up-to-date solutions in my work. It’s also opened up networking opportunities and sparked creative ideas from discussions with fellow designers.
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Can you share an instance where a UX design project required a significant pivot? How did you manage the change?
The question about pivoting a project shows your flexibility, problem-solving skills, your adaptability in the face of changing circumstances and the ability to manage project scope changes.
Dos and don'ts: "If you've managed significant project changes, discuss how you maintained focus on the user's needs, how you communicated the changes, and how you ensured the project's success despite the pivot."
Suggested answer:
Situation: At my previous job, I was tasked with creating a user-friendly interface for our company's internal task management system.
Task: The project was well into the design phase when changes in company policy necessitated a significant pivot.
Action: First, I reassessed the new requirements and prioritized them. I gathered feedback from the stakeholders to understand the underlying needs and challenges. Then, I revised the wireframes, retested them, and iterated the design based on the feedback.
Result: Despite the significant shift mid-way, the final design effectively addressed the changes and was praised for its improved usability. The experience taught me the importance of flexibility and adaptability in UX design.
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How do you adapt your UX design to cater to a diverse range of user needs and preferences?
Adapting UX design to cater to diverse needs shows your understanding of inclusivity and accessibility in design and your ability to cater to a wide range of user profiles.
Dos and don'ts: "When discussing adapting designs to user needs, talk about how you account for accessibility, cultural nuances, and varying user preferences. Share your design decisions that were informed by these factors."
Suggested answer:
Situation: I was tasked with redesigning a healthcare website catering to a diverse range of users – from young adults to elderly individuals.
Task: It was important to cater to the varied needs and preferences of this diverse audience.
Action: I conducted comprehensive user research, which included user personas, interviews, and usability testing with a diverse group. I incorporated accessibility principles in my design and provided different interaction options to cater to different user preferences.
Result: The final design was well-received, being called intuitive and user-friendly across the user base. It managed to cater to the needs of a diverse user base effectively, leading to an increased time spent on the site and decreased bounce rates.
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Can you discuss a UX design project that didn't meet its initial objectives? How did you identify and address the issue?
Discussing a project that didn't meet objectives assesses your problem-solving skills, your capacity to identify issues and devise appropriate solutions, and your ability to learn from failure.
Dos and don'ts: "In talking about a project that didn't meet initial objectives, be honest about the challenges and how you turned them into learning opportunities. Share your problem-solving skills and your resilience."
Suggested answer:
Situation: During my tenure at a tech startup, I was assigned the task of designing a customer service app.
Task: The initial goal was to create a feature-rich application to handle all possible customer queries and issues.
Action: However, after the first phase of usability testing, we realized the design was too complex for average users. The issue was identified through direct user feedback and data analytics showing that users were not completing tasks efficiently. I collaborated with the product and development team to simplify the design and remove unnecessary features.
Result: With these revisions, we created a more streamlined, user-centric app that improved customer service interactions, enhanced customer satisfaction, and increased retention rates.
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Can you share an experience where a UX design project didn't go as planned and what you learned from it?
Sharing experiences from projects that didn't go as planned evaluates your resilience, how you handle unforeseen challenges, and your capacity to learn from such situations.
Dos and don'ts: "For a project that didn't go as planned, demonstrate your ability to learn from mistakes, your flexibility, and how you apply those lessons to future projects."
Suggested answer:
Situation: In my previous role, I was in charge of redesigning a company's online booking system.
Task: The project didn't go as planned initially due to unforeseen technical constraints.
Action: I collaborated with the development team to understand the constraints and revisited the user research to identify features we could prioritize within the existing technical framework. The design went through several iterations and refinements to adapt to the situation.
Result: Although the process was challenging, it was also enriching. The final product was a simplified yet effective booking system that significantly improved the user experience. This experience taught me the importance of flexibility and adaptability in UX design.
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How do you evaluate your performance and strive for continuous improvement in your UX design skills?
The question on evaluating performance and striving for improvement measures your commitment to self-improvement, your ability to identify areas for growth, and your drive for excellence.
Dos and don'ts: "When discussing evaluating your performance, explain how you set personal benchmarks, seek feedback, and continually learn to improve. Show your commitment to personal growth and excellence."
Suggested answer:
Situation: As a UX designer, continuous learning and skill improvement are crucial.
Task: One way I assess my performance is by setting personal objectives for each project, aligned with the broader project goals.
Action: For instance, in one project, my objective was to improve my prototyping skills. I invested additional time to learn new prototyping tools and techniques and applied them during the project.
Result: By the end of the project, I had significantly improved my proficiency with these tools. Furthermore, by setting personal objectives, I could align my growth with project success, leading to better outcomes and personal skill enhancement.
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Can you provide an example of resolving disagreements or conflicts within your team or with stakeholders regarding UX design decisions?
Providing an example of resolving disagreements gauges your conflict resolution skills, your capacity to navigate challenging interactions, and your ability to advocate for user-centric design decisions.
Dos and don'ts: "For resolving disagreements, show your ability to communicate effectively, negotiate, and find compromises that uphold the user's interests."
Suggested answer:
Situation: In my previous role, I was involved in redesigning the user interface for a B2B software product.
Task: However, during the design phase, there was a conflict between the design team and product management regarding the design direction.
Action: As the lead UX designer, I facilitated a meeting where each team could express their viewpoints and concerns. We decided to conduct a design sprint where we prototyped both design directions and conducted usability testing.
Result: The user testing clearly favored one approach, and the disagreement was resolved. This exercise not only brought alignment to the team but also ensured that the design was grounded in user needs and preferences.
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Have you ever mentored a less experienced UX designer? If so, how did you guide their development and what was the outcome?
When asked about mentoring, recruiters are checking your leadership potential, your capacity to share knowledge, and your ability to foster growth in others.
Dos and don'ts: "If you've mentored a less experienced designer, share your mentoring philosophy, how you guided their development, and the successful outcomes."
Suggested answer:
Situation: At my previous company, I was given the opportunity to mentor a junior UX designer who had recently joined our team.
Task: My task was to guide them in developing their design skills and acclimating to our team's processes and culture.
Action: We had regular check-in meetings where we discussed their projects, progress, and any difficulties they were facing. I shared my experiences, provided constructive feedback on their work, and introduced them to useful resources.
Result: Over a period of six months, I witnessed their tremendous growth as a designer. They not only became proficient in their design work but also emerged as an integral member of our team, contributing valuable ideas during brainstorming sessions and taking the lead on smaller design projects.
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Given our company's industry focus and user profiles, how would you approach developing a UX design strategy?
The last question is about your ability to create design strategies aligned with the company's focus and user profiles, showing your strategic thinking and your understanding of the business context in which you operate.
Dos and don'ts: "In discussing a UX design strategy, demonstrate your understanding of the company's industry, user profiles, and how you would use this knowledge to create user-centric, business-aligned design strategies. Avoid generic strategies—be specific and relevant."
Suggested answer:
Situation: If I were to develop a UX design strategy for your company, I would first focus on understanding the specific industry focus and user profiles.
Task: The task would involve studying the industry trends, analyzing competitor strategies, and understanding the needs, behaviors, and motivations of your target users.
Action: Using methods such as user interviews, surveys, and user persona development, I would gather relevant insights. I would then create a user journey map to identify opportunities for enhancing the user experience.
Result: With these insights, I would formulate a UX strategy that aligns with the company's business goals, industry trends, and most importantly, the users' needs. The result would be a strategy that helps create products that not only meet but exceed user expectations, leading to higher user satisfaction and business success.
