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Most people think interviews are won with perfect answers. My first interview proved the opposite.
A friend of mine, who was teaching Web Development at an ICT Academy, told me there was an opening for a Systems Software and Hardware tutor. At that time, I was deep in System Hardware, Networking, System Software, and Graphics Design. I also worked as a System Engineer while training students who came in for industrial attachment.
He knew my skill set, and he thought I was a good fit for the role. I wasn’t looking for a new job, so I didn’t commit to anything. But that Monday afternoon, he called me and said, “Come now. They want to meet you.”
So I went.
I sat with the HR manager and the Studies Director. The HR manager opened with the classic question:
“Tell us about yourself.”
I froze. My reply? “What do you want to know?”
I still laugh when I remember the look on her face. In that moment, I knew I had flunked the interview. My answers weren’t polished. My delivery was scattered. Confidence wasn’t exactly jumping out of me. In the end, they asked me to step out for a moment. When they called me back in, they offered me the role on the spot, System Hardware, System Software, and Networking tutor, with a salary 2 times what I was earning. Actually, three roles rolled into one.
What I learned, and what many designers still don’t realize
Today, someone with strong skills, proven value, and real experience will often stand out in an interview even if their communication isn’t perfect. UX interviews often feel intimidating because we think the entire outcome depends on how smoothly we talk.
But the truth is simpler:
- Your work speaks.
- Your process speaks.
- Your thinking speaks.
- Your experience speaks before you even walk into the room.
As a senior designer, I’ve seen people who interview perfectly but deliver average results. And I’ve seen people who interview nervously but produce world-class work.
The industry values:
- clarity of thought
- problem-solving ability
- craftsmanship
- collaboration
- humility to learn
- proof of impact
If your portfolio shows this, the interview becomes a conversation, not an evaluation.
My 2012 experience taught me something I still share with junior designers today:
Talent + Value + Evidence will carry you farther than flawless communication ever will.
But if you add referrals into that mix? Your career moves even faster. Because in many cases, your referral speaks loudest of all.
If you’ve ever had an interview that surprised you, good or bad, I’d love to hear what you learned from it.
