Do these four things to prepare for UX research job interviews
At this point, I’ve had a handful of advanced or final stage job interviews for UX research roles. And I’m still looking. That said, the process has led me to a lot of invaluable UXR resources online, and I’m accruing a lot of experience and insights from all these interviews. I hope some of it might prove useful to you!
1. Don’t be afraid to ask the recruiter or hiring manager what to expect in a final or panel interview.
I was underprepared for a 90-minute panel interview, because they provided no details (other than the names of the interviewers) and I was reluctant to ask. Why was I reluctant?? A candidate with questions is a candidate who is serious about making the right impression. The worst that happens is you don’t get additional information. However, if I’d known they were looking for evidence of collaboration in research projects (as it turns out), things might have gone differently.
2. Do your homework on the company and prepare accordingly.
- Study their projects.
- Align your profile with the job description.
- Prepare specific questions relevant to this role.
- Ask for and consider any additional guidance you received from the recruiter.
I print the job description and highlight the tasks and responsibilities that align with my work experience. Then I create a table in a Google doc where I match each of these responsibilities with specific examples from my past experience. Where available, I even hyperlink to the evidence — artifacts, presentations, case studies — so I can respond to targeted questions about my background with proof.
3. Prepare a research case study to present in detail
I have struggled in past interviews because I presented UX case studies rather than UX Research case studies. Nikki Anderson and the User Research Academy have created outstanding resources for emerging UX researchers and UXR interview prep.
Practice your case study presentation with a mentor. I’ve found a lot of help on ADPList.
4. Prepare for UXR-specific interviews and questions, including the “whiteboard challenge”
This may seem a bit on the nose, but you need to prepare for UX Research-specific questions.
The following are actual questions I have been asked in interviews.
- “What is your favorite/least favorite research method? What method would you like to learn more about?”
- “Tell me about a challenging time you had on a project.”
- “How do you manage multiple simultaneous projects?”
- “How do you communicate results?”
- “It seems like you’ve worked on a lot of passion projects. How do you feel about working on projects that may not excite you personally?”
- “Can you describe the business impact of your research on a particular project?”
- “How would you respond to a skeptical stakeholder who “already knows what customers want”?
What is a research challenge?
At an advanced or final stage of the interview process, a lead researcher will ask you to respond to a research-related challenge.
Two research challenges I have gotten include:
- The airport of a major US city has hired our firm because they want to increase customer satisfaction from 55% to 75% (survey). Today is the first internal team meeting. Describe your approach to building a research plan for this project.
- Our company plans to open a new franchise grocery store. Design a research plan for the project.
If you are an emerging researcher who lacks industry experience, this is your moment to shine! But you have to do your homework.
How do you prepare for a research challenge?
- Identify a research plan template (great resources in the links below).
- Iterate research plans for potential projects — your dream project, a potential project for your prospective employer, a local volunteer project, re-iterations on previous work.
Don’t restrict yourself to digital experiences! Think service design at large: design research for your local museum, customer research to revitalize your local failing shopping mall, civic life and public safety, even a future Mars colony… The more of a connection you feel, the more motivated you’ll be to practice.
3. Complete a practice challenge within a time limit (20–30 minutes). Record yourself to review it later.
4. Find a mentor to practice a mock interview and challenge.
If you don’t know who to ask, look to your favorite UXR-related Slack group, ADPList or on LinkedIn.
Great resources for UXR job interview prep
An essential book for an emerging researcher, “Think Like a UX Researcher” will help you prepare for tough questions about your process and potential challenges in the business context of product research— for example, how to respond to difficult stakeholders, justify your decisions, push back on solution-driven approaches, advocate for generative research.
4. Prepare for general interview questions and making the right impression.
Don’t say what you can do. Tell a story. I love this article from Jessica Ivins.
If you are a LinkedIn premium member, take advantage of their vast archive of common interview questions and sample answers. And if you’re not yet a member, this alone is worth the one-month free trial.
This is my third update here — for better or worse. :-) Thanks for reading. Please share if you found any of this content helpful.
