15 Interviewing Tips from DFA Collab

At some point in time, every DFAer has asked themselves “How do I describe what I do in DFA?” We turned to DFA alums DFA alums for their answers and some of their lessons learned when it comes to talking about DFA in interviews. Take a look at what they’ve shared!

1. “Design” means different things to different people. To get them on your side, highlight that DFA spans all disciplines and that design means more than just graphic and product design.
2. In describing the DFA process, underscore that we explore and understand the real problem before we start going after a solution.
3. Write down anticipated questions and practice your responses to minimize your chances of being caught off guard.
4. Do a psych up before interviews! People are looking for the good in you and all you have to do is not get bogged down in self questioning.
5. Don’t articulate the benefits of DFA or your candidacy by highlighting negatives — focus on positives and try to keep a positive atmosphere in the conversation. For example, don’t say “This field lacks a use-centered design process, and DFA is better because it embraces the user” and instead, say “DFA utilized a user-centered design process and here are some ways that embracing the user can make this field better…”
6. In a similar vein, be able to positively articulate your value in a non-competitive way. For example, instead of focusing on other candidates and how you are presumably more qualified, emphasize your own skill sets and value. In a nutshell, try not to articulate your value in a negative light when it could be done positively.
7. In both cases of interviewing and networking, it’s important to be sincere, not overthink things, and don’t say what you think the interviewer wants to hear. If there is an interview question and you don’t know the answer, don’t make the mistake of trying to make it seem like you do know. You can say “Well that’s a great question and I don’t know the answer, but here’s how I would work through it” or asking clarifying questions to ensure you have a proper understanding of the question.
8. Be able to ask questions back to interviewers. It is important to get a deep understanding of what the culture is like in that office or that line of work. Don’t be afraid of digging deep asking a question like, “How are conflicts resolved in the office? Can you give me an example of a conflict and the steps that were taken to resolve it?”
9. Practice is key. Do mock interviews with people you know. The more you practice, the more natural interviewing becomes. All of your responses should follow the STAR method (Situation, Task , Action, Result).
10. Always do research on the company and the interviewer before your interview! What are some projects they catch you interest? What has been latest news? Things like this can help jumpstart a great conversation.
11. Informational interviews are great and try to get in as many as you can!
12. Telling specific examples versus abstract ideas is important. Projects are something tangible you can talk about, but break it down to the problem, the wireframes, and the processes that are more easily digestible. If you’ve worked on a sponsored projects with a big company name, feel free to name drop to bring credibility to your work.
13. Even before the interview, when searching for a job, keep in mind that an entry level job won’t always give you exactly what you want to do but are a great opportunity to learn new things. Find the organization that has an environment that will make you happy and most importantly, facilitate your growth.
14. Be okay with silence.
15. Make sure that you know what you’re getting yourself into. Know your story, know yourself. Practice a ton so that it sounds natural to you!