Make a Lasting Impression on Your First Design Internship Interview
Attention design students about to go on your first internship job interviews…
Are you feeling a mix of excitement and angst? Don’t stress it, we're here to walk you through it!
Prepare to make a lasting impression with these essentials to get ready for your internship interviews.
Research the company and its design ethos.
Take the time to understand the company's mission, values, and design philosophy.
Impress the interviewers by showing your knowledge about design and their work.
Use it to align your answers with their vision.
Thoroughly review your portfolio.
Carefully select your best work samples that showcase your skills and versatility as a designer.
Be prepared to confidently explain your design decisions, process, and the impact of your work.
Practice presenting clear and concise project explanations.
Test all tech if you are presenting digitally.
Stay updated on design principles and industry trends.
Keep yourself informed about the latest tools, techniques, and emerging design trends.
Demonstrate to your interviewers that you're not only knowledgeable but also passionate about design and learning beyond the basics.
Prepare for common design interview questions.
Reflect on your design journey, the challenges you've overcome, and the projects you're proud of.
Practice answering questions about collaboration, problem-solving, and your design process.
Be ready to showcase your communication skills.
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Dress professionally and arrive early.
Remember, first impressions matter!
Dress appropriately, taking into account the company's culture.
Arrive a few minutes early to show respect for the interviewer's time and demonstrate your professionalism - in-person or virtually.
Be confident, authentic, and enthusiastic!
Embrace your unique perspective, let your passion shine through, and above all, be yourself during the interview.
Remember, it's not just about landing the internship, but also finding the right fit for your personal and professional growth.
Don't forget to say thank you!
Make sure you follow up after your interview thanking them for their time.
It's not only a common courtesy, but also demonstrates how you'll communicate with their team and clients.
Reference some key moments during the conversation and reiterate your interest in the position.
Close Out Strong by saying you look forward to hearing back from them.
Good luck with your first internship interviews.
You've got this!
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Great writeup Thomas Foley! I can't agree more with your point about following up to send a "Thank you" message after an interview. I've sent countless "thank you" emails to people interviewing me over the years, and the responses I get always lead me to believe that a lot of candidates will not do this simple courtesy. This is a great way to set yourself apart from the sea of candidates, and it's just a nice thing to do overall.