4 Common Graphic Design Job Interview Mistakes You Want to Avoid

I have interviewed for dozens of graphic design jobs over the years, and have also been on the other side of the table as the person grilling potential candidates. I wish I could say that I always executed my interviews flawlessly, but the truth is that I have messed up my fair share. There are so many nuanced things that go into an interview, from how you present yourself to the tone you choose to speak with.

When you head to your next graphic design job interview, make sure to avoid these potentially deal-breaking mistakes and instead put your best foot forward so you can land the job of your dreams:

1. Not Learning About The Company You Are Interviewing With

One of the biggest graphic design job interview mistakes you can make is to head into an interview without first taking the time to get to know the company. Most businesses – especially design agencies – have unique company cultures, values, and goals. Failing to understand this will set you back big time, especially if the hiring manager asks questions that relate directly to how you see yourself and your skills fitting in at their company. Researching a company does not take long; 20-30 minutes of prep work before your interview will go a long way in helping you get a feel for what makes that specific business tick.

2. Showing Up Late

This is an obvious one, but you would be surprised how many people show up late to interviews. Even worse, a lot of people then try to cover that error by making excuses. This is not just unprofessional. It is also really disrespectful and shows you do not value the interviewer’s time. If you must be late, you definitely should call ahead to let the company know. Pro tip: the hiring manager does not need to know (and frankly does not really care) about how bad traffic was, or how sick your cat was that morning, or how your roommate accidentally unplugged your alarm clock. As a good rule of thumb, plan to be AT LEAST 15 minutes early and you will avoid most timeline setbacks the day may throw your way.

3. Not Dressing to Impress

While you certainly do not need to go all out and arrive at your interview in formal wear, you still need to assume a high level of formality and polish with what you choose to put on. I have heard it put this way: Dress for the job you want, not the one you have. If you show up in a hoodie and jeans, you send the message that you value comfort over professionalism. Unsure of what you should wear to your job interview? Check out the company’s social media pages to see what your future coworkers have worn in the past - this will give you a good idea of where the bar has been set for workplace attire.

4. Not Asking Questions

 Most hiring managers will structure a job interview so that it focuses on the candidate, but if you only answer the questions asked of you, you miss a huge opportunity to learn about the company and to make a lasting impression that just might set you apart from the rest of the people interviewing for the position. If you have done your homework and learned a bit about the company and workplace culture before the interview, you can ask well-intentioned, informed questions about what it is like to work there and more. This will give the interviewer a chance to open up and will perhaps even create a more conversational atmosphere in the hiring room. 

Remember: heading to a graphic design job interview does not have to be stressful. If you smile, choose your words thoughtfully, and avoid the mistakes mentioned in this article, you will be well on your way to standing out to the hiring manager and – hopefully – beating out the other prospective candidates and landing the job.