hiring for the perfect fit - warm gun 2014 - opening keynote

Finding the Perfect Fit @KimGoodwin - Warm Gun 2014 © 2014

@kimgoodwinWarm Gun 2014

5 lessons for finding the perfect fit


avoid the wrong choice

don’t miss theright opportunity


5 Lessons


1

Hire with a long-termgrowth plan

in mind.


Small teams need generalists


Big teams can use specialists

Corkscrew CC-By Alex May


% grow % buy


Senior project lead

Mid-level

Junior


2

Understand the market.


Hiring managers expect this:#

of p

eopl

e

level of expertise


But it’s probably more like this:#

of p

eopl

e

level of expertise


# of

peo

ple

level of expertise

Skilled specialists, generalists, and team leads


# of

peo

ple

level of expertise

Spotty or developing skills


Experience does not equal expertise


Likely value of 5 years:

100% small team or startup

100%mid-to-large

design consultancy

60% consultancy

&40%

in-house


It takes craft to assess craft


Ask

Be honest

Trade


HCI vs. design

Academic program strengths & weaknesses

Also: education matters


3

Make 2 lists before you post the job.


User Experience (UX) designers connect people with products & services in meaningful, enduring ways.

•Formal education & experience in visual, interactive, UX or industrial design

•Proven foundation in industry standard design processes, methods, & tools

•Proven innovative vision supported by a disciplined attention to detail

•Demonstrated written & verbal interaction skills•Knowledge of HTML and CSS•Experience working in an Agile environment•Visual design experience, particularly in layout

and information design


1 responsibilities

2 skills needed

3 job posting


1 responsibilities

2 skills needed

3 job posting

set job expectations

evaluate candidates

excite candidates


skills needed

NOT experience with your:- Product- Design problem- Design tools- Development tools


- User research- Problem definition- Service & system design- Interaction design- Information architecture- Visual design- Content strategy

- Usability testing- Listening- Communication- Collaboration- Negotiation

What skills?


More granular =easier to assess


- Knows what to ask stakeholders & users

- Synthesizes multiple perspectives

- Clearly & concisely identifies core issues

- Brings others along in the thought process

- Negotiates agreement to proceed

Problem definition skills


Knows basic concepts

Can do with coaching

Can do very well solo

Can teach others

Skill 1

Skill 2

Skill 3

Skill 4

Skill 5

Define what level you need


Similar-to-me effect


4

Focus the evaluation process on the

skills you need.


Portfolios & CVs are mostly bozo filters, not proof


Beware the aesthetic usability effect


Beware seductive pixels & sticky notes


More:- Goals- Process- Role- Results- Lessons


Interviewing


Tell me about a time when...


Show me


Conversation, not interrogation


Look foractions, not just words


5

Be real to close the right

deal.


Remember to say I’m excited about you


Thanks! Where to find me:My book:Designing for the Digital Age

Random brain droppings:@KimGoodwin on Twitter

Email:[email protected]@patientslikeme.com

hiring for the perfect fit - warm gun 2014 - opening keynote

Recruiting & HR