[Warm Gun 2014] PatientsLikeMe >> Kim Goodwin, "You’re Hired! Strategies for Finding the Perfect Fit"

Finding the Perfect Fit @KimGoodwin - Warm Gun 2014 © 2014
@kimgoodwin
Warm Gun 2014
5 lessons for finding the
perfect fit

avoid the
wrong choice
don’t miss the
right opportunity

5 Lessons

1
Hire with a long-term
growth 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:
#ofpeople
level of expertise

But it’s probably more like this:
#ofpeople
level of expertise

#ofpeople
level of expertise
Skilled specialists,
generalists, and team leads

#ofpeople
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 for
actions, 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:
KimGoodwin@me.com
KGoodwin@patientslikeme.com

[Warm Gun 2014] PatientsLikeMe >> Kim Goodwin, "You’re Hired! Strategies for Finding the Perfect Fit"

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