As more companies become aware of the massive value associated with providing a remarkable user experience, the demand for effective UX designers is consistently rising. The technology revolution has exposed the consumer to an infinite amount information, while also offering the opportunity for customers to determine the level of their experience, leaving consumers with remarkably high expectations as far as their user experience is concerned. As a matter of fact, a poor user experience is one of the top reasons for an elevated bounce rate.
The Importance of Hiring a Qualified UX Designer
There are several reasons that justify hiring a UX professional. What is ironic though is the fact that the haste to create the ideal user experience has served to create a substantial number of instances in which the end product has been a substandard user experience. There is a great demand for UX designers who have the capacity to create the ideal user experience for the company that hires them. However, the fact that this particular aspect of the industry is relatively new, most companies are not sure what they should be looking for when hiring a UX designer. Unfortunately, supply and demand is contributing to the enigmatic issue.
Without a lucidly defined standard, or an understanding of what makes a great user experience and how to achieve, it can be a literal toss up of whether a company will end up with a qualified UX designer or just someone who has filled the role. This means that many companies are walking completely blind into the hiring process, without any guidelines to help them understand when they have finally encountered a viable candidate for the job.
Understanding the User Experience
A company needs to have a lucid perspicacity of the user experience that they provide. They need to be able to express what they want their customers to experience when visiting their site or location. It is with this knowledge that the company can develop a baseline of their expectations for their new UX designer. Each person has a unique set of skills, and they also have a unique philosophy, meaning that not every person will be an ideal fit for the job. Below you will find a number of remarkable tips that every company should give a significant amount of consideration to before beginning the hiring process.
Know Your Unique Problem
The reason that your company is hiring a UX designer is to engage a significant problem or a set of problems that negatively impact the user experience. By making yourself familiar with the problems that are negatively affecting the user experience, it will provide a clear portrait of what you will be looking for in the ideal candidate.
The user experience design exists in an immensely wide spectrum, meaning that it is extremely paramount that a company be keenly aware of what it is that they need. For example, if your primary issue is with the performance of your website, and you believe that your site is outdated, then you primary focus should be on hiring someone that is capable of addressing the visual effects and interface design of the site. Conversely, if you are looking to launch an entirely new internet-based product, it will probably be vital for you to focus on finding someone who specializes in research, strategy and implementation. Additional skills that would be necessary are a strong business sense and leadership skills.
Know Your Process
There is a need to understand how the teams within your company function, individually and collectively, so that you will be able to understand how this new person would fit into the scheme of things. Additionally, this will provide the capacity to project the type of chemistry a person would create with your existing team. Chemistry is extremely important.
Whether your schematics are developed on an agile method or a waterfall model will also play a vital role in the hiring process. The gravity that is given to user feedback and analysis will be important as well. All of this helps to define the user experience, and it will determine what the UX designer will need to design for your company.
Know Your People
This particular tip cannot be overstated. The truth is that every strategy and model that will be implemented will be executed by individuals with unique personalities and skill sets. It is paramount that you develop an intimate understanding of your existing staff, their skills and the impact they have on the team. Where many companies fail in this process, is that their UX designer that they hire is not a good fit for the existing chemistry, subsequently turning things upside down and upsetting vital elements of the team.
One of the common issues that companies run into when attempting to hire a UX designer is the resentment of a person on the team that happens to have the word “designer” in their title. However, just because the word “designer” is in someone’s title or description does not mean that they have the skills and expertise to design a great experience. With that being said, you still want to take the time to evaluate the skill sets of those people who are already employed by you. The last thing you want to do is overlook someone who is capable of getting the job done.
Summing it Up
The field of user experience is rapidly evolving. User experience is no longer confined to aesthetic appeal; it involves the organization and presentation of information, and the intuitive design associated with the online product, but it is so much more. Ultimately, creating a great user experience is about understanding the journey that takes place on your site, and having a lucid understanding of what it takes to enhance that journey. So, before you begin the process of hiring someone to create a great user experience, make sure that you understand what it is that you are expecting them to create.
Want to learn more?
Want to get an industry-recognized Course Certificate in UX Design, Design Thinking, UI Design, or another related design topic? Online UX courses from the Interaction Design Foundation can provide you with industry-relevant skills to advance your UX career. For example, Design Thinking, Become a UX Designer from Scratch, Conducting Usability Testing or User Research – Methods and Best Practices are some of the most popular courses. Good luck on your learning journey!
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