Practice 31 Graphic Design interview questions covering portfolio presentation, creative process, and software expertise.
Question 9 of 31
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The Goal
How to Answer
Telling a client 'no"
Community Answers

Gentry has over 15 years of experience leading in-house agency teams where he has interviewed and hired numerous candidates for design, photography, and video production.
Inevitably, we will all have a client that wants something that cannot be delivered. The interviewer wants to find out if you accept the reality of this issue. And, the interviewer wants to hear how you will approach it when it happens.

Gentry has over 15 years of experience leading in-house agency teams where he has interviewed and hired numerous candidates for design, photography, and video production.
The goal of your answer is to acknowledge that at some point we will have a client that wants the impossible. You need to demonstrate your comfort level and competency in navigating the situation. You want to show that you can create solutions in challenging situations.

Gentry has over 15 years of experience leading in-house agency teams where he has interviewed and hired numerous candidates for design, photography, and video production.
This isn't a trick question. You shouldn't say something like "I would never tell a client no." You should choose an example where you found a resolution to the situation that led to a compromise.

Gentry has over 15 years of experience leading in-house agency teams where he has interviewed and hired numerous candidates for design, photography, and video production.
I think it is important to tell a client "no" if what they are asking is overly ambitious or could result in a negative outcome. The last thing I want to do is promise to deliver on something that I can't. My approach is not just telling a client "no, this can't be done." My approach is telling the client, "I can't accomplish that, but here is what I can do." By taking time to explore with the client, you may be able to find a solution or compromise that results in most of what they wanted to accomplish.

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Written by Gentry Edwards
31 Questions & Answers • Graphic Design

By Gentry

By Gentry