Describe a successful team-based design project. What was your role within the team, and how did you contribute to the projects' success?

How to Answer
Answer Example

Teamwork is an essential component of pulling together a successful design project. The interviewer wants to know that when you are working within a design team that you are a positive contributing member. No one project is precisely the same, which requires a great deal of flexibility from all team members. The best design teams are not usually hierarchical. Instead, they are more free-flowing and innovative.

Using the STAR framework (Situation, Task, Action, Result), take the time to tell a story surrounding your ability to collaborate and help your team to generate a positive result. State your typical role in a team-based project, and describe how you contribute.

"(Situation) When I was working on the public library design project, there was conflict as we had to follow plenty of regulations and work alongside government employees. (Task) When I work as part of a design team, I often take on the role of 'people problem solver.' I can sense friction, and I can quickly see when a conflict is brewing. In times of disagreement, I have a natural ability to see all sides and communicate with others effectively to come up with a situation. (Action) In this instance, I would carefully listen during meetings and take note of communication roadblocks. I expressed that to succeed, we needed to have a shared language and vision. We needed to win together and lose together. I often identified forgotten tasks, and project needs we had lost in translation between the designers and the contractors. I spent my time clarifying these issues by bringing together the designers and contractors in quick daily meetings. (Result) My approach took some time and a lot of effort, but we solved many communication issues along the way. Of course, I did not resolve all of the problems; however, the mediator role that I took helped the project to stay on track in many senses."

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How to Answer: Describe a successful team-based design project. What was your role within the team, and how did you contribute to the projects' success?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for an Interior Designer job interview.

1. Describe a successful team-based design project. What was your role within the team, and how did you contribute to the projects' success?

How to Answer

Teamwork is an essential component of pulling together a successful design project. The interviewer wants to know that when you are working within a design team that you are a positive contributing member. No one project is precisely the same, which requires a great deal of flexibility from all team members. The best design teams are not usually hierarchical. Instead, they are more free-flowing and innovative.

Using the STAR framework (Situation, Task, Action, Result), take the time to tell a story surrounding your ability to collaborate and help your team to generate a positive result. State your typical role in a team-based project, and describe how you contribute.

Written by Rachelle Enns on July 5th, 2020

Answer Example

"(Situation) When I was working on the public library design project, there was conflict as we had to follow plenty of regulations and work alongside government employees. (Task) When I work as part of a design team, I often take on the role of 'people problem solver.' I can sense friction, and I can quickly see when a conflict is brewing. In times of disagreement, I have a natural ability to see all sides and communicate with others effectively to come up with a situation. (Action) In this instance, I would carefully listen during meetings and take note of communication roadblocks. I expressed that to succeed, we needed to have a shared language and vision. We needed to win together and lose together. I often identified forgotten tasks, and project needs we had lost in translation between the designers and the contractors. I spent my time clarifying these issues by bringing together the designers and contractors in quick daily meetings. (Result) My approach took some time and a lot of effort, but we solved many communication issues along the way. Of course, I did not resolve all of the problems; however, the mediator role that I took helped the project to stay on track in many senses."

Written by Rachelle Enns on July 5th, 2020

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