The Hidden Rules of Product Design Interviews
Erin Essex
Sr Interaction Designer Google | Youtube
Great designers get rejected every day. Learn why.
The best candidate doesn't always get the offer — the one who understands how hiring decisions are made does.
The strongest candidates know interviews are as much about psychology as they are about design. Every conversation is a chance to build trust, demonstrate judgment, and help interviewers picture you as a future teammate. You're constantly sending signals that influence hiring decisions. This workshop shows you what those signals are and how to use them to your advantage.
You'll learn what hiring teams evaluate beyond your portfolio, how to build genuine rapport, and how to tell stories that stick. You'll also learn how AI is changing the hiring process, including how to confidently discuss your AI workflow, decision-making, and judgment.
Finally, strengthen the soft skills that separate strong candidates from great hires, including communication, executive presence, storytelling, and influence.
Need support?
Scholarships are available for students who require financial assistance. You can apply for a scholarship here: Scholarship Application
What you’ll learn
Why you're getting rejected, techniques that will change this, and the confidence to ace any interview going forward.
Learn the checks and balances recruiters make before moving you to the next stage of the interview process.
Key things to have on your application when applying to senior+ roles.
Understand what recruiters are actually testing you on through out the process.
Explore how you can improve these determining factors to get the offer.
Understand how to read and respond to different types of interviewers.
Learn how to curate authentic connections with your interviewers so you can leave them wanting more.
Dive into a variety of AI related interview questions and understand the meaning behind each of them.
Learn how to respond to different AI related questions accordingly, whether or not you have experience with AI tools.
Build your storytelling skills to communicate your product thinking, team work, decision making skills and more to interviewers.
Explore variables that positively and negatively effect your communication.
Workshop agenda
Evaluation [20 min]
The best designer doesn't always get the job — the one who understands what they're being evaluated on does. You'll learn what interviewers are actually evaluating you on so you can plan strategically
Hidden Rules [20 min]
Different org size, different interview strategy. We'll dive into how agencies and smaller org interviews differ from big tech. You will learn trade secrets you can apply to move on to the next step.
Value [45 min]
Achievements are nothing if you cannot relay your value to the interviewer. Learn how to effectively communicate your value to the team in professional and impactful ways.
🍵Break [15 min]
Stretch your legs! Go grab coffee, tea, or whatever else you need!
Connection & Persuasion [60 min]
Understanding interview psychology is key to controlling the outcome. You will learn how to authentically connect with your interviewer and subliminally persuade them to choose you to move forward.
🍵Break [15 min]
Stretch your legs! Get a snack and grab some water!
The AI Conversation [45 min]
If you're interviewing in tech, you will be asked about AI —so let's talk about it. I will walk you through a variety of AI interview questions, explain what they mean, and demonstrate how to respond.
Q&A [20 min]
Feel free to ask any final questions on your mind.
Learn directly from Erin
Erin Essex
Design Leader at Google | Ex. Product Design Director of MongoDB & Shutterstock
Who this workshop is for
Design Professionals
Thinking about looking for a new role? Cut your prep work in half by learning vetted, industry interviewing secrets.
Active Interviewers
Not sure what's holding you back? Join this workshop to learn everything you didn't know you needed on interviewing.
Team Leads & Senior Level Designers
This workshop holds recruiter secrets that'll help anyone looking to advance into more senior positions.
What's included
Live sessions
Learn directly from Erin Essex in a real-time, interactive format.
Lifetime access
Go back to course content and recordings whenever you need to.
Community of peers
Stay accountable and share insights with like-minded professionals.
Certificate of completion
Share your new skills with your employer or on LinkedIn.
Maven Guarantee
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Frequently asked questions
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Reimbursement
Get your company to pay
Everything L&D needs: email template, receipts, and certificate of completion.
Get reimbursedTeam discount
Learn with your teammates
Save 20%+ when 2 or more teammates enroll in the same cohort.
Save 20%+ with a teamPrivate cohort
Run a cohort for your org
A dedicated cohort with a custom schedule and curriculum, tailored to your team.
Book a private cohort$249
USD
1–5pm EDT