On any job search website, whether it's a Russian or international platform, you'll find dozens of openings for web designers. But the high number of vacancies doesn’t mean it’s easy to land one.
In addition to reviewing your portfolio, an employer will always want to speak with you directly. That means either inviting you to the office or conducting a video interview if the position is remote.
Preparing for an interview is just as important as creating a portfolio. You need to be fully ready—and these commonly asked questions will help you get there:
Tell us a bit about yourself
You should understand that talking about your happy childhood isn’t appropriate here. In general, personal stories should be left out. Your answer should follow a “past-present-future” format. The past includes your education and relevant work experience—basically, explain how and why you got to where you are today. Then briefly share your future plans. Don’t talk only about yourself—talk about what you can bring to the company and how your goals align with theirs.
What do you know about our company?
People like it when you talk about them. But there’s no need to overpraise the company or memorize its mission statement. It’s enough to read the company’s website, understand what it does, how long it’s been on the market, and what makes its design approach unique.
Why are you interested in this position?
Answer honestly—why did you choose this particular role out of hundreds of listings? Everyone has their own reasons. For example, maybe you’ve heard great feedback from others or believe this company offers valuable experience and strong career growth. Maybe the responsibilities and salary match your expectations. If it's not a remote role, you might mention the convenient schedule or location.
Describe your design process
This is a trick question, because there’s no single standard process. The employer just wants to see how well you can organize your workflow—especially important if the job is remote.
What challenges have you faced in your work?
This question naturally follows the previous one, and it’s a good idea to prepare in advance. Describe a specific problem and how you solved it. The example should be simple but revealing—it should highlight your personal qualities, like stress tolerance or teamwork. You might not have solved the problem alone, and that’s okay—it’s fine to mention that you worked with colleagues.
One useful way to answer this type of question is the STAR method (Situation, Target, Action, Result). Start by describing the situation, explain what your goal was, what actions you took, and what the outcome was. This helps the employer understand how you’ll handle similar situations in the future.
What project are you most proud of and why?
Like all other answers, this one requires preparation. Make a list of the projects you’ve worked on and your role in each. Choose the one that best showcases your skills and has had the biggest impact on your career. That’s the one to talk about during the interview. The STAR method works well here too.
What are the top web design trends this year?
Any up-and-coming designer should be aware of current trends in web design. While the question is broad, your answer should be specific. Mention technologies you’re familiar with and have already used this year—that’s the best way to show that you’re keeping up with modern web design.
What software do you use?
When answering, keep the job requirements in mind. It would be odd if you didn’t mention half the tools you’re expected to know. You can also take this opportunity to show that you're adaptable and eager to learn new tools quickly.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Nearly every interview ends with this question, even if you’ve already discussed your plans earlier. The employer wants to confirm that your career goals align with the company’s and that you're looking for a long-term partnership—not just a temporary job.
Most employers like to see that candidates are eager to grow and improve. It's important to show healthy ambition—but don’t overdo it. Even joking about wanting to take the boss’s job in five years isn’t a great idea.
Most interview questions focus on personal qualities and problem-solving skills, since reviewing a web designer’s portfolio is usually straightforward and doesn’t require much explanation.
Be sure to do a quick mock interview. Ask a friend to help. This will boost your confidence when it’s time for the real thing.
