40 Unconventional questions to ask when hiring UX professionals

When hiring a UX professional, it’s important to dig deeper and ask unconventional questions to gain a better understanding of their skills, mindset, and approach to user experience.

Here are 40 unconventional UX questions to consider during the hiring process:

1. Can you describe a time when you had to challenge a client’s request for a design feature that you believed would negatively impact the user experience?
2. How do you balance user needs with business goals in your design process?
3. Can you share an example of a project where you successfully advocated for user-centred design principles and achieved positive results?
4. What’s the most unusual or creative research method you’ve used to gather user insights?
5. How do you stay up-to-date with the latest UX trends and advancements?
6. Describe a time when you had to compromise on a design decision due to project constraints. How did you handle it?
7. How do you approach designing for accessibility and inclusivity in your UX work?
8. Can you explain a project where you collaborated closely with developers and how it impacted the final product?
9. Have you ever conducted usability testing in a non-traditional setting or with a unique target audience?
10. How do you handle conflicting feedback from stakeholders and users during the design process?
11. Can you describe a project where you incorporated gamification elements to enhance the user experience?
12. How do you gather feedback and iterate on your designs during the development process?
13. Have you ever worked on a project that involved designing for emerging technologies, such as virtual reality or augmented reality? If so, how did you approach it?
14. How do you handle situations where user research findings contradict your initial design assumptions?
15. Can you share an example of a project where you successfully utilized persuasive design techniques to influence user behaviour?
16. What steps do you take to ensure a smooth and intuitive onboarding experience for users?
17. Have you ever had to work on a project with tight deadlines? How did you manage your time and still deliver a quality user experience?
18. How do you incorporate storytelling into your UX designs to create an emotional connection with users?
19. Can you explain a time when you had to pivot your design direction based on user feedback? How did you handle the change?
20. What role does empathy play in your UX design process, and how do you cultivate it?
21. Have you ever had to design a complex user flow or interface? How did you ensure usability and clarity?
22. How do you handle situations where stakeholders have different opinions about the target user group?
23. Can you describe a project where you used micro-interactions to enhance the overall user experience?
24. How do you approach designing for mobile devices versus desktop experiences?
25. Have you ever conducted guerrilla testing or other quick and cost-effective research methods? Share your experience.
26. How do you ensure consistency in the user experience across different platforms and devices?
27. Can you share an example of a project that you designed for emotional or delight-driven interactions?
28. How do you incorporate user feedback and analytics into your design decisions?
29. Have you ever had to balance the need for data-driven design decisions with the importance of intuition and creativity? How did you find the right balance?
30. Can you explain a project where you collaborated with a content strategist or copywriter to create a cohesive user experience?
31. How do you approach designing for users with limited technical literacy or digital skills?
32. Can you describe a project where you successfully incorporated user-generated content or community-driven features?
33. How do you handle situations where there is a lack of clear user goals or user data?
34. Have you ever worked on a project that required designing for multiple languages or cultures? How did you ensure cultural sensitivity?
35. Can you explain a project where you designed seamless transitions between different touchpoints or devices?
36. How do you ensure that your designs are accessible to users with visual impairments or other disabilities?
37. Can you share an example of a project where you used storytelling techniques to create a compelling user journey?
38. How do you approach usability testing for complex or data-intensive interfaces?
39. Have you ever worked on a project where you needed to design for an older demographic? How did you address their unique needs?
40. Can you describe a time when you had to make design decisions based on limited data or research insights?

These questions can help you gain valuable insights into a UX professional’s problem-solving abilities, collaboration skills, design thinking, and their overall approach to creating exceptional user experiences. Remember to adapt and tailor these questions to your specific needs and the nature of the UX role you are hiring for.