The Questions That Matter When Hiring Designers
When marketing leaders are hiring designers, the first question is almost always something like: "Do you have experience with X tool or creating Y asset?"
I get it, it’s a surface-level way to set a bar when vetting candidates. I’ve seen it across in-house, agency, and freelance roles.
For a designer like me, with… eek… 15+ years in the industry, it’s an easy answer. Yes, I’ve done that. Yes, I’ve used that tool. Boxes checked.
But now I see up-and-coming designers struggling to show their real value, especially with the rise of AI. When every marketing director can mock up ideas themselves, using fancy tools or producing specific assets becomes less of a differentiator.
Here’s the question I wish hiring managers had asked me a decade ago, and what I think matters even more in today’s AI-driven design landscape:
What overlooked revenue levers could creative solutions unlock?
What design outputs would you prioritize to drive growth?
How do you see your role as a collaborator across departments?
How do you balance creative energy inside and outside work? (Because if it’s only work, burnout is coming.)
Those are the questions that actually show vision, collaboration, and long-term impact.
Marketing leaders, it's time to hire beyond the tools and assets. Look for the strategic designers who care about moving your business forward.
Ready for the CTA?
If this got you thinking, let’s keep the conversation going. I share more on design for B2B SaaS over on LinkedIn, and I’d love to hear your perspective. Follow me there and let’s swap ideas on what’s really driving revenue.