Mastering the Art of Interviews, Portfolios and Resumes: Insights from Boris Gomes

ATLAS SkillTech University recently hosted a virtual session for final year design students as part of their ATLAS ISDI – Placement Prep Series 2024. The esteemed inaugural speaker for the event was Boris Gomes, the Principal of Digital Design CoE at Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories. With his vast experience in digital interventions and UX design, Boris shared valuable insights on what to avoid during interviews, how to craft an impressive portfolio and the key elements to consider while creating a resume. In this blog post, we will delve into the key pointers from his session and understand the significance of each aspect.

8 Things to Avoid During an Interview

Complaining: Boris emphasised the importance of maintaining a positive attitude during interviews and advised against complaining about trivial matters such as the weather, heat or traffic.

Inappropriate Attire: Dressing professionally and appropriately is crucial in making a good first impression. Looking shabby or underdressed can hinder your chances of success.

Disinterest and Confusion: Sounding disinterested or confused can convey a lack of enthusiasm and preparedness. It is essential to showcase your passion and clarity during the interview.

Answering Without Purpose: Merely answering questions for the sake of it without providing meaningful insights or examples may undermine your credibility.

Money Matters: Discussing salary expectations or focusing excessively on monetary aspects during the initial interview stages is generally considered unprofessional.

Overconfidence: While confidence is valued, relying solely on it without adequate preparation can lead to subpar performance during the interview.

Asking Generic Questions: Avoid asking big picture questions like “what is your vision” without conducting proper research on the company and interviewer beforehand.

Lack of Research: It is crucial to familiarise yourself with the interviewer, their background and the organisation you are applying to. Going unprepared reflects poorly on your commitment and enthusiasm.

7 Things to Avoid in Your Portfolio

Quantity Over Quality: Including too many projects in your portfolio can dilute the impact. Focus on showcasing your best work and limit it to a maximum of three projects.

Unnecessary Details: Instead of overwhelming the viewer with excessive user personas, timelines, and micro boards, focus on highlighting the people you spoke to, key insights gained and finished UI designs.

Verbal Diarrhea: Keep your project descriptions concise and engaging. Avoid lengthy and convoluted explanations that may lose the reader’s interest.

Overly Fancy Mockups: While aesthetics is important, avoid using overly flashy or extravagant mockups that distract from the core design elements.

Lack of Diversity: Including only similar types of projects may give the impression that you lack versatility. Showcase a range of projects that demonstrate your adaptability and skillset.

Ambiguous Shared Projects: If you have collaborated on projects, ensure there is clarity regarding your individual contributions. Clearly outline your role and responsibilities to avoid confusion.

Weak ‘About’ Section: The ‘About’ section of your portfolio should be compelling and reflect your professional identity. Avoid generic or uninspiring descriptions that fail to leave a lasting impression.

9 Things to Avoid in a Resume

Overdesign: While creativity is appreciated, excessively designing your resume may overshadow its content. Maintain a clean and professional layout.

Large Pictures of Yourself: Adding large, attention-grabbing pictures of yourself is generally unnecessary and can be seen as unprofessional in most industries.

Misleading Titles: Unless you have genuinely held positions such as mentor, entrepreneur, or founder, avoid using such titles that may create false impressions.

Softwares and ‘Soft Skills’: Instead of merely listing software and soft skills, focus on highlighting specific technical skills and relevant accomplishments. Provide concrete examples and quantify your achievements wherever possible.

Spelling Errors and Grammar Issues: A resume filled with spelling mistakes and grammar errors reflects poorly on your attention to detail and professionalism. Proofread your resume thoroughly or seek assistance from a trusted colleague or friend.

Questionable Awards: Only include awards that are relevant, reputable, and genuinely earned. Avoid including obscure or insignificant awards that may raise doubts about their legitimacy.

Google Drive Portfolios: While online portfolios are essential, using Google Drive as your primary portfolio platform may come across as unprofessional. Opt for dedicated portfolio websites or platforms specifically designed for showcasing your work.

Fancy Summary: Instead of using flowery language or buzzwords in your summary, keep it concise and focused on highlighting your key strengths and experiences. Be clear and straightforward in conveying your professional profile.

Generic Online Courses: While online courses can be valuable for skill development, be cautious about listing generic or overly common courses. Prioritise mentioning courses that are directly relevant to your field or demonstrate specialised knowledge.

By avoiding these common resume pitfalls, you can create a compelling and well-crafted document that effectively communicates your qualifications and stands out to potential employers. Remember, your resume is often the first impression you make, so make sure it accurately represents your skills, experiences and professionalism.

By avoiding common mistakes in interviews, portfolios and resumes, aspiring designers can enhance their chances of success. Following Mr. Boris’s advice will help students make a positive impression on potential employers and showcase their skills effectively.

About Boris Gomes

Boris Gomes leads the Design Centre of Excellence at Dr. Reddy’s, solving challenges and innovating across the pharma lifecycle using the principles of design thinking for CX, UX and EX design. With expertise in semiotics, design thinking and strategy, he has worked on influential brands like Decathlon, ICICI, Pantaloons, P&G, Unilever and Vivanta. He has built digital design businesses for large agencies like DYworks and FITCH before this.