Hire an SaaS designer–tips for hiring SaaS designers

The design behind just about any product has become one of the most integral aspects of its success, and the Software as a service (SaaS) industry is no exception.

Designers add value to SaaS businesses, and because of the reach of their work and their familiarity with SaaS design and development, they can improve the overall quality of products.

What you need to know

If you are new to the world of recruitment or user experience design as a whole, it can be difficult to find the best candidate for specific positions. There are a few key areas of expertise you need to take into consideration:

The role and responsibilities of SaaS designers

First, you will need to understand what kind of position the SasS designer will need to fill. They need to understand the specifics of the SaaS business and the end-to-end design process—this includes conducting user research, prototyping, testing ideas, and refinement based on customer feedback. Designers also need to find issues based on data, identify user needs and integrate solutions, and create and utilize existing design systems.

Essential skills plus background

Keep in mind that most great designers specialize in a few select areas, as no one has expertise in every field. Some may specialize in how to design SaaS architecture, while others may only have a passing familiarity. However, there are specific skills that are essential for candidates to have, such as user experience (UX) research, information architecture, wireframing, visual design, prototyping, and testing.

Evaluate each candidate carefully

Typically, many designers you will encounter will not have a degree related to their skills. However, this is a career path based on skill and experience, and most candidates will be self-taught or study design after earning a degree. Instead of requiring diplomas, review candidates’ prior work and portfolios. This is one of the best ways to understand their experience.

Prepare a questionnaire

Create a set of questions based on your specific requirements and goals that each candidate can answer. Ask how good design differs from poor design, and move your way towards more complex and professional questions that will enable potential employees to formulate a clear image of the future they see themselves having in the company. It’s advisable that you pick up some SaaS website design tips before you prepare the questionnaire.

Familiarize the designer with your product and explain your work process

Designers need to be aware of what kind of product they will be working on, so be sure to provide them with information such as a guide, demo, customer interviews, and documentation.

In addition to introducing designers to your product’s aesthetic and design guidelines, you should also consider how the broader picture can help guide their decisions. Everything from your onboarding process and SaaS architecture design to the checkout and post-sale process can help inform design decisions.

It’s usually a good idea to expose designers to your entire SaaS product, not just the areas they may be working on at the time.

Devote time to training

While you might find the perfect candidate with the best portfolio, they will still need time to adjust and train in the field of SaaS design. You will typically need to supply them with a smaller project first to get a better perspective of their workflow–this will also allow you to evaluate their performance and teach them how to collaborate with new teammates.

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Things to keep in mind

This is a process that will take time and attention. Not every candidate will fit your needs, and there will undoubtedly be some trial and error. Take the time to go over all of the tips above, and you’ll be on your way to finding the right designer for you.