The measure of an interaction designer

While the job description may list a set of criteria that companies look, how an employee is evaluated after they get on board may be a whole different story. You may be evaluated on the following (from an actual peer evaluation form for an interaction designer position):

Job Knowledge:

• Understands goals and objectives of the department
• Knowledge of customer use models and committed to customer focus
• Expertise and experience in user interface design principles, processes, and testing methodology
• Depth and breadth of domain knowledge in user experience development technologies (XHTML, CSS, JavaScript, WSYWYG tools)
• Experience in designing and architecting enterprise-grade (usable, efficient, and engaging) user interfaces, and demonstrated ability to articulate and make technology and/or design choices that maximize customer and shareholder value
• Knowledge of user interface trends
• Provides valuable, insightful feedback as a reviewer, buddy
• Timeliness and commitment to respond to customer requests (external and internal partners)
• Demonstrates original thinking and creativity in proposing and developing viable new concepts, contributor of new and effective ideas and methods
• Dependability and flexibility to take on a variety of job responsibilities
• Maintains effective communication with peers, management, and internal partners to minimize fire drills, anxiety, and missed customer expectations
• Demonstrates follow-though, needs minimal supervision / works independently

Analytical / Judgment:

• Makes timely, and objective decisions based on facts and experience
• Ability to identify and think through problems in a logical manner
• Distinguishes between theory and realistic implementation
• Assesses situations and prioritizes course of action
• Uses logic and common sense and knows when to ask for help
• Demonstrates original thinking and creative approaches to problem solving
• Knows when is the right time to debate, to decide, and to deploy a decision

Professional Attributes:

• Organizes ideas clearly and effectively, produces clear, accurate documents and responses to queries
• Plans are well-thought-out and clearly documented, tasks are accomplished in an efficient and timely manner
• Reaches objective decisions by understanding and evaluating all aspects of a situation, makes quick accurate recommendations/decisions
• Willing to lead and follow, inspires high quality/quantity results while maintaining team morale
• Interacts appropriately to meet goals, shares information, credit and responsibility
• Personal productivity, able to meet aggressive deadlines, make progress on multiple assignments with effective time slicing, and context switching
• Verbal and written communication skills and proficiency in using necessary channel of communication
• Is a quick learner of new technologies, technical concepts and comes up to speed rapidly in new areas of responsibility
• Proactively seeks out and embraces best practices
• Has a positive “can do” attitude. Helps identify problems, and potential solutions to make forward progress
• Is a self starter, demonstrates initiative (for self growth, and reaching beyond area of responsibility)

Interpersonal / Leadership:

• Performs well under pressure
• Clearly communicates ideas and is responsive, candid, accessible, and consistent
• Listens well, is understanding of other perspectives and points of view
• Interacts appropriately, develops and maintains good rapport with team members, peers and superiors, both within and outside the department
• Open to new ideas, demonstrates flexibility
• Conducts himself / herself professionally (integrity, respect for individual, effective handling of proprietary and confidential information)
• Serves as a good role model, is approachable, and provides coaching
• Demonstrates culture / gender sensitivity and creates a positive and productive work environment
• Constructively handles confrontations, gives benefit of doubt and works towards conflict resolution
• Demonstrates influencing and negotiation skills with internal and external stake holders, thought leaders, and team members
• Helps build a strong team through recruitment, coaching, providing constructive performance feedback, team building
• Is viewed as an expert in terms of level of Industry experience, domain knowledge, and technical expertise
• Thinks strategically, able to see forest from the trees