Ruyi reflects on her Innovation Hub work-study hiring journey, from the initial application to the final decision. She looks back at how she responded to uncertainty and how a hiring process can reveal the culture of a potential workplace.
Written by Ruyi Zhang, Design Research, Master of Information, User Experience Design
My job search was a frantic scramble of submitting endless resumes with no call-backs until my classmates recommended the Innovation Hub. They shared their experiences and mentioned that the iHub’s work environment might align with my interests and field. When I found the design researcher opening, it felt like a sign; I had found a perfect fit for my passion for user-centric design. Throughout the process, I felt both excited and uncertain, gradually gaining a sense of progress as I completed each step. Looking back, the experience became part of my learning journey through the hiring process.
From Cautious Application to Hopeful Candidate
Before applying to iHub, the first thing that stood out to me was the introductory session called “Working at the iHub”. It was not a standard HR presentation listing job descriptions or qualifications. Instead, the team introduced their current projects, the challenges they were facing, and what kind of students might be a good fit for the role. They also explained the hiring process in detail so we knew what to expect. Listening to them talk about the work gave me a clearer sense of what applying meant, which helped me manage some of the uncertainty I usually feel at the start of applications.
After the session, I spent a long time reviewing my resume and cover letter. I wanted my materials to reflect both my skills and why this role connects to my learning goals. Once I submitted my application, the shift from an anxious state of mind to a calm one felt natural. Thanks to the “Working at the iHub” event, I had a clearer understanding of the role and how to present myself. The pre-application stage taught me the value of clarity, both in realizing what a position needs and communicating who I am through my application.
Navigating Ambiguity with Intention
After submitting my application, I had moved on to the next phase of the hiring process; the interview challenge. The interview challenge was a way for the iHub to assess my skills and see if I could be a potential fit for the team. Because I was applying for the design researcher role, my interview challenge was specific to the skills of a design researcher: independently analyzing data. The interview challenge was open to my interpretation and did not have a clear benchmark for success. I had to make my own decisions about how to define the problem, frame my response, and articulate my reasoning. Working through the interview challenge, I learned to navigate uncertainty by relying on my expertise and competences, which strengthened my confidence in adapting to new challenges.
A few days later, I was invited to an interview. The team shared a clear agenda in advance, which helped me understand what to expect and how to prepare. The questions I received prompted me to reflect on my decisions and explain the thinking behind them. The interview was structured but supportive, and the conversation felt focused on understanding, not evaluation. Through this stage, I began to see how the structure and tone of a hiring process can reflect a team’s day-to-day ways of working. I learned this because of how the team communicated throughout the process with clarity, consistency, and openness to different perspectives. These qualities closely matched the kind of collaborative environment I hoped to be part of.
Understanding the Team Beyond the Role
After the interview, the team stayed in touch with clear and timely updates, which helped me understand what to expect at each stage. Even before receiving the final decision, I felt that the process itself had already offered me something meaningful: a preview of how the team works and what they value in their day-to-day interactions.
Although I still had moments of uncertainty, I began focusing less on my own performance and more on how the team interacted with me at each step. I began to see a work culture that balances structure with flexibility and guidance with autonomy. This final stage reminded me that hiring is not only about the skills I bring to the table, but it’s also about evaluating the team and the environment I am going to join. The way the team handled ambiguity through steady communication and thoughtful pacing offered insight into how they collaborated. It helped me understand whether this was a space where I could grow and contribute meaningfully.
The Hiring Process as a Learning Experience
Each stage of the hiring process became a part of my learning experience. From preparing my application to completing the interview challenge and participating in the interview, I observed how I respond to different levels of uncertainty and structure. These moments helped me evaluate both the role and the team, ensuring that the way the work aligns with how I approach collaboration and problem-solving. In the future, I’ll look at a team’s approach to communication and decision-making during the hiring process to decide if their way of working is right for me.
Understanding Workplace Culture Before Accepting a Role
For anyone applying for a role, it is worth paying attention to more than the position description. Notice how the team communicates, how clearly they set expectations, and how they respond to questions or uncertainties. These interactions can provide valuable insight into the work culture you may be joining. A hiring process is not only an evaluation of you but also an opportunity for you to evaluate the team. The iHub team is hiring work-study students – apply today!
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