❤️ #57 - Want to be a LEGO Designer?

Hi Friend!
Welcome back to Design Scramble, where I send out weekly job posts focused on the design field.

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“What does the recruitment process at LEGO look like?”

I get asked this question a lot, so thought i’d share a bit about it. Also its - The LEGO Group…

All roles are posted on the careers page over here → https://www.lego.com/en-us/careers/search So be sure to check that out first.

Filter by location and then category (Creative & Design). I never fill in the Keyword cause its not so hard scrolling through 10-20 postings usually in the results.

Once you find a role that suits, be sure to apply with

1. An updated CV (I usually tailor my CV to a job I apply to)

2. A portfolio (I personally prefer to have a lite PDF version of my portfolio + website)

3. A Cover Letter (Don’t use chatgpt… and keep it short)

What happens after you apply?

Step 1: Online Application filtering

Our dedicated team of recruiters filters all applications to quickly identify mismatches. For instance, we’ve seen actual architects apply for systems architect roles or very junior candidates apply for senior designer positions. So, your application title and CV are crucial. If you don’t take the time to align your application with the role, you may be filtered out.

Once we identify suitable matches—typically around 30%-40% for a design role with over 100 applications—these are sent to the hiring manager. For example, the last product designer role I posted received 380 applications for one open position within a week. I wish I could hire everyone! 😔 

The hiring manager (me) will review the applications provided and also check the entire list to ensure no unsuitable candidates slipped through. Fortunately, I’ve always received a strong list of applicants.

Step 2: HR Interviews

These interviews are more like “vibe checks” with the HR recruiter. We conduct phone interviews with all selected candidates to gauge communication skills, presentation, experience, and teamwork. We want to hear about recent projects, challenges faced, and how you overcame them, as our work is highly collaborative. So you are not presenting your portfolio per say, but yourself as a person.

After these interviews, the applicant pool narrows to about 10%-15% of the original candidates.

Step 3: Meet The Team

In this stage, the hiring manager, a team member, and the recruiter will conduct one-on-one interviews with each designer. We delve into your skills, specific projects, and past roles. This is when we evaluate your design and communication skills, as well as your interests and passions.

It’s also a chance for you to learn more about us and the role. Feel free to ask as many detailed questions as you like; we’re always open to sharing what we can! 😊 (And no, we cannot tell you which project you will be working on)

Step 4: Final Round Case Study / Design Challenge

The final stage involves a design challenge and interview with the hiring manager, one or more team members, and the recruiter. Selected candidates (now about 5% of the pool) will receive a design challenge 3-4 days before the final interview.

This task, estimated to take 4-5 hours, won’t be directly related to any company projects but will assess your skills relevant to the role. It’s an opportunity to showcase the quality of your work and your ability to present and defend your design choices.

Step 5: Best Part

You’re hired!

But, there is one more route, specifically for “Model Designers”… it’s all the same steps… BUT the final round is in person. With all final candidates. In a group design workshop. For 2 whole days. At the LEGO Group HQ.

Imagine like a micro LEGO Masters challenge.

So, there you have it, that’s the process in a nutshell. Not every single round goes exactly the same, but this is the overview I prep for.

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At the LEGO Group, there is this amazing role for a senior leader to take on. It will be leading a great design team developing amazing products for schools and classrooms. This is not a role for a new or inexperienced designer.

Senior Roles with 8+ years of leadership experience

1. Digital Design Director, LEGO Education (Billund, Denmark)

2. Prototype Studio Lead (Director) (Billund, Denmark)

3. Interactive Play Design Manager (Billund, Denmark)

Mid Senior Roles with 3-5 years of design experience

1. Senior Interactive Play Designer (Billund, Denmark)

2. Senior Innovation Strategist (Denmark or UK)

Entry - Junior Level

1. Brand & Packaging Design Specialist (Parental Cover) (Billund, Denmark)

2. Retail CAD Designer (Billund, Copenhagen, Denmark)

3. Concept Product Designer Talent Pool (Billund, Denmark)

4. Product Designer Talent Pool (Billund, Denmark)

The experience level is what I would use as a guideline based on my experience with these roles, please don’t hold it as gospel.

As always keep an eye out on the career page here → https://www.lego.com/en-us/careers/search

I am not recruiting for any of the roles posted above, so have little to no insight about process specifically.

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Love,
Sid.

Who am I?
I am a Design Director at The LEGO Group and live in Denamrk. I love it when you write to me. Especially if you have job tips or if you have read one of my little pieces and have another topic idea!

Write me! Linkedin 

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