1. What is a UX/UI Designer at ADP?

At ADP, a UX/UI Designer plays a pivotal role in transforming the complex world of Human Capital Management (HCM) into intuitive, elegant experiences. You are not just designing screens; you are simplifying the lives of millions of employees and HR practitioners who rely on our software for payroll, benefits, talent management, and compliance. This role sits at the intersection of strategy, design, and user advocacy, requiring you to navigate the complexities of enterprise-grade software while delivering consumer-grade usability.

In this position, you will work on critical platforms such as our next-generation SMB solutions or "The Zone," our enterprise CRM built on Salesforce Service Cloud. Your work directly impacts how businesses manage their most valuable asset—their people. Whether you are designing for a small business owner running their first payroll or a customer service associate supporting global clients, your goal is to achieve simplicity and productivity at an epic scale. You will collaborate closely with Product Managers, Developers, and the UX Research team to ensure every design decision is grounded in data and empathy.

2. Getting Ready for Your Interviews

Preparation for the ADP interview process requires a shift in mindset. We are looking for designers who are "owners and doers"—people who can think strategically but are also willing to get their hands dirty to master their craft. You should approach your preparation not just by reviewing your portfolio, but by analyzing how your process aligns with our values of courageous collaboration and innovation.

Your interviewers will evaluate you based on the following key criteria:

Complex Systems Thinking ADP products are inherently complex, dealing with tax regulations, compliance, and intricate workflows. Interviewers will assess your ability to take ambiguous, heavy requirements and distill them into clean, linear user flows. You must demonstrate that you can design for scalability and handle edge cases, not just "happy paths."

Data-Driven Design Rationale We are committed to leveraging research to create easy-to-use experiences. You will be evaluated on your ability to explain the "why" behind your design decisions. You must show how you partner with UX Researchers (or conduct your own research) to validate assumptions and how you use quantitative and qualitative data to iterate on your work.

Courageous Collaboration "Courageous team collaboration" is a core ADP value. We look for candidates who can facilitate workshops, speak up during difficult conversations, and challenge ideas constructively to find the best solution. You need to demonstrate how you work with cross-functional partners (Product Owners, Developers) to deliver high-quality work within technical and business constraints.

3. Interview Process Overview

The interview process at ADP is designed to be thorough yet efficient, aiming to assess both your craft and your cultural alignment. Typically, the process begins with a recruiter screen to discuss your background and interest in the role. This is followed by a hiring manager screen, which focuses on your high-level experience and fit for the specific team (e.g., SMB platform, Service Technology).

If you advance, you will move to the core interview loop. This stage is rigorous and typically involves a deep-dive portfolio presentation followed by a series of one-on-one interviews. During the portfolio review, expect to present 1–2 comprehensive case studies to a panel of designers, researchers, and product partners. They will probe into your process, asking specific questions about how you handled constraints, how you utilized research, and how you collaborated with engineering. Subsequent individual interviews will focus on behavioral questions, collaboration style, and specific competencies like accessibility or design system usage.

ADP’s interviewing philosophy emphasizes "evidence over opinion." We want to see proof of your impact. The process is structured to give you ample opportunity to showcase not just the final UI, but the messy, complex problem-solving journey that got you there.

This timeline represents the standard flow for a UX/UI Designer. Use this to pace your preparation: ensure your portfolio case studies are polished before the Hiring Manager screen, as they may ask to see a quick example even before the formal panel. Be prepared for a mix of remote video calls, and ensure your presentation deck is formatted for screen sharing.

4. Deep Dive into Evaluation Areas

To succeed, you must demonstrate mastery in several core areas. Based on our hiring criteria and the nature of our work, here is what you need to prepare for.

Portfolio & Case Study Presentation

This is the most critical part of the evaluation. You must show that you can handle end-to-end design in a complex environment.

Be ready to go over:

• Problem Definition: clearly articulating the user problem and the business goal.
• Discovery & Research: How you gathered insights (interviews, surveys, data analysis).
• Iterative Process: Showing low-fidelity sketches, wireframes, and how feedback changed your direction.
• Advanced concepts: Designing for accessibility (ADA compliance), internationalization, or specific platforms like Salesforce Lightning.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Walk us through a project where the requirements changed halfway through. How did you adapt?"
• "Show us a design decision you made that was backed by specific user research data."
• "How did you handle a situation where the engineering team said your design was not feasible?"

Collaboration & Stakeholder Management

ADP values associates who act like owners. We want to know how you influence strategy and work with others.

Be ready to go over:

• Cross-functional partnership: Working with Product Managers to define requirements and Developers to ensure implementation quality.
• Workshop facilitation: Experience running design sprints or discovery workshops.
• Conflict resolution: Handling "courageous conversations" when you disagree with a stakeholder.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Tell me about a time you had to challenge a Product Manager's feature request because it was bad for the user."
• "How do you evangelize the value of UX to stakeholders who may not understand it?"

Interaction Design & Complexity

Because our products manage payroll and HR, precision is key.

Be ready to go over:

• Information Architecture: Organizing dense data sets and complex navigation structures.
• Prototyping: Using tools like Figma to create interactive flows that demonstrate logic, not just visuals.
• Design Systems: Experience working with and contributing to enterprise design systems (e.g., Salesforce Lightning Design System).

Example questions or scenarios:

• "How do you approach designing a dashboard that needs to show high-density data without overwhelming the user?"
• "Describe your experience working with a shared component library. How do you decide when to create a custom component?"

5. Key Responsibilities

As a UX/UI Designer at ADP, your day-to-day work is varied and fast-paced. You are expected to be a hands-on contributor who also thinks strategically.

You will spend a significant portion of your time in Figma, crafting high-fidelity designs and interactive prototypes. However, you will not design in a silo. You will actively collaborate with UX Researchers to understand client needs, often observing user testing sessions or reviewing research insights to inform your next iteration. You will translate these insights into elegant solutions for products like our cloud-based payroll, tax, and benefits solutions.

Collaboration with engineering is constant. You will work in an Agile/Scrum environment, participating in stand-ups, sprint planning, and design reviews. You will produce design specifications and work closely with developers to ensure the final build matches the design intent. For roles within our Service Technology team, you may specifically focus on the Salesforce Service Cloud CRM, designing workflows that empower customer service associates.

Beyond execution, you will contribute to the broader design culture. This includes participating in design critiques, contributing to our design system, and potentially facilitating workshops to help teams define problem spaces. You are expected to be the "voice of the practitioner," ensuring that empathy for the client is central to every product decision.

6. Role Requirements & Qualifications

Candidates who thrive at ADP typically possess a blend of strong craft, technical knowledge, and enterprise experience.

Must-Have Skills:

• Experience: Typically 3–5+ years in UX/UI design, preferably in B2B, SaaS, or Enterprise environments.
• Tool Proficiency: Expert-level skills in Figma for design and prototyping.
• Research Literacy: Ability to partner with researchers and translate testing results into design recommendations.
• Complex Problem Solving: Proven ability to simplify complex workflows (e.g., fintech, healthcare, HCM, or CRM tools).
• Communication: Strong verbal and written skills to articulate design rationale to non-designers.

Nice-to-Have Skills:

• Salesforce Ecosystem: Experience with Salesforce Lightning Design System is highly valued for specific teams (e.g., Service Tech).
• Domain Knowledge: Prior experience in HCM, Payroll, or HR technology.
• Workshop Facilitation: Experience designing and leading remote or in-person workshops (Mural/Miro).
• Prototyping Tools: Familiarity with tools like Maze or protopie for advanced testing.

7. Common Interview Questions

The following questions are representative of what you might face at ADP. They focus heavily on your process, your ability to handle complexity, and your collaboration style. Do not memorize answers; instead, use these to practice telling your stories using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

Portfolio & Craft

• "Walk me through a case study where you had to simplify a highly complex workflow. What was the before and after?"
• "How do you decide when to strictly follow a design system versus when to break the pattern?"
• "Show me an example of how you designed for accessibility (ADA) in a recent project."
• "How do you handle error states and edge cases in your designs? Can you show an example?"

Collaboration & Behavioral

• "Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a developer regarding the feasibility of your design. How did you resolve it?"
• "Describe a time you received critical feedback on a design you loved. How did you handle it?"
• "How do you balance business requirements (e.g., speed to market) with user needs?"
• "Give an example of 'courageous collaboration' where you had to speak up to ensure the right user outcome."

Research & Strategy

• "How do you validate your design decisions before handing them off to development?"
• "If you don't have access to a dedicated researcher, how do you gather user insights?"
• "How do you use data (quantitative) to inform your design changes?"

8. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How technical do I need to be for this role? You do not need to write code, but you must understand how software is built. You should be comfortable discussing technical constraints with developers and understanding the limitations of the platforms you are designing for (e.g., web, mobile, Salesforce).

Q: Is domain knowledge in Payroll or HR required? While not strictly required, it is a significant advantage. If you lack this experience, focus on demonstrating your ability to learn complex domains quickly. Show case studies from other regulated or data-heavy industries like fintech or healthcare.

Q: What is the work culture like for designers at ADP? The culture is described as "mission-driven" and collaborative. ADP values "curious learners" and associates who support one another. It is a large enterprise, so navigating organizational structure is part of the job, but there is a strong emphasis on empathy and "giving back" to the community.

Q: Will I be working alone or in a team? You will rarely work alone. You will likely be embedded in a cross-functional "Agile work team" (scrum team) consisting of a Product Owner, Developers, and QA, while also maintaining a dotted line to the central UX organization for design critiques and support.

Q: What is the remote work policy? Many roles at ADP are hybrid (e.g., based in Roseland, NJ; New York, NY; or Alpharetta, GA), requiring some days in the office. However, some roles are fully remote. Always verify the specific location requirements with your recruiter.

9. Other General Tips

Focus on the "Why" In every answer, whether about a wireframe or a conflict, explain why you made that choice. ADP interviewers look for intentionality. Avoid saying "I designed it this way because it looked good." Instead, say "I designed it this way because research showed users struggled with the previous navigation."

Highlight Enterprise Experience If you have experience designing for internal tools, B2B dashboards, or CRM systems, highlight them. ADP builds tools for people to do their jobs. Consumer-facing "flashy" apps are less relevant than robust, efficient productivity tools.

Demonstrate "Ownership" ADP looks for people who "act like an owner." Don't just talk about what the team did; be clear about what you specifically contributed. Use "I" statements to define your role in the project's success.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions ADP places high value on their cultural pillars. Review their values (Insightful Expertise, Integrity is Everything, Service Excellence, Inspiring Innovation, Each Person Counts, Results-Driven, Social Responsibility) and prepare stories that align with them.

10. Summary & Next Steps

Securing a UX/UI Designer role at ADP is an opportunity to work at a massive scale, influencing products that touch millions of workers globally. It is a role that demands intellectual rigor, empathy, and the ability to simplify the complex. By preparing case studies that highlight your problem-solving skills in enterprise environments and demonstrating your ability to collaborate courageously, you will set yourself apart from other candidates.

Focus your preparation on your portfolio presentation—ensure it tells a compelling story of data-driven design. Be ready to discuss how you partner with research and engineering to deliver real user outcomes. Approach the interview with confidence, showing them that you are not just a designer, but a strategic partner ready to shape the future of work.

This salary data provides a baseline for the role. Note that compensation at ADP often includes a base salary plus potential bonuses or equity, depending on the specific level (Senior vs. Lead) and location (NY/NJ vs. Remote). Use this range to guide your expectations, but remember that total compensation packages are often competitive for the enterprise tech sector.

For more interview insights and to track your progress, explore additional resources on Dataford. Good luck!