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Transitioning into UX design
I have a diverse background, and just finished a UX design certificate program. I haven't gotten any interview offers... How can I get a UX design job? My portfolio is at https://jywdesigns.com/ #career #uxdesign #nontraditionalbackground
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6 answers
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Johanna’s Answer
The most difficult part is getting your first job. Here is some advise I've given to other people in your situation...
- Network like crazy. Go to meetup events, message designers on linkedin and offer to buy them coffee. Try to immerse yourself in the design community. When you meet, show a genuine interest in them. See if there are ways to help them out in any way. Then, let them know what your looking for and ask them for what they look for in new entry-level design hires at their company.
- Work with a recruiter (or several) who specialize in UX roles.
- Be open to contract work as a way of getting some experience.
- If you're desperate, offer to do small, well-scoped freebie projects for startups...a single usability test, a sign up form redesign, etc. in exchange for a linkedIn recommendations a portfolio piece.
The most important thing for hiring managers is relevant experience. Since you're new to UX, you'll need to build experience any way you can. Smaller companies and startups are more open to less-experienced designers especially for contract roles.
Good luck!
Thank you, Johanna! I have been doing some of the things you mentioned. I guess it'd just a matter of time.
Jenny
Updated
Ana’s Answer
Getting the first UX job is the hardest part, it does get easier after that.
Some additional tips:
- Follow up if you haven't received any reply back from the companies you've applied for. You can get relevant feedback from the companies and types of roles you're looking for, so you can adapt your approach, portfolio and learning goals.
- Think about your transferrable skills from non-UX roles that are relevant to UX.
- Consider tailoring your approach for each role: cover letter, resume, etc. If you have more case studies, you can keep your 3 best ones in your portfolio and send others in pdf format or separate link according to how relevant they are to the role you're applying for.
- Recommendations and social proof: They're another great addition to your portfolio and LinkedIn. Even if you haven't worked within a real business context, consider previous roles or those who worked with you in a class project.
- Consider sending some spontaneous applications as well.
Good luck!
Updated
Martina’s Answer
Hi Jenny
You need to stand out. I was in your shoes with UX research in 2019 and had to think outside the box. I found networking never worked for me. People often ghosted me when I would request a coffee and ignore my requests and questions. I think that worked a while back before everyone was doing it. This is what I found worked for me.
1. Making an effort with recruiters and targeting contract roles - they are easier to get and will give you experience you will need to get a permanent job. Make good relationships - a good recruiter will be your bridge to hiring manager.
2. having PDFs of couple of my good studies to send to recruiters via email along with my resume.
3. Understanding ATS systems (applicant tracking software) and how your resume can get rejected if it is not tailor made for ATS (see jobscan.co)
4. Doing free work to get experience and good LinkedIn recommendation - also gives you things to talk about in interviews
5. Practicing interview skills aloud - thinking through and practicing answering questions (you can find lots of really good videos on You Tube)
6. Having a killer deck to present in portfolio reviews
7. Resume should concentrate on deliverables and impact ( I saw your resume - it can be improved in that respect) and lead with experience, because that is what every hiring manager will look for (even when they say they don't - this will be your biggest obstacle so you need to make every bit of your life sound relevant to UX)
8. Design a resume that stands out and is easy to parse for a busy hiring manager.
9. Be consistent with how you label yourself. From your resume, there are a lot of different titles (e.g., Web designer, UX designer/researcher). Consolidate them to a title you are looking to fill (e.g., UX designer) and cut off any irrelevant experience from your resume, because it detracts from what you are trying to accomplish. Or refer to it in a way that can be tied to UX.
10. Link your portfolio studies to things you mention in your resume, where you mention what you did for that study.
11. Make your resume pretty with color so it can be parsed.
Happy to chat further and give you more specific pointers.
You need to stand out. I was in your shoes with UX research in 2019 and had to think outside the box. I found networking never worked for me. People often ghosted me when I would request a coffee and ignore my requests and questions. I think that worked a while back before everyone was doing it. This is what I found worked for me.
1. Making an effort with recruiters and targeting contract roles - they are easier to get and will give you experience you will need to get a permanent job. Make good relationships - a good recruiter will be your bridge to hiring manager.
2. having PDFs of couple of my good studies to send to recruiters via email along with my resume.
3. Understanding ATS systems (applicant tracking software) and how your resume can get rejected if it is not tailor made for ATS (see jobscan.co)
4. Doing free work to get experience and good LinkedIn recommendation - also gives you things to talk about in interviews
5. Practicing interview skills aloud - thinking through and practicing answering questions (you can find lots of really good videos on You Tube)
6. Having a killer deck to present in portfolio reviews
7. Resume should concentrate on deliverables and impact ( I saw your resume - it can be improved in that respect) and lead with experience, because that is what every hiring manager will look for (even when they say they don't - this will be your biggest obstacle so you need to make every bit of your life sound relevant to UX)
8. Design a resume that stands out and is easy to parse for a busy hiring manager.
9. Be consistent with how you label yourself. From your resume, there are a lot of different titles (e.g., Web designer, UX designer/researcher). Consolidate them to a title you are looking to fill (e.g., UX designer) and cut off any irrelevant experience from your resume, because it detracts from what you are trying to accomplish. Or refer to it in a way that can be tied to UX.
10. Link your portfolio studies to things you mention in your resume, where you mention what you did for that study.
11. Make your resume pretty with color so it can be parsed.
Happy to chat further and give you more specific pointers.
Updated
Rosti’s Answer
I have worked with lots of folks in UX so I think I have some first hand experience. Let me give you some tips for landing that job:
- Look in places where other candidates are not looking. What do I mean? Think outside the box and pick up your local business journal newspaper (https://www.bizjournals.com/). Look at articles for companies that are expanding or new to your area. Check out their websites and check for UX postings. I think typically people just look at the big Tech Companies like Google but overlook the smaller and mid sized companies.
- Go to Hackathons and other networking events. You should check out the even calendars of local universities usually lots of those events are not for students only and are open to the public.
- Look for "Startup Accelerators" - these are places where you will find lots of small companies who will also likely be looking for talent. You can then go to the websites of the companies that are based in that accelerator and also check for their listings. Here is one link for the Seattle area for example https://fi.co/insight/seattle-s-18-best-startup-accelerators-incubators
- Get a trial of LinkedIn Premium. Turn on alerts for jobs with UX related keywords.
- Check state and government sites https://www.usajobs.gov/
Remember that even though you are talented - people are not necessarily going to send you requests for interviews. You need to get out there and apply!
Updated
Kyle’s Answer
The previous responses have been insightful, but I'd like to propose an alternative strategy you can begin implementing: infusing storytelling into your portfolio. This doesn't imply transforming your portfolio case studies into fairy tales or grand sagas. Rather, it's about effectively conveying your concepts, rationale, execution, and results in a clear, digestible format.
Don't shy away from revealing failures or challenges you encountered and couldn't surmount. It's crucial to include these experiences in your case study. We're interested in your problem-solving methods and, most significantly, the lessons you gleaned from these situations. I frequently observe novice UX designers presenting their case studies through an overly optimistic lens, showing little to no struggle in their narratives. This isn't reflective of reality, even in academic or program projects.
Once you've mastered the fundamental principles of storytelling, feel free to infuse your unique personality into your case studies to make them more authentic.
I hope this advice is helpful, and I wish you the best of luck!
Sign up on Access Your Potential’s site for group/semester or one-time mentoring with PwC professionals focused on fostering connection, community, accountability and learning as you work toward your career goals. Sign up to have access to this free program and more here: accessyourpotential.pwc.com.
Don't shy away from revealing failures or challenges you encountered and couldn't surmount. It's crucial to include these experiences in your case study. We're interested in your problem-solving methods and, most significantly, the lessons you gleaned from these situations. I frequently observe novice UX designers presenting their case studies through an overly optimistic lens, showing little to no struggle in their narratives. This isn't reflective of reality, even in academic or program projects.
Once you've mastered the fundamental principles of storytelling, feel free to infuse your unique personality into your case studies to make them more authentic.
I hope this advice is helpful, and I wish you the best of luck!
Sign up on Access Your Potential’s site for group/semester or one-time mentoring with PwC professionals focused on fostering connection, community, accountability and learning as you work toward your career goals. Sign up to have access to this free program and more here: accessyourpotential.pwc.com.
Kelle Link, MBA
User Experience, Roadmapping, Strategy, Service Design, Business Design, Innovation
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Answers
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Kelle’s Answer
When I started out in UX, I reached out to local charities and completed UX/UI work for them to build a portfolio of "real work". That really helps. I did an online brochure for an organisation for the blind, and also for an animal sanctuary.