Hey UX & Product Designers- this one is for you!
As someone who browses through dozens of portfolios daily, I have noticed a trend in UX & Product Designers who are most successful at landing a gig. Here are 5 tips to help you land a UX/Product Design role:
1. YOUR PORTFOLIO IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS YOUR DATING PROFILE
That’s right, folks: These days Hiring Managers swipe left faster than you can say “User Experience”. Which is why it’s so important that you have a portfolio showcasing your best work & is current on design trends. This doesn’t mean that you have to code a complete portfolio from scratch, but you can get a good idea of what a successful portfolio looks like by checking out portfolios of folks with a solid following on sites like Dribbble (www.dribbble.com)
2. LET US SEE HOW YOUR MIND WORKS
This is a big one. Hiring Managers want to see your thought process/strategy. A portfolio with eye-catching images is great, but your secret sauce is letting the viewer see how you solve design problems. This means making sure to write out an explanation of your process with each project showcased in your portfolio. A lot of successful candidates will include their wireframes, prototypes, user research/use cases, as well as an explanation of the original problem, the strategy & the solution with the finished product.
3. TAILOR YOUR RESUME
I often see resumes that are a bit too broad on experience. I get it, you want to show off your one-man-show super skills, but a focused resume goes a long way. When you see a job that you like and want to “go for it”- just take a step back, look at the description & tailor your resume for that specific job based on the skills that they are looking for. For example, if you are applying to a UX/Product Designer position, the Hiring Manager probably won’t be excited about your ability to create beautiful Visuals/UI.
4. KNOW HOW AWESOME YOU ARE
Being proud of your work is important. When you land an interview, be confident in your work & show excitement. Hiring Managers want you to walk them through each project, so be prepared to deliver a smooth presentation. Create bullet points if you have to, but be prepared to dazzle them with your sparkling personality & sexy brain. Keep in mind that there is a gentle balance between being confident and being boastful!
5. USE AN AGENCY
In today’s world, we are all pretty much numbers, keywords and searches. The days of showing up with a portfolio & resume in hand to charm your way into your dream job are over #RIP. Don’t fear, though! Creative
Design specialty staffing agencies such as 80Twenty are a great resource to help make sure that Hiring Managers see your portfolios/resumes. Agencies provide a free service for candidates & act as a great bridge to connect you with the right people.
I realize that there are several moving parts to a job search, but these steps will move you closer to your end goal of being an irreplaceable asset at your next gig!