Tips for Navigating the UX Job Search

In the past week, I've reviewed almost 400 applications for our Product Designer position at Heyo. Here's what stood out and helped candidates move to the interview phase: 1. Impressive Work: We’re looking for portfolio pieces that make us pause and think, "We want this in our portfolio." Your work should excite us and match the quality our clients expect. 2. Match Your Work to Our Quality: A tip I share with mentees is to screenshot a company’s portfolio and replace a few of their graphics with your work. Does it match their quality? If your work is within a 25% range of our current projects, I’m interested and see growth potential. If it’s better, heck yes, now I’m excited to see if you can raise our bar. 3. Show End Results First: Start with the final product. I appreciate detailed case studies, but show the goods up front. Make me want to scroll through the rest of your work, not feel obligated. 4. Prune Your Portfolio: Remove weaker projects to raise the "average score" we may rate your portfolio. Ask friends for honest feedback. A streamlined portfolio of strong work can transform your presentation. 5. Show the Work Clearly: Ensure your portfolio has relevant preview images. If I don't see exciting work immediately (or the image doesn't pertain to your project), I might not click through to the case study. 6. Optimize Your Site: Slow sites with heavy animations are frustrating. Make sure your portfolio loads quickly and is easy to navigate. 7. Understand the Role: Tailor your application to the type of business and role. For agencies like ours, a balanced UI/UX skillset is crucial due to quick project turnarounds. In full transparency, I've reviewed a lot of UX heavy applicants that are missing the UI skillset as well. Additional Advice: Follow Application Instructions: Apply through the job posting. Direct messages with your portfolio and CV can get lost in the shuffle. Don’t Request Calls Without Context: I’m balancing my regular workload and reviewing applications. If you want to chat, send your work first. This isn't going to skip you to an interview. Timing for Networking: I’m open to talking shop and discussing design, but during hiring seasons, it’s best to connect after things calm down. If you're interested in the Product Designer, Motion Designer, or upcoming Developer roles we'll be posting this week, you can apply at https://heyo.is/growing and subscribe to be alerted for future opportunities with us. #Design #JobSearch #Hiring #CareerAdvice #ProductDesign #PortfolioTips #ProductDesigner

I cracked 4 UX portfolio rounds using this advice from my peers. One of the most crucial steps to landing a UX internship is the portfolio deck round. This round, typically led by a designer, might or might not be preceded by a phone screening. You'll usually have 15-20 minutes per case study, allowing you to present 1 or 2 depending on the time limit. I recommend showcasing 2 projects to demonstrate a wider range of skills. Tailor your presentation to the job description, highlighting relevant areas like visual design, user research, design systems, etc. Here are 3 key things to consider beyond your core UX skills: 1. Business Goals First: Companies hire UX designers for a reason – return on investment (ROI). Emphasize how you prioritized business objectives and how your design decisions resulted in financial gains for your previous employer. 2. Embrace the T-Shaped Designer: We all want to appear exceptional, but honesty goes a long way. Focus on being a "T-Shaped" designer – having a deep expertise in one area (visual design, user research, etc.) with a broad understanding of others. Recruiters can see through inflated claims, so be genuine about your skillset. 3. Inject Personality! You're more than just a portfolio! Infuse some humor, mention your hobbies outside of UX. Show them you're a well-rounded individual and a potential team player. Pro Tip: Personalized Decks Trump Websites While many designers rely solely on their websites, I strongly recommend creating personalized decks for each company. Integrate their brand identity throughout your presentation. This small touch demonstrates your genuine interest in working with them! Following these tips helped me advance beyond the portfolio round at companies like Asana, NBCUniversal, and Sleeper, reaching the design challenge and whiteboarding stages. If you'd want to discuss more about your upcoming portfolio deck do let me know in the comments or reach out to me personally ⬇️ #UXDesign #PortfolioTips #UXInternship #DesignJobs

Less than 5% of tech companies hire entry-level UX talent in 2025. The brutal reality? Over 508,000 tech employees have been laid off since 2022. You're not just competing with bootcamp grads anymore—you're up against experienced UX pros from huge layoffs. Here's my 4-step strategy that's working in the hostile 2025 market: Target these roles instead: - Visual Designer with UX focus (companies need UI skills first) - Government/Civil Service UX roles (UK hired 2,500 tech roles by June 2025) - Healthcare and Fintech UX positions (massive digital transformation happening) - Interaction Designer roles (average $103,359 vs $77,123 for entry-level UX) Build a portfolio that proves business impact: - Focus on UI skills as your main showcase (hiring managers complain bootcamp grads can't deliver visual quality) - Include measurable outcomes: "Increased conversion by X%" not just process diagrams - Show accessibility and responsive design knowledge - Document decision-making, not just pretty screens Network in overlooked growth sectors: - Join government digital transformation communities - Connect with designers in healthcare, finance, and civil service - Engage with design leaders in non-traditional tech companies - Skip the oversaturated startup scene Apply the "Specialization First" method: - Pick one industry (fintech, healthcare, gov) and become the go-to junior - Create 3 case studies specific to that sector - Learn industry-specific compliance and requirements - Show you understand their unique constraints and opportunities The UX job market isn't broken - it's just competitive. While others are playing the numbers game, you'll be playing chess. Companies don't hire portfolios, they hire problem-solvers who can make their lives easier. --- PS: What's the biggest obstacle you're facing in your UX job search right now? Follow me, John Balboa. I swear I'm friendly and I won't detach your components.

Advice for #UX job seekers: Do NOT "spray and pray." It doesn't work. To wit: Every day I get at least 10 connection requests where the person blasts me with a list of what they do and the job they want; its the equivalent of "Hi. I do UX. Hire me." Here are the two big problems with that approach and why, if you do this, you should stop: 1. I am an independent UX consultant; I don’t hire anyone. So not only will pitching me here not help you, it also SCREAMS to me that you don’t really know who I am or what I do. That doesn’t hurt you here because, again, I don’t hire — but if you make the same mistake with a potential employer, they’ll get the same impression. And not only will they ignore you, they’ll talk about you to their colleagues. Moral of the story: pitch your abilities or resume in a way specific to that company and the positions you KNOW they actually have open. This approach you’re taking now — sending the same generic, impersonal bullshit to every possible employer — will only hurt you. 2. Don’t ever just paste your credentials like this. It gives the impression you’re doing it to every person you meet. It also communicates that the only reason you requested a connection is to further your own career, which comes across as very selfish. Instead, take the time to write something that makes the person feel like you really want to work with THEM and them alone. Talk to people like they’re people. Make it a point to communiciate the fact that you know what they do, whrere they work, what kind of work they do. Explain WHY all of that is of interest to you and why you wnat to work with them. Be specific, be clear and treat them with RESPECT in those communications. YES, that's a lot of work. YES, you must do it. There are no shortcuts. #UXcareer #UXjobs #ProductDesign

A little over a month ago, two people from my network messaged me cold to strike up a conversation. Both UX researchers on the job hunt. Today, one of them joined the team at Key Lime Interactive!! I've been reflecting on what this one person did well that made them stand out. This might help anyone else who is on the job hunt: 1. Approached me like a human and chatted about mutual interests, and asked for advice (i.e., informational interview approach) -- This approach made it easy for me to respond in a non-transactional way, and generated interesting conversation that I was happy to engage in 2. Approached LinkedIn as a tool to communicate skills, experiences, and goals; not as a job board -- The winning candidate posted several quality posts on LinkedIn about their career and their experience, even drawing on some of the topics we discussed -- That kind of rapid synthesis made me think of this person as a real researcher; they showed that they were listening and thinking in a focused manner, and validated the conversation we had 3. Continued to check in and update me with questions and observations; did not stop at the first exchange -- Anyone on the internet can be fly-by-night, here today and gone tomorrow -- What is impressive is showing up consistently with enthusiasm and curiosity, and being courageous enough to reach out to people you've never met to build relationships ------ A bit of strategic planning and strong curiosity go very far in a job hunt. To summarize: - Advice is free and easy to give; ask for advice, listen, and apply what you learn - Go the route of enthusiasm and curiosity; show that you are eager to learn from others because you share the same goals they do - Practice writing and talking about what makes you uniquely you; this will help you present your best self during interviews Let me know if this resonates! What have you found that is effective? #careergrowth #mindset #uxresearch #uxdesign #linkedin

The job search these days is not as simple as just applying for a role. Unfortunately there are several other steps that have become a “requirement.” Following this steps will increase your chances, but sadly I can’t guarantee that this will always help you land that role (I wish!) Here's 4 steps I’d highly encourage you add into your job search process 1️⃣ Network Whether you do this in person or online, connecting with other individuals in the industry is a helpful step. Look for Designers in roles or companies you are interested in. Reach out to them to learn from them. DO NOT ASK FOR A JOB. Yes, that was intentionally in all caps. This step is not to ask a stranger for a job, but rather to create a relationship with them to help you get one in the future. 2️⃣ Tailor application A big part of the job search is understanding if you are a good culture fit. Meaning, they are interested to see if you would meld well for the team. I call this out, since I believe it’s vital to show your passions and interests. So tailoring each application slightly not only allows for you to show these connections to your life, but also show the level of effort you put into the application. 3️⃣ Be strategic about role Playing the numbers game is not an effective method. On the other hand, being strategic about the industries you want to do UX within is. Pick 2-3 areas that interest you and connect to your passions. Find 30 companies within those areas that are new to you and that you would be interested to work at. Look at their websites to see if you they have any openings and apply! This way, even though you still are applying to a number of roles, each one will relate to an area you already are interested in. 4️⃣ Continue to learn and practice your skill sets The field is constantly changing and growing so you should be too! Find new projects, either client or passion, to work on. Practice the skills that you struggle with or areas you just learned about. This way, you have enough to showcase on your portfolio but also you stay actively practicing! If your on the job search right now, let me know in the comments which number you are missing out on!

Which comes first: your first UX Research role, or your first experiences doing UX Research? With many job descriptions asking for some combination of work experience or case studies, it can seem a daunting — even impossible — paradox for folks seeking a first role. The good news is that you can develop a compelling portfolio of case studies even before starting a job. Here are six ways to build confidence and case studies before your first UXR role: - Repurpose existing work from graduate programs or adjacent careers to highlight relevant skills and experiences for UX research roles - Keep a list of unfriendly designs encountered and use them as a starting point for practice projects to develop research skills. - Offer your research skills to nonprofits or charitable organizations to help improve their websites and make a tangible impact while gaining experience. - Join apprenticeship groups that work on real projects for startups and other causes, providing opportunities to simulate a realistic working environment. - Volunteer your research skills and insights to early-stage startups, potentially making a significant impact on their future while gaining valuable experience. - Start earning money by reaching out to your network for freelance UX research projects or joining project marketplaces like Upwork or Fiverr. Several of these involve raising your hand for volunteer work — which might feel like a step backwards, but one that will hopefully enable you to take two steps forwards. And they may not be necessary for everyone. As others mentioned in last week's poll, some folks will successfully land a role without case studies. Any other ideas?

Many people believe you should start applying to UX jobs immediately after you created your UX portfolio. But I don't. Here's why: It's easy to create your UX portfolio and use the application/networking process as your way of testing your portfolio and getting feedback. I REALLY don't recommend this. Instead, treat creating your portfolio just like creating a product. The users of your portfolio are: - Hiring managers - UX stakeholders (other designers on the team) - Recruiters. So, get feedback on your portfolio from them early and often. Use LinkedIn and/or adplist.org to find these folks. Run usability tests with them and iterate on your portfolio there. Once you get your portfolio to a state where your users like it and aren't providing harsh/negative feedback, THEN start applying to jobs. This way you know your portfolio is at least 90% there. #UX #ProductDesign #UserExperience #Portfolio #UXPortfolio

What I see when I log into LinkedIn Recruiter: 26M+ people who are open to work in the U.S. alone. I don't say this as a scare tactic—there are still plenty of places hiring right now and plenty of folks successfully landing jobs. But it's a reminder that in a competitive market, finding a new job is a marathon, not a sprint. Tejal Wagadia wrote a great post about this yesterday (I'll link to it in the comments!) and put it perfectly: "Don't fall for someone telling you that you aren't doing enough. You need to give yourself a mental break and give yourself some grace." You can't control WHEN you'll land a job, but you can control what you put into the process. ("Control the controllable," as I like to say.) Here are 3 ways to take control of your career growth in a stressful market: 1️⃣ Stay organized. Keep track of: - the roles you're interested in - the companies that catch your eye - the jobs you apply to (plus the job descriptions) - the people you connect with/interview with throughout Whether you use Teal's Job Tracker or a solution like Excel, Notion, or Trello, the important thing is to have ONE central place to keep all of your job application research and materials so you're ready to make moves when the time is right. 2️⃣ Focus on submitting quality applications—and set a goal each week. The job search can feel like a numbers game, where you have to apply to X jobs to land Y interviews. But your time and energy are limited, so focus first on putting the most energy into the roles you're most excited about rather than giving all jobs equal energy. Set a goal for when you're looking to start a new job and then work backward to determine how many jobs to apply to each week. Once you have that target number of applications you'd like to submit, do your best to stick to it, but don't beat yourself up on the weeks it doesn't happen. You can set your goal in your Teal dashboard and track your progress along the way. 3️⃣ Focus on building your network. Reach out to former colleagues or classmates and see if they're open to a catch-up. Join Slack or Discord communities aligned with your areas of interest and professional goals and see if there are opportunities to engage in conversations relevant to your industry. Take 15 minutes each day to research people who work for the companies you admire and start engaging with their LinkedIn content. By focusing on building relationships, you'll set a strong foundation for future asks and be able to offer something in return when the time comes. I know it's not easy—but hang in there. One step at a time.

#careertip: You are probably missing out on many job opportunities. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, as of Jan. 9, 2024, there were 9.5 million job openings in the U.S. In a search I made today, LinkedIn shows 5,078,528 job ads with base in the U.S. and Indeed shows 244,950 full time jobs available in the U.S. If you're focusing your search only on these two social networks for professionals, it's time to broaden your horizon. Here's how to tap into the wider job market effectively: 1. Look into niche job boards specific to your industry, as well as regional or local job boards. Sites like AngelList are great for startup jobs, while Idealist.org is perfect for nonprofit positions. 2. Engage with professional groups on social media, attend industry meetups, conferences, and webinars. Don't underestimate the power of reaching out to contacts for informational conversations – they can offer insights and introduce you to opportunities that aren’t advertised. 3. Identify companies you’re interested in and visit their career pages regularly. Some companies prefer to list openings on their website to attract candidates who are specifically interested in their organization (and because they want to save money!). 4. Many educational institutions have career services for alumni and platforms for networking with fellow graduates. Check them out! 5. Share your job search goals with friends, family, and former colleagues. Often, jobs are found through personal connections. 6. Join professional groups or associations related to your field and participate in online communities. They often have job boards, resources, and networking events that can lead to job opportunities. 7. When browsing LinkedIn, use the "Search" bar more than the "Jobs" tab. The article below explains how I approach job search and how I find most of the #commsjobs I share with you. Check out the article: https://bit.ly/42qGJMR Remember: the more avenues you explore, the better your chances of finding a role that truly fits your skills and aspirations. Also, always prioritize starting your application from a personal connection instead of just sending your resume into the big black hole of ATS systems, hoping for the best. Keep an open mind and stay persistent – your next great opportunity could come from where you least expect it.