UX is becoming a major focus for online companies these days. Technology is becoming more and more integrated with every aspect of human life. Making that technology user-friendly with user experience design is a major industry.
Companies from Uber to Amazon are investing vast amounts in UX every year. That should come as no surprise given that, on average, every $1 invested in UX results in $100 in return. That’s an ROI of 9,900%.
UX also has some of the largest growth predictions in terms of job demand. With salaries reported to be at almost $80 000 on average for designers with between 0-2 years of experience, it’s no wonder many creatives are leaping into the field.
Additionally, it’s also a brilliant way for designers to combine their natural creativity with analytic skills.
UX design is a fantastic, multifaceted industry with a promising future. If you’ve got grit, creativity, and a willingness to learn, you’re going to make a great professional UX designer.
Unfortunately, because it’s not exactly the most well-established industry out there, there’s a lot of mystery in terms of how to actually land your first UX designer job. To help you along the road to greatness, begin by taking a look at the guide we’ve created below.
How to begin your UX career
A career as a UX designer is rarely one that begins with a simple and straightforward path. A lot of people looking to start their careers don’t have a clear idea of how to get from A to B.
There’s not exactly an easy, one-step solution to starting out. A lot of UX designers are designers who happened to find out about UX and took it from there. If you’re starting out with a clear UX goal, that’s already going to make your journey a lot less winding.
To help you with that, here are a few things you need to know in order to land that crucial, first UX designer job.
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Embrace the art of networking
“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know”
As gross and cliche as that saying is, it exists for a reason. While good modern businesses try their best to ensure a fair and neutral hiring process, the truth is job openings are a lot easier to find if you have the right connections.
Essentially, that’s what networking is.
Engage with professionals you find interesting, companies you want to work with, and individuals who can help you. Get to know them and integrate into the online community. Not only will this provide you with a potential job down the road, but you can also begin building long-lasting relationships.
As independent as you may be, no one achieves anything on their own. A little help, some friendly advice, or even a well-placed word can have a major impact.
Make sure to attend events, meetups, and join slack groups like DesignX, Candles, or Designer Hangout. Be sure to also utilize professional, design-orientated job boards like Uxcel to find relevant opportunities and support.
Make sure to never be too direct or overbearing when it comes to finding a role though. Make friends or connections first. The right job will come.
2. Back yourself
One of the most important things about trying to land a job is believing in yourself. It may sound corny, but self-belief is going to get you through a lot of the emotional and mental hurdles of landing a job.
When it comes to UX, you may find yourself with little to no experience or proof if you’re just starting out. Don’t let this discourage you.
Whether you’re coming from a design-related career or even something completely different, look for any skills that intersect. Soft skills, online training courses, and even lessons learned from jobs like waitering can be relevant.
Ultimately, UX design is all about mental flexibility, creativity, analytical skills, and understanding people.
You’d be surprised to find out just how much you have to offer.
3. Tailor your applications
If you’re looking to get into UX, odds are that you’re a creative person.
You want to try new things or even do things just a bit differently. This is an amazing quality and one you shouldn’t shy away from.
Especially during your job applications.
Never, ever, send a generic, run-of-the-mill job application. The last thing you want is to blend in and become just another number. Utilize that UX design knowledge and psychology of yours during your application.
Tailor every application to the industry the company is based in, how it aligns with your career goals, and add your own personal flair. If you apply for roles with brands you believe in, not only will you be more motivated, but that fondness will come across in your application.
Importantly, if you take this approach from the start, it’s going to come across during the interview stage. More on that later.
As you go about building and fleshing out your portfolio, tailor that too. A strong portfolio isn’t just a hundred different projects you’ve worked on. It’s you putting your best foot forward by showing your best and most relevant work.
4. Wow employers with your portfolio
Of everything in this article, your portfolio is the most important part of your efforts to land a UX designer job.
Before you reach out and begin your search, you need to make sure your portfolio is fully ready to be seen by the world. Draw from any professional projects you’ve worked on, class projects, or experiences you have had. Remember to tailor your portfolio so it doesn’t look like you’re throwing things at the wall and hoping something will stick.
The same rule applies to your UX design resume or CV.
A branded portfolio that puts your personal style, process, and personality is the first thing a prospective employer will want to see. Put your best foot forward and remember if you’re applying for an internship or first job, you won’t be expected to have worked on dozens of projects.
Don’t forget to tailor your portfolio to the company you’re applying to.
Use wireframes, user flows, usability testing examples, and any other relevant examples of your UX skills. Make sure you can explain your process as well. Often you’ll be hired for the way your mind works rather than just knowing how to use Figma, Sketch, or AdobeXD.
5. Prepare for each interview with a unique approach
Interviews can often be the scariest part of an application process. UX design is no exception.
While natural charisma and charm can definitely make an interview a lot easier, nailing the process often comes down to one thing:
Preparation.
Very few people actually take the time to prepare for an interview. This can make the process anxiety filled, nerve wracking experiences.
A bit of research can help alleviate that and set you up for success. Try a few of the following basic techniques:
- Research the company. Know their mission, products, customers, and competitors as much as possible
- Learn a little about the key players. Design team leaders, CEOs, product designers, marketers, etc. Even if you don’t meet them all, being able to ask each one a relevant question can be very insightful
- Be prepared for questions like “What is UX design to you?”, “ What interests you about UX design?”, “How would you explain your design process?”, and “Which websites do you like in terms of UX?”
Being clever, lucky, or charming will only get you so far. Preparation is the real key to success when it comes to scoring a perfect ten on your interview.
6. Be persistent
Landing your first job is always a tough ride. UX may be a growing industry, but that doesn’t mean you won’t experience your share of rejection.
No matter how perfect your application is.
Demoralizing as it can be, you need to keep pushing forward.
Grit, determination, and a dash of luck are going to be your best ally when it comes to finding your first UX designer job. Stick with it. It may take sending out dozens, or hundreds of applications.
You will be tempted to give up and become demoralized.
Don’t.
As long as you have the right foundations, you will find the right role for you.
Final Thoughts
While no career path is ever easy, UX design can be one of the more confusing and nerve-wracking paths to take.
It’s new, it’s growing and it changes every day as we get more insights into online consumers, their preferences, and what makes them tick.
Pursuing a new career path is always going to be both exciting and scary.
The most important thing is going to be having the type of resilience to keep getting up after every stumbling block. If you can develop this skill during your applications, not only will it result in a job, but it’ll equip you with the soft skill necessary to make that job a success.
Remember, UX is a booming and fast-developing industry. Landing your first job in it may take a little trial and error, but by following the pointers we’ve laid out, it’s just a matter of time.
Also Read: Ace Your UX Designer Interview and Standout With These 9 Steps
