How to build your reputation in UX
I was recently sent this message on LinkedIn:
For reals. Wow, talk about imposter syndrome 😳
Now, I never really considered myself a “leader in UX in Seattle” — there are SO many great UX leaders here! But I have managed to build a reputation for myself, and people often ask how I did it. Here’s what I did (listing in order of when I did it). I hope it’s helpful for someone.
TL;DR: I believe what really helped build my reputation was getting myself out there and saying “Yes!” to every opportunity that came my way.
I networked like crazy.
Most people say “Oh, I HATE networking!” but I think there’s an easy way to do it. When I network (aka go to meetups and walk up to people and said “Hi, I’m Rebecca, what’s your name?”), I basically interview the people I talk to. I always ask —
- Where do you work?
- What do you do there?
- What projects are you working on (if you can tell me)?
- Where do you need help?
Then I talk to others in this same way and look for ways to connect them with someone who might be helpful or beneficial to them in some way.
I usually say:
“Oh, I just talked to so-and-so and they’re doing that same thing/they could use your help! Let me introduce you.”
It’s such an easy way to network — the focus is off of you and it’s mutually beneficial since you’re helping two people out and it reflects positively back on you, framing you in a light of someone who helps and connects others.
I took on a teaching gig.
When I was asked to teach at Human Centered Design & Engineering at the University of Washington in 2012, I had no idea if I could do it, but I thought I could at least give it a try (what’s the worse that could happen? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯).
Since then, I’ve spent the last 6 years teaching classes in all sorts of UX subjects and have maintained teaching one class per quarter each year.
Through this, I’ve probably taught around 600+ up and coming UXers. So not only have I met a ton of people that way (#networkingonsteroids), it’s also made me a better UXer since students often ask tough questions about why we do the things we do in UX. Because of teaching and having to explain UX methods, I am constantly rethinking why I do what I do and how I can do it better.
I volunteered.
I spent 3 years on the Puget Sound SIGCHI (PSSIGCHI) board of directors, with 2 of those years as the board president.
As the president of an industry-specific interest group (PSSIGCHI is mostly user research-focused), you are the leader and representative for the people who are involved in that group. I met SOOOO many people while I was involved with PSSIGCHI. I think of that time as one of the most critical times in my career for growing my reputation.
I said yes to coffees.
Because of all the other work I’ve done networking and teaching, I’m often asked to have coffees with people who are trying to get into UX.
I give advice (pretty much what I’m writing about here), review resumes, critique portfolios, help connect people with others who might be helpful for them, etc. A few of these meetings have ended up turning into really wonderful mentorships and I’m currently mentoring 2 up-and-coming UX researchers by meeting with them once a month. We usually talk about their career goals and I give advice on achieving them and connecting them with others who can help.
. . .
Yes, all of this has made me super busy, but it’s also helped me get where I am today. These days I no longer have time to say “Yes!” to every opportunity, coffee, or volunteer position that comes my way, and I miss it. Right now, I’m in “maintenance mode” — nurturing the relationships I’ve built, teaching at HCDE, and accepting speaking engagements.
Hope this helps!
