Talked to Current UX Designers & Product Designers at Big Tech. Here is What I Learned:
I am currently in the midst of the grind trying to put together my 2nd project in hopes of applying for UX jobs soon!
Yes, UX is one of the top tech jobs out there with high salaries. Everyone is trying to jump on the bandwagon. Anyone from any industry can jump right in since it has a low barrier to entry (or so it seems) — requires an awesome portfolio and some killer interview skills. However, in reality there is high level competition for junior roles and with the current economic uncertainty, there’s less junior roles available on job boards right now.
Even with recession on the horizon, I hope everyone keeps an optimistic outlook and continue their quest for their dream job!
With that being said, I wanted to share some helpful info I was able to extract from them:
- Read A Lot! — Whether it’s recommended books in the field or reading here on Medium. It’s important to build the vocabulary and UX knowledge through absorbing information. You will be able to convey your story better when you’re going through your interviews. You’ll sound smart.
- AR/VR — It’s the Wild Wild West! UX is still a fairly new field. AR/VR is even newer so they currently have little to no industry design standards for how to design. Might be a perfect time to jump right in.
- Figma & Invision — Industry standard in terms of software. Learn these important tools to be considered for the junior positions.
- Minimum of 3 Case Studies — Ideally 1 real world and two conceptual.
- Hesitant to Invest in Juniors — This was sad to hear. UX Project Manager at a fintech firm told me this. Due to low quality candidates being pushed out into the world by the bootcamps (in the recent years since bootcamps have shifted their focus on profitability rather than producing quality candidates). So some hiring managers disregard bootcamp candidates off the bat. However, I’d like to name some good quality bootcamps he had recommended, which are CareerFoundry and Springboard. Check them out! Otherwise, I heard from another product designer that it would be wiser to take the Master Track route (2 years) or a Extension Certificate (1 year). They take much longer than bootcamps to complete, but because they spend ample amount of time reading, learning, and doing UX during those 1 or 2 years, the candidates are generally much more knowledgeable and well-equipped to jump into the workforce. They are looked upon more favorably since they are from well-established institutions that can afford quality instructors and professors. Google Certificate was mentioned as being super basic/broad, which he said he does not recommend. You pretty much get what you pay for. Everyone I chatted with all agreed on one thing — that it is better to be in some kind of program than just doing a self-study method. Your peers will become your actual network for near future and years beyond.
- Don’t Make too Many Assumptions — Pitfall of what a bad case study looks like. Be careful in how you logically synthesize the information.
- Companies Prefer Specialist Rather Than a Generalist — Really craft your portfolio to be a specialist.
- Network — Reach out to people in the field and ask about their career. Maybe you already know someone — acquaintance or even a friend. I asked my friends and this is what I am sharing with you now.
- Join UX Orgs — Discord, Facebook, Slack, LinkedIn, and Meetups.
- Collaboration — Most of the day as a UX designer, you are interacting with people constantly. It is a collaborative work by nature so it can be quite exhausting if you’re an introvert.
- A Clean Portfolio is Better Than Flashy One — Portfolio should articulate your ideas clearly and methodically as if you’re telling a story of your UX journey to the final product. You should also be making it a point to apply the UX design thinking that is widely utilized.
- Paying & Just Attending a Bootcamp will not Guarantee You a Job — At the end of the way, you have to put in the work (weeks and months of solid quality work). This is even more so if you do not come from a design background. Because designers from other fields already have a leg up on you from understanding design at it’s basic core. They most likely already have similar design software knowledge (using Adobe Suite like Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator), which you may still be learning to use from YouTube tutorials and trial and error. But most importantly they’ve been practicing design at school and at work everyday for many years. I am one of them (3 years in school then 4 years working in Architecture). The amount of effort you put in will be clearly reflected on your final project so invest as much time as you can on your project. There are no shortcuts in design.
- Most People Take 6 months to a Year to Find a Job — FACT. I’m not trying to dissuade you, it’s just the grim reality and it’s a tough competition out there! It’s not what most bootcamps promise you up front. “Learn the skill in 6 months” — (right). Even my coworker who was an Interior Designer at my firm attended the General Assembly’s bootcamp. She transitioned into Junior Product Designer role 9 months after she had completed her bootcamp. So be ready to commit for the long haul. Apply to jobs as much as you can. Network. Don’t give up!
- Design Background? Show It Off! — Yes, you heard me. If you already have design as your background, you have an edge. Add some of your other design work to your portfolio. Managers love seeing candidates with design sensibility since it tells them that they don’t need to hone those skills with you. Something that showcases your design and software skills would be perfect. I’m sure you know some Adobe Suite programs that will make their heads turn.
I hope this helps!
What are some things you can share with me that you’ve learned about UX design?
