9 ways to getting that first UX job — Part 2
I previously wrote in Part 1 that getting that first UX job can be tricky if you don’t already have some project experiences, but with a bit of creativity and effort, you can improve your chance significantly. Here are 3 more tips:
Reach out to your favorite SMBs
Small and mid-size businesses often have websites that could use some help when it comes to UX. Have you looked at the website of your tax accountant, your financial advisor, the corner store, your kid’s school, or community center? Most of them are — to be frank — horrible.
Reach out to them, ask them what they want their site to be and whether it’s serving their business/organization needs. Tell them how you can help them improve their conversions, and this conversation could lead to your very first UX job.
Help out non-profits
Want to do some good while you hone your craft? Websites such as Catchafire and DesignGigsForGood have job boards to connect non-profits with UX designers and researchers who want to donate both their time and skill. This is a great avenue to apply your design chops while helping organizations who are in needs of UX talents. Other than doing good and feeling good, you potentially have another great case study to add to your portfolio. Win-win!
Contracting
Companies such as Google and Facebook have huge need for UX skills, but often can’t have these needs filled through full-time roles. As a result, they hire UX contractors to help them with short- to intermediate- term projects. Linkedin is full of headhunters who are constantly looking to do the matchmaking for these roles.
Companies such as Synergis, Randstad, WorkBridgeAssociates, and the like have job boards for temp or contract gigs which could match your interest, qualification, and skill. You might find your first UX job through one of these sites.
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