Getting a job in UX

There’s a lot of ‘getting a job in UX’ advise flying around (especially over the last year or two):

“Don’t listen to gate keepers”,

“Be a unicorn, don’t be a unicorn”

“Don’t go into UX”,

“Be a generalist, don’t be a generalist”?

“Polish your design portfolio so it pops”,?

“Learn to empathise more, then tell everyone how MUCH you use empathy in your work”

“Do this bootcamp, don’t do that bootcamp”

“Make your work delightful”

“Don’t use prototype tools that don’t allow you to usability test properly” - actually I agree with that one.

“Learn what usability testing is” - that one too.

“Don’t take your clothes off in an interview”

God, what do they know?

My advise:?

1. Don’t take your clothes off in an interview. Security will NOT give you time to get dressed agin before tazering you.
2. Don't just copy what others are doing or advising - there's no reason to believe they're right (or employed themselves). Evaluate advise for value and legitimacy first - you’re a UXer after all.
3. Don't (for god sake) make a pretty portfolio - the world is full of many unemployed "UX" designers with UI design portfolios - unless you really do want to do UI design. In which case stop looking for UX roles, because you're just making it harder for yourselves.
4. Be very careful when stating the “UX” tools you use/love - if they’re really just UI design tools masquerading as UX tools, then no matter what role you think you’re going for, you’ll be doing UI design.
5. Think about the top ways you (your role as a UXer) adds value to an organisation, client and project - if you're not sure, don't be shy - ask. Good UXers will always help you. The world needs more problem solvers (not more crayon wielding solutionising assumption monkeys). Organisations need to know why your contributions will be valuable as a UX employee and you need to tell them - as stupid as that sounds -?
6. UX or UI - you’ll need to make a conscious decision which one you really want to be. Do it before you apply for a role - you’re CV, and it’s narrative, will reflect your intentions. If it comes off confused you won’t get an interview for either type of job.
7. Think about what you’re good at, personally. What your passions and interests are. So that you can connect with industries, sectors and even organisations who’s problems you will passionately want to solve. When you get interviews in these environments (and even when you just apply) your passion will be obvious and your thoughts and ideas inspiring to those interviewing you or reading your CV.
8. If an interview (or even a job) goes badly it’s an opportunity to be a UXer about it: treat it as research, analyse it, learn, iterate and bring those learnings with you next time.
9. And finally (I can share this from personal experience and observation of other successful UXers), if you are absolutely, resolutely, stubbornly determined to be a great problem solving UXer, remember, the main difference between those who fail and those who succeed is very often that those who succeed kept trying, long after those who failed gave up.

There. That should keep ya’ quiet for a while.?

But if you have any questions about this advise then obviously ask or DM.?

If I can’t answer cogently then you should call BS.

#uxsanctuary #ux