Why treating your UX/Product Design career as a product could be the game-changer in landing your next big role (and how to start)

Nowadays UX/Product Designers shape the future of how humans interact with technology, and because of that, there's a paradigm shift waiting to happen in your career. It's about seeing your career not just as a series of job titles and projects but as a product that needs designing, iterating, and presenting to the world.

This approach could be the game-changer in landing your next big role.

Here's how to start:

Design Your Career Blueprint

Just as you would approach a new product, start with user research. In this case, you are the user and the product.

• What are your needs, goals, and pain points?
• What does your ideal career trajectory look like?

Sketch out your career blueprint with the same care you would a new app or website. This blueprint will guide your decisions, from the skills you choose to develop to the opportunities you pursue.

Iterate Based on Feedback

In product design, feedback is gold.

Apply this principle to your career by seeking out mentorship, peer reviews, and even feedback from interviews that didn't go your way. Each piece of feedback is an opportunity to iterate on your career product.

• What can you refine or pivot in your approach?

Remember, every great product went through numerous iterations before finding its fit in the market.

Market Your Unique Value Proposition

What makes you different from every other UX/Product Designer out there? Identify your unique value proposition (UVP) and make sure it's front and center in your portfolio, LinkedIn profile, and personal pitch.

Your UVP is what will catch the eye of your next potential employer or client. It's not just about the skills you have but how you apply them to create value in unique ways.

Leverage Data to Tell Your Story

Data drives decisions in product design, and it can drive your career forward too. -

• Quantify your achievements in your portfolio and resume.

How have your designs improved user engagement or increased revenue? Presenting your career through the lens of data not only validates your impact but also demonstrates your analytical and strategic thinking.

Adapt to Market Trends

The tech and design landscapes are ever-evolving. Stay ahead by continuously learning and adapting your skills to market trends.

Whether it's a new design tool, a shift towards voice UI, or an emerging industry, view these changes as opportunities to add new 'features' to your career product.

Engage Your Audience

Finally, engage with the community.

• Share your insights, ask questions, contribute to discussions.

Your engagement is the 'customer support' of your career product, building relationships and establishing your reputation in the industry.

Treating your career as a product is a mindset shift that requires you to be proactive, strategic, and adaptable. It's about designing not just for the job you have but for the one you want.

This approach can set you apart in the competitive landscape of UX/Product Design, turning your career into a compelling product that employers and clients can't wait to 'purchase.'

Are you ready to redesign your career? The market awaits your next big launch.

Let's make it!

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Lau Yamazaki helps people and companies achieve their Digital Performance goals through Strategic Design Consultancies. With more than 28 years of experience in the digital world, he is currently CDO (Chief Design Officer) at Nomad Labs and a UX Design Consultant.

But what really matters is that he is a father, passionate about flaky ice cream (the one in the blue box, from Nestlè), he was once a professional musician, he is back to training table tennis and he is going to be a full-time writer soon.