What do you do when you can't get offers no matter what you do or how far you get? I have more professional experience than the average new grad- about 1.5 years of internship + contract experience and half a year of experience working on notable sponsored projects. I've been called a "unicorn" because I can do product strategy, user research, usability tests, and UX/UI design. I make it to the onsite stage for FAANG companies (smaller companies that don't pay slave wages don't even bother to interview me because they all require at least 3 years of experience) and either fail to get through or have my on-sites canceled because of filled headcount. I see the jobs being filled by less experienced candidates and am starting to despair. What do I do? How do I get my #$@# foot in the door? Taking an internship right now to gain experience and pay my bills but it feels like a step backward. No one seems to be hiring though. If anyone is hiring entry/junior-level designers, I’d be happy to share my resume and website link! Any advice on getting a foot in the door and feedback on my portfolio would be greatly appreciated and I’ll make sure to pay it forward. #uxdesign #design #designer#faang #amazon #facebook #google #airbnb #linkedin #tech #dropbox #productdesign #productdesigner
Here's a tip...look at various companies' solutions and find one that needs a lot of help. Contact someone directly and tell them you already have a way to improve their UX (aka customer experience because they love that). Ask for a meeting with the manager to discuss...and then explain at the meeting how it's going to earn them way more money and be a key differentiator among competition. Don't worry, soon companies are going to need designers as much as they need engineers because it will be the only way they can differentiate their solution... Also, if you're ever willing to do some experimental hourly work, I could use some design help for some projects I'm doing on the side. Oh and don't sell yourself as a unicorn. Everyone's a unicorn nowadays (for real). Best advice I can give though....do things differently than other people would. Don't mass apply for jobs. Reach out personally. Offer free fixes and advice. And apply to startups who understand everybody has to start somewhere. Try Gladly - they seem cool. I'd like to keep you as a contact - DM me if you want. Would love to see your portfolio and will keep an eye out at my company for UX jobs. We probably have openings....
This is really great advice. You’re right about differentiating yourself from others. I’d love to keep in contact as well. Sending you a DM!
It is highly unlikely that this would for any company other than small startups.
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The easiest way to get a new-grad UX role: Get an internship -> get a return offer If you're not passing the on-site interviews, that means you're not storytelling or answering the questions correctly. dm me with your portfolio & resume and i'll help you identify what's wrong!
That’d be wonderful! Thanks so much. I’ll DM you.
Are you only applying to FAANG and small startups? Where else have you been looking and for how long?
I’m not picky at this point. I’ve been applying everywhere. The only companies that seem to be hiring entry-level designers (and whose recruiters actually reach out to me) right now are FAANGs- even small startups want you to have at least 3-5 YOE
Happy to take a look at ur portfolio as well.
That’d be really great! Thank you so much. I’ll DM you
I can help provide feedback.
That’d be awesome! Thank you so much. I’ll dm you! :)
I can take a look as well!
Check your soft skills, if you do well with foundational design chops it may be something related with communication or attitude. Practice with others and record videos, iterate.
Echoing iknort: If you're meeting baseline requirements, look at your positioning then your delivery. At your point it may come down to the less quantifiable qualities companies might be looking for. You should also consider if you're applying to the right companies. There is you and the way you do things and the company and the way they do things. Make sure they align.
It’s tough, even as someone seasoned as a designer you still have so many loops to jump through just get anywhere. YOE: 8+ years.
Wow even with 8 years? What do you do to break through?
Usually it’s been referrals with folks I’ve worked with.