Moving to Tech from E-Commerce/Retail

Hi,

Looking for some advice on how to rate my experience as I’m looking to move into the tech or fintech space. I’m currently a Sr. UX manager at a large women’s fashion retailer. I’ve been here for 2 years (was promoted from manager to sr. Manager about 6 months ago). However, this was my first experience working on a large product team and my previous background is not as impressive on paper. I started out in graphic/digital design, did a UX course at general assembly in 2015 and after incorporated UX work in the roles I was in. I mainly worked as an in-house designer at smaller organizations but used the UX processes I had learned when approaching web design projects, for example. My last job before this was at another well-known clothing retailer, but it was for 9 months as a digital designer (not a formal UX/product design role role).

I have a lot of responsibility at my current job. I manage 4 designers and work on high level UX strategy across multiple brands (as well as do some of the hands on work myself). The UX practice is still relatively new (I’m the most senior UX professional in the organization).

Here’s my problem: I’m looking to leave my current role. There has been a lot of turnover, retail was hit very hard during the pandemic,and I have a hard time working with my manager (she’s the reason 5+ people have decided to leave in the last month). And really, If I think about it, if I want to excel in UX, this isn’t the place to be.

The roles I’m interested in pursuing are mainly in tech/fintech. However, I have no idea if I should be pursuing Designer, senior designer, or manager roles. When I look at others in similar roles, they have the same years of experience I do but in more formal product design roles and at more well known companies than my previous ones. I believe all of my almost 8 years of experience are relevant, but will hiring managers only look at the 2 years I have in my current role?

TL;DR should I count myself as having 8 years of experience or 2 years when applying to UX roles and will any good tech/fintech company hire me with my current background?

Current TC: 155k (135+15% bonus)
YOE: almost 8 (but not all in formal UX)

#design #ui/ux #ux