This is a 2 part question: 1, is anybody willing to help with some referrals for ui/UX roles? I’m looking for entry level/junior roles specifically, as I am transitioning from 10 years of experience as a graphic designer and print production manager. 2: how exactly are the referrals useful?? I see ppl asking and receiving them all the time, but I have filled out many applications so far and don’t see a field to input that or anything. How does one actually use the referral?? (Please excuse the ignorance, have not applied for a job in over a decade 🤷🏼♀️) LCOL, looking for mostly remote roles TC: 40k YOE: 10 Also let me know if you’re willing to connect on LinkedIn and I will send you a dm so we can connect! Thanks #tech #Ui/UXdesign
Tech Industry
Yesterday
1578
The end of Backdoor Roth?!
India
Yesterday
724
Who are these retards asking for dictatorship in India?
Tech Industry
Yesterday
769
Conspiracy theory: Sundar wants to make India great again
Working Parents
Yesterday
531
What do you think is wrong with a kid who got rejected by 9 colleges?
India
Yesterday
666
Modi is a legend, will be remembered for centuries to come
I don’t work anywhere big enough for referrals to matter so I’m not much help there, sorry. I would generally say that referrals can guarantee you get the first interview - companies want their employees recommending people to help them find quality candidates quicker so they almost always will at least speak to the referral. At bigger companies like Google, Meta, etc these can be very important to even getting a shot at interviewing. Those are probably the referrals you see passed around the most on apps like this. If you’re looking to jump to one of the giant companies, it probably is worth trying to get one of these referrals. I think it’s important to note you don’t need referrals to get a job - I’ve never had a referral for the job offers I’ve gotten in UX. But if you’re struggling to get your foot in the door they can be the push you need sometimes. On a smaller scale - try asking family and friends if any of their companies are hiring in UX and get referrals that way. Most companies have a referral program these days ( something like - if you get hired and stay 6 months they get $$$ for referring you). On another note, did you do any work in digital design as a graphic designer or was it all print? If you did digital design you may not need to start with a junior role - but I would recommend some kind of UX certificate, Boot Camp, or degree. Ex graphic designer here, been in UX/product design ~5 years now. Got my masters in UX and jumped into mid level directly.
Thanks a bunch for your reply! Yes I’ve done lots of digital design, most of it has been freelance however as most artwork from my current company came from another agency. I’ve had enough of printing other ppls work and I’m ready to be more on the visual side. Not to mention print is incredibly wasteful. There will always be a place for it though. I too feel that I could step into a mid level role just based off my managerial experience alone, but considering pay caps at around 70k for someone of my experience (of which I’m nowhere near making 🙄), I’m humble enough to start from junior even if it’s only for a year. I am thinking of trying to gain some sort of certificate, but it would have to be a free course and no longer than a few months. Have to be honest in saying I really don’t think I need that gold star to get in to this field, I have the chops, but a referral on the other hand I feel would be even more useful!
As someone who's made this switch your portfolio is going to be pretty critical, resume helps too. Having lots of design experience is helpful but you need to show that you understand how the UX process works and that you have experience taking projects though that. When I first started looking for jobs I got a lot of feedback that that version of my portfolio wasn't focused enough on UX, if you have a lot of graphic design work you'll likely be seen as a graphic designer who's trying to "do UX" rather than a UX/product designer.