Selling yourself starts with your resume, your portfolio, creating a LinkedIn profile and building your network of connections.
A UX job could attract have anywhere from a handful to hundreds or even thousands of applicants. When you submit a resume, it first goes through an Application Tracking System (ATS). Applicant tracking systems are software that automate the hiring process.
To get past this system, use the proper UX keywords, tailored to the specifics of the job description.
Use the right keywords in your resume:
Do a web search for the current keywords and items you will need to get past automated systems that will throw out your resume.
Customize your resume to the job if needed: Feature the skills they requested.
What do Hiring Managers look for in a UX Resume?
The hiring manager will scan your resume for an average of 6 seconds, looking at your experience level and for relevant skills that the position requires.
As you can see, that’s not a lot of time, so your resume really needs to be clear, concise and stand out from a stack of resumes.
Sample UX Resumes
Your UX Presence: Collaboration Skills
UX is a very public job where you will need to sell your research and design to an audience that may not be prepared for change. Soft skills are critical in all stages of design, from requirements gathering, asking for research time, presenting research, brainstorming solutions, and defending your design. So take care to show how well you can work with others.
Your UX Presence: Interviewing Tips
Don’t memorize a script – it’s easy to forget it and get lost
Instead, create a list of keywords of the things you want to cover. This really helped me and kept me from getting too deep in the weeds during interviews.
Prepare answers for behavioral questions:
Look up more behavioral questions. This isn’t fun but it’s worth preparing for.
Your UX Presence: Building Your Network
Get in the door! Many of us believe that most jobs are found because you know someone
Attend UX meetups – you can attend online meetups from anywhere
Approach people in a company you wish to work for – Create a good cold-call letter. Find UX people in that company and express your interest either based on the company’s products or something you admire in the design. Be specific and enthusiastic!
Leverage contacts – Contact UXers you or your friends know. Contact people who went to your university or worked with the same companies as you. Make use of LinkedIn to search for contacts.