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Start for freeThe Road to a UX Design Career: More Than Just a Certificate
Earning a Google UX Design Certificate is a significant achievement, but it's not a direct ticket to a job in the field. This realization came hard to someone who, after completing the certificate on June 17th, faced an arduous journey before finally securing a position at eBay. This journey is fraught with rejections, learnings, and ultimately, strategies that led to success. Here's a closer look at this inspiring story and the valuable lessons it imparts for aspiring UX designers.
The Early Struggles
After finishing the certificate and building a portfolio with three projects, the initial job hunt seemed promising. Applications were sent to favored companies via LinkedIn, only to meet rejection or silence. Expanding the search didn't improve outcomes, with over 300 companies doing the same. Attempts to leverage referrals finally led to interview opportunities at prestigious companies like Slack, WeWork, and Google, but each ended in rejection, casting doubt on capabilities and future prospects.
A Turning Point
It wasn't until an unexpected contract role opportunity arrived via email that the tide began to turn. This role, redesigning a website for a mortgage application company, provided the real-life project experience sorely missing from the portfolio. This experience, coupled with a redesigned resume emphasizing impact and relevant keywords, set the stage for a different job application strategy.
A Strategic Shift in Job Applications
Switching from LinkedIn to Indeed and setting a strict 30-minute daily application limit, the focus shifted from quality to quantity. This approach quickly yielded interviews, notably through staffing agencies that connected with companies like eBay for UX design contractor roles. Within 17 days, an interview with eBay was secured, leading to a job offer after impressing in two rounds of interviews.
Valuable Lessons and Suggestions
This journey underscores the importance of real-world project experience, a professionally polished portfolio, and a well-crafted resume. Networking and exploring various application platforms can also uncover hidden opportunities. Moreover, adopting a growth-oriented mindset, rather than fixating solely on the end goal, can enhance personal development and resilience during the job hunt.
Key Takeaways:
- Real-Life Projects are Crucial: Engage in projects that will come to fruition, working alongside engineers and within design constraints.
- Polish Your Portfolio and Resume: These are your primary tools to get noticed. Ensure your portfolio is hosted on a professional website and your resume highlights your impact with quantifiable achievements.
- Explore Various Job Application Platforms: Don't limit yourself to one or two platforms. Broadening your search can reveal more opportunities.
- Adopt a Growth-Oriented Mindset: Focus on what you can learn and accomplish each day, rather than the binary outcome of job acquisition.
The Path Forward
Rejection and uncertainty are part of the journey towards a career in UX design. However, with persistence, a willingness to learn from each setback, and a strategic approach to job hunting, success is attainable. As the person in this story reflects on their journey, the hardships faced along the way have contributed to resilience, growth, and a deeper understanding of the UX design industry.
For anyone embarking on or currently navigating the challenging path to a UX design career, this tale offers hope, insights, and strategies to persevere and succeed.
