A guide to getting a job in UX Design: What you need to know in 2023
A guide to getting a job in UX Design: What you need to know in 2023
Actionable tips to help you slay your interviews, land that job, and get that bread!
UX design is an exciting, ever-evolving field full of possibilities and potential. But if you're just getting started in UX design, the prospect of finding a job can be daunting. How can you showcase your skills and find the right job for you?
In the Design Buddies Discord, we've seen a lot of entry-level designers ask this same question—so we thought it was time to put together a guide to help them out.
In this article, we'll take a look at what it takes to get a job in UX design in 2023. We'll cover everything from what employers are looking for and which skills you should develop to how to hone your portfolio and stand out from the competition. With these tips in hand, you'll be armed with the info you need to make your ambitions a reality!
Overview of the UX design field
Have you ever considered a career in UX design? This growing field is becoming more and more sought after—as businesses recognize the need for a smooth, user-friendly experience when it comes to their products and services. Now, in 2023, there's no better time to dive into the world of UX design.
Whether you're new to UX design or a seasoned veteran, you'll need to know the basics—including the most up-to-date and sought-after skills and tools in this field. To break it down for you, here's an overview of the key elements of being a successful UX designer:
Research Skills: Knowing how to conduct user research — such as usability studies, interviews, surveys and focus groups — is essential for UX designers to capture and understand user needs.
Prototyping & Design Tools: Proficiency with design tools such as Figma and Sketch helps. Additionally, understanding basic HTML5/CSS3 coding and business metrics helps you work with engineers and product managers.
Design Thinking: A UX designer must be able to think outside of the box and come up with creative solutions that best serve the users.
Knowing how to do all these things can make a huge difference in your job search—and ultimately land you that dream job! In the next section, we'll discuss how exactly you can get started on your journey.
What skills are needed for a job in UX design
In order to stand out in the job market, you'll need to put together a great portfolio and make sure you have the right skillset to land your dream UX design job. So, what skills do you need?
First, you'll need to know how to conduct user research, which helps inform design decisions and boost the user experience. This should involve a good knowledge of qualitative and quantitative data collection methods as well as experience with tools such as A/B testing and usability testing.
You'll also need to have a keen eye for design. You should be able to create wireframes, prototypes, or use other design tools such as Figma or Sketch. Having an understanding of user interface guidelines and accessibility principles is also key. Finally, familiarity with coding languages like HTML/CSS can take your application up a notch.
In summary—having a good understanding of how users interact with products, strong design skills with experience in wireframing and prototyping, an eye for good visual designs, along with coding experience are all essential components for success in this field.
Resources for learning UX design
Getting a job in UX design isn't just about what you know, it's also about having access to the right resources. In 2023, there are so many great tools and resources that you can use to level up your UX design skills.
Educational resources
The internet is an amazing place when it comes to learning new skills, and there are tons of sites with amazing tutorials and courses specifically on UX design. You can find courses on Udemy, Coursera, Skillshare, and more shared on the Design Buddies Discord.
Design Buddies
Design Buddies is a large community on Discord with a mission to help designers level up in their career by providing jobs, resources, networking, community, design challenges, and more. It's an amazing resource for someone who's looking to get into the field of UX design and stay on top of current trends and techniques.
We have channels on Discord for sharing events, design challenges, jobs, volunteering, design critique, and more learning resources!
Blogs & podcasts
There are also some amazing blogs and podcasts out there that focus on the topic of user experience design and offer actionable advice for getting your first job in UX. Some podcasts include Honest UX Talks, Design Life, Technically Speaking, and design-ERS.
How to market yourself for UX design jobs
The UX design industry is competitive. To get an edge when marketing yourself for jobs, here are some tips that might help:
Keep your portfolio up to date and looking sharp. Make sure it reflects your latest work and is organized in a way that showcases your best skills.
Show off projects on social media that demonstrate what you are capable of doing, and don't forget to include a link to your portfolio from each post.
Connect with other UX designers in the Design Buddies Discord and make friends.
Update your resume and make sure any relevant experience and certifications are included on there—this will help potential employers get an overview of who you are as a UX designer quickly. You can also include your resume on your LinkedIn and portfolio.
Always focus on solving problems in creative ways, as that's what employers look for in potential hires, not just someone who’s good at design skills alone.
Stay up-to-date with UX trends and make sure you understand how they impact the user experience, as this will be essential knowledge when interviewing for jobs
Try working on small freelance projects in order to gain more experience which can be helpful when applying for larger roles down the line
Take advantage of all the resources Design Buddies offers, from tutorials on softwares like Figma or Sketch, to job postings that are made available weekly—all of which can be incredibly beneficial when looking for jobs
Have a look at job postings within the Design Buddies Discord and job board (web) specifically to see if there are any roles or skills you may want to focus on in order to stand out among other applicants.
Apply to join our talent collective (free) where you’ll be shared with employers. When applying, make sure to add your portfolio and be as detailed as you can to be accepted.
Networking tips for building connections
You've probably heard that networking is key for any job search, and UX design is no different—the relationships you have with people are just as important as any certifications or education you have.
But where do you start when it comes to building relationships in the UX world? Here are a few tips to help get you started:
Get involved in professional groups
Participate in online groups or in-person communities of UX professionals so that they can hear your ideas and thoughts. One place to find in-person communities in your local area is Meetup. Make sure they know who you are—they might even be able to connect you with someone from the industry.
Put yourself out there
Share your journey and learnings on social media such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. It’s a great way to meet others and even have others come to you!
Also, reach out to folks who may be interesting to talk with on social media.
Advice on acing the interview
When it comes to acing the UX design job interview, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Every interview is different and many companies will expect different skills and qualities from candidates. However, there are some tips you can keep in mind to make sure your interview shines.
Come prepared – know exactly what the job entails and be up to date on any relevant industry trends.
Showcase your knowledge – highlight any past projects or experience that you have that might be applicable to the role.
Ask questions – take this opportunity to show off how inquisitive you are by asking thoughtful questions about the company's processes or project goals.
Stay calm – remember, you've done your research and you know what the job requires – stay confident and resist the urge to oversell yourself out of nerves!
Be yourself – during an interview, it's important to be authentic, as an employer wants to get a feel of who you are as a person. Showcase your personality and let them see why they should hire you!
Follow up appropriately– send a thank-you email on the same day or the day after. Express your appreciation for their time and reiterating why you think you're the perfect fit for this role!
Conclusion
We've gone through all the ways you can get a job in UX design in 2023 and the key skills and experiences you need. Whether you're just starting out or you're looking for your next step, it's never been easier to break into the industry. If you're serious about joining the UX Design industry, it's important to build your knowledge, grow your network and make sure that you've got the skills and experience needed to stand out from the crowd.
Go slay your interviews and land that job!!
Cover illustration by Grace Ling
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