Approaching a job search can be a daunting task for any professional, but the UX world has a unique set of challenges. Our field is still relatively new, job titles and responsibilities are fuzzy, and there are varying understandings of what we can and should provide. There is no one clear path or set of experience that sets us up for success. Artifacts are often collaborative, covered by NDAs, and it can be hard to capture the many facets of UX expertise into a small set of documents. So how do we navigate the world of resume-writing, portfolio-creation, and interviewing to find a job that will be the best fit for the skills we currently have and allow us to grow into the practitioner we want to become? Get the inside scoop from a current UX consultant and UX Community Manager, both of whom are experienced with vetting UX talent.
Architecting Your UX Career – Presentation Tips to Land your Next UX Gig
1. Architecting
your UX Career
Amanda Stockwell, UX Consultant
@MandaLaceyS
Heather Young, UX Community Manager
@Heathery321
July 24, 2014
#UXCareer
Presentation tips to land your next UX gig
2.
3. About Us
@MandaLaceyS @Heathery321 #UXCareer
7 years in UX
User research
Usability analysis
Competitive research
UX Consultant
12 years in interactive
User-centered design
Marketing communications
UX community manager
UX talent agent
AMANDA STOCKWELL HEATHER YOUNG
10. @MandaLaceyS @Heathery321 #UXCareer
User Experience Process
Research Concept Design Evaluation Implement
Interview
Ethnography
Competitor
Analysis
Persona
Task Analysis
Storyboarding
Journey Maps
Sketches
Wireframes
Visual Design
Prototyping
Testing
Expert Review
Performance
Measurement
11. Know the interviewer
Research
They may not have a solid understanding of your niche
They are busy
Know your audience
@MandaLaceyS @Heathery321 #UXCareer
12.
@MandaLaceyS @Heathery321 #UXCareer
Big Idea
Know your audience and position
yourself in a relatable way.
13. Which artifacts to share?
Content Strategy
Show your design process – not just the outcome
Demonstrate how your work impacted the business
Quantify its value (when possible)
@MandaLaceyS @Heathery321 #UXCareer
14. PAR
Content Strategy
Problem > Action > Result
@MandaLaceyS @Heathery321 #UXCareer
Problem Action Result
Customer calls to call center up due to a
site map that’s not intuitive
Reviewed user activity through site
analytics. Re configured naming
conventions for navigation, realigned
content
Calls to the call center reduced
Sales are down. Customers are not
completing the check out process.
Recommended shorter form requiring less
time. Enhanced microinteractions for a
better experience.
Customer conversion rate
increased and sales are up
15. Keep track of your work
Content Strategy
@MandaLaceyS @Heathery321 #UXCareer
16. Talent seekers care more about your
process than your final product
@MandaLaceyS @Heathery321 #UXCareer
Big Idea
17. Highlight the most
important pieces
UI Design
@MandaLaceyS @Heathery321 #UXCareer
Quality over quantity
Find a way to make it presentable
18. It doesn’t have to be pretty, but it
needs to be memorable
@MandaLaceyS @Heathery321 #UXCareer
Big Idea
19. Feedback is critical to
anyone trying to improve
Usability Testing
@MandaLaceyS @Heathery321 #UXCareer
Rehearse walking through your portfolio pieces
20. Testing your delivery is just as important as
testing a new feature or product
@MandaLaceyS @Heathery321 #UXCareer
Big Idea
21. Successful UX pros
demonstrate more than their
artifacts and end results
(Personal) Interaction Design
@MandaLaceyS @Heathery321 #UXCareer
They establish personal connections.
23. UX super stars have the communication
skills of a pro negotiator and the
patience of a kindergarten teacher
@MandaLaceyS @Heathery321 #UXCareer
Big Idea