By Patrick Neeman, UsabilityCounts.com & Dylan Campbell, Partner at Highlander Solutions Mar 31, 2012: UX Speakeasy in San Diego, CA http://www.uxsconf.com/

1. From application
to interview
{ How to get a
great UX job
Patrick Neeman Dylan Campbell
Director of User Experience, Jobvite Partner, Highlander Solutions
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol
http://www.usabilitycounts.com http://www.highlandersolutions.net

2. Getting a great job is a lot like dating...
...you have to kiss a lot of frogs
before your find your prince

3. Getting all dolled up
for the big dance
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

4. Show them
your money,
baby!
• LinkedIn profile • Portfolio
• Resume • Side projects
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

5. { A great LinkedIn profile }
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

6. Great Title
{ A great LinkedIn profile }
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

7. Great Title
Solid Summary
{ A great LinkedIn profile }
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

8. Great Title
Solid Summary
Accurate Job Descriptions
{ A great LinkedIn profile }
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

9. { Your LinkedIn profile }
• Have a great summary
• Include your skills and specialities
• List the results of your work
• Keep it industry specific
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

10. { A great resume }
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

11. { A great resume }
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

12. Solid Opening
Summary
{ A great resume }
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

13. Solid Opening
Summary
Clear and Concise
Job Descriptions
{ A great resume }
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

14. Solid Opening
Summary
Clear and Concise
Job Descriptions
Skills and
Brands Listed
{ A great resume }
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

15. { Your resume }
• An easy to read, parsable format (Word or PDF)
• A clear career progression that tells a story
• Skills and research methods listed for recruiters
• Don’t over design
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

16. Show Detail
{ A Great Portfolio }
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

17. Show More Than Wireframes
{ A Great Portfolio }
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

18. { Your portfolio }
• A clean and professional feel
• A solid illustration of your process
• Show clear thinking
• Don’t over design
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

19. { Other Skills }
• Writing
• Visual Design
• Prototyping + HTML
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

20. { Extra credit }
Have a
passion
project
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

21. Who do you
want to date?
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

22. Place small bets until you have a sure bet
• Talk to people on Twitter and ask about their company
• Go to events like conferences and meetups
• Ask if anyone knows a good recruiter
• Talk about what you like
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

23. { Networking }
• Twitter, the new professional branding network
• Super connectors
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

24. { Agency + personal referrals }
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

25. { Agency + personal referrals }
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

26. { Agency + personal referrals }
9%
of all job
applications
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

27. { Agency + personal referrals }
9%
of all job
applications
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

28. { Agency + personal referrals }
9%
of all job
45% of all hires
applications
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

29. Personal networking
is the new
job board
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

30. { Questions for yourself }
• What’s your passion?
• Where do you like to work?
• Do like teams or flying solo?
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

31. Going on the first date
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

32. Companies hire to solve a problem
• You are not the solution for every problem
• You are not Mr. or Mrs. Right for every person
• You are perfect for the ones you’re perfect for
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

33. { We’re not married, we’re just testing the waters }
The typical interview process
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

34. { We’re not married, we’re just testing the waters }
The typical interview process
Recruiter
Phone
Screen
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

35. { We’re not married, we’re just testing the waters }
The typical interview process
Recruiter
Phone
Screen }
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

36. { We’re not married, we’re just testing the waters }
The typical interview process
}
Hiring
Recruiter
Manager
Phone
Phone
Screen
Screen
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

37. { We’re not married, we’re just testing the waters }
The typical interview process
} }
Hiring
Recruiter
Manager
Phone
Phone
Screen
Screen
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

38. { We’re not married, we’re just testing the waters }
The typical interview process
} }
Hiring
Recruiter 3 to 8
Manager
Phone On Site
Phone
Screen Interviews
Screen
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

39. { We’re not married, we’re just testing the waters }
The typical interview process
} } }
Hiring
Recruiter 3 to 8
Manager
Phone On Site
Phone
Screen Interviews
Screen
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

40. { We’re not married, we’re just testing the waters }
The typical interview process
} } }
Hiring
Recruiter 3 to 8
Manager
Phone On Site The Offer
Phone
Screen Interviews
Screen
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

41. Don’t be Spicoli: Be prepared
• Show up on time
• Know the company
• Know the interviewer
• Know your lines
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

42. Most importantly...
Get them to talk!
People love to talk ... and talk ... and talk
{ No one ever listens to them }
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

43. { Questions for interviewer }
• “What’s the revenue model?”
• “What’s the team structure?”
• “Did you have a designer before?”
• “Why didn’t it workout?”
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

44. Going steady
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

45. { Warning signs }
• Unenthusiastic interviewers
• Disorganized office
• Work lacks quality
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

46. { Questions for yourself }
• Will the money keep you happy?
• Do you like the people?
• Is it geographically desirable?
• Will you be more employable?
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

47. It’s okay to say...
“Let’s be friends.”
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol

48. And remember...
...there’s plenty of fish in the sea

49. Thank you!
Patrick Neeman Dylan Campbell
Director of User Experience, Jobvite Partner, Highlander Solutions
@usabilitycounts @highlandersol
http://www.usabilitycounts.com http://www.highlandersolutions.net
Credit: Kenneth James Hamer (@hamerco) for branding direction assist.