3. INTRODUCTIONS
Name
Something About You
First Concert You Attended
IA Summit 2012
4. AGENDA
• Preparing for Your Job Search
• Networking Basics
• Your Résumé and You
• Portfolio Time
• Interviewing
• The Follow-Up
• Bonus: Quitting Your Job
IA Summit 2012
5. PREPARING FOR YOUR JOB SEARCH
Finding a Job Can Be a Full Time Job
IA Summit 2012
6. PREPARING FOR YOUR JOB SEARCH
How Do I Know When It’s Time to Go?
IA Summit 2012
7. PREPARING FOR YOUR JOB SEARCH
Job Boards
• Monster • Freelance Switch • The Ladders
• Dice • Fresh Web Jobs • Koda.us
• Indeed / Eluta • Craigslist • Aquent
• Workopolis • AIGA Jobs Listings • Creative Circle
• CareerBuilder • UPA Jobs Listings • Bestica
• HotJobs • 37 Signals Job Board • Local User Group Chapters
• AuthenticJobs • LinkedIn Jobs • Good Experience Job Board
• Krop • Job-Hunt.org • Twitter Feeds
• CreativeHotlist • Boxes & Arrows Job Board • Elegant.ly
• Coroflot • SimplyHired
• IA Institute Job Board • BayCHI
• IxDA Jobs • PhillyCHI
IA Summit 2012
8. PREPARING FOR YOUR JOB SEARCH
You Found a Job You Like. Now What?
• Do Your Research on the Job
• Find out the Recruiters Name
• Find out Who the Role Reports to
• Are You Connected?
• Get to LinkedIn!
• Research the Company
• Research Current Employees
• Use Keywords from the Job Posting if from a Third Party
IA Summit 2012
14. NETWORKING BASICS
The Basics
• Easy way to make over your profile: http://blog.linkedin.com/2011/08/09/profile-makeover/
• Keywords
• Title Headline for LI profile
• Title for each individual job/role
• Specialties
• Skills and Expertise
• Update your Public Profile link with your NAME!
• Add to email signature
• Don’t have to be LI member to view your profile
IA Summit 2012
15. NETWORKING BASICS
The Basics
• Write an interesting Summary
• Description of Your Career: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?
id=3906415&authType=name&authToken=Dtn2&goback=.con
• http://www.linkedin.com/in/nuridjavit
• Career + Personality: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?
id=1099422&authType=name&authToken=CyWm&goback=.con
• Amanda’s: http://www.linkedin.com/in/amandaschonfeld
IA Summit 2012
16. NETWORKING BASICS
Beefing Up Your Profile
• Recommendations
• Quality, not quantity
• Add Sections
• For example: Reading List, by Amazon, Slide Share, Certifications
• Groups
• IXDA
• UX Groups that are RELEVANT to You/What You Want to Do
IA Summit 2012
17. NETWORKING BASICS
LinkedIn Etiquette
• Linked In Etiquette: http://blog.linkedin.com/2011/07/18/linkedin-etiquette-rules/
• Don’t use the form letter, actually write something!
• Help others as much as you ask for help
IA Summit 2012
19. COVER LETTERS
Yes. We All Hate Writing Them. They *Do* Count.
• The Purpose of a Cover Letter is to Explain How You Will Benefit the Company
• Use Words from the Posted Ad in Your Cover Letter
• Be as Conservative or Creative as the Company Appears to Be
• No Excuses for Poor Grammar and/or Typos
• If Possible, Drop the Name of the Person Who Referred You
IA Summit 2012
20. COVER LETTERS
Yes. We All Hate Writing Them. They *Do* Count.
• Don’t be Afraid to Pay Someone to Help You Write a Cover Letter (but Know How to Write!)
• Must be Addressed to the Specific Name of the Recipient (Last Resort: Use “Dear Hiring
Manager”)
• Find Contact Info from Google or LinkedIn, or Call the Company’s Receptionist
• Must Target a Specific Position in the First Paragraph
• Must be Very Specific When Describing Your Skills and Qualifications
IA Summit 2012
21. COVER LETTERS
Yes. We All Hate Writing Them. They *Do* Count.
• Use Concrete Examples to Demonstrate Your Claims
• Demonstrating Knowledge of the Employer Shows Your Interest ‒ Make Sure Your Facts are
Correct!
• Request for Action and Specific Description of Your Planned Follow-up Action
• Out of Ideas? Google “Cover Letter”
IA Summit 2012
22. COVER LETTERS
Examples
• Get Links Correct
• Get the Description Right
• Use Spell Check!
• Proofread
• Provide Contact Info
IA Summit 2012
23. COVER LETTERS
Examples
• Get the Company Name Right
• Get the Description Right
• Use Spell Check!
• Tailor to Audience
• No Fibbing.
IA Summit 2012
28. RESUMES
The Basics
• So... Some employers still don’t know “what we do”
• KISS methodology - give your resume an enema
• No more than two pages. Period. Well...
• Contact Info first > Positions > Accomplishments > Education
• Don’t spend too long describing your job role in each position
• Remember: Your resume opens the door for the interview in many cases, but...
• "It’s the personality more often than the resume that gets you the job" - Theresa Putkey
• One last thing: Employers WILL use Google, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, etc. to find out
more about you, how you behave online, etc.
IA Summit 2012
29. RESUMES
Fundamentals of Format
• Use a plain, 10 point Serif font
• Resist the urge to design your resume
• Name, address, phone, personal email, portfolio and URL
• Centered and bold at the top
• Write up your job history, presented in reverse chronological order
• Each job has Start-End Dates, Your Title, Company Name and Location
• Lastly, two lines for your education. Degree, Year and Institution
Courtesy of Livia Labate | livlab.com IA Summit 2012
30. RESUMES
Your Responsibilities
• Follow with 2-3 sentences describing responsibilities
• Answer the question, What job did you have?
• After responsibilities, list your major accomplishments using bullet points
• How large was the audience for the work you did ‒ hints to the kind of impact you can
make and how comfortable you are working with large scale initiatives
• How large was the group you worked with ‒ hints to the types of interactions and
demands you are subject to depending on size of team
• How large was your client (for consultants), employer (for in-house employees) Example:
“Fortune 50”, “$200MM annual revenue” ‒ hints to the level of business challenges you’re
exposed to and the risks you were subject to while working with them
Courtesy of Livia Labate | livlab.com IA Summit 2012
31. RESUMES
Your Accomplishments
• Activities that resulted in cost saving and efficiency gains (better performance, less people/
hours on projects, etc)
• Activities that resulted in increased value (explicit satisfaction score gains, increased revenue
and profit margins, etc)
• Company and industry recognition (awards, nominations, remarks from annual reviews, etc
Courtesy of Livia Labate | livlab.com IA Summit 2012
32. RESUMES
Basic Structure
• Contact Information
• Employment Dates
• Company Information
• Description
• Accomplishments
• Education
Courtesy of Mario Bourque | mariobourque.com IA Summit 2012
35. RESUMES
Advice from Recruiters
• Clean
• Concise
• Clear
• Quantified
• Provides easy links to work
• Relevant
• Typo Free
• Clearly Show a distinct focus/direction
Courtesy of Loryn Schiraldo IA Summit 2012
36. RESUMES
Advice from Recruiters
“
It is not uncommon to have multiple resumes
for multiple roles, ‘specialization’ is key vs.
‘generalization’.
Loryn Schiraldo
IA Summit 2012
37. RESUMES
Advice from Recruiters
• Write about your accomplishments in your role
• Don't re-write your job description ‒ write about your skills
• Include a couple links to show online samples of your work
• Keep it brief ‒ resumes over 4 pages are pretty long
• Talk about how you're involved in a team atmosphere
Courtesy of Penny Curtis IA Summit 2012
38. RESUMES
Advice from Recruiters
• Show how you've moved up the ladder
• Files with images are too big to upload to systems like Taleo so all of your hard work is lost at
that point
• Include a link to your LinkedIn profile
• Could include recommendations from your LinkedIn profile
• Good tenure is always a benefit on anyone's resume
Courtesy of Penny Curtis IA Summit 2012
39. RESUMES
Advice from Recruiters
“
For UX people I take an extra look at the
general lay out of their resume ‒ easy to
follow, logical etc.
Penny Curtis
IA Summit 2012
40. RESUMES
Advice from Recruiters
• Don’t go crazy with fonts/colours/designs. Clean and simple makes me want to review
it…anything “busy” will be passed over.
• If you are a contractor/consultant ‒ create a functional resume. I don’t want to read a
five page resume that lists 50 companies with the exact same description of responsibilities
under each one. List your skills or projects most relevant to the job posting and then have a
list of your contracts under a separate section (no descriptions necessary).
• If you are a perm employee ‒ create a chronological resume. List each company
(newest first) and your relevant skills or projects. Try to use no more than six bullet points
under each company.
Courtesy of Sara Cooper IA Summit 2012
41. RESUMES
Advice from Recruiters
• Do not write in paragraph form. Bullet points are easier to read.
• Do not go into detail on jobs you had 10 years ago (no-one cares). If you feel you must
mention them, your best bet is a heading with “Positions prior to 1998” and then a quick list
with each company and the dates.
• Always remember that the recruiter and/or hiring manager is looking at least 30
resumes for each role (probably way more). If you make it difficult for them to read yours,
they just won’t.
Courtesy of Penny Curtis IA Summit 2012
42. RESUMES
Advice from Recruiters
“
Highlight the link to your online portfolio ‒ do
not attach multiple examples of your work to
an email. If you do not have an online portfolio,
make one before you start your job search.
There is nothing I hate more than having to wait
five minutes for an email to open because of all
the attachments.
Sara Cooper
IA Summit 2012
43. RESUMES
Discussion:
How Do You Update Your Resume to Get Attention from
Companies Seeking UX Talent?
IA Summit 2012
44. RESUMES
Exercise:
Resume Critique Studio
(Positives & Deltas ONLY)
IA Summit 2012
47. RECRUITERS
Types of Recruiters You Will Meet in Your Job Search
• Agency Recruiters / 3rd Party Recruiters
• Headhunters
• Quota/Bonus-Driven
• Corporate Recruiters
IA Summit 2012
49. PORTFOLIOS
Advice from Recruiters
• For IA’s relevant content is a must. Just as with resumes, it may be helpful to have a few
separately formatted portfolios in pdf format, with each bringing to light specific industry
experience depending on the role/industry you’re applying to.
• Wireframes must be annotated. Include all relevant project info (sitemaps, wireframes,
personas).
• Show the finished product. Even if it’s just a screenshot. The finished product may
resonate with team members long after an interview, which is a plus.
Courtesy of Loryn Schiraldo IA Summit 2012
50. PORTFOLIOS
Advice from Recruiters
• Every IA/UX person should have one...if you can’t be bothered to create a website for
yourself, I’m not hiring you.
• Portfolios should be easy to navigate. If you have multiple specialties, section them off so
I can find what I’m interested in one click. I don’t want to have to search for the work I want
to see.
• Ensure your portfolio is relevant to the positions you are applying for and update it
constantly. Work you did five years ago is not going to interest me as much as what you did
six months ago.
• For the love of the gods, make sure all your links work. No, really. ALL OF THEM.
Courtesy of Sara Cooper IA Summit 2012
51. PORTFOLIOS
Advice from Recruiters
“
Case studies that show the initial problem/
opportunity and then a work flow overview to
see how the final solution/result was arrived at
make me very happy. I need to see how your
brain works to know if you’ll fit with our
process methodologies.
Sara Cooper
IA Summit 2012
52. PORTFOLIOS
Advice from Recruiters Russ
• Test & Review Portfolio with Colleagues, Mentors, Other Managers
• LESS is, by far, Much MORE
• Brief Explanations, Highlighted Screens with Captions
• KISS approach
• External Services:
• Coroflot
• Creative Hotlist
• WordPress
• SquareSpace
• Others?
IA Summit 2012
53. PORTFOLIOS
Discussion:
What’s the Best Way to Present Your Portfolio? And...
When is the Best Time to Present It?
IA Summit 2012
55. INTERVIEWS
Communication Before the Interview
• Make sure to confirm the exact time and place for the interview.
• Confirm proper 'dress code' with your recruiter. You don't want to be under dressed or over
dressed.
• Ask who you will be meeting with, their title, and how long that meeting is expected to be.
• Ask the recruiter if there is a particular format for any of the interviews. For example, one is
meant to be a portfolio review, one is more behavioral etc.
• Do research on your interviewers. Be prepared. Note any major career accomplishments,
awards etc...
IA Summit 2012
56. INTERVIEWS
Communication During the Interview
• Always take notes. Do not rely on your memory only.
• If the interviewer does not 'break the ice' in the beginning, try to build rapport with your
research knowledge of the interviewer.
• It may be a good idea to state your understanding of the role and requirements for the role if
the interviewer does not begin the interview with this information.
• Clearly state concrete examples of what you have accomplished in your career and how it
maps to what the company is looking for.
• It's ok to need a few minutes to compose your answer during the interview.
IA Summit 2012
57. INTERVIEWS
Question You Need to Have Answers For
• How do you define excellence in user-centered design?
• Tell me about the size and scope of the engagements you have worked on.
• What level of client interaction do you have? (This is applicable for both in house and
consultants…you will have ‘clients’ at in house gigs as well.)
• What software do you use in the production of your deliverable and why?
• How do you collaborate with other team members (visual designers, developers..)?
• What’s your approach to working with them?
IA Summit 2012
58. INTERVIEWS
What the Interviewers Want to Hear
• CONCRETE EXAMPLES
• CONCRETE EXAMPLES
• CONCRETE EXAMPLES
• Concrete examples that you are able to work quickly, effectively, and collaboratively to solve
complex design problems.
IA Summit 2012
59. INTERVIEWS
Interviews with Portfolio Reviews
• Make sure that you are able to set up each portfolio deliverable showcased with context of
what the design problem was.
• Be able to talk about the experience you were trying to create.
• Make sure you can explain the design rationale. (For example, why did you create a certain
path for shopping cart check out.)
• Talk about the challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
• Talk about how you validated the solution. (Did you use user testing?)
• Talk about if you would make any improvements to the design now, based on hindsight
IA Summit 2012
60. INTERVIEWS
How to Communication - After the Interview
• Make sure that you have the proper name, title, and email address of your interviewers to
send Thank You notes.
• Hand written thank you notes can be a nice personal touch.
• Ask the recruiter for an ETA on the decision. There may be other candidates that the
company needs to interview and this could take time.
• If you have not heard from the recruiter after the expected date, send a friendly follow up
email asking when you may be able to hear what the decision is. If you are also on a tight
time line, be upfront about this.
• If you are turned down for the position, accept the decision gracefully. If you are not given
details, politely ask for the reasons you were not chosen. If the recruiter shares this with you,
DO NOT ARGUE with him/her. IA Summit 2012
61. INTERVIEWS
Questions YOU Need to Ask
IA Summit 2012
62. INTERVIEWS
Questions You MUST Ask*
• How many clients has the company added in the past year? How many clients has it lost?
• What’s the company’s strategy for generating new business?
• What has the employee turnover rate been over the past 24 months?
• What’s the company’s policy on work/life balance?
• What kind of tools are provided to help me do my job? How often are they upgraded?
• In the first 60 to 90 days, what’s my first priority? What is the one thing I cannot fail at in the
first year?
• Are employees required to sign a non-compete contract?
• If it’s a start-up: What is the funding and/or financial health situation?
*Questions Source: Talent Zoo | Questions You Absolutely Must Ask Your Interviewer by Steve James:
http://www.talentzoo.com/news.php/Questions-You-Absolutely-Must-Ask-Your-Interviewer/?articleID=9159
IA Summit 2012
63. INTERVIEWS
Advice from Recruiters
• The interview is your audition. Be prepared and ready to give the best performance of
your career.
• Know your sh*t. Be prepared to talk about your best work. Nail it.
• Arrive on time. The interviewer’s time is precious. Also, be patient if they make you wait.
Sometimes things do come up on both sides! If you will be late, try to call beforehand.
• Have back-ups of sample work in case something fails. Either in print or bring a laptop.
Courtesy of Loryn Schiraldo IA Summit 2012
64. INTERVIEWS
Advice from Recruiters
• Ask for the job! If you truly feel you can do the job at hand, make it known before leaving
the interview. Ask Name and title (responsibility) of the people who will interview you
• Google & LinkedIn their names and learn about them before the interview
• Learn about the company and their current situation before the interview
Courtesy of Loryn Schiraldo IA Summit 2012
65. INTERVIEWS
Show & Tell:
What Was Your Interview Disaster?
IA Summit 2012
66. INTERVIEWS
The Questions You’re Afraid to Ask
• If I tell you my current salary, do I burn myself during negotiations?
• What is the time frame to make a hire for this role?
• Why is this position open?
• How long do people stay in roles at the company? Why do they leave?
• How many candidates are being put forward?
• Do you think I’m a good candidate? Why?
• What are the positives/negatives about the company? The manager?
• What will the rest of the interview process be like?
IA Summit 2012
67. INTERVIEWS
But Wait...
There’s More!
IA Summit 2012
68. INTERVIEWS
After the Interview: Advice from Recruiters
• Be positive. I understand how frustrating it can be when decisions aren’t made quickly. I like
when candidates check in for updates and express their continued interest, but calling in to
complain is a different story. Chances are I’m frustrated as well and already pushing for
decisions to be made.
• Please don’t call or email me every day. Again, checking in is fine but if you contact me
every day I start to think you’re desperate and question why.
• Provide information promptly when requested. If you take a week to get back to me on
something, I will assume you’re not interested in the role.
Courtesy of Sara Cooper IA Summit 2012
69. INTERVIEWS
After the Interview: Advice from Recruiters
“
Make sure you stand out from the crowd.
Personality counts. Candidates who are good at
making a personal connection with the recruiter
or hiring manager are going to be remembered
long after the one who just comes in, shows
their portfolio and leaves.
Sara Cooper
IA Summit 2012
71. THANK YOU NOTES
Fundamentals of Format
• Thank the employer for his or her time, letting the interviewer know how much you enjoyed
meeting with him or her
• Identify the specific position for which you interviewed
• Mention a key point of your conversation with the interviewer. When writing letters to multiple
interviewers, differentiate your letters by referring to something specific you learned from the
interviewer
• Express enthusiasm for the job/company, and reiterate why you fit well with the organization.
• Indicate that you look forward to possibility of becoming a member of that organization
IA Summit 2012
74. BONUS: QUITTING YOUR JOB
When It’s Time to Change, You’ve Got to Rearrange
Who You Are Into What You’re Gonna Be
Sha na na na, na na na na na, sha na na na na
IA Summit 2012
75. QUITTING YOUR JOB
Things to Consider Before You Go...
• Give at least 2 weeks notice
• Don’t flame-out on your way out (people often return, get references, work, etc. from
previous employers)
• Tie-up loose ends
• Make yourself available as best as you can after you leave
• Remember: This job most likely got you to where your next job is taking you. Be grateful/
thankful
• Commit to Quit: When you do it, there’s no real turning back
IA Summit 2012
