The UX Rookies Guide: The path to your first design job

Introduction

UX and UI design has become more and more popular over the past few years, transforming the way we interact with digital interfaces and redefining the very essence of user experience, and as a result of that the number of people wanting to get into the industry has greatly increased too.

Having personally experienced the tough process of trying to land that first design job without having any previous experience, I am happy to tell you that it is more than possible to do.

Wether you are a recent graduate or just somebody who is looking to transition into design from another field, there are many different things you can do to dramatically increase your chances of getting that dream role as a UX Designer.

Here I will discuss in a bit more detail some of the must-do’s for getting a design job, and some of the actions I personally took that dramatically helped me in my journey to becoming a UX Designer.

Complete a UX/UI Design course or bootcamp.
Create your own design portfolio
Gain experience through mentorship and volunteer programs
Use the power of networking to your advantage

Content overview

1. Complete a UX/UI Design course

2. Have a stand out design portfolio

3. Complete a mentorship programme

4. Volunteer for a design project

5. Make the most of your network

Complete a UX/UI Design course

This is the starting point on your road to landing that first job, and an absolute must-do in my opinion. Completing a course in UX Design will give you a solid foundational knowledge of design and will provide you with a certification in design. This will be the minimum requirement for the majority of recruiters and hiring managers.

There are a dozens of design courses out there now, some that are more highly regarded than others, all of which can be fully completed online. Some of these can be quite pricey so feel free to search for other courses outside of these, just be sure to do some of your own research on them before making a purchase.

Have a stand out looking portfolio

Having a portfolio to show off some of your previous work is a given for all designers. Just about every design job that you apply for will expect you to provide a file or link to your design portfolio. What I found to be the best way to design your portfolio is by taking inspiration from other top designers. You can get inspiration from hundreds of different designer portfolios, take the aspects from other peoples portfolios that you like and apply it to yours. A simple way to go about this is by googling 'top UX portfolio websites' and browsing through the some of the to rated portfolios.

There are many different ways to display your portfolio and you can choose whichever you like, however I would personally try to create your own website portfolio. This give you a more professional look to hiring manager and recruiters, and it makes it easy to share your work using a link.

Regardless of how you decide to show your portfolio, be sure that it is visually pleasing and easy to navigate. After all it is an extension of your work and it may just be the difference between getting a rejection or and interview.

Want a more detailed guide on what makes a great design portfolio? Read our blog post outlining the key elements of a stand out portfolio.

Complete a mentorship programme

If there’s one thing I would recommend to any aspiring designer it would be to complete a mentorship programme. I was in the position where I was applying for countless jobs and getting nowhere, and I felt completely lost and frustrated with the whole process of finding a UX job. That was until I came across a mentorship programme. For me this was the most important and influential action I took in terms of landing me a job.

Mentorship programmes not only help you to take your skills to the next level, but they can be added as experience to your resumé, and they provide fantastic opportunities for networking with senior designers and potential employers. They are also great for getting a quality case study into your portfolio.

To find a mentorship program simply search ‘UX Design mentorship programmes’ in google and see what is available to you in your location.

Volunteer for a UX project

Working as a UX/UI Designer for a volunteer project is a great way to gain real world experience. You can add any volunteer project you work on to your resumé as experience. Volunteer projects also give you an opportunity to work on something your passionate about, they will provide you with another project for your portfolio, and they are great for networking. Here are some websites you can use to browse some possible volunteer jobs:

https://www.uxrescue.org/

https://www.technologyvolunteers.org/

https://www.skilledup.life/

https://digitalboost.org.uk/

https://www.pointsoflight.org/volunteer/

https://digitalforgood.uk/

Make the most of your network

When starting out I didn’t know the first thing about networking, and being a pretty introverted person myself I found the whole idea of networking a bit daunting. But as I started a mentorship programme and got some advice from some senior designers, I saw how simple it really is. The design community is full of people who are more than happy to help. Here is one way of networking that is worth trying, you never know what may come of it!

Try connecting and messaging Design Managers and recruiters on LinkedIn. You may not always get a reply, and that is completely normal. Try sending them a message on if there are any open job opportunities within their team/company. Be sure to attach a link of your portfolio and try to get their professional opinion on your work. They may be provide you with some quality advice or point your in the right direction for other opportunities.

Conclusion

Becoming a UX/UI Designer might seem tough, but it's doable with the right steps. Start by taking a UX/UI Design course to learn the basics. Create a good portfolio to show off your work – make it look nice and easy to see. Join mentorship programs to get better and meet important people. Try volunteering for design projects to gain real experience. And don't forget to connect with other designers and managers on LinkedIn to make good connections. Following these steps can help you land your dream job as a UX/UI Designer. It's all about learning, showing, connecting, and growing.