Here are some ideas on what to think about when you are looking for a new job in UX. If you need specific advice then please contact our Professional Development Representative, Stavros Garzonis.
If you are starting out in the job market with little or no experience, you may need to consider employers who offer graduate programmes, internships or work experience. Take a look at our pages on internships & work experience for information on the UK UPA’s plans to develop a programme to support this.
Do you have a clear idea of the role you are looking for or are you unsure? Think about the direction you want to head in – do you want to or focus on a specialism such as user research, or do you want to be a generalist? Come to UPA events and talk directly to peers and to the committee (we may look busy, but make sure you come and say hello!)
Who do you already know who may know of an opportunity that you may be suitable for? Get the word out that you are looking for something new (with consideration for your current employer of course). What events are happening that will be great opportunities to meet potential employers and colleagues? Check out the UX events calendar for opportunities to network as well as the list of other UX community groups you could get involved with.
Is your CV up to date? Does it demonstrate your skills, capabilities and character? Get more than one trusted friend or colleague to read it and give you honest feedback, ideally someone who is used to reviewing CVs. Also think about choosing the right recruitment agency who should be able to guide you
Do you have a portfolio? Don’t include everything you have ever worked on, but a selection of those projects that best demonstrate the breadth and quality of your work. If you have a website or blog then ensure that demonstrates your quality of thinking.
There are pros and cons to working either permanent or freelance. Obviously the market will dictate a great deal about the right choice for you, but think about the benefits of each. As an example, permanent roles should offer you the opportunity for a more structured development plan and the ability to get more involved with the full project lifecycle, while freelance work gives you greater flexibility to work in different types of organisations and with clients from different sorts of industries. Be careful not to go freelance when you don’t have enough experience under your belt as you may find yourself working as the only UX consultant in an organisation and will therefore have no one to collaborate with and learn from.
There are many ways to build up your skills, whether it involves self-study, one-day conferences or postgraduate study. See our pages on university courses as well as less short training courses.
It is a good idea to have a mentor at any stage of your career – starting out it is great to have someone more experienced help you think you through your goals and how you may reach them. When you are more experienced it is really valuable to talk with peers to keep developing as an individual, as well as getting involved in helping those with less experience. Take a look at our mentoring pages to get see how the UK UPA aims to develop a comprehensive mentoring programme.
Good luck!
If you need specific advice then please contact our Professional Development Representative, Stavros Garzonis.