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UX Job Search AMA #2 with Joanne Weaver and Dave Hoffer
Summary
Whether seeking advice on crafting your ideal resume, how to nail your interviews, or understanding what employers are looking for in candidates today, attendees brought their best questions. Dave and Joanne are longtime design career coaches and know how to help. Gain valuable insights from us and each other!
Key Insights
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Self-care, even small acts, supports resilience during tough job searches.
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NDA constraints require tact: seek permissions, redact details, or build spec portfolios.
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Older portfolio work still demonstrates thought process and structure despite domain changes.
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In a competitive market, having any portfolio work is better than none; spec work helps fill gaps.
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Salary negotiation is limited in a tight market, but building relationships can reveal future opportunities.
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Career gaps can be reframed positively by transparency and framing as freelancing or personal growth.
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AI is becoming integral in design; learning its capabilities is crucial without being intimidated.
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Authenticity and uniqueness in portfolios and interviews make candidates memorable.
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Building community connections in-person or virtually is key for learning and job search support.
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Storytelling exercises like 360 feedback and reflecting on past work enhance candidates’ personal narratives.
Notable Quotes
"Hopefulness is hard earned, it lays waste to cynicism and says the world is worth believing in."
"If you don’t have any work, make some spec work just to show your skills."
"Showing up is half the battle; being on calls and asking questions makes you visible."
"Everything is designed around us; recognize that and use it to your advantage."
"A portfolio is a portfolio piece itself; structure and white space matter as much as content."
"Don’t lead with salary negotiation; build trust first and then explore possibilities."
"Launching and shipping things is a big deal and shows real impact beyond metrics."
"Being authentic and sharing what makes you different is what really stands out."
"AI is important and here to stay; ignoring it is ignoring the future of design."
"Put yourself in the hiring manager’s shoes; they scan quickly and want to see a fit fast."
Or choose a question:
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