How to Land Your First UX Role: Advice From a UX Executive Who Hires Them

Breaking into UX can feel overwhelming. Portfolios, bootcamps, job boards, rejection emails—it’s easy to get discouraged when you're trying to land that first job.

As someone who’s built and led UX teams for over a decade, I’ve reviewed hundreds of applications, portfolios, and résumés. I’ve hired junior designers, researchers, strategists—and I’ve passed on just as many talented folks who weren’t quite ready yet.

If you’re looking to break into UX, here’s what I want you to know—straight from the hiring side of the table.

Don’t Just Say You’re a UX Designer—Show Me How You Think
I’m not looking for perfection. I’m looking for your process. Show me how you approached a problem, why you made certain decisions, what trade-offs you encountered, and how users influenced the outcome.

Too many junior portfolios focus on final screens. I want to see how you think, not just how you design.

One Real Project Beats Five Made-Up Ones
Hiring managers can spot templated portfolio projects from a mile away. If you can work with a real startup, nonprofit, or even redesign a government website, do it. Solving real problems with real constraints teaches more (and impresses more) than a polished concept with no context.

You Don’t Need a Degree—But You Do Need Curiosity
Some of the best UX hires I’ve made came from journalism, teaching, coding, and psychology. What they had in common: curiosity, empathy, and the willingness to dig into messy problems.

If you're constantly asking why, if you can listen without assuming, and if you know how to turn ambiguity into action, you’re already on the right path.

Ask Better Questions in Interviews
When I interview candidates, I remember the ones who ask thoughtful questions. Instead of asking, “What’s the day-to-day like?” try:

• “How does UX fit into product strategy here?”

• “What’s the biggest UX challenge your team is facing?”

• “How do designers collaborate with engineers and researchers?”

It shows you’re not just looking for a job—you’re looking to grow as a partner.

You’re Not Behind—You’re Just Starting
Comparison kills confidence. I know it’s easy to scroll through LinkedIn and think everyone else is ahead. The truth? Everyone started somewhere. Most of us made mistakes, got rejected, or got lucky, and then worked hard to stay in the game.

Your job isn’t to be the most polished designer in the world. It’s to learn fast, stay curious, and stay humble.

Final Thought
Hiring someone into their first UX role isn’t just about skills—it’s about mindset. Show me you’re thoughtful. Show me you’re collaborative. Show me you’re ready to grow.

You only need one “yes.” Keep going until you get it.

And when you do? Pay it forward. Help the next person up the ladder. That’s how this industry gets better.