Why You’re Not Getting Hired in UX: Beyond the Portfolio
Landing a job in UX design can feel like navigating a labyrinth, especially in today’s competitive market. However, if you find yourself struggling to secure a position, it might be time to look beyond the common scapegoat of a tough job market. The truth is, you could be making critical errors that are holding you back. As someone who has reviewed countless UX applications, I can assure you that the standards for hiring are clear. The barriers are not insurmountable, but they are often self-imposed by repeated mistakes.
The journey to your dream UX job requires more than a visually appealing portfolio. The landscape of UX has evolved from the Dribbble-centric days of 2015 into one that values thinking, storytelling, systems, and clarity. Here are the top ten mistakes that can hinder your chances of getting hired, along with actionable steps to overcome them.
1. Confusing UX with UI
If your portfolio is a mere showcase of screens devoid of narrative or problem-solving context, you’re not portraying UX; you’re showcasing graphic design skills. Visuals without context can make even a seasoned professional appear inexperienced.
How to Fix it: Transform your portfolio into a case study. Begin with the user’s problem, outline your process, and conclude with the outcomes. Highlight what didn’t work to demonstrate your problem-solving journey.
2. Focusing on Tools Over Thought
Listing tools like Figma, Miro, and Maze is common, but what truly sets you apart is your thinking process. What insights did you gain? How did you make decisions? How did you optimize your workflow?
How to Fix it: Move beyond tool lists and emphasize your decision-making process. Discuss trade-offs and the reasoning behind your choices. Highlight the “why” rather than just the “how.”
3. Lacking Business Acumen
UX without a grasp of business implications is mere wishful thinking. Understanding how your design decisions impact conversion, retention, or revenue is crucial for operating at a strategic level.
How to Fix it: Learn the language of business. Incorporate impact metrics, KPIs, and long-term outcomes into your case studies. Frame your work around outcomes instead of activities.
4. Creating a Generic Resume
Resumes filled with vague action verbs and bullet points are often skimmed over. Your goal isn’t to demonstrate how busy you were, but how effective you were.
How to Fix it: Use fewer bullet points, each telling a story of impact. Focus on results—what changed because of your actions?
5. Failing to Know Your Audience
Ironically, many UX designers fail to tailor their applications to the hiring manager. Generic portfolios and impersonal cover letters are a surefire way to be overlooked.
Fix it: Craft a focused portfolio with examples designed to lead to an interview. Once there, personalize your approach. Research the company, understand their design language, and show genuine interest.
6. Struggling to Articulate Your Work
The interview is where many candidates stumble. Whether it’s rambling or freezing, poor communication can be a red flag in a field that thrives on clarity.
How to Fix it: Practice storytelling out loud. Structure your case study presentations with a clear narrative arc: context, problem, approach, outcome, and lessons learned.
7. Lacking a Point of View
Great UX design isn’t just about following data—it’s about having a perspective and standing for something. Without an opinion, you’re merely a note-taker.
How to Fix it: Develop a point of view by reading, writing, and critiquing products. Share your thoughts in interviews and online, even if they’re imperfect.
8. Overlooking Accessibility and Inclusion
Accessibility isn’t optional, and inclusive design isn’t just a “nice to have.” Ignoring these aspects signals inexperience or indifference.
How to Fix it: Familiarize yourself with WCAG basics. Demonstrate how you test for accessibility and discuss inclusion in your user research.
9. Hiding the Messiness
Portfolios often present a polished, linear process, but real UX work is messy and full of pivots and collaboration. Hiding this complexity can diminish your perceived value.
How to Fix it: Include iterations, stakeholder feedback, and user testing clips. Showcase how you navigate real-world challenges.
10. Waiting for Permission
You don’t need a job to practice UX. A gap between roles is no excuse for inactivity. Yet, many applicants present a six-month void with nothing to show for it.
How to Fix it: Engage in volunteer work, pro bono projects, or redesign exercises. Conduct independent research and publish your insights. UX is a practice—keep doing it even without a formal role.
Show That You Care
Ultimately, the best candidates stand out because they care deeply about the product, the users, and their professional development. If your passion shines through in your application, your chances of being hired increase significantly. Conversely, if your portfolio looks hastily assembled or your interview suggests a lack of thought beyond your last job, you risk blending into the applicant pool.
The UX hiring bar is not arbitrary; it reflects how well you understand your craft. So, stop waiting and start crafting. The next job you apply for might be the one—if you’re ready.
Leave a Reply