Breaking into UX - Dos and Don'ts

Rajat

Hey everyone! I'm putting together a list of dos and don'ts for breaking into UX based on the frequently asked questions from my mentees in my experience. Here's what I have so far:

Dos:

Do build a solid portfolio showcasing your work.
Do network with other UX professionals.
Do keep learning and stay updated with the latest UX trends and tools.
Do get hands-on experience, even if it's through internships or volunteer work.
Do lots of redesigns. Just visit a website like Irctc.co.in and redesign it and make a case study with proper reasoning and logic and add it to your portfolio.

Don'ts:

Don't mention proudly that you're self-taught or something! Advertising that you're self-taught will not get you far, imo.
Don't underestimate the value of soft skills.
Don't get discouraged by initial setbacks.

What would you add or change?

UXFanatic

Rajat Great list! I'd add to the dos: Do get feedback on your portfolio and work from experienced UX designers. It can be incredibly valuable. For the don'ts, I'd say don't focus too much on tools. Understanding core principles is more important.

Techieprmhta

Awesome thread, Rajat ! I'd suggest another do: Do work on personal projects. They can be great portfolio pieces and show your passion for UX. And a don't: Don't ignore the importance of collaboration. UX is often a team effort.

Rajat

UXFanatic Thanks for adding!

About the tools, I think a lot of hiring managers and companies disproportionately prioritize expertise on tools esp. Figma. So yeah, while in theory tools are not that important, in practical sense, Figma is a definitely MUST

redux

I'd also add to the dos: Do practice your design thinking process. Employers want to see how you approach problems.

CreativeMind

I think another good do is: Do learn to present and explain your design decisions clearly. Communication skills are key. For the don'ts, don't forget to document your process, not just the final designs. It shows your thinking and problem-solving abilities.

bridie11

CreativeMind that's a good point about documentation. I'd add to the dos: Do participate in UX communities and forums (like this one!). You can learn a lot and make valuable connections. For the don'ts: Don't neglect usability testing. It's crucial for understanding real user needs. You may not have any experience on it, give some of your personal projects a quick try on Userbrain or Userlytics or any other similar tool to have it somewhere embedded in your portfolio

uxvenom

This is a great compilation! For the dos, I'd add: Do stay curious and empathetic. Always strive to understand your users better. And for the don'ts: Don't get too attached to your designs. Be open to feedback and iteration.

Rajat

Thanks for all the great additions, everyone! It seems like the key themes are continuous learning, networking, practical experience, and effective communication. This will be really helpful for anyone looking to break into UX.

[deleted]

2024 is not the right time to be making a switch to UX. There are no jobs

Rajat

[deleted] yaar I'm sure that'll get better but certainly not the only reason to be deciding whether one wants to break into UX or not