The Significance of Real-World Projects for Your Portfolio

If you've read my last article, you're aware that companies tend to prefer candidates with actual experience, even for entry-level UX roles. This presents us with two options: - Complain about the lack of opportunities for those with only Bootcamp projects - Step out and prove your capabilities

The Ineffectiveness of Submitting Numerous Applications

First and foremost, it's essential to recognize the value of your time and energy.

Consider how much time you’ve spent sending out resumes or attending interviews that yielded no results. It frustrates me to see talented UX individuals wasting countless hours scrolling through job listings and completing tests that only drain their energy and confidence.

Today, we’ll discuss how to channel your time and energy more effectively. Let’s stop squandering our efforts.

You’ve put in the work to become skilled, and transitioning into a new career or pursuing a passion that benefits the world shouldn’t be overly challenging.

Your Role and Responsibility as a UX Designer

Here’s a stark reality regarding your skills as a UX designer:

“Countless businesses are closing and losing significant capital simply because you weren’t there to assist them.”

This is true. Unfortunately, many organizations are unaware that they require your expertise, unaware that your contributions could avert their downfall.

As a UX designer, you possess the ability to change the landscape for many companies. Your solutions can help people and, in turn, generate new job opportunities.

Your influence can impact not just your community but the economy at large. Yes, UX designers hold that much power.

Yet, here you are, expending your valuable time and energy on countless applications to firms that may never engage with your portfolio.

This seems like a colossal waste of human resources, and it needs to change. There are opportunities out there; we just need to approach them differently.

Let’s cut to the chase…

You are the one with a background in UX design, understanding its vital role in any business.

Don’t you think companies often undervalue us? Many don’t even grasp the meaning of UX design.

I have turned down job offers that labeled the position as UX designer, but what they truly needed was a graphic designer.

Don’t misunderstand me; I didn't invest so much in my education just to settle for less.

Along with UX/UI design, I studied various fields including business, law, marketing, front-end development, data analysis, research, workshops, copywriting, SEO, and business strategies. I’m certain you have a rich background as well, and it should be utilized.

Why Companies Hesitate to Hire Newcomers

Every professional must start somewhere, and I wholeheartedly support that notion. However, it’s disheartening that many new UX designers struggle to secure their first position due to companies’ reluctance to invest in training.

From the company's perspective, hiring a junior UX designer can be expensive. They face significant costs related to training and need a senior designer available to mentor and review your work. Do you know how costly a senior designer’s time is?

I’m not suggesting you stop applying for jobs, but I want to prevent you from wasting time on opportunities that don’t yield results.

Getting to the Heart of the Matter...

When businesses fail, it impacts all of us as a society. People lose jobs, resources are wasted, and user problems remain unresolved—this is our collective responsibility.

So, with your knowledge, will you continue to plead for an established company to hire you, knowing they likely won’t because you lack proof of your skills? Just because you can’t demonstrate your capabilities doesn’t mean you don’t possess them. This leads us to the next section of this article.

How to Secure a Real Project Without Previous Experience

I’m currently receiving better job offers, not because I waited for someone to provide me with an opportunity, but because I created my own.

Ways to Secure Your First Real UX Project

There are various methods to land your initial UX design project. Today, I’ll outline three proven strategies. Brace yourself, as this kind of information is often kept under wraps, though you can always buy me a coffee if you feel inclined. ;)

Before We Begin... - Ensure your portfolio showcases your UX design capabilities across at least two projects. They don’t need to be real-world examples; what matters is demonstrating your proficiency. Highlight your skills in research, design systems, information architecture, wireframing, visual communication, responsive design, prototyping, user testing, and other relevant areas. - Learn how to effectively market UX design. Understand its significance for businesses and be ready to present data and examples illustrating how a UX designer can enhance a company's revenue. You must believe wholeheartedly in the transformative power of UX design for any business.

# Three Proven Strategies to Land a Real-World UX Project

Now, let’s assume you have an impressive portfolio and are prepared to advocate for UX design. Let’s delve into three effective methods for securing a project.

1. Offer a Money-Back Guarantee

In fact, consider not charging your client until they’ve reviewed your work. This is a marketing strategy that often increases sales by making clients feel secure in their purchase.

Your initial client should feel at ease trying your services.

If you’ve ever purchased a product backed by a money-back guarantee, you understand how effectively this strategy can drive sales.

Since you're already dedicating time to unpaid projects, if the client appreciates your final design and compensates you, it’s a win-win situation.

How to Implement This:

Select a freelance platform like Upwork, Workona, or Fiverr. Focus on one and craft an exceptional advertisement for your services, promising payment only after delivery or no payment if the work doesn’t meet expectations. Deliver swiftly and exceed the client’s expectations, paving the way for recommendations and positive reviews.

My Experience:

This approach helped me secure several jobs. I’d send clients a low-resolution version of the final work so they could preview it before payment, and they would always pay for the final project files.

2. Identify Businesses on Social Media That Need Assistance

Every business venturing into the digital realm is likely advertising on social media.

They’re already investing in marketing to differentiate themselves from competitors. But do they recognize the advantages a skilled UX designer can bring?

How to Approach This:

Examine the business model and pinpoint opportunities they may be overlooking. Reach out to them; often, their only means of communication with clients is a WhatsApp chat. Initiate a conversation, establish rapport, provide valuable insights, and arrange a meeting to discuss additional ways you can assist them.

They may not even understand what UX Design entails, so take the initiative to clarify that.

My Experience:

I contacted a business and highlighted several points they were unaware of, inquired about their website or app functionality for customers, discussed the impact of UX on their operations, and provided similar business examples. I presented data showcasing potential revenue impacts.

Next, they will likely set up a meeting with you to explore your offerings, and you just need to finalize the contract.

3. Choose a Company You Want to Work With

Another effective method for landing your first significant project, possibly even a full-time role, is to identify a company you admire or one you currently work for, albeit not in your desired UX capacity.

How to Do This:

Research the company, learn about its competitors, challenges, values, and objectives.

Then, create a solution and share it on LinkedIn to capture their attention. Ask to participate in their design meetings and so forth. You might be surprised at how effective this can be; I’ve seen individuals land jobs this way.

My Experience:

Currently, in addition to freelancing, I work for a software development company. While I focus more on research quality than on product design, I observe the products evolving. I frequently email suggestions for adjustments based on UX principles, heuristics, and research, and thus far, they’ve been receptive.

Congratulations! You’re now ready to start making your mark. If you encounter any knowledge gaps, take the initiative to learn; information is readily available today. I’ll leave you with a powerful Brazilian saying:

“Don’t waste your time chasing butterflies. Tend to your garden, and the butterflies will come.” — Mario Quintana

As always, feel free to reach out or leave a comment on this article. I appreciate your feedback; it motivates me to continue sharing insights and experiences. I will respond to every message over time.

That’s all for today.

If you need anything, connect with me on LinkedIn.

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