You’ve decided that the time has come to upgrade to a new role, but before you begin the hunt for that perfect new position, it’s essential that you take some time to make some crucial updates. And, when that new job is in the competitive field of UX design, paying attention to these updates is particularly valuable. Recruiters for such vacancies typically receive hundreds,- if not thousands, of applications, so make sure that your personal selling points stand out. Showcasing your skills, experience, and knowledge of core programs, along with a sound portfolio of projects that you’ve worked on, will ensure that your CV stands out.
Don’t Forget Your Online Presence
Nowadays, it’s the norm for hiring managers to check out any potential new recruits with a simple internet search, so be sure to clean up any content on your social media accounts that could cast you in a less than professional light. From photos of wild nights out to tweets that could make you sound lazy or unenthusiastic about work, these seemingly innocuous snippets of information could do you more harm than you think. Instead, use your social media accounts to frame yourself as a positive, hard-working and motivated individual- in short, the kind of person that companies love to hire.
Don’t forget that your email address needs to be professional, too. Studies show that CVs with a jokey or otherwise inappropriate email contact address will be dismissed out of hand- before hiring managers even take a glance at the impressive skills you could offer them.
Four Vital Updates
With the above taken care of, it’s time to address those four essential updates.
1, Polish Your Portfolio
Having a great portfolio is the ideal way to put your money where your mouth is and clearly demonstrate to employers that you can deliver. The key to having a portfolio that wows is to ensure that it is a carefully curated selection of your best work, and that it highlights that depth and breadth of skills and knowledge you can bring to the table. Don’t worry if you’re new to the game: you can still craft an effective portfolio by taking on a low quality existing website and carrying out a heuristic evaluation of its shortcomings, showing how you would improve it. Show your thinking, and your future boss could well be impressed.
2, Make Your CV Bespoke
Your CV should never be thought of as a “one size fits all” document. Instead, tailor your CV to each and every job you apply for, if you want to make a great impression on hiring managers. This means paying careful attention to the job description so you can showcase just how you meet the brief. When it comes to CVs, less is definitely more, so cut out any content that doesn’t support your application for the vacancy in question.
3, Reach Out To Your Network
Now is the time to get in touch with the people you already know in the industry, be they former classmates, colleagues or those who have crossed paths with you professionally in the past. LinkedIn can be a useful way to establish or consolidate industry connections, too, as can dedicated UX groups and communities, and real world networking events. Not only can these networks help you to share and improve your knowledge and skills, but you might even get a valuable heads up about an exciting new job opportunity.
4, Update Your Approach
And finally, if you really want to get ahead of the competition, it makes sense to partner with specialists in UX, UI and Product Design recruitment. Taking advantage of the experience and expertise held by our team at RMG Digital can make the difference between taking on just another job, and finding the position that can help your career truly develop. We will guide you through every step of your job search to ensure you get the role that is perfect for you. Why not get in touch today on 020 3800 1118 and discover how we could transform your career in this exciting field?
