Vol. 003 - How I build my network to land a $200k product design job?

Hi designers,

Welcome to Vol. 003 of the UX Jetpack Newsletter, where I share job searching tips weekly. This week we are talking about:

1. How I build my network to land a $200k product design job?
2. Do you need to keep up with design trends?
3. How should you reach out to people on LinkedIn?
4. Big tech to startup?

If you enjoy those tips, please consider sharing them with your friends. They can sign up at https://uxjetpack.com/newsletter

How I build my network to land a $200k product design job?

Building connections helped me land my $200k design job at the start of the pandemic. Here’s how I did it then, and how you can implement it now.

1. Meet new people at https://lunchclub.com/ This was a great place to step out of my comfort zone. It helped me get used to talking with strangers.
2. Join online design communitiesIf you are uncomfortable talking to people, chatting with people on Slack or Discord is a great way to meet new ones. You can also schedule coffee chats with people you find interesting and want to meet.
3. Build projects and let others reach out to youI created https://designerslack.community to help designers find all possible online communities. Some designers have reached out to me because of this. This also becomes a conversation starter whenever I chat with other designers.
4. Chat with designers on ADPList ADPList is a great place to get feedback from people, but you can also use it to meet designers from all around the world. You can learn a lot by asking people how they got into design.

Building connections is not a quick process, challenge yourself to talk to new people every week, even if it’s just one person. You will see how your network can work for you in no time.

Do you need to keep up with trends?

Is it important to keep up with trends in the design and tech industries as a designer?

Absolutely, but...

If you're starting out in your career, mastering the foundations will take you much further, especially if you're seeking a job. Knowing how to use the latest software or follow UI trends won't help you secure a job. Chances are that even if you do get the job, you won't have the opportunity to utilize these trendy things.

Instead, prioritize honing your storytelling skills, building meaningful connections, and perfecting how you present yourself. These are the keys to landing a job and laying a solid foundation for long-term success in your career.

How to reach people on LinkedIn?

LinkedIn is the most powerful tool for building connections and expanding your network. Here are some common mistakes people make when trying to build connections on LinkedIn.

1. Not sending a personalized note when connecting.Most people don’t want to connect with people they don’t know. So adding a personalized message will give them a reason to accept your cold reach out. You can do that by adding a note once you click connect button on the desktop, or click “Personalize invite” on the mobile app.
2. Don’t mention why you want to connectSome people get invites all the time, if you don’t let them know why you want to connect, your messages will get ignored instantly. Be brief and clear about why you want to connect and what you are asking. Don’t say “I want to connect with you because I want to learn from people”.
3. Feel discouraged if you don’t get a replyPeople are busy; even if you write a personalized note, it doesn’t mean other people will connect with you, you should never expect other people to do it unless you know them personally. So if you don’t hear back, move on. If you do hear back, please respect other’s time and be prepared when you want to do a coffee chat.

I hope those tips help you to connect with more people on LinkedIn.

Big tech or startup?

Big tech or small startups: Which is better for starting a career in UX design? Well, it depends.

In big tech, you get:

• An established design process
• Clear growth trajectory and mentorship
• A fancy resume

In a startup, you get:

• Opportunities to learn all aspects of building a business
• The chance to move fast and experiment with new ideas
• More responsibility for the product

So, which path should you choose? Here's the reality: In today's market, it's all about taking the opportunities that come your way.