The Ultimate Guide to Remote Job Hunting for UI/UX Designers in 2023

With many companies cutting back and laying off employees, finding a job can be more challenging than usual. In this article, I’ll be sharing some tips based on my experience that can help you in your quest for a remote job. This article is divided into four sections: portfolio, resume, social profiles, and application process. Each section will help you optimize your remote job search. Let’s dive in!

Portfolio

I can’t stress the importance of the portfolio enough! Here are three key tips to help you optimize your portfolio and increase your chances of success:

• Add as many projects as possible: When it comes to building your portfolio, the more projects you have, the better. Don’t overthink what to add to your portfolio; it’s better to have something imperfect than to have nothing at all. This is an iterative process, just like design itself, so you can always go back and edit and improve your projects as you go along.

When I began my job search, I included some projects in my portfolio that were far from perfect. After a few months, I looked back and found them amusingly unprofessional. However, those projects helped me secure a job. So, don’t hesitate to showcase your work.

• Include at least one case study: While visual skills are important, some employers also want to see your design process. By including a case study in your portfolio, you can showcase your design process from start to finish. This can include everything from ridiculous sketches to high-fidelity mockups. Make sure to explain your design choices and thought process throughout the case study.
• Design a PDF version of your portfolio: Some companies require a PDF version of your portfolio during the application process. To avoid any last-minute stress, design a PDF version in advance and have it ready to go. You never know when you might need it.

Consider my portfolio as an imperfect example.

Resume

Here are the tips on how to create a well-organized and easy-to-scan resume that stands out to recruiters.

• Keep your Resume simple and clean: Your portfolio is where you showcase your visual skills. For your resume, avoid over designing with unnecessary icons, buttons, interactive elements, or high-resolution images. Remember, less is more.
• Don’t limit yourself to one page: The one-page resume myth has been around for a long time, but it’s time to move past it. Instead, aim for a well-organized, easy-to-read document that provides all the necessary information. Think like a UX designer, and create a resume that is user-friendly and easy to navigate.
• Make your resume scannable: With a large number of applicants for a single job opening, recruiters often have limited time to go through every resume. Highlight the main points of your experience and skills, and make sure they are easy to scan. Use bullet points and clear headings to make it simple for the recruiter to find what they are looking for.

If you need a resume template or some inspiration, feel free to email me and I’ll be happy to share my resume.

Social profiles

Building your social media presence takes time and effort, but it’s an essential part of building your career as a designer. So, keep posting, engaging, and growing your network. Here are some tips:

• It’s never too late to start: Post your work even if you only have a few followers or views on platforms like Behance or Dribbble. In most cases, recruiters do not care about how many followers or views you have; they are looking for a designer, not an influencer.
• Keep your LinkedIn account up-to-date: Take the time to fill out your profile with your relevant experience, skills, and certifications.
• Join design communities: Join design groups on social media, attend industry events, and follow influential design pages. By doing so, you’ll surround yourself with like-minded people and learn new things even when you’re not actively seeking out new information.

Application process

The job application process can be both exciting and daunting, with many steps to navigate and potential pitfalls to avoid.

• Be ready to get ignored: You will get ignored and rejected a lot! Accept the fact that 90% (if not more) of your applications won’t even be opened. Don’t take it personally, and don’t let it demotivate you!
• Be ready to get ghosted: LinkedIn recruiters will leave your message on seen! Even when they initiated the conversation. I can’t even count how many times recruiters messaged me and didn’t reply to my response.
• Have a ready-made email text template for quick application: Always change them when you are applying, though.
• Write a script on the most frequently asked questions: Although you might be asked a different set of topics at each interview, there are a few questions that are asked at most, if not all, interviews, such as “Tell me about yourself” and “Describe your design process.” I recommend to draft a backup script because you can be nervous during the interview. Make sure they are concise and to the point.
• Apply a lot: Quantity over quality here! Don’t apply to three positions and wait for a response from them for ages. The more positions you apply for, the better your chances of getting a job.

The most important thing to keep in mind while looking for a job is to remain motivated, even if you don’t get the offer as quickly as you had planned — it can take weeks, months, or even a year. The search for a job can be tough in and of itself, so it’s crucial not to let anyone or anything get you down.

Good luck to all job seekers out there! Thank you for reading!